Bendable Drywall Profile for Versatile Wall Geometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drywall constructions require multiple profiles for different geometries as end or connection profiles, and for forming wall corners, leading to increased complexity and maintenance needs, especially in applications like hospital corridors where ram protection is necessary.

Innovation Solution

A drywall profile with a bendable tab that can be manually adjusted to attach building panels at various angles, allowing it to function as both an end profile and a connection profile, including at corners, while maintaining a visually appealing and damage-resistant surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different drywall profiles are provided for different geometries (end profile, connection profile, corner profile), then the construction can accommodate various wall configurations, but the device complexity and quantity of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different wall geometriesVSAvoidnumber of different profiles required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drywall profile is designed with a bendable portion that can be manually bent to different angles, allowing a single profile type to function as end profile, connection profile, and corner profile. The bendable portion can be bent at various angles (e.g., 90 degrees for corners, different angles for connections) to adapt to different wall geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile incorporates a bendable portion that can be manually adjusted and bent to different positions and angles during installation. This dynamic adaptability allows the same profile to be configured for different applications (end profile, connection profile, corner profile) by simply bending the portion to the required angle, rather than requiring multiple rigid, application-specific profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different drywall profiles are provided for different geometries, then various wall configurations can be achieved, but the loss of time during installation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different wall geometriesVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By providing only one type of drywall profile with a bendable portion, the installation process is simplified. Installers no longer need to identify and select from multiple different profile types based on the required geometry. The single profile type can be used for all applications, reducing the time spent on component selection and reducing on-site complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bendable portion is pre-configured in the profile during manufacturing, allowing installers to simply bend the portion to the required angle during installation rather than assembling multiple pre-formed geometric components. This preliminary preparation of the bending capability reduces on-site installation time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different drywall profiles are provided for different geometries, then various wall configurations can be achieved, but the ease of repair decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different wall geometriesVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The single drywall profile type with bendable portion can be used to repair various types of wall damage and reconfigure walls after modifications. If damage occurs or reconfiguration is needed, the same versatile profile can be bent to the required geometry to fix the issue, eliminating the need to source different profile types for different repair scenarios and simplifying the repair process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3545148B1Drywall profile
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 KNAUF GIPS KG
  • EP3545148B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3545148B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP3545148B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Drywall profile (1) for forming part of a sub-construction to which building panels (31, 32) are attached, the drywall profile (1) having a flange portion (21) of a size and a shape so as to be capable of attaching a first building panel (31 ) thereto and a bending portion (22) bendable from a first position in which no second building panel (32) can be attached to the bending portion (22) under angle (α > 0°) relative the flange portion (21) to a second position in which a second building panel (32) can be attached to the bending portion (22) under an angle (α > 0°) relative to the flange portion (21).