Segmented Curtain Hinge for Freight Vehicle Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing segmented closing curtains for goods transport vehicles face challenges with bulkiness, sealing issues against weather and dust, and thermal insulation due to bulky joints requiring complementary shapes of panels and flexible profiles.

Innovation Solution

A segmented curtain design featuring a one-piece longitudinal hinge element with rigid fixing parts and a deformable joining part made of different plastic materials, allowing panels to pivot along a longitudinal axis, and incorporating seals for improved sealing and insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bulky joints are used to connect panels, then the connection strength is improved, but the sealing against weather and dust deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidsealing against weather and dust

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is divided into two functional segments: a rigid fixing part for structural connection and a deformable sealing part for weatherproofing. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the joint have different material properties: the fixing part uses rigid material for strength while the sealing part uses deformable material for sealing. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between strength and sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If bulky joints are used to connect panels, then the connection reliability is improved, but the thermal insulation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidthermal insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is segmented into rigid fixing components for reliable connection and deformable sealing components for thermal insulation. This segmentation enables both reliability and energy efficiency to be optimized simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The joint uses composite construction combining rigid and deformable materials, creating a multi-functional component that provides both mechanical reliability and thermal insulation properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If complementary shapes of panels and flexible profiles are required, then the connection stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joint has localized complementary shapes only where needed for connection stability, while other parts maintain simple geometries for ease of manufacture. This selective application of complex geometry resolves the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design provides an airtight and thermally insulated barrier between the interior and exterior of the compartment, allowing for flexible panel alignment and independent shaping of rigid and deformable components for enhanced sealing and insulation.

Implementation Method 1

said junction part being made of a deformable material and being able to allow, by deformation, the pivoting, along a longitudinal axis, of said panels with respect to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

said deformable joining part and said fixing parts being connected by molecular adhesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular adhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

At least one longitudinal seal can be interposed, in the closed position, between at least one of the longitudinal fixing parts and at least one of the panels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 4

which, in the closed position, come into contact with each other at a distance from said joining part, so as to delimit a longitudinal tubular space or channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3112195B1Segmented curtain for closing access to a compartment of a freight vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.12.16 JEAN CHEREAU

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AI summary

Segmented curtain for closing access to a compartment of a goods transport vehicle, curtain comprising at least two successive longitudinal panels and a single-piece longitudinal hinge element (15) connecting these panels; this longitudinal hinge element comprising a first longitudinal fixing part (16) mounted on one of the panels, a second longitudinal fixing part (17) mounted on the other panel and at least one longitudinal joining part (18) interposed locally between said fixing parts, said fixing parts being made of a rigid material and said joining part being made of a deformable material and being capable of allowing by deformation the pivoting, along a longitudinal axis, of said panels relative to each other.