Shoot Bolt Fenestration Panel Rebound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fenestration systems, such as sliding window or door panels, face difficulties in ergonomics due to the mass of panels and low friction, leading to sub-optimal force requirements for movement and potential panel rebound when closing, especially when multiple panels need to be latched together.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a shoot bolt system and corner drive mechanism that includes a flexible band and shoot bolt, which allows for controlled movement and latching of panels, preventing panels from rebounding by locking the first panel in place when the second panel is closed, thereby reducing manual effort and ensuring panels stay closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If panels are made large and heavy to provide adequate fenestration coverage, then the environmental barrier and structural performance are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to significant effort required to start and stop movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterbalance mechanism using springs mounted on the panel that exert an upward force to counteract the weight of the panel. This reduces the net force required by the user to initiate and control panel movement, directly addressing the contradiction between heavy panel mass and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If low friction wheels are used to facilitate panel movement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to panel rebound off each other upon contact when closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shoot bolt mechanism that preemptively engages to prevent panel rebound before it occurs. The shoot bolt extends to contact the adjacent panel and provides a mechanical stop that counteracts the rebound tendency caused by low friction wheels, thereby maintaining reliable closure stability while preserving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sliding panels are used to provide adequate coverage, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple latching mechanisms required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latching function into an integrated shoot bolt mechanism that serves multiple panels simultaneously. The shoot bolt on one panel engages with a receiver on the adjacent panel, creating a unified latching system that reduces the number of separate latching mechanisms needed while maintaining the adaptability of multiple sliding panels.
4Reliability
If traditional latching mechanisms are used on heavy panels, then the reliability of panel securing is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in actuating latches while exerting forces on both panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-latching mechanism where the shoot bolt automatically engages with the receiver on the adjacent panel through the natural movement and compression of the panels during closure. This eliminates the need for separate manual latch actuation, allowing users to secure heavy panels simply by pushing them together without additional effort to operate latches.
Data Source
AI summary
A shootbolt system for a fenestration assembly, such as a sliding patio door system, includes a chassis mountable to a stile of a sliding panel of the fenestration assembly, and a shootbolt slidably coupled to the chassis. The shootbolt is designed to be coupled to a corner drive system of the sliding panel for movement therewith upwardly or downwardly along the stile in response to an applied actuation force, such as from an operator handle. When extended, the shootbolt engages a receiver or stop mounted to the frame to prevent the sliding panel from rebounding when an adjacent second sliding panel is slidably moved to a closed position in contact with the sliding panel.