Movable Partition Track and Trolley System with Sealed Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable partitions, such as fire and sound barriers, often fail to provide a complete seal due to fluid flow through their moving components, leading to reduced effectiveness as barriers.
Innovation Solution
A track and trolley system with a central channel and outer channels, where rollers are positioned within the central channel to avoid interference with the drive chain and include seal components with overlapping seal lips to minimize fluid flow, and additional sealants to prevent leaks between panels and insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If movable partitions are used to provide privacy and noise reduction, then partitioning capability is improved, but fluid flow leakage occurs through moving components reducing barrier effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible seal lips made of elastomeric materials that conform to the contours of mating surfaces. These seal lips are attached to panel edges and extend into the track channels, creating flexible sealing barriers that adapt to movement and maintain fluid tightness despite the dynamic nature of the partition system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces seal lips as intermediary elements between the rigid panel structures and the track channels. These seal lips act as mediators that prevent direct fluid communication between opposite sides of the partition while allowing the mechanical movement of the partition system to continue uninterrupted.
2Reliability
If seal components are added to prevent fluid flow, then barrier effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function with the existing moving components of the partition system. The seal lips are integrated into the panel edges and work in conjunction with the track channels and rollers, merging multiple functions into unified components rather than adding separate sealing mechanisms that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal lips are designed to automatically maintain contact with the track channel surfaces through the natural movement and tension of the partition system. The elastomeric material self-adjusts to maintain sealing pressure without requiring additional actuators or control mechanisms, allowing the system to seal itself through its inherent operational dynamics.
Data Source
AI summary
Movable partitions and various components for use with movable partitions are disclosed along with related systems and methods. In one embodiment, a track and trolley system for use with a movable partition is described. In one embodiment, the track and trolley system may include a track having three channels wherein a first partition is suspended from the first channel, a second partition is suspended from the second channel, and a trolley is partially disposed in the third channel and between the first and second channels. Seal components may be used to substantially provide a fluid seal between the partitions and a surface from which the partitions are suspended. The trolley is configured to be longitudinally displaceable along the third channel while maintaining its components within an envelope defined by the seal components. In other words, such seal components are not penetrated or otherwise breached by the displaced trolley.