Bent Sandwich Panel Corner Edges for Stable Room Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and high production costs of connecting floor and wall parts made of sandwich panels at corner areas, along with the need for additional stability measures, pose challenges in manufacturing room elements.

Innovation Solution

A room element made from sandwich panels with bent corner edges and a support structure featuring support elements on the outer surface and a holding device with connecting pieces to secure folded edges, providing self-supporting stability and ease of production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional connection methods are used to join floor and wall parts at corner areas, then the structural stability is achieved, but the production complexity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sandwich panel is segmented into distinct functional layers: an outer cover surface for structural integrity, an inner cover surface for connection, and a core layer for insulation and rigidity. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, simplifying the connection process while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of connecting panels from the outside or using complex external fastening systems, the connection is performed from the inside of the sandwich panel. The connection elements are inserted through the core layer and secured between the inner cover surfaces, inverting the conventional connection approach and significantly reducing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If conventional connection methods are used to join sandwich panels, then the connection strength is achieved, but the production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sandwich panel structure itself provides the connection mechanism. The core layer acts as both the structural element and the connection medium, eliminating the need for separate, expensive connection hardware. The inner cover surfaces are designed to receive and secure connection elements directly, making the panel self-sufficient for its own assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sandwich panel utilizes composite construction with an outer cover surface, inner cover surface, and core layer made of different materials optimized for their specific functions. This composite structure provides both the necessary connection strength and cost-effectiveness, as each material is selected for its optimal performance and price ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If additional support elements are added to ensure stability of bent corner edges, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorner edge stabilityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support function is merged with the existing sandwich panel structure. The core layer serves dual purposes: providing thermal insulation and acting as the structural element that receives and secures connection elements at the corners. This merging eliminates the need for separate support structures, reducing complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sandwich panel structure is designed with multi-functionality. The same core layer that provides insulation also provides the structural framework for connections. The inner cover surfaces serve both as the finished surface and as the interface for connection elements, eliminating the need for additional specialized components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2141298B1Space element
Publication Date: 2014.05.21 KAPFER WILLI
  • EP2141298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2141298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2141298B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The space element (1) has a sandwich panel (2) bent for formation of corner edges (3) of the space element. The sandwich panel has an outer covering surface (4) with a curvature (7) and an inner covering surface (5) with folded edges. A support construction has a supporting element (9) i.e. tension rod, and a holding unit (12) that holds together the folded edges at the inner covering surface. The supporting element is arranged at an inner side of the outer covering surface in a region of the corner edges. The holding unit is connected with the supporting element by a connecting piece (11).