Glass Panel System with Side Guide Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel systems face challenges in balancing strength and manual handling, as increasing glass thickness to withstand wind and blasts increases weight, making manual operation cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a horizontal and parallel guide track system with a locking element that prevents lateral bending of glass panels, allowing them to be made thinner or of similar weight while maintaining structural integrity, and enabling smooth movement and opening mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the glass panel is increased to withstand wind and blasts, then the strength of the glass panel is improved, but the weight of the glass panel is increased making manual handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented between multiple guide tracks (upper, lower, and side guide tracks) that work together to provide comprehensive support and restraint to the glass panel, allowing thinner glass to be used while maintaining overall structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a side guide track that provides support in a lateral dimension, complementing the upper and lower guide tracks. This multi-dimensional support system distributes the load and restraint forces across multiple axes, enabling the use of lighter, thinner glass panels
2Ease of operation
If the glass panel is made thinner to reduce weight, then the ease of manual handling is improved, but the strength to withstand wind and blasts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into multiple independent guide tracks that collectively provide the necessary strength support, allowing the glass panel itself to remain thin and lightweight while the distributed support system compensates for the reduced panel strength
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tracks act as intermediary structural elements that transfer and distribute the environmental loads (wind, blasts) away from the glass panel, protecting the thin glass from direct exposure to high forces while maintaining ease of handling
3Stability of the object's composition
If a locking element is added to prevent bending of the glass panel, then the stability of the glass panel is improved, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the guide track structure itself, where the guide track incorporates features that simultaneously provide guidance, support, and bending prevention. This integration avoids adding separate complex locking mechanisms while achieving the desired stability
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track system is designed to perform multiple functions: guiding the panel movement, supporting the panel weight, and preventing lateral bending. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, maintaining system simplicity while achieving enhanced stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A glass panel system comprising: a lower guide track (16) and an upper guide track (14); and a first glass panel (10) coupled to the lower guide track (16) and the upper guide track (14) in such a way that the first glass panel (10) is movable along the lower guide track (16) and the upper guide track (14) in their longitudinal direction (X1, X2); a guide track (64) placed by the side of the first glass panel (10); and at least one locking element (60) fastened to the first glass panel (10) and configured to engage the guide track (64), along which the locking element (60) is movable when the first glass panel (10) is moving. When coupled to the guide track (64), the locking element (60) supports the first glass panel (10) and is configured to prevent any movement caused by bending of the first glass panel (10) in either one lateral direction (Y1, Y2) or two opposite lateral directions (Y1, Y2) with respect to the guide track (64). In an example, the guide track (64) is fastened to a railing (62) or railing structures, or the guide track (64) is integrated in a railing. Two or more glass panels (10) are placed one after another or in parallel.