Articulated Panel Fastener for Angle and Distance Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for attaching plate-shaped elements, such as facade panels, to underground surfaces are complex to manufacture and assemble, and often lack adjustable distance and angle settings, which can lead to misalignment and a weakened connection.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system comprising a fastening element, a holding element with a stop and a joint element featuring an internal thread, allowing for adjustable angle and distance settings through a joint element that can be screwed onto the fastening element, enabling easy assembly and alignment of the plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known joint connections are used to attach plates to surfaces, then the connection can be established, but the manufacturing and assembly become very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: a fastening element for attachment to the surface, a holding element for securing the plate, and a joint element connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simple processes while maintaining overall connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint element is inserted into the holding element, with the fastening element passing through the joint element. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple connection functions into a compact structure that is both simple to manufacture and assemble while ensuring reliable plate attachment to the surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance to the surface is adjusted in known fastening systems, then the distance can be changed, but the effectiveness of the connection with the surface may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The joint element can rotate around the fastening element, enabling dynamic adjustment of the holding element's orientation and distance from the surface. This rotational freedom allows distance and angle adaptation while the threaded connection maintains secure attachment, preserving connection effectiveness throughout adjustment range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing of geometric parameters including distance from surface and angular orientation of the plate. The threaded fastening mechanism enables continuous parameter adjustment while maintaining reliable connection through friction and mechanical engagement between the fastening, joint, and holding elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fastening element is not arranged vertically in the surface, then the stop is not aligned in parallel to the surface, but the plate arrangement becomes wrong and not parallel to the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The joint element's rotational capability around the fastening element enables dynamic angle adjustment to compensate for non-vertical fastening element arrangement. This allows the holding element and plate to be oriented parallel to the surface even when the fastening element is installed at an angle, maintaining alignment precision through mechanical adjustment rather than requiring precise initial installation.
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 system allows for easy and secure attachment of plates at adjustable distances and angles, ensuring a strong and adjustable connection without compromising the integrity of the fastening system, with visible thread connections for quality assurance during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The joint element has a through opening. This passage opening has an interior thread at least at one point. This interior thread is designed in such a way that it can be screwed to the fastener element with an outer thread.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fastening system (1) for fastening a panel (2), in particular a facade panel, at an adjustable distance from a base (3), the fastening system (1) comprising: a fastening element (4) for fastening in the base (3), a holding element (5) for holding the panel (2) having an opening (5a), a holding shaft (6) arranged at an opening in the holding element (5), wherein the holding shaft (6) has a region (7) with a reduced diameter, and a joint element (8) comprising a through-opening (9) which has an internal thread for screwing with an external thread arranged on the fastening element (4), wherein the joint element (8) is arranged in the holding shaft (6) such that the angle between the joint element (8) and the holding shaft (6) can be changed, wherein the joint element (8) has a joint region (8a) and a holding region (8b) and is designed such that it can be moved through the opening (5a) in the holding element (5) into the holding shaft (6), wherein the holding region (8b) is moved through the region (7) of the plate-like shaft having the reduced diameter until the region (7) having the reduced diameter is disposed between the joint region (8a) and the holding region (8b) and in said position the joint element (8) is held in the holding shaft (6) in a tension-resistant and compression-resistant manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a fastening system of this kind and to a method for fastening a panel using a fastening system of this kind.