Closure System With Interlocking Slats And Retention Bar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional closure systems are inadequate in withstanding greater external forces and maintaining operability, particularly under wind loads or prying conditions.

Innovation Solution

A closure system comprising a guide assembly with interlocking slats and a retention bar, where each slat has a retention groove and a bead configuration that enhances strength and resistance to deformation, allowing the system to withstand significant forces and pressures, including wind and prying forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional closure systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the system cannot withstand greater external forces and remains inadequate under wind loads or prying conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to withstand external forcesVSAvoidclosure system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure system is divided into multiple slats that can move independently within the guide assembly. Each slat is a separate component that can be positioned to resist external forces, allowing the system to achieve high strength while maintaining operational flexibility and manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention bar is positioned within the retention grooves of the slats, creating a nested configuration where one component fits within another. This nesting arrangement provides structural reinforcement and enhances the ability to withstand external forces without significantly increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the closure system uses interlocking slats with retention grooves and beads, then the structural integrity under high-force impacts is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidretention groove and bead dimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The retention grooves and beads are strategically positioned at specific locations on the slats where structural reinforcement is most needed. By concentrating precision features only where necessary rather than throughout the entire slat, the system achieves high structural integrity while reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The slats are designed to be movable within the guide assembly rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position to resist external forces. This dynamic capability compensates for minor dimensional variations in the retention grooves and beads, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the retention groove sidewalls extend deeper into the slat, then the engagement with the retention bar is stronger, but the slat becomes more susceptible to deformation under impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention bar engagement strengthVSAvoidslat deformation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retention groove sidewalls extend into the slat to a specific depth (one-third of the major slat width) rather than fully through or partially shallowly. This optimized parameter provides sufficient engagement strength with the retention bar while preserving enough slat material to resist deformation under impact forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If the closure system is designed to withstand greater forces, then the reliability under wind and prying loads improves, but the ease of operation may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperability under loadVSAvoidclosure operation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slats are designed to move dynamically within the guide assembly, allowing smooth operation during normal use. The guide assembly provides controlled guidance that enables easy operation while the interlocking slat configuration maintains reliability under wind and prying loads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide assembly acts as an intermediary between the slats and the external environment, providing controlled guidance and resistance. This intermediary structure enables smooth operation during closure movement while maintaining the structural integrity needed to withstand external forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240344387A1Closure system

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 CORNELLCOOKSON LLC

AI summary

In one embodiment, a closure system comprises a guide assembly having a channel defined by a first guide wall and a second guide wall. The closure system may include a retention bar extending into the channel from the first guide wall and a plurality of slats. Each slat of the plurality of slats may be configured to interlock with another of the plurality of slats. Each slat may have a retention groove with at least one sidewall configured and dimensioned to engage the retention bar to retain the slat within the channel.