Slatted Closure Arrangement with Transverse Stiffening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking arrangements with slatted elements, particularly those made of flexible materials like plastic, suffer from bending under external pressure, leading to impractical cleaning and reduced storage space due to the need for rolling or guiding the slats as a unit, and lack of stability when closed.
Innovation Solution
A locking arrangement with interconnected slat elements featuring a stiffening section transverse to the opening and closing direction, utilizing magnetic coupling elements and optional profile elements like T- or L-profiles to enhance stability, allowing slats to lie side by side in the closed state and separate in the open state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If slat elements are made of flexible materials like plastic, then the locking arrangement can be lighter and easier to manufacture, but the slats bend under external pressure when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines flexible plastic slat elements with rigid stiffening sections (metal or rigid plastic) to create a composite structure. The slat elements provide flexibility and light weight, while the stiffening sections provide structural stability and resistance to bending when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The slat elements are divided into functional segments: the flexible slat body for light weight and the separate stiffening sections for structural stability. These segments work together to resolve the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity
2Stability of the object's composition
If slat elements are permanently and firmly coupled, then the locking arrangement is more stable when closed, but storage space is significantly reduced due to rolling or guiding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between slat elements transitions from permanently fixed to dynamically adjustable. The slats can be coupled when closed for stability and decoupled when open for compact storage, providing dynamic adaptability to different operational states
Solution Approach 2:
The locking arrangement is segmented into independently movable slat elements that can be coupled or decoupled as needed, rather than a permanently fixed structure, enabling both stability and space efficiency
3Weight of moving object
If slat elements are made thinner to reduce weight, then the locking arrangement is lighter, but the slats are more prone to bending and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
Thin, lightweight plastic slat elements are combined with stiffening sections made of rigid materials (metal or rigid plastic) to compensate for the reduced inherent strength of the thinner slats while maintaining the overall light weight advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffening sections are strategically positioned at specific locations on the slat elements where structural support is most needed, providing localized strength enhancement without adding weight across the entire slat structure
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 solution provides enhanced stability and reduced deformation of slats under external force, maintaining a visually appealing appearance and maximizing storage space by allowing slats to lie flat when closed and separate when open, while using thinner, flexible materials.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling elements interact with one another and thus ensure a connection between adjacent slat elements
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a closure arrangement (12), particularly for a cabinet or case furniture (10), comprising a plurality of leaf elements (1, 2) coupled to one another, wherein the leaf elements (1, 2) in the closed state lie adjacent to one another viewed in an opening and closing direction (X) and in this state the short sides of adjacent leaf elements (1, 2) face one another and thereby form a butt zone or a butt joint (8). At least one or a plurality of the leaf elements (1, 2) each comprise(s) at least one stiffening section (3), which extends over at least a part of the associated leaf element (1, 2), more particularly in a direction transverse to the opening and closing direction (X).