Hinging Device Panel Gripping Group Prevents Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large glass panels in pack-wise movable panel systems tend to tilt when rotated, giving an undesirable appearance and suggesting weakness and unreliability due to their size and weight, which existing hinge devices fail to adequately support.
Innovation Solution
A hinging device with a carrying body and gripping means, featuring a rotation shaft, engagement elements, and low-friction guide elements, which securely supports and locks the panels in a vertical position during rotation, preventing tilting by threading engagement elements and utilizing wheels or rollers for sliding and rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If large glass panels are used to allow effective illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but the panels tend to tilt when rotated due to their size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The hinging device is divided into separate functional components: a carrying body for supporting the panel, a rotation shaft for enabling rotation, and gripping means with engagement elements for securing the panel. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the gripping means specifically designed to prevent tilting while supporting large panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements interact through mutual threading in a rotational motion pattern, creating a two-dimensional engagement path that provides stable support during the transition from closed to open position. This dimensional approach to the engagement mechanism prevents the panel from tilting outward.
2Ease of operation
If panels are rotated to open position for ventilation, then ease of operation is improved, but the panels assume an undesirable tilted appearance suggesting weakness
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping means with mutually threading engagement elements apply a counteracting force during panel rotation to prevent the outward tilting motion before it can occur. This preliminary anti-action ensures the panel maintains vertical alignment throughout the rotation, preventing the undesirable tilted appearance that suggests system weakness.
3Device complexity
If existing guides are not modified, then device complexity is reduced, but the hinging device must independently handle all support and rotation functions
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying body serves multiple functions: it supports the panel vertically, enables rotation through the rotation shaft, and provides gripping through the engagement elements. This multi-functionality allows the hinging device to handle all support and rotation operations without requiring modifications to the existing guide structure, maintaining sliding functionality while reducing overall system complexity.
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
The hinging device effectively maintains the panels in a vertical, non-tilted position during rotation, enhancing the system's appearance and perceived reliability without modifying existing guides, ensuring smooth operation and maintaining sliding functionality.
Implementation Method 1
low-friction guide elements, which securely supports and locks the panels in a vertical position during rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~1b
Figure 2~2b
Figure 3~3b
AI summary
A hinging device (1), for a movable panel system (50) with sliding guides (500) comprising gripping means comprising a panel gripping group (20) suitable to operate, preferably by mutual threading, during rotation of the panel (5) with respect to the guide (500).