Sliding Wall Cover Element Vertical Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding wall arrangements with movable cover elements have limitations such as a large distance between the cover element and the sliding wing when raised, and a parallelogram mechanism that only works from one side, restricting the direction of sliding sash movement.
Innovation Solution
A sliding wall arrangement with a cover element that undergoes vertical or substantially vertical movement, guided by a link guide and spring mechanism, allowing independent direction change and minimizing installation space, enabling the cover element to be lowered into the running rail for the sliding wing to pass over it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a parallelogram mechanism is used to lower the cover element, then the cover element can be lowered into the running rail, but the mechanism only works from one side, restricting the direction of sliding sash movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is divided into two separate halves that can move independently. Each half can be lowered by its own simple lowering element, allowing sliding sashes to move in both directions without requiring a complex bidirectional parallelogram mechanism. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling bidirectional adaptability while keeping each individual lowering mechanism simple.
2Shape
If the cover element is raised high to cover the running rail opening, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but a large gap exists between the cover element and the sliding panel
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is designed to dynamically adjust its position between a raised state for aesthetic appearance and a lowered state when a sliding sash approaches. The lowering element activates automatically when needed, allowing the cover element to transition from a high aesthetic position to a functional position that eliminates gaps, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic shape and functional performance.
3Strength
If the guide channel is made wider to accommodate thicker sliding panels, then thermal and sound insulation are improved, but the guide channel becomes aesthetically undesirable and may be unsuitable for narrow-heeled shoes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the horizontal width of the guide channel, the solution moves the covering function to a vertical dimension by introducing a movable cover element that can be lowered into the running rail. This allows the guide channel to maintain a narrow, aesthetically pleasing profile while still accommodating thick sliding panels for insulation, as the panel thickness is accommodated within the vertical movement space of the cover element rather than requiring additional horizontal width.
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
This design allows the cover element to be moved independently of the sliding panel direction, optimizing the movement of the cover element and reducing the space required for its vertical or vertical movement, enhancing the functionality and aesthetics of the sliding wall arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism with at least one spring is provided in the guide rail for raising and lowering the respective cover element
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A sliding wall arrangement comprising at least one sliding panel (200) with a lower frame profile (201), a track (300) that can be recessed into a building floor in which the at least one sliding panel (200) is slidably mounted at its lower edge, and at least one cover element (500) which serves to cover the at least one track (300) when the track (300) is released by the at least one slidable sliding panel (200), wherein the at least one cover element (500) has a raised state in which the cover element (500) partially covers the track (300) released by the sliding panel (200), and a lowered state in which the at least one cover element (500) is lowered into the at least one track (300) so that the at least one sliding panel (200) can be slid over the at least one cover element (500), is shown. This is characterized bythat at least one cover element (500) performs a vertical or substantially vertical movement between the raised state and the lowered state or vice versa.