Movable Partition Roller Guide for Lateral Alignment Without Floor Tracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Movable partitions face issues with lateral displacement during opening and closing, which can lead to improper alignment and sealing, especially in environments with uneven surfaces, and existing solutions like floor tracks are unsightly, prone to debris accumulation, and pose hazards.

Innovation Solution

A lateral stabilization apparatus comprising a bracket with a roller assembly and hinged attachment brackets is used to maintain the panels' plumb inclination by resisting lateral movement, ensuring proper alignment and sealing without the need for floor tracks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If floor tracks are used to guide the movable partition, then lateral alignment is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and debris accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral alignmentVSAvoiddebris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the floor track from the system entirely, extracting the guiding function from the floor and relocating it to the partition structure itself through vertical guides and rollers, thereby eliminating the harmful debris accumulation associated with floor tracks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions the guiding mechanism from the horizontal plane (floor tracks) to the vertical plane (vertical guides on the partition), changing the dimension in which alignment is achieved and eliminating the need for floor-level tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If floor tracks are used to guide the movable partition, then lateral alignment is improved, but safety deteriorates due to hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral alignmentVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the floor track hazard from the environment by extracting the guiding function to the partition structure, eliminating the tripping and obstruction hazards associated with floor-level tracks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the lower edge of the door is allowed to move freely, then ease of operation is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces vertical guides and rollers as intermediary elements between the free-moving lower edge and the desired alignment position, allowing operational freedom while maintaining precision through the mediating guiding mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a dynamic guiding system where rollers move along vertical guides, allowing the partition to move freely during operation while continuously maintaining alignment through the adaptive constraint of the roller-guide interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If rigid constraints are used to prevent lateral displacement, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid static constraints with dynamic roller-guide constraints that provide alignment precision through motion-based interaction, reducing complexity by using simple rolling contact rather than complex rigid linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex mechanical constraint systems with a simpler roller-on-guide system, replacing elaborate linkage mechanisms with straightforward vertical guides and rolling elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution effectively controls lateral displacement, maintaining panel alignment and sealing integrity, even on uneven surfaces, without the drawbacks of floor tracks, enhancing the operational reliability and safety of movable partitions.

Implementation Method 1

A lateral stabilization apparatus (300) includes a roller assembly (320) that resists lateral movement of a movable partition (120)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling friction: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS9074420B2Methods, apparatuses, and systems for resisting lateral displacement of movable partitions

Publication Date: 2015.07.07 WON DOOR CORP

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods and systems for directionally controlling a movable partition are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling lateral displacement of a movable partition includes a bracket, a roller assembly, a first attachment bracket, and a second attachment bracket. The roller assembly is coupled to the bracket and includes a roller element. The first attachment bracket attaches to a first panel of the movable partition and is configured for hinged coupling to a first side of the bracket such that a first hinge axis substantially coincides with a centerline of the first panel. The second attachment bracket attaches to a second panel of the movable partition and is configured hinged coupling to a second side of the bracket such that a second hinge axis substantially coincides with a centerline of the second panel.