Pocket Opening Panel With Transverse Control Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding door mechanisms require significant and varying forces to open and close, leading to oversized control components, stress on joints, and potential jamming due to the weight and friction of panels, which complicates the synchronization of panel movement.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of control arms extending transversely from each panel, allowing the control means to exert a pivoting torque and upward force, reducing the need for significant vertical forces and facilitating smoother movement by generating horizontal forces at the articulation points, thus minimizing the required forces throughout the opening and closing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If significant vertical force is exerted at the bottom of the lower panel to generate horizontal force for opening, then the panels can be opened, but the control mechanism requires oversized components to provide sufficient forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control arms that extend in a direction transverse to the general plane of the opening, creating a new spatial dimension for force application. By acting on these transverse control arms at a predetermined distance from the general plane, the control means generate pivoting torque that produces horizontal force at the articulation between panels, eliminating the need for large vertical forces and oversized control mechanism components
2Manufacturing precision
If significant vertical force is exerted at the bottom of the lower panel to bring panels exactly in vertical plane for closing, then the panels can be closed correctly, but the control mechanism requires oversized components to provide sufficient forces
Solution Approach 1:
The control arms extending transversely to the general plane enable the control means to generate pivoting torque that directly influences the horizontal positioning of panels during closing. This transverse action allows precise vertical alignment without requiring excessive vertical force, thereby reducing the size of control mechanism components while maintaining closing precision
3Ease of operation
If the panels are folded up at the top of the opening supported by upper articulation and motorization mechanism, then the panels can be held open, but their weight generates high torque reflected on articulation points by large horizontal forces
Solution Approach 1:
The control arms serve as intermediary elements between the control means and the panels. By acting on these control arms, the control means generate pivoting torque that is transmitted to the panels, reducing the direct horizontal forces on the articulation points while still enabling the panels to be held open in the desired position
4Ease of operation
If the articulation between panels moves out of the plane of the opening to allow folding, then the panels can open, but a very significant vertical force is required to generate the necessary horizontal force
Solution Approach 1:
The control arms extend in a direction transverse to the general plane of the opening, creating a new dimension for force application. This allows the control means to generate pivoting torque that directly produces the necessary horizontal force for panel folding without requiring very significant vertical forces, thereby facilitating easier panel operation
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 solution reduces the size and weight of control components, ensures more regular movement, and minimizes stress on joints by reducing the vertical forces needed for opening and closing, while maintaining efficient panel alignment and synchronization.
Implementation Method 1
a force directed upwards, suitable for lifting the sash
Implementation Method 2
a pivoting torque of the panel(s) carrying said control arms, said torque being capable of causing the panels to pivot along their horizontal hinge axes
Implementation Method 3
The lower panel bears towards its lower edge, and on each side, a roller, better visible in FIGS. 5 and 6, of horizontal axis A3, the rollers 14 being able to move in the slideways 21 so as to guide vertically the bottom of the bottom panel 12
Implementation Method 4
The carriage 40 carries a pinion 51 rotatable along an axis A8 and meshing with the rack 31
Implementation Method 5
the control rod, the upper end of which is therefore articulated on the upper control arm, is also connected to the frame at its lower end by a connecting rod extending parallel to the line of the upper axes connecting the upper axis of articulation of the upper panel and the axis of articulation of the upper control arm on the control bar, so as to constitute a deformable parallelogram
Data Source
Figure 1~1d
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The pocket-type opening panel with several panels (11,12) hinged to each other according to horizontal articulation axes comprise an upper panel (11) hinged according to an upper axis (A1) to a fixed frame (2), and a lower panel (12) pivoting according to a lower horizontal axis (A3) located at the lower edge (121) of same and guided in a vertical direction. Control means for controlling opening and closing are arranged to move the lower edge of the lower panel in the vertical direction, at least one of the panels comprising, on each side, a control arm (112, 122) rigidly linked to the panel and extending from said panel in a direction transverse to the general plane of the opening panel, and said control means, comprising, for example, a motorised carriage (40) that can be moved along a rack (31), are arranged to act on said control arms, at a predefined distance from said general plane, so as to exert a pivoting torque on the panel or panels carrying said control arms, in addition to moving the lower edge of the lower panel.