C-Shaped Anchoring Fastening Element for Concealing Uprights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound-absorbent and sound-insulating barriers along communication pathways are difficult to assemble flexibly and quickly, requiring significant time and lacking an aesthetic appeal as uprights remain visible.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element with a C-shaped anchoring portion and a through-opening in a plate that constrains the upright and allows for flexible assembly of sound-absorbent and sound-insulating panels, ensuring stability and aesthetics by hiding the uprights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If nut and bolt systems are used to fix panels to uprights, then the panels can be arranged frontally to hide uprights, but the assembly becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element is divided into distinct functional segments: a plate for mounting on the upright, anchoring portions for securing panels, and a through-opening for constraint. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, enabling rapid assembly while maintaining the frontal panel arrangement for aesthetic purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element acts as an intermediary component between the upright and the panels. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, allowing panels to be quickly attached to uprights without requiring complex nut and bolt systems, thus reducing assembly time while enabling the panels to conceal the uprights effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional fastening methods are used, then structural stability can be achieved, but assembly flexibility and ease are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element incorporates dynamic characteristics through its anchoring portions that can adapt to panel positions. The C-shaped anchoring portions allow for flexible insertion and securing of panels at different locations on the upright, providing assembly flexibility while maintaining structural stability through secure anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is designed with multi-functionality: the plate provides mounting surface, the through-opening enables constraint and alignment, and the anchoring portions secure multiple panels. This universal design allows a single component to achieve both structural stability and assembly flexibility that would require multiple separate components in traditional systems.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If panels are arranged frontally to conceal uprights, then aesthetic appeal improves, but the complexity of the fastening system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening element merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: the plate for upright mounting, the through-opening for panel constraint, and the anchoring portions for panel attachment. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying the fastening system while enabling the frontal panel arrangement that provides aesthetic appeal by concealing the uprights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3332068B1A fastening element for fixing a plurality of sound- absorbent and/or sound-insulating panels to an upright for realising a sound-absorbent and/or sound-insulating barrier along a communication pathway, and a relative sound-absorbent and/or sound-insulating barrier
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 CIR AMBIENTE
  • EP3332068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3332068B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3332068B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A fastening element (1) for fixing a plurality (2) of sound-absorbent and/or sound-insulating panels to an upright (3), for realising a sound-absorbent and/or sound-insulating barrier (100) along a communication pathway, and a relative barrier (100). The plurality (2) of sound-absorbent and/or sound- insulating panels comprises a sound-absorbent and/or sound-insulating panel (5, 6) comprising a lateral wall (50, 60) which is provided with a projection (51 ) or a recess (61 ). The fastening element (1) comprises: a plate (10) which affords a through- opening (11), which through-opening (1 1) originates from a first flank (10a) of the plate (10) and is conformed for receiving a coupling portion (4) of the upright (3) so as to constrain the plate (10) to the upright (3); an anchoring portion (12) which is C-shaped, which originates from a second flank (10b) of the plate (10) and which is dimensioned such that when the fastening element (1) and the panel (5, 6) are assembled, it internally contains the projection (51) or is contained internally of the recess (61) so that the panel (5, 6) is fixed to the upright (3).