Adjustable Base Plate for Panel Alignment on Uneven Floors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for creating partially closed environments using panels or glass walls face challenges such as the need for fine adjustments due to uneven floors, aesthetic and structural limitations in connecting panels at the bottom or top, and the inability to create curved environments in a practical and modular manner.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting modular system featuring a closed or open loop lower plate with adjustable pin-like members for stable horizontal arrangement, and a top plate with modular sections for connecting panels, allowing for flexible panel alignment and adjustment, along with a clamp system for securing panels, enabling the creation of both rectangular and curved environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If glass walls are arranged in a perfectly vertical position to ensure structural stability, then the closed environment maintains its integrity, but installation becomes difficult due to floor unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate incorporates adjustable feet that can change their height parameter to compensate for floor unevenness. This allows the glass walls mounted on the base plate to maintain perfect vertical position while simplifying installation on uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary element between the uneven floor and the glass walls. It absorbs the floor irregularities through its adjustable feet, providing a stable horizontal mounting surface for the vertical glass walls.
2Reliability
If panels are connected at the bottom for stability, then structural reliability improves, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is extracted and relocated to the hidden base plate structure. The glass panels appear to float freely without visible connections, while the base plate provides stable support and panel attachment from below.
3Reliability
If panels are connected at the top for stability, then structural reliability improves, but installation flexibility deteriorates due to height adjustment limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable base plate serves as a mediator that provides height adjustment capability at the bottom, eliminating the need for top connections. This maintains installation flexibility while ensuring panel stability through the base plate mounting.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional modular systems are used for curved environments, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to create curved shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into multiple modular sections that can be assembled in different configurations. These modular sections can be arranged to form curved environments while maintaining easy assembly and manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for making an at least partially closed environment (such as a box or the like) using a plurality of panels is described, the system comprising: a lower plate, two or more panels and connection means for connecting said panels at the top, wherein said lower plate comprises a plurality of pin-like supporting and alignment members projecting upwardly, wherein at least a portion of said members is adjustable heightwise to compensate for different heights of the floor, each of said panels comprising a perimetral frame or a lower profile, wherein the perimetral frame or the lower profile comprises a cavity for accommodating the projecting portion of said pin-like supporting and alignment members.