WO2020094920A1

WO2020094920A1 - Arrangement in a sliding door

Info

Publication number: WO2020094920A1
Application number: PCT/FI2019/050783
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tapani Renkola
Original assignee: Piantek Oy
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-05
Publication date: 2020-05-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a sliding door (2) of a work module (1). The sliding door is adapted to be movable in its lateral direction parallel to an outer surface (12) of an outer wall of the work module to open and close a door opening (3) therein. The transfer movement is achievable by means of a sliding mechanism (4) connecting the sliding door to a body of the work module. The sliding mechanism comprises guiding arms (10) protruding from the body (5) of the sliding door to a top surface (8) and bot- tom surface (9) of the work module, which guiding arms are connected to slide rails (11) in the work module. This way, the guiding arms carry the sliding door substantially in the direction of the outer surface of the outer wall of the work module. The sliding door (2) for its part comprises said door body (5) that receives the guiding arms (10), and a door panel (13) adapted in the door body and movable in the direction of the normal (N) of the plane defined by it.

Description

Arrangement in a sliding door

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to an arrangement in a sliding door ac cording to the preamble of claim 1. Such an arrangement enhances opening a slid- ing door and closing a door opening tightly.

ln prior art sliding doors, problems have emerged with regard to ac complishing a good sealing. When a sliding door is moving along a wall surface defining a door opening, the door as a general rule has to be provided with a bris tle-like seal to avoid damaging the wall surface and to allow the sliding of the door along the wall in the first place lf the goal is to close the door tightly to prevent e.g. disturbing sounds from being carried, a door provided with hinges and seals has to be selected for the room in question.

Brief description of the invention

lt is an ob j ect of the invention to provide an arrangement by means of which the aforementioned problems may for the most part be solved.

This object is achieved in such a manner that the arrangement in the sliding door is, in accordance with the present invention, provided with the char acteristic features defined in the claims. More specifically, the arrangement ac- cording to the invention is mainly characterised by what is disclosed in the char acterising part of claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the depend ent claims.

The invention is based on the observation that a sliding doors is in fact implementable with two main elements, a door body and a door body movable in relation thereto.

The terms“top edge”,“bottom edge”,“above”,“below” and so forth used in the specification illustrate the features of the invention in the directions that are relative to the arrangement in the sliding door of the invention as pre- sented in the attached figures.

The invention provides considerable advantages. Consequently, the solution according to the invention achieves a sliding door that seals effectively when it is closed without the structures around the door opening being subjected to wear caused by the dragging seal. At the same time, the seal itself is prevented from wearing, with its sealing capability maintained up to the entire service life of the sliding door.

Other advantages provided by the invention are disclosed in the fol lowing more detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

ln the following, a preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Figure 1 is a diagonal front view of a work module with the sliding door open,

Figure 2 is a diagonal front view of a work module with the sliding door closed,

Figure 3 is a top view of the work module’s edge on the door side, with the sliding door closed,

Figure 4 is a front view of the work module with the sliding door closed as in Figure 3,

Figure 5 shows a vertical section of the Figure 4 door body along line

C-C,

Figure 6 shows a detail of Figure 3 along line A-A,

Figure 7 shows a detail of Figure 3 along line B-B,

Figure 8 is a top view of the work module’s edge on the door side, with the sliding door in a partly opened position,

Figure 9 is a front view of the work module, with the sliding door in a partly opened position as in Figure 8,

Figure 10 shows a vertical section of the Figure 9 work module along line E-E,

Figure 11 shows a detail of Figure 8 along line D-D,

Figure 12 shows a detail of Figure 11,

Figure 13 is a top view of the work module’s edge on the door side, with the sliding door partly opened and the top left corner of the sliding door partly in cross-section,

Figure 14 is a vertical section of the work module along line F-F of Fig ure 13, the top corner of the sliding door partly in cross-section,

Figure 15 is a front view of the work module with the sliding door partly open, and the top left corner of the sliding door partly in cross-section, Figure 16 shows a vertical section of the work module along E-E of the door body of Figure 9, illustrating the utilization of a ball bearing for providing a door panel with a bearing and suspension at points shown in Figures 13 to 15,

Figure 17 shows an alternative vertical section of the work module along F-F of Figure 13, with the door panel equipped with roller bearings,

Figure 18 is a blow-up of the part marked in Figure 17,

Figure 19 shows a detail of Figure 17 along G-G,

Figure 20 shows the sliding door led to its closed position,

Figure 21 shows an assisting feature for opening the sliding door, Figures 22 and 23 show how the sliding door is led to its open posi tion,

Figure 24 is a diagonal front view of the work module, the body of the sliding door locked against the outer wall of the work module, and a glass door el ement opened,

Figure 25 is a side view of the work module, the body of the sliding door locked against the outer wall of the work module, and the glass door ele ment opened,

Figure 26 shows a detail of Figure 25.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

The present figures do not show the arrangement in a sliding door in scale, but the figures are schematic, illustrating the structure and operation of the preferred embodiment in principle. The structural parts shown by reference numbers in the attached figures then correspond to the structural parts marked by reference numbers in this specification.

The present arrangement thus relates e.g. to a sliding door 2 of a work module 1 according to Figure 1. Such a work module is manufactured in a manner known per se by using aluminium or other profile strips and glass or similar ele ments installed in them. The work module thus forms a space having the form of a closed cube, for example, and provided with a door opening 3, and which may be furnished as appropriate for any one use.

The present arrangement relates in particular to how a sliding door 2 installed in such a work module 1 and its operation are solved. Therefore, the subject matter at hand is a sliding door whose movement in the lateral direction is controlled in a known manner by means of two opposite primary sliding mech anisms 4 fixed to a door body in the sliding door in question, see e.g. Figures 3 and 5. This means that protruding from the door opening 5, from a top edge 6 there on, and correspondingly from a bottom edge 7, onto a top surface 8 and bottom surface 9 on the work module 1, there are specific guiding arms 10, see e.g. Fig ures 3 and 6. There may be one or more of such guiding arms at both edges of the door body, and they are fixed from their ends opposite to the door body to slide rails 11 in the work module. This way the guiding arms will support the sliding door substantially in the direction of the outer surface 12 of the outer wall in the work module. The door body is movable by means of said primary slide mecha nisms 4 in the direction of the outer surface of the work module outer wall to open and close the door opening 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example.

The sliding door 2 for its part consists of two main elements, the aforementioned door body 5, which advantageously comprises one or more inter connected corner profiles fixed to the guiding arms 10, see e.g. Figures 14 and 15. These corner profiles in fact determine the outline of the sliding door, which in this embodiment forms a conventional rectangle with its vertical and horizontal edges. Furthermore, adapted to the door body there is a separate door panel 13 movable in relation to the door body and advantageously echoing the shapes of the door body, and, as mentioned, being substantially rectangular in this embod iment. The door panel may have a uniform structure or it may comprise a sepa- rate frame and, installed in it, a glass element or a similar at least partly transpar ent element. The transfer movement of the door panel may be achieved in the di rection of the normal N of the plane defined by the door body, whereby the door panel may be led, when opening and closing the sliding door, on the one hand to a position separate from the outer surface 12 of the outer wall of the work module, and on the other hand, to a position pressed against the outer surface ln the latter position, the door panel closes the door opening 3 tightly.

To implement the sealing between the outer surface 12 of the work module 1 outer wall and the sliding door 2, the door panel 13 is connected to the door body 5 by using one or more transfer means 14. There is one or more such transfer means substantially symmetrically on two sides of the door panel, at the vertical edges of the present embodiment ln the present embodiment, the verti cal edges of the door panel form a front edge 15, moving first in the closing direc tion, and a rear edge 16, moving first in the opening direction. Each transfer means is formed of an advantageously horizontal transfer channel 17 in the door body, and a roller bearing 18 protruding from an outer vertical edge of the door panel, such as the front and rear edges of the present embodiment, and adaptable in the transfer channel. Cf. Figures 17 to 19. The roller bearing is arranged to move in said transfer channel of the door body in the direction of the normal N of the plane defined by the door body. To stabilise the movement of the door panel, it is/may be provided with guiding means 19 adapted in the corners of the door panel. Such guiding means, which may be e.g. rollers 21 rotating in relation to the vertical axis 20, rest on the door body 5 surrounding the door panel. The guiding means thus center the door panel in relation to the direction perpendicular to the vertical axis thereof as the door panel is moving in relation to the door body.

The transfer and guiding means 14 and 19 described in the above may obviously be implemented, for example, by ball bearings 22 installed on the edges of the door panel. Such an embodiment is shown e.g. in Figures 13 to 16. Advanta geously there are two of them at the top edge 23 and bottom edge 24 of the door panel, and three at both vertical edges, see e.g. Figure 16. The purpose of the ball bearings is the same as that of the transfer and guiding means, that is, to carry and support the door panel for its positioning in the door frame and its movement in relation to the door frame.

The sealing between the outer surface 12 of the work module 1 outer wall and the sliding door 2 is finalized by a seal 25 arranged on the outer edges of the door panel 13, said seal when pressed against the outer wall closes the door panel 3 tightly. Alternatively, the seal may obviously be installed on the outer sur face of the outer wall of the work module, surrounding in such a case the door opening therein.

To guide the door panel 13 towards the outer surface 12 of the work module 1 outer wall, spring means 26, such as those of Figures 6, 7 and 20 to 23, are arranged between the door body 5 and door panel 13, which spring means di rect on the door panel a continuous force effect towards the outer wall. To pre vent wear and tear of the seal 25, this force effect needs to be cancelled and seal detached from the outer surface of the outer wall (or in an alternative embodi ment, from the surface of the sliding door) for the duration of lateral movement of the sliding door. With the above in mind, a diverting mechanism has been accom plished, by means of which the movement of the door panel is guided in relation to the door body during lateral movement of the sliding door. The diverting mechanism comprises a secondary slide mechanism 27 connected to the door panel, formed of secondary guiding arms 28 protruding from the substantially horizontal top edge 23 and bottom edge 24 of the door panel, and extending to the top surface 8 and bottom surface 9 of the work module, See e.g. Figures 5 to 7. There may be one or more of these secondary guiding arms at both horizontal edges of the door panel, and they are connected from their ends opposite to the door panel to guide bearings 30 in the work module 1, running in guide channels 29 which are parallel to the sliding mechanism 4. The guide bearings each com- prise of roll 32 bearing-mounted to their own vertical axes 31, the roll being adapted to press against an advantageously vertical mating surface 33 in the guiding channel on the slide rail side. These secondary guiding arms 28 in such a case have a length which positions the door panel 13 and the seal 25 thereon to a position not touching the outer surface 12 of the outer wall, (or if the seal is adapted on the outer surface, to a position not touching the outer surface of the door panel). By arranging recesses 34 in the mating surface, where the rolls 32 of the guiding bearings are allowed to settle only at the time the door panel 13 is at the door opening 3, it is possible to accomplish local movement, guided by the spring means 26, towards the outer wall. The movement squeezes the seal be- tween the outer wall and door panel, sealing the sliding door against the work module. The lateral movement taking place during the opening of the door panel lifts the rolls of the guiding bearings off their recesses and to be guided by the mating surface. At the same time, the seal detaches from the outer surface of the work module outer wall (or from the outer surface of the door panel) and the wear and tear on the seal may be reliably and simply prevented.

To establish an even compression of the seal 25, the secondary guiding arms carrying the door panel are provided with guiding bearings 30 so that there are advantageously at least two of them both at the top and bottom edges 23 and 24 of the door panel 13. By arranging, as in the present embodiment, two succes- sive guiding bearings in the front direction of the door panel closing direction, so on the end on the front edge 15 side, it is possible to avoid the pressing of the guiding bearing into the recess 34 at the opposite end of the door panel, that is, at the rear edge 16 side, obstructing smooth opening of the sliding door. See Figure 23.

The sliding door 2 of the present work module 1 is guided from the closed position of Figure 2 to the opened position of Figure 1 by moving the slid ing door in the situation shown in the figures, to the left edge of the work module 1. This movement is achieved by directing a force effect to the sliding door, in the direction of the slide rails 11 of the slide mechanisms 4 that are in the top and bottom surface 9 and 10 of the work module, by means of, for example, a handle 35 fixed to the door panel 13 of the sliding door. The force effect thus moves the sliding door by the guiding arms 10 connected to the slide rails and protruding from the door body of the sliding door.

The preferred embodiment of the sliding door 2 presented here oper ates in the following manner as shown in Figures 20 to 23.

Figure 20 shows a sliding door 2, pressing against the outer wall 12 of the work module 1, in which case the door panel 13 in the sliding door isolates the inner space of the work module from external disturbance by means of the seal 25 arranged between the door panel and the outer wall of the work module.

When the sliding door 2 is being opened, it is subjected to a force ef- feet, as described in the above, by means of the handle 35 fixed to the door panel 13 of the sliding door. Such a force effect in the direction of the slide rails 11 of the slide mechanisms 4 on the top and bottom surfaces 9 and 10 of the work module 1 moves the sliding door by means of the guiding arms 10 connected to the slide rails and protruding from the door body of the sliding door from the closed position of Figure 2 to the opened position of Figure 1.

To assist the opening movement, there are abutment bearings 37 ro tating around a vertical axis 36 arranged on the top and bottom edges 23 and 24 of the door panel 13. These abutment bearings rest on the outer surface 12 of the work module outer wall as guided by the spring means 26 and the spring force they produce. By adjusting the protrusion of the abutment bearings from the door panel, it is also possible to adjust the compression of the seal 25, which is be tween the door panel and outer surface. The details of Figure 20 illustrate how the seal compresses on its entire distance against the outer wall and door panel.

When the sliding door 2 is guided to the open position, the abutment bearings 37, pressing against the outer surface 12 of the work module 1 and being first in the movement direction of the sliding door, act as a lever point when the handle 35 of the sliding door is pushed or pulled. Cf. the detailed views of Figure 21 in which the abutment bearing in the detailed view on the left acts as the lever point, the abutment bearing on the right rising off the outer wall at the same time detaching the seal for the amount of distance d. This way it is becomes easier to open the sliding door, as the guiding bearings 30 on the handle side (the ones on the right in the view) fully or at least almost fully rise from their recesses 34 while the guiding bearing on the lever point side (the one on the left in the view) rises less from the recess. The purpose of the lever lift is, in addition to lifting the guid- ing bearings, to lift the seal 25 off the outer surface of the work module, which helps minimize the contact between the seal and the outer surface. As the sliding door 2 is moving towards its open position, the guiding bearings 30 connected to the door panel 13 of the sliding door by secondary guid ing arms 28 at its bottom and lower edge 22 and 23 are pressed against the mat ing surface 33 of each guiding channel 29 in the work module 1. The rolls 32 forming the guiding bearings and rising from the recesses 23 designed in the mat ing surface push, when the sliding door is being opened, the door panel on it off the outer surface 12 of the work module. As the door panel is distancing itself from the outer surface, it detaches at the same time the seal 25 arranged against the outer surface from contact with the outer surface. Cf. Figures 22 and 23. This prevents wear and tear of the seal and damages to the outer wall due to the drag ging motion of the seal. As the door panel is distancing itself from the outer sur face, it also compresses more strongly against the spring means 26 between the door body 5 and door panel 13 of the sliding door.

As the door panel 13 moves, as a result of the opening motion, off the outer wall of the work module 1 towards the door body 5 of the sliding door 2, the movement of the door panel in relation to the door body is controlled by the transfer means 14. Connecting the door panel to the door body is in this case achievable by a plurality of transfer means, whereby the present embodiment, by way of example, makes use of the roller bearings 18 in the door panel, which are arranged to move in the transfer channels 17 created in the door body ln the present embodiment, there are advantageously at least two of these transfer channels on two sides of the door panel at both vertical edges. At the same time, the movement of the door panel to the door body is stabilized by similar guiding means 19, which reside, for example, in each corner of the substantially rectangu- lar door panel.

As described in the above, the transfer and guiding means 14 and 19 may be implemented by, for example, ball bearings 22 installed on the edges of the door panel ln this case, the ball bearings on the top edge 23 and bottom edge 24 of the door panel, as well as at both vertical edges of the door panel, carry and support the door panel. By means of the ball bearings, the door panel may be cen tered in the door frame while at the same time allowing the transfer movement of the door panel in relation to the door frame off the outer wall 12 of the work module 1.

When the sliding door 2 is moved to the closed position according to Figure 2, the following, on the other hand, takes place. As in the above, the movement is also in this case accomplished by means of the guiding arms 10 connected to the slide rails 11 of the slide mecha nisms 4 on the top and bottom surfaces 9 and 10 of the work module 1 and pro truding from the door body 6 of the sliding door 2.

As the sliding door 2 is moving to the closed position, the guiding bear ings 30 connected by the secondary guiding arms 28 to the door panel 13 of the sliding door move along the mating surface 33 of each guiding channel 29 in the work module 1, ending at the end of the movement up at the recesses 34 formed in the mating surface. Due to the subsequent movement of the guiding bearings, towards the recesses, the door panel 13 shifts in relation to the door body 5 to ward the outer surface 12 of the work module outer wall. The movement of the door panel towards the outer surface of the work module is enhanced by the compression force of the spring means 26 between the door body and door panel of the sliding door, which compresses the door panel against the seal 25 arranged between it and outer surface of the outer wall of the work module, again ending up in the situation according to Figure 20. By forming all the recesses equally deep, a uniform pressure is accomplished for the seal between the door panel and the outer surface of the work module. As in the above, the movement of the door panel towards the outer surface 12 of the work module outer wall is guided by means of the transfer means 14 while the door panel movement is stabilised by guide means 19, which rest on the door body 6 The transfer means and the guide means are, if so required, replaceable by ball bearings 22.

ln a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, said recesses 34 of the mating surface 33 advantageously correspond in form to the form of the guiding bearings 30, in this case a circular segment.

The present arrangement allows, in addition to the sliding door fea ture described in the above, adding the characteristics of a normal hinged door to it. This may be implemented so that the door panel 13 comprises a separate frame 38 and a glass element 39 hinged and sealed to it, or another advantageously at least partly transparent element. Cf. Figures 24 to 26. However, the door panel retains the sliding door characteristics. This is implementable so that the opening feature is selectable, when necessary, appropriate for the user.

ln the sliding door 2 feature, a hinged door would not be used, but the glass element 39 hinged to the frame 38 compresses the seal 40 of the hinged door against the frame lf a hinged door in brought into use, the frame 38 of the door panel 13 is locked in the door opening 3 so that the frame compresses the seal on the outer surface 12 of the work module outer wall ln such a case, the glass element 39 hinged to the frame is stable as concerns its features, and a nor mal hinged door as concern the use thereof, with its own hinged door seals.

lt is obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the basic idea of the described solution may be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus not restricted to the examples described above, but they may vary within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. An arrangement in a sliding door (2) of a work module (1), such a sliding door being adapted to be movable in its lateral direction parallel to an out er surface (12) of an outer wall that a work module has to open and close a door opening (3) therein, with such a transfer movement being achievable by means of a sliding mechanism (4) connecting the sliding door to a body of the work mod ule, the sliding mechanism comprising guiding arms (10) protruding from a top and bottom edge (6, 7) of the body (5) of the sliding door to a top surface (8) and bottom surface (9) of the work module, and the guiding arms being connected to slide rails (11) in the work module and being substantially parallel to the work module outer wall, the guiding arms carrying the sliding door substantially paral lel to the outer surface of the outer wall of the work module,

characterized in that

the sliding door (2) comprises two main elements, the door body (5) that receives the guiding arms (10) and a door panel (13) adapted in the door body and movable in the direction of the normal (N) of the plane defined by it.

2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the door body (5) comprises one or more interconnected corner profiles to define the outline of the sliding door.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the door panel (13) is uniform in structure.

4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the door panel (13) comprises a separate frame (38) and, installed in it, an at least partly transparent element (39).

5. An arrangement as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the at least partly transparent element (39) is in hinged to the frame (38), and the frame is locked to the door opening (3) so that the frame is adapted to compress a seal (25) against the outer surface (12) of the outer wall of the work module (1).

6. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the door panel (13) is adapted to be

guidable, when the sliding door (2) is being opened, to a position sepa rate from the outer surface (12) of the work module (1), and

guidable, when the sliding door (2) is being closed, to a position pressed against the outer surface (12) of the work module.

7. An arrangement as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the door panel (13) is connected to the door body (5) by using one or more trans- fer means (14), whereby there is one or more such transfer means substantially symmetrically on two sides of the door panel at edges thereof.

8. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the transfer members (14) are formed of transfer channels (17) in the door body (5), and roller bearings (18) protruding from the outer edge of the door panel

(13) and adaptable in the guiding channels, the roller bearings being arranged to move in said guiding channels of the door body.

9. An arrangement as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that to stabilise the movement of the door panel (13), it is provided with guiding means (19) adapted in the corners of the door panel, which by resting on the door body (5) are arranged to center the door panel and its movement with respect to the door body in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the door panel. 10. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, charac ter i z e d in that there is a seal (25) arranged on the outer edges of the door panel (13) guided against the outer surface (12) of the outer wall of the work module (1). 11. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 10, c h a r - acterized in that arranged between the door body (5) and door panel (13) there are spring means (26) adapted to direct onto the door panel a continuous force effect towards the outer wall of the work module to guide the door panel against the outer surface of the outer wall of the work module.

12. An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 6 to ^char acterized in that arranged to guide the movement of the door panel (13) along the outer surface (12) of the outer wall of the work module (1) there is a secondary slide mechanism (27) connected thereto,

such a secondary sliding mechanism (27) comprising secondary guid ing arms (28) extending from the top edge and bottom edge (23, 24) of the door panel (13) to the top surface (8) and bottom surface (9) of the work module,

such secondary guiding arms being connected from their ends oppo site to the door panel to guide bearings (30) in the work module, running in guide channels (29) which are parallel to the slide rails (11),

the guide bearings each comprising a roll (32) bearing-mounted to their own vertical axes (31), the roll being adapted to press against a mating sur face (33) in the guiding channel on the slide rail (11) side. 13. An arrangement as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the secondary guiding arm (28) has a length which positions the door panel (13) and the seal (25) thereon to a position not touching the outer surface (12) of the outer wall of the work module. 14. An arrangement as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the mating surface (33) has recesses (34) to which the rolls (32) of the guid ing bearing (30) are adapted to be guided when the door panel (13) is at the door opening (3) in the work module, whereby a movement is achievable of the door panel towards the outer wall of the work module, which movement is adapted to be guided by the spring means (26).

15. An arrangement as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the secondary guiding arms (28) carrying the door panel (13) are provided with guiding bearings (30) so that there are two successive ones on the front edge (15) side of the sliding door (2) and, on the rear edge side (16) of the sliding door, one both on the top and bottom edges of the door panel.