Movable Panel Trolley System for Tilting Prevention
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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 trolley devices and gripping means, including horizontal and vertical wheels, and a pin element to facilitate efficient axial translation and rotational movement, ensuring the panels remain stable and aligned during rotation and packing.
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
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces trolleys as intermediary devices between the glass panels and the guides. These trolleys include support wheels that contact the panels and guide wheels that engage with the guides, mediating the force transmission and reducing direct handling difficulty. The trolleys act as mechanical intermediaries that make it easier to move and position large, heavy glass panels along the curved path.
2Device complexity
If panels are supported only on one side in a cantilevered position, then the rotational movement is simplified, but the panels tend to tilt and assume an undesirable appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pair of trolleys positioned at opposite ends of each glass panel to provide balanced support. When one trolley is rotated outside the guide, the other trolley remains inside, creating a counterbalancing effect that prevents the panel from tilting. This anti-weight arrangement maintains panel stability during the cantilevered rotational movement, preventing the undesirable tilting appearance while preserving the simplified rotational mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If special guides and sliding means are provided for axial translation and rotation, then the movement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the guides with a universal structure that serves multiple functions: they provide axial translation guidance through guide wheels, enable rotational movement through the curved path, and support the panels during packing and unpacking operations. The same guide structure accommodates both linear and rotational movements, as well as the cantilevered positioning, reducing the need for separate specialized mechanisms for each function.
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 configuration allows for smooth and stable movement of the panels, preventing tilting and ensuring efficient packing and unpacking, maintaining a desirable appearance and functionality of the enclosed or open environment.
Implementation Method 1
The packable movable panel system comprises support and sliding means suitable to allow the sliding and support of a panel in the upper guide, wherein the support and sliding means comprise a pair of trolleys housable in a lower opening of the panel
Implementation Method 2
The first trolley device comprises a rotation element fixed to the panel and rotationally movable with respect to the guide
Implementation Method 3
The first trolley device comprises a first pair of vertical wheels each having a rotation axis perpendicular to the centerline plane; a pair of horizontal wheels each having a rotation axis parallel to the centerline plane
Data Source
Figure 1'~1c
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~2'
AI summary
A mobile panel system (1) comprising an upper guide (2) and at least one panel (3) operatively connected to slide along it and to rotate once it reaches a predefined rotational position. The system (1) has a centerline plane (M) having a vertical extension that defines a first side (M1) and a second side (M2). The system (1) comprises a first trolley device (51) which supports the panel (3) in sliding and rotation on the upper rail (2) comprising two pairs of support and slide wheels (510) comprised of a first vertical pair of wheels (511) positioned on the first side (M1) and a pair of horizontal wheels (512) positioned on the second side (M2). The system (1) comprises a second trolley device (52) which supports the panel (3) in sliding and comprises a pair of vertical sliding and support wheels (520) positioned on the second side (M2).