Glass Panel Guide Track Layout for Multi-Plane Sliding Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel systems face challenges with difficult positioning and use of stopper elements, which complicate the movement and alignment of multiple glass panels in different planes.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel system with guide elements that lean against both the upper guide track and adjacent glass panels, utilizing protrusions to facilitate smooth movement and alignment of glass panels in parallel or adjacent positions, simplifying the structure and enabling easy adjustment and concealment of guide elements within the upper guide track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stopper elements are attached to glass panels to enable movement in different planes, then the glass panels can be moved adjacent and close to each other, but the stopper elements are difficult to position and use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stopper element entirely from the system. Instead of using separate stopper elements attached to glass panels, the invention uses the guide track's physical structure (side walls and bottom surface) to define and constrain the movement paths. The guide elements on the glass panels interact directly with the guide track structure, eliminating the need for additional stopper components and their associated positioning difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of guiding and stopping into a single integrated structure. The guide track's side walls and bottom surface simultaneously provide lateral guidance, vertical support, and movement constraints for the glass panels. This merging eliminates the need for separate stopper elements and simplifies the overall system structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide elements and stopper elements are used to control glass panel movement, then the panels can move in different planes, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the guide track structure. The side walls provide lateral guidance and define movement planes, the bottom surface provides vertical support and prevents downward movement, and the overall structure constrains glass panel positions. This integration eliminates the need for separate stopper elements and reduces structural complexity while maintaining full movement control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides glass panel movement laterally, supports the panels vertically, constrains their positions, and enables movement in different planes. This multi-functional design replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components, significantly reducing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A glass panel system comprising a lower guide track (16), an upper guide track (14) and two adjacent glass panels (10) which are movable along the lower guide track and the upper guide track. The lower guide track (16) is configured to support the glass panels (10). The upper guide track (14) comprises two opposite side walls (141, 142), an elongated groove (22) and a free space being formed between the side walls. The glass panel (10) leans, on one hand, against both side walls (141, 142) of the upper guide track (14) by means of one guide element (24) and, on the other hand, against one side wall of the upper guide track (14) and against the adjacent glass panel (10) by means of another guide element (24). The guide elements (24) are arranged in the free space. For example, the guide elements (24) of different glass panels (10) can hit and/or engage each other so that the glass panels (10) could move together in parallel or one after another in different planes.