Hinged Architectural Screen Insert for Damage-Free Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing architectural opening inserts face challenges in ease of transportation and assembly, as they are prone to damage due to their rigid structure, which can lead to increased costs and complexity in manufacturing and installation.

Innovation Solution

The insert features hinging parts that can be folded for compact transportation and assembly, with a locking mechanism to secure them in place during installation, utilizing resilient materials and interlocking hooks to ensure stability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the insert has a rigid structure to maintain stability and protection function, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of transportation and assembly deteriorates due to increased fragility and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of transportation and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is divided into multiple frame parts that can be separately transported and assembled. The frame parts are connected through hinging parts that allow them to be folded together during assembly, reducing transportation complexity while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinging parts enable the frame parts to transition between folded and unfolded states. During transportation, the frame parts can be folded to a compact configuration, and during assembly, they can be unfolded and locked into position, providing dynamic adaptability that improves both transportation ease and structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the insert comprises extended sections to prevent being pushed through the opening, then the protective function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against being pushed throughVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The extended sections are integrated with hinging mechanisms that allow them to extend outward when the insert is in its assembled state, providing protection against being pushed through. During transportation, these extended sections can be folded back against the main frame, reducing the overall complexity and space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the insert uses fixed rigid connections between frame parts, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of assembly deteriorates due to alignment difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe part alignmentVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hinging parts provide a degree of flexibility that allows frame parts to be connected without requiring precise alignment. The hinges can accommodate minor misalignments during assembly, reducing the manufacturing precision requirements while still maintaining structural integrity when the insert is fully assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The hinging mechanism changes the connection parameter from rigid fixed to flexible articulated, allowing for tolerance in alignment during assembly while maintaining structural stability in the final assembled state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design allows for easier handling and installation of architectural opening inserts, reducing the risk of damage during transportation and assembly, while providing a secure fit without increasing the outer dimensions of the insert, thus enhancing usability and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

the first hinging part is at a proximal end hingeably provided relative to the first elongated frame part and the first hinging part is arranged to be hingeable around a first hinge axis parallel to the elongation direction of the first elongated frame part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

utilizing resilient materials and interlocking hooks to ensure stability and ease of use

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3670821B1Insert for an architectural opening
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 UNILUX IP
  • EP3670821B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3670821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3670821B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Architectural openings may be retrofitted with inserts comprising a screen for blocking insects from passing through the architectural opening. To fit into the opening, the insert may require a plurality of thin flanges, which because of their minor thickness may be prone to breaking during manufacturing, transportation or installation of the insert. The thin flanges in an insert according to the present invention are provided in a hingeable part, which may during manufacturing and transportation be hinged in a first orientation such that the thin flanges are less prone to breaking. During installation, the hingeable part may be hinged into a second orientation and locked into place, for example using a snap fit connection and/or additional locking elements.