Movable Closure System With Horizontal Wheels And Compression Jamb
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable closure systems, such as those for windows and doors, face challenges in providing a tight seal and secure locking while accommodating varying aperture sizes and supporting heavy glass panels, which requires sturdy and durable components that can easily slide and pivot.
Innovation Solution
A movable closure system featuring adjustable upper and lower tracks with horizontal wheels and a pivot mechanism allowing slidable elements to rotate up to 90 degrees, combined with a compression jamb for sealing and locking, ensures a tight seal and secure operation by compressing slidable elements against a static jamb and using interlocking endcaps for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If heavy glass panels are used in slidable elements, then viewing ability is maximized, but the weight of the slidable elements increases making them difficult to slide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs horizontal wheels that engage with the tracks to support and reduce the effective weight of heavy glass panels during sliding operation, making it feasible to move large, weighty slidable elements while maintaining floor-to-ceiling viewing capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to accommodate varying aperture sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to adjustable components
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable upper and lower tracks are designed to serve multiple functions: supporting slidable elements during sliding operation, facilitating pivoting motion, and accommodating different aperture configurations, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability
3Ease of operation
If slidable elements are designed to pivot up to 90 degrees, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to additional pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sliding and pivoting functions into an integrated mechanism where the same horizontal wheels and track engagement facilitate both linear sliding and rotational pivoting up to 90 degrees, reducing the number of separate mechanisms and improving reliability
4Reliability
If a tight seal is provided using compression jamb, then reliability of sealing is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to compression mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The compression jamb mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage through the natural sliding motion of the slidable elements, with the compression and release of the seal occurring passively as the element moves into and out of the closed position, minimizing additional operational effort
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements to movable closure systems which aid installability and reliability of said systems can include wheels running along the top and bottom of individual slidable elements, the wheels oriented horizontally and disposed within a track configured for receiving the horizontal wheels. The horizontal wheels reduce the vertical profile of the track-engaging portions of the slidable elements, enabling more of the slidable element to be used for glass or other aesthetically-preferable transparent materials. A track leveling system enables installers to more easily deploy and properly tune the system between floors and casings which are not perfectly flush. A compression jamb permits closure of the system via slidable elements pressing into the jamb to deflect it in order to better seal the closure comprised of the individual slidable elements. A durable hinge mechanism permits the sliding elements to rotate in order to stack the sliding elements at one end of the system.