Accordion Shutter Hinge Assembly Pinch Point Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing accordion shutter hinge assemblies create pinch points that can catch fingers and are complex to assemble, posing safety and installation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A hinge assembly design featuring curved arms and panel connection members with a finger protection bar, allowing for rotation without creating pinch points by engaging tips in closed channels, reducing assembly complexity and minimizing component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hinge assemblies with outer connection members and bent edge strips are used, then panel rotation is enabled, but pinch points are created where fingers can be caught

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel rotationVSAvoidpinch points

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the outer connection member and bent edge strip components that create pinch points, replacing them with an inner connection member system that rotates within a smooth bore. This extraction of harmful components eliminates the gap where fingers can be caught while preserving the essential rotation function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the panel edge rotate within an outer member (traditional design), the patent inverts the approach by having an inner connection member rotate within a smooth bore. This inversion places the rotation mechanism inside a protective enclosure rather than outside, eliminating external pinch points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If multiple components like outer connection members, inner connection members, and bent edge strips are used, then hinge functionality is achieved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge functionalityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple traditional hinge components (outer connection member, inner connection member, and bent edge strip) into a simplified assembly where the inner connection member integrates the rotational and structural functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable hinge functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner connection member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the rotational axis, structural support, and engagement mechanism within the smooth bore. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate outer connection members and bent edge strips, reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9062484B2Accordion shutter hinge assembly

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 QUALITAS MFG INC

AI summary

A hinge assembly connecting adjacent panels of an accordion shutter includes a hinge member having a pair of curved arms and a pair of panel connection members each having a pivot shaft. The pivot shafts are received within the corresponding curved arms and retained for rotation therein with the tips of the curved arms received in arm receiving channels of the panel connection members. The adjacent panels may be oriented at an angle of less than 180° with respect to each other when both panel connection members are rotated to positions wherein the tips of curved arms are engaged by the closed ends of the arm receiving channels. The base of the hinge member also has a pair of shoulders, and the adjacent panels are oriented approximately parallel when the panel connection members are rotated to positions wherein the panel connection members are engaged by the shoulders.