Seamless Multi-Panel Door with Integrated Ledge Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-panel doors with windows often require cumbersome external framing structures, making it difficult to achieve a seamless appearance and limiting the viewing area.
Innovation Solution
The use of panel frames with ledges and translucent or opaque sheets, such as tempered glass or polycarbonate, coupled to the frames without obstruction, creating a seamless exterior appearance and enhancing the viewing area by ensuring the sheets' edges rest on the ledges and are unobstructed by the frames, with adhesives or double-sided tapes for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional multi-panel doors use a plurality of substantially identical panels with external framing structures, then the door provides structural support and window positioning, but the framing structures create visible obstructions that prevent a seamless appearance and limit the viewing area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame structure and sheet material into a unified panel assembly where the sheet material is integrated with the frame members. The frame members are positioned at the edges while the sheet material covers the majority of the panel surface, creating a seamless appearance. This combining of structural and aesthetic elements eliminates the need for separate external framing structures that would obstruct the view.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is divided into multiple panels, each with its own frame members and sheet material. The frame members are segmented into top, bottom, and side portions that are positioned at the edges of each panel. This segmentation allows each panel to be independently manufactured and assembled, enabling the seamless appearance while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If traditional doors use shell or casing panels with insulating cores, then the door provides insulation and structural integrity, but the panels require cumbersome external framing structures to hold windows in place
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are integrated with the shell or casing panels to form a unified structure. The frame members are positioned within the panel assembly and work together with the insulating core to provide both structural integrity and window positioning. This merging eliminates the need for separate external framing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for the panel, position the windows or sheet material, and create the seamless appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional external framing structures and simplifies the overall door construction.
3Area of stationary object
If windows are positioned within panels using external framing structures, then the door provides window support, but the framing structures create obstructions that limit the viewing area through the door
Solution Approach 1:
The sheet material is merged with the frame members to create a unified panel assembly where the frame members are positioned at the edges and the sheet material covers the majority of the panel surface. This merging maximizes the viewing area by minimizing obstructions from framing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members are extracted from the center of the panel and repositioned to the edges, allowing the sheet material to cover the majority of the panel surface. This extraction of frame members from the viewing area maximizes the viewing area while maintaining structural support.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel of a sectional door includes a panel frame and a sheet of material that is coupled to the panel frame. The panel frame includes a top frame member, a bottom frame member, a first side frame member and a second side frame member. The frame members include a rear surface and a front surface, and the front surface includes a ledge. The sheet of material is coupled to the front surface such that a bottom edge of the sheet rests on the ledge and a front surface of the sheet is unobstructed by the panel frame.