Parallel-Axis Hook Guide for Sliding Shower Door Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower partition sliding doors with pivotally fixed upper attachments are difficult to clean due to complex and time-consuming detachment of guide elements from the profile rail, limited pivoting distance, and dirt accumulation on surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A compact guide element design where the hook moves on an axis parallel to the profile rail, allowing direct force transmission for easier pivoting and cleaning, with a simplified locking mechanism that reduces dirt accumulation and facilitates installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the guide element is designed with a complex structure to enable detachment from the profile rail, then the sliding door can be pivoted for cleaning, but the detachment process becomes time-consuming and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of pivoting sliding doorVSAvoidtime for detaching guide element

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is divided into a carrier part and a pivoting part that can move relative to each other. The pivoting part contains the hook that engages with the profile rail, while the carrier part remains fixed to the sliding door. This segmentation allows the pivoting part to be detached independently for cleaning while the carrier part remains in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting part is designed to move between a locked position (where the hook engages the profile rail) and an open position (where the hook disengages). This dynamic movement is achieved through a pivot axis that allows the pivoting part to rotate, enabling easy detachment and reattachment of the guide element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the guide element is detached to allow pivoting, then cleaning access is improved, but the distance between sliding door and profile rail is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess for cleaningVSAvoidpivoting distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot axis is oriented perpendicular to the direction of pivoting movement, allowing the pivoting part to rotate in an arc that provides sufficient clearance between the sliding door and the profile rail. This dimensional arrangement of the pivot axis enables greater pivoting distance compared to parallel axis configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If surfaces of the guide element are enlarged to facilitate operation, then ease of manipulation is improved, but dirt accumulation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manipulationVSAvoiddirt accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element features localized grip elements (such as protrusions or textured surfaces) at specific positions where user contact is needed, rather than enlarging the entire surface area. This maintains small overall surfaces that resist dirt accumulation while providing sufficient grip for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is segmented into functional zones: a small hook portion for engagement with the profile rail, and separate grip elements for user manipulation. This segmentation allows the critical engagement surfaces to remain small and cleanable while providing adequate grip areas for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the hook is mounted on an axis perpendicular to the profile rail, then pivoting motion is enabled, but force transmission is deflected reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting motionVSAvoidforce transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables easier and more efficient cleaning under the sliding door, reduces dirt accumulation, and allows for greater pivoting distance without limitations, improving the overall usability and maintenance of shower partitions.

Implementation Method 1

If the hook moves during the movement between the locking position and the open position about an axis of rotation arranged parallel to the profile rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

The at least one locking element (11) is connected to the at least one corresponding locking section (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

guide element, which connects the lower edge of the sliding door to the profile rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP3095365B1Shower partition with sliding doors and guide element

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 TIF

Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4c

AI summary

Shower partition (30) with a sliding door (20) that can be slid along a profile rail (3) and a guide element (1), the guide element (1) being connected to the sliding door (20) and having a hook (2) which is between a locking position (A) and an open position (O) and is movable in the locking position (A) engaging in the profile rail (3) and guided along the profile rail (3) and under the action of force acting transversely to the profile rail (3) against the sliding door (20) can be moved into the open position (O), the hook (2) moving between the locking position (A) and the open position (O) about an axis of rotation (4) arranged parallel to the profile rail (3).