Panel Supporting Member for Guide-Free Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel systems often require guide members in the lower profile for support, which can lead to instability when these members are absent, and manual operation can be cumbersome, especially when panels need to be opened without a guide member in the lower profile.
Innovation Solution
A supporting member is introduced that can support the lower corner of a glass panel without a guide member in the lower profile, allowing lateral movement away from the profile when opened, and is connected to a mechanism controlled by a pull wire or chain for easy operation, enabling the panel to be securely fastened to adjacent panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a guide member is placed in the lower profile to support the panel, then the panel stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and manual operation becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is extracted from the lower profile and relocated to the upper profile only. This eliminates the complexity of having guide members in both profiles while maintaining panel stability through the upper guide member and hinge member combination. The lower profile becomes simpler without requiring guide members embedded in it.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting function is segmented between the upper guide member and the hinge member. The upper guide member provides lateral guidance, while the hinge member provides rotational support and locking capability. This segmentation allows the lower profile to be freed from guide member requirements, reducing device complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a guide member is placed in the lower profile for panel support, then the panel can be properly supported, but the ease of operation deteriorates when the guide member is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The upper guide member acts as an intermediary that provides the necessary guidance and support functions previously requiring lower profile guide members. Combined with the hinge member's locking capability, this intermediary arrangement maintains panel stability while simplifying the lower profile structure for easier operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lower profile is embedded in the floor surface with guide members, then the panel is securely supported, but the guide member must be lifted or opened which complicates the opening operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member function is extracted from the lower profile and consolidated in the upper profile. This eliminates the need to lift or open guide members in the lower profile during panel opening, as the upper guide member remains accessible and works in conjunction with the hinge member for smooth operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A panel for a panel system, the panel (2) being adapted to be opened by pivoting about a vertical rotation axis and having a supporting member (10) fastened to the panel and configured, for supporting the panel, to engage another panel in a releasable way. The supporting member (10) is fastened to the panel (2) in a movable way so that the supporting member is shiftable inwards for disengaging it from the other panel, and outwards again. A mechanism (21) generates an inwards movement of the supporting member and is controllable by means of a pull wire (25), chain, cord, or the like. The panel (2) is equipped with a handle part (27), to which said wire, chain, cord, or the like, is connected to activate the mechanism and to shift the supporting member.