Hidden-Hinge Shutter Assembly to Minimize Window Light Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shutter assemblies for windows have visible hinge assemblies and gaps that allow unwanted light strike, making them aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to install or remove.
Innovation Solution
A shutter assembly design featuring an inner frame and outer frame with a hidden hinge assembly, where the shutter door is hingedly coupled to the inner frame, allowing easy installation and removal, and includes features to minimize light strike through angled hinge portions and overlapping strips to cover gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge assembly is mounted externally on the shutter door and frame, then the shutter door can be easily hinged, but the hinge assembly becomes visible and aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is nested within the shutter door structure itself. The hinge pin is received in a hinge recess formed in the shutter door, and the hinge side portion of the shutter door is received within a hinge recess in the shutter frame. This nesting arrangement hides the hinge assembly from external view while maintaining full hinge functionality.
2Shape
If the hinge assembly is embedded within the shutter door and frame, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the hinge assembly becomes harder to access for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter door is designed to be openable relative to the shutter frame, which dynamically changes the accessibility of the hinge assembly. When the shutter door is open, the hinge assembly becomes accessible for maintenance. When closed, the hinge assembly is hidden for aesthetic purposes. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between aesthetics and maintainability.
3Ease of manufacture
If there are gaps between the shutter door and shutter frame, then the shutter door can be easily manufactured, but unwanted light strike occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge side portion of the shutter door is given a tapered configuration where the outer surface is angled relative to the inner surface. This dimensional change creates an overlapping relationship between the shutter door and shutter frame when closed, eliminating gaps that would allow light strike while maintaining ease of manufacture through the simple tapered geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shutter assembly comprising a shutter door, an inner frame and an outer frame, wherein the shutter door defines an aperture and includes two or more rotatable vanes, wherein the vanes have a first orientation in which they completely obscure the aperture and a second orientation in which they partially obscure the aperture; the shutter door is hingedly coupled to the inner frame; and the inner frame is secured to the outer frame.