Auto Door Closer

by palaniappan

4.7K318

Intro: Auto Door Closer

Here is my First published Instructable - an poor man's efficient AUTO DOOR Closer which is totally gravity driven

STEP 1: Automatic Door Closer - Materials

1. 2 meter long rope (preferably nylon - 5mm or thicker than that)

2. 1 wood screw or nail - atleast 2 inch long

3. empty 2 liter soda bottle

4. water(or sand) - as per requirement

Tools

5. Screw driver or Hammer

STEP 2: How It Is Made?

1. Start with driving the screw in the top limp of the frame of the door.

It should in the center or towards the opening side but not close to the hinge.

Drive the screw or nail deep enough to carry at most 2 kg of weight( which depends on the speed of closure needed).

2. Tie the rope one end to the pet bottle and the other end to the nail securely. the rope length should be so that the bottle hangs at the center of the door or lower. (So by Indian standards for a 2 m high door take 1 m long piece rope.)

3 . Next fill the bottle with water or sand as you wish. But the level of material depends mainly on the speed at which door need to be closed and also changes with the weight of the door. But when the door closes fast it gives a bigger unpleasant bang noise. It can be avoided by properly sticking some foam or thermocole without affecting the full shutting of door. But it is to the user to decide. I didn't use any foam, rather I used lesser water in the bottle.

4. This method saves a lot of walking to open or closing the door as the case may be in any room or home. Also it is helpful in preventing heat to enter as in air conditioned room and vice verse in heated rooms.

5. This is very cheap and effective and operates by gravity. Low maintenance as the rope may wear out after continuous rubbing with door. If improved, a pulley placed at the rubbing point will improve the functioning.

STEP 3: Finished Look - Artistic Impression

Soon I will upload real fotos and working video.

8 Comments

espdp2 9 years ago

Very nice. We did this sort of thing often when I was in the military. I've always liked improvised mechanisms.

palaniappan 9 years ago

Thanks...Just to add on to it ..We can nail down a Pulley on the door where the rope frequently rubs the door....on the positive side , it will make the mechanism smoother but also shutting speed is increased and creates a louder BANG...then it calls for cushion on the frame..it always door to door and requirement specific and there is no "one design for all"..have a good time

jeanniel1 9 years ago

VERY clever and easy! Good thinking. I love how simple it is and with everyday materials.

darrick79 9 years ago

If to place another picot point or nail on the same of the door frame as the hinges then at least you will not walk into a bottle when using the door.

JoshS1 9 years ago

You can't walk into it as the bottle would be sliding up/down the back of the door...

darrick79 9 years ago

Some people may be a little taller than you.

MsSweetSatisfaction 9 years ago

Clever design! Can't wait to see the video and the photos! Thanks for sharing!