Hinge Device with Parallel Coupling for Wind-Resistant Shutters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding sliding shutters with existing hinge devices are prone to damage and detachment due to strong wind forces, particularly when wing elements on higher floors are exposed to changing wind directions, posing a risk to safety.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a plug-in device with male and female coupling elements that align the longitudinal axes of hinge devices in parallel, preventing transverse movements and distributing over-torque forces evenly across the guide profile, combined with resilient holding devices and engagement arms to secure the hinge devices within the guide profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hinge devices with guide rollers rotating only around vertical axes are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to oscillating movements and damage under strong wind forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge device combines two different rolling mechanisms (vertical axis rollers and horizontal axis rollers) into a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both: vertical axis rollers provide easy operation while horizontal axis rollers provide stability against wind forces and prevent oscillating movements
Solution Approach 2:
The guide device is segmented into two distinct roller types with different rotation axes, each performing a specific function: one set of rollers handles operational movement while the other set resists wind-induced oscillations, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability
2Reliability
If retaining devices that spring into engagement are used to keep hinge devices in contact, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is merged into the guide device structure itself through the dual-roller configuration, where the horizontal axis rollers inherently provide retaining and stabilizing effects without requiring separate spring-based retaining devices, thus improving reliability while minimizing added complexity
3Ease of operation
If the longitudinal axes of hinge devices are allowed to move oscillatingly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to damage from oscillating movements
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the hinge device have different mobility characteristics: the vertical axis rollers allow controlled movement for operation, while the horizontal axis rollers provide localized stability to prevent harmful oscillating movements, thereby achieving both ease of operation and reduction of harmful factors
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
This configuration enhances the resistance to wind forces without increasing the effort required to open and close the shutters, reducing the risk of hinge devices being torn out of the guide profiles and ensuring stability during high winds.
Implementation Method 1
guide rollers that rotate about vertical axes and are guided between vertical guide surfaces of the upper guide profile
Implementation Method 2
support rollers on both sides that rotate about horizontal axes relative to their direction of displacement and that each rest on one of two horizontal rolling surfaces
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The hinge device (5) according to the invention comprises a bearing part (7) for pivoting one or two shutter elements (3) of a folding sliding shutter (1). The hinge device (5) comprises at least one retaining element (11) of a retaining device that can be resiliently engaged in the direction of the longitudinal axis and at least one male or one female coupling element (12, 13) of a plug-in device that can be connected in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The male and female coupling elements (12, 13) of the plug-in device are adapted to each other such that connected coupling elements (12, 13) of joined hinge devices (5) fix the longitudinal axes of the hinge devices (5) in a parallel orientation and thereby prevent relative movements transverse to the longitudinal axes between the hinge devices (5). This prevents damage to open folding sliding shutters (1) even under high wind loads.