Balcony Panel Guiding Member for Wear-Free Corner Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balcony glazing systems face difficulties in opening and closing panels due to the need for precise positioning of guide track parts, which can cause friction and wear on aluminum fillets, and require manual intervention to lift guiding members, making them complex and user-unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A compact guiding member is integrated into the panel system, with adjustable length and placement to accommodate varying panel configurations, allowing for a large opening without damaging the fillet and enabling easy operation without manual adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guide track parts are placed in different positions in each panel to prevent premature opening, then the panel can be kept secure, but the opening at the profile edge must be enlarged which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
A guiding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the profile and the guide track part. This guiding member extends through the opening and provides a guiding surface that interfaces with the guide track part, allowing the opening to remain small while still accommodating panels with varying guide track part positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a one-dimensional opening in the profile to a two-dimensional guiding surface provided by the guiding member. This additional dimensional element allows the system to accommodate variations in guide track part position without enlarging the opening size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If guide track parts are placed in corners of panels for 90-degree turning, then panels can cross corners without hitting structures, but the opening must be enlarged to accommodate guide track parts at different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding member serves as a mediator that extends through the opening and provides a guiding surface for the guide track part. This allows panels with corner-placed guide track parts to turn 90 degrees without hitting surrounding structures, while the opening remains small due to the guiding member's presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member provides a dynamic guiding surface that adapts to the position of the guide track part as the panel moves and turns. This dynamic interaction enables corner passage capability without requiring a large fixed opening.
3Measurement precision
If a guiding member is used to support the panel at the opening, then the panel can be kept in correct position, but the guiding member requires manual lifting which increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding member is designed to be automatically lifted by the guide track part itself during panel operation. The guide track part, when moved along its path, engages with and lifts the guiding member without requiring separate manual intervention, thus maintaining precise positioning while simplifying operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member is positioned and prepared in advance within the profile opening. When the panel approaches, the guide track part automatically engages with the guiding member, which has already been placed in the correct position to provide guidance and support, eliminating the need for manual positioning during operation.
4Reliability
If guide track parts are placed close to the opening edge, then the panel can be kept secure, but friction and wear occur on aluminum fillets
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding member acts as an intermediary between the profile and the guide track part. It provides a guiding surface that reduces direct contact and friction between the guide track part and the profile opening edge, thereby reducing wear on aluminum fillets while maintaining panel security through the guiding surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member can be made from materials that are easier to replace than aluminum fillets. By concentrating wear on the guiding member rather than the expensive aluminum fillets, the system protects critical components from wear while allowing easier maintenance of the guiding member.
Data Source
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AI summary
A panel system comprising: a panel (1) that can be transferred and turned; an upper first guide track (4) and a lower second guide track (5), between which the panel is suspended; a first guide track part (3) coupled to the panel and arranged to follow the first guide track; an opening (16) which is provided in the first guide track and through which the first guide track part moves out of the first guide track when the first guide track part is in a predetermined location for the turning of the panel; and a guiding member (17) fastened to the first guide track and arranged to support the panel during the turning. The panel system also comprises: a counter element (18) which is fixed to the panel and is supported against the guiding member (17) during the turning of the panel, and is also placed against the guiding member (17) to prevent the turning of the panel when the first guide track part is at the opening but is not yet placed in the predetermined position for the turning of the panel.