Accordion Partition Sweep Assembly with Snap-Fit Bottom Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for mounting sweeps on side folding accordion partitions often result in unfinished, sharp surfaces that can be hazardous and unsightly, particularly when not mounted to a floor channel, which is undesirable in applications requiring a contiguous floor surface.
Innovation Solution
A sweep assembly comprising a sweep affixed to a mounting bracket, which is securely attached to the partition panel using a rivet, providing a finished surface and eliminating the need for field modifications that expose sharp edges, with a bottom bracket that snap-fits to cover the panel keyway channels, ensuring stability and ease of repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sweep is mounted directly to the partition panel using a simple bracket, then the installation is simple and quick, but the surface appears unfinished and sharp edges are exposed creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a mounting bracket that attaches to the partition panel, and a bottom bracket that covers the keyway channels. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function while collectively providing a finished appearance and eliminating sharp edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom bracket acts as an intermediary element that covers the exposed keyway channels and provides a finished surface. It mediates between the functional mounting bracket and the aesthetic/safety requirements by concealing the sharp edges while maintaining the structural integrity of the installation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a floor channel is used to mount the partition, then lateral stability is improved, but the floor surface is interrupted and tripping hazards are created
Solution Approach 1:
The partition mounting system extracts the stabilizing function from the floor channel and relocates it to the overhead track system. By removing the floor channel entirely and using only overhead mounting, the solution eliminates the tripping hazard while maintaining stability through the overhead track and roller mechanism.
3Device complexity
If the sweep assembly uses a simple mounting bracket without a bottom bracket, then the device complexity is reduced, but the appearance is unfinished and field repairs become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sweep assembly is segmented into removable components including the bottom bracket that can be independently accessed and replaced. This modular design, while adding a component, actually simplifies field repairs by allowing individual parts to be serviced without replacing the entire assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A folding accordion sweep partition assembly is presented. The partition has a plurality of partition panels, the panel having a front face, a rear face, a bottom edge, and two opposing open sided panel keyway channels. A hinge having two side walls, the side wall terminating in a hinge key hinges two panels by having a first hinge key slidably received and retained in a first partition panel keyway channel and a second hinge key slidably received and retained in a second partition panel keyway channel. The partition panel has a mounting bracket affixed to it, a bottom bracket removably retained to the mounting bracket, and a sweep affixed to the mounting bracket.