Movable Panel System Sliding and Rotation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large glass panels in packable movable panel systems are difficult to handle due to their size and weight, often tilting undesirably when in the open position, which affects their appearance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of upper and lower guides with specialized sliding, support, and gripping means, including trolley devices with vertical and horizontal wheels, and a gripping group with wedge elements, to facilitate efficient axial translation and rotational movement of panels, ensuring they remain stable and upright even when cantilevered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If large glass panels are used to provide effective illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the panels become difficult to handle and tend to tilt due to their weight and dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The panel handling system is segmented into multiple functional components: upper guide, lower guide, trolley devices with vertical and horizontal wheels, and gripping means. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of panel handling, distributing the load and control functions across multiple elements rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs multiple pairs of vertical wheels and horizontal wheels that engage with the panel at different points. This excessive action ensures that even though the panels are large and heavy, multiple contact points provide sufficient support and control to prevent tilting while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If special guides and sliding means are provided to enable axial translation and rotational movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper guide and lower guide are merged into a coordinated system where both guides work together to provide axial translation and rotational movement. The trolley devices combine multiple wheel pairs (vertical and horizontal) into single integrated units that attach to the panels, reducing the overall number of separate components while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide system is designed with multi-functionality: the same upper and lower guides facilitate both axial translation along the guide axis and rotational movement around the vertical axis. The trolley devices serve multiple purposes by providing both support during translation and enabling rotation, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each motion type.
3Ease of operation
If the panel is supported only on one side with the other rotated outside the guide, then the ease of operation is improved, but the panel tilts and assumes an undesirable appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses horizontal wheels that engage with the upper guide to provide counterbalancing support during rotation. These horizontal wheels act as a counterweight mechanism, distributing the panel's weight forces and preventing the panel from tilting outward when rotated, thus maintaining stability while enabling easy rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping means and wheel arrangement are designed to distribute the panel's weight forces evenly during rotation. By positioning the vertical and horizontal wheels to engage at specific points on the panel, the system creates an equipotential support distribution that prevents tilting and maintains the panel in a stable, upright position throughout the rotation motion.
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 solution allows for smooth and efficient movement of large panels, preventing tilting and maintaining a clean aesthetic by distributing the weight force effectively, enabling the panels to be easily rotated and translated without interfering with sliding operations.
Implementation Method 1
sliding, support and gripping means (5) suitable to allow sliding and support of a panel (3) in the upper guide (2)
Implementation Method 2
distribute the action of the weight force of the rotated panel (3) directly on the upper guide (2)
Implementation Method 3
a gripping group (55) housed in the channel (20) operatively connected to the first trolley device (51) suitable to ensure the engagement between the panel (3) and the upper guide (2) with the rotated panel (3)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1e
Figure 2
AI summary
A movable panel system (1) comprising an upper guide (2) and at least one panel (3) operatively connected to the upper guide (2) to slide axially and to rotate vertically with respect to it. The movable panel system (1) comprises sliding, support and gripping means (5) suitable to allow the axial sliding and rotation of the panel (3) with respect to the guide (2), comprising a pair of trolley devices (50) composed of a first trolley device (51), which supports the panel (3) in sliding and in rotation and a second trolley device (52) which supports it in sliding. The sliding, support and gripping means (5) further comprise a gripping group (55) housed in the channel (20) operatively connected to the first trolley device (51) suitable to operate the panel (3) during rotation by mutual insertion of a receiving device (551) and an engagement device (555).