Mitered Shutter Panel with Direct Mounting and Angular Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shutter designs for architectural openings face issues with aesthetic appeal due to exposed end grain, require manual finishing processes, and have installation challenges that complicate proper sizing and alignment, leading to suboptimal functionality and reduced window opening capacity.

Innovation Solution

The design features mitered corners and variably overlapped louvers with extendable hinges for direct mounting, eliminating the need for a separate mounting structure, allowing for angular adjustment and pre-finishing of components, and enabling full window exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If butt-end join construction is used to connect rails to stiles, then assembly is simplified, but exposed end grain creates aesthetic problems and requires manual finishing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter frame is divided into four separate members (top rail, bottom rail, left stile, right stile) that are joined at mitered corners. This segmentation allows each member to be pre-finished before assembly, eliminating exposed end grain while maintaining structural integrity through corner joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a separate mounting structure is used to install the shutter, then installation is simplified, but the mounting structure blocks part of the window opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidwindow opening area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is merged with the shutter frame itself. The stile members are extended at their ends to form integrated mounting surfaces that directly attach to the wall or jamb, eliminating the need for separate mounting boards or frames and maximizing window opening area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed mounting structure is used, then shutter is securely positioned, but shutter cannot open beyond 90 degrees

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshutter positioning stabilityVSAvoidopening angle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure incorporates adjustable elements that allow the shutter to pivot through a wide range of angles. The extended stile members provide mounting points that accommodate dynamic movement, enabling the shutter to open beyond 90 degrees while maintaining secure positioning when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If vertical frame members are made narrower than horizontal members, then material usage is reduced, but unbalanced appearance is created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidvisual balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The design accepts and utilizes the asymmetry created by narrower vertical members, balancing the visual composition through the mitered corner joints and the overall proportioning of the shutter panels. The asymmetrical design is intentionally chosen to create a distinctive aesthetic rather than traditional symmetrical balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS8973305B2Mitered shutter

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 SPRINGS WINDOW FASHIONS LLC

AI summary

A shutter panel and an installation including a shutter panel in an architectural opening. The shutter panel has mitered corners without exposed end grain. The shutter panel is connected directly to structures defining the architectural opening.