The pioneering development of a self-closing damper for extra safety at access hatches

Safety is central to any building-related system, especially in busy environments such as warehouses. When a major security and access systems manufacturer approached us with a complex challenge for a self-closing hatch, we knew that this project required customisation and technical precision. This success story shows how Brimotech developed a solution that not only met stringent safety requirements, but also led to significant growth in our customer’s production capacity.

Customer problem statement

Our client received a large order where they had to support heavy hatches in warehouses with gas springs so that they could be opened easily. But there was an additional challenge: the hatches had to close automatically and cushioned within a certain time after opening, without compromising safety. Several parties from the gas spring industry were invited to come up with a solution, but many dropped out because of the technical complexity of the requirements. In the end, we and a respected competitor were left to develop a working proposal.

Approach from Brimotech

We received a complete system from the customer asking us to return it as soon as it functioned perfectly. Our team started developing several 3D concepts, soon deciding to combine the damper and gas spring functions in one housing. After detailed calculations and extensive testing, we determined the optimal position and force for the damper/gas spring combination. We then perfected the damper function so that the hatch could close automatically and safely within the desired time.

The result was the Ø22 damper, equipped with an integrated gas spring function that compensated for the lifting weight. The customer was satisfied and the damper went into production. However, when the customer came up with an additional requirement-a solution for overloading that would not damage the system-we fitted the damper with an overload function. This function ensures that in case of excessive forces, the damper releases itself via a bypass, keeping the system intact and preventing accidents.

Results

This solution allowed our customer to market a safe, reliable and self-closing shutter system that perfectly meets the high safety requirements of warehouses. Production was significantly expanded to meet the increased demand. The successful collaboration positioned our customer as a market leader in safety and access systems, and strengthened Brimotech’s reputation as an innovative partner in the gas spring industry.

Conclusion

This project highlights Brimotech’s ability to tackle complex engineering challenges and deliver solutions that both improve safety and meet specific customer needs. By developing a self-closing damper with a unique overload function, we not only contributed to safety in warehouses, but also to our customer’s success and growth.