Flexible Space Divider with Knuckle Flap Mechanism to Eliminate Gaps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space dividers for indoor sports facilities, such as gymnasiums, are either rigid and pose injury risks or flexible ceiling-mounted dividers that allow gaps between panels and adjacent surfaces, allowing objects to pass through and increase injury risks.
Innovation Solution
A system using a flexible sheet member with a knuckle member and flap mechanism that can be deployed to press against an adjacent surface, eliminating gaps and providing a secure, retractable division of space without causing injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid floor mounted dividers are used, then space division is effective, but user safety deteriorates due to injury risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible ceiling-mounted dividers made of fabric or mesh materials that can be tensioned to provide effective space division while remaining soft and flexible to prevent user injuries upon contact, directly resolving the contradiction between division effectiveness and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flexible ceiling mounted dividers are used, then user safety improves by reducing injury risks, but space division effectiveness deteriorates due to gaps between dividers and walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable tensioning mechanisms that allow the flexible dividers to be dynamically tensioned against adjacent walls and structures, eliminating gaps and preventing object passage while maintaining the flexible safety characteristic
Solution Approach 2:
The dividers are pre-tensioned during installation to eliminate gaps between the divider edges and adjacent walls or fencing, ensuring that objects cannot pass through before the system is put into use
3Ease of operation
If ceiling mounted dividers are used, then ease of operation improves with retractability, but space division effectiveness deteriorates due to inherent gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the divider system with ceiling-mounted retractable mechanisms that maintain tension on the flexible dividers during both deployed and retracted states, allowing easy operation while ensuring gaps are eliminated when the dividers are in use
Data Source
AI summary
A system for eliminating gaps between a flexible sheet and an adjacent surface. A flexible sheet has a body, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a side edge. The flexible sheet is movable between retracted and deployed configurations. A knuckle member has first and second pivotable portions, the first portion is coupled to the lower edge of the flexible sheet and the second portion has a T-shaped first end coupled to a flap on the side edge of the flexible sheet. When the flexible sheet is retracted the second portion of the knuckle is angled with respect to the first portion. When the flexible sheet is deployed the second portion of the knuckle is coaxial with the first portion and the T-shaped first end moves the flap outward to engage the adjacent surface.