Folding Panel Assembly Resilient Strip Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding panel shutters face issues with mechanical integrity, noise production, and the need for adaptable slot widths to accommodate various thicknesses and insect screen netting, particularly with metal components, and require improved immobilization of panels during ventilation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of resilient brush strips within frame posts to prevent rattling noises and accommodate plates of varying thicknesses, along with magnetic attraction for immobilizing panels when covering architectural openings, allowing for a single slot width and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wider slots are used in perimeter frames to accommodate plates of various thicknesses and insect screen netting, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical integrity deteriorates due to unintentional movement and noise production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resilient strips at specific locations within the perimeter frame slots, creating localized damping zones. These strips are positioned to contact the plates at critical points, providing noise reduction and movement control only where needed, rather than requiring the entire slot structure to be more rigid. This allows the slot to remain wide for adaptability while maintaining mechanical integrity through targeted local modifications.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If resilient brush strips are incorporated in frame posts to prevent rattling noises, then noise production is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs resilient brush strips that function as flexible elements within the rigid perimeter frame structure. These brush strips are thin, flexible components that can be easily integrated into the existing frame posts without requiring major structural modifications. They provide noise damping through their flexible bristles that contact the plates, reducing rattling noises while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
3Strength
If metal materials are used for shutter panel components, then strength is improved, but noise production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining metal perimeter frame components with non-metallic resilient brush strips. The metal frames provide the necessary structural strength and rigidity, while the inserted brush strips (made of flexible materials) provide noise damping. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high strength from the metal components and noise reduction from the flexible strip materials, resolving the contradiction between strength and noise production.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces noise, accommodates different plate thicknesses, and ensures secure immobilization of panels during ventilation, enhancing the mechanical integrity and operational ease of folding panel assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
accommodation of a resilient strip within each of the first and second frame posts of a panel member, which is positioned to extend between an inner wall of the respective first and second frame posts and an outer surface of the respective one of the coextensive first and second plates
Implementation Method 2
magnetic attraction for immobilizing panels when covering architectural openings
Data Source
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AI summary
A panel member (17; 85; 51; 58) for architectural openings (3), includes a perimeter frame defined by first and second frame posts (19, 21, 37, 39; 79, 81, 59, 61), and upper and lower frame beams (23, 25, 41, 43; 87, 91, 63, 65). The perimeter frame of the panel member (17; 35; 51; 53) defines an inwardly opening slot (19B, 25A, 39B, 43A; 61B, 65A) Coextensive first and second plates (27A, 27B, 45A, 45B; 83A, 88B, 67A, 67B) are held in the respective inwardly opening slot to be relatively slidable with respect to each other. A resilient strip (99) is accommodated within each of the first and second frame posts (19, 21, 37, 89; 79, 81, 59, 61), and positioned to extend between an inner wall of the respective first and second frame posts and an outer surface of the respective one of the coextensive first and second plates (27A, 27B, 45A, 45B; 83A, 83BS 67A5 87B), as well as longitudinally of each first and second frame posts. A folding panel assembly (1) for architectural openings (8), includes at least one such panel member as first or second panel members, a mounting post (11; 77) for mounting to a substantially vertical perimeter portion of an architectural opening. A first hinge (15; 75) is connected to the mounting post (11; 77), and the first panel member (17; 51) has its first frame post (19; 79) pivotally mounted by the first hinge. A second hinge (83; 55) is connected to the second frame post (21; 81) of the first panel member, and the second panel member (35; 53) has its first frame post (37; 59) pivotally mounted by the second hinge (33; 55),