Movable Screen with Gas Springs and Vertical Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor movable screens have a high visual impact and require user intervention for lifting and lowering, and they do not efficiently fold to reduce dimensions when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A movable screen design featuring a fixed bottom element and two vertically sliding movable elements, each with a transparent panel constrained by a frame of vertical uprights, utilizing gas springs for effortless lifting and lowering, and an automatic coupling system for easy locking and releasing, allowing the screen to fold and maintain stability without user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional screen structures with crosspieces and frames are used, then structural strength is improved, but visual impact and aesthetic appeal worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes crosspieces from the traditional screen structure, retaining only vertical uprights. This extraction of unnecessary structural elements reduces visual impact while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the simplified upright-only design, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and aesthetics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses large面积的 transparent panels (glass or transparent material) that act as thin film barriers. These transparent panels provide the necessary wind protection function while being visually invisible or minimally visible, thereby reducing visual impact while maintaining structural integrity
2Device complexity
If manual lifting and lowering systems are used, then structural simplicity is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to user effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates gas springs (pneumatic devices) to provide automated lifting force for the movable screen elements. The gas springs store and release elastic potential energy to counteract gravity, enabling effortless lifting and lowering of heavy transparent panels without requiring manual user effort, while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure
3Stability of the object's composition
If screens are designed to remain extended for stability, then stability is improved, but the ability to fold and reduce dimensions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the screen into multiple independent movable elements (first movable element and second movable element) that can slide vertically relative to each other and to the fixed element. Each element has its own frame with uprights and can be positioned independently, allowing the screen to fold into a compact configuration when not in use while maintaining stability when extended through the vertical alignment and overlapping of elements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the movable elements to nest within each other when folded, with the first movable element sliding into position over the fixed element and the second movable element sliding over the first movable element. This nesting arrangement allows the screen to reduce to a minimal profile when not in use while maintaining full extension capability when needed
4Ease of operation
If automatic coupling systems are added, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic coupling system where the movable elements self-lock to the fixed element and to each other through vertically sliding frames with uprights that engage through recesses in the preceding element. The gas springs automatically provide the necessary force for coupling and decoupling operations, and the system self-regulates to maintain stable locked positions without requiring manual intervention or complex control mechanisms
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 screen achieves a low visual impact, safe, and easy operation by using only uprights without crosspieces, allowing for efficient folding and automatic movement, reducing user intervention and enhancing aesthetic appeal while providing effective wind protection.
Implementation Method 1
each one of said movable elements is movable between a first and a second position and remains stable both in said first and second position without needing user interventions and in which said movable elements lifting occurs with no user effort but by means of a gas spring
Data Source
AI summary
A movable screen for outdoor use, which can be folded when not in use, the movable screen is provided with a fixed bottom element and two movable elements, which slide vertically with respect to the fixed element. Each element is made of a transparent panel constrained by a frame made up of two vertical uprights. The movable screen has each one of the two movable elements being movable between a first and a second position, in which each one of the movable elements remains stable both in the first and second position without needing user interventions and in which the movable elements lifting occurs without user efforts but by using a gas spring. The screen has a very low visual impact, and allows a very safe and easy lifting and lowering operations of the screen movable portions.