Canvas Tensioning via Radial Bead Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large, vertically stretched canvases with significant dimensions are difficult to install and maintain tension on, especially at heights, leading to installation challenges, creases, and vulnerability to wind-induced vibrations and damage.

Innovation Solution

A canvas system featuring upper and lower beams with grooves and beads, where the lower bead is inserted radially into a horizontal groove and secured by a blocking profile, allowing for easy attachment and tensioning of the canvas through vertical and horizontal movements of the beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the canvas is made large for commercial display or cover purposes, then the coverage area and display effectiveness are improved, but the installation difficulty and tensioning complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecanvas coverage areaVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beam is segmented into modular components with standardized grooves at regular intervals. The canvas is divided into sections that can be independently attached to these groove segments, allowing large canvases to be assembled from manageable units rather than requiring complete installation of one massive piece at once.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove-bead mechanism acts as an intermediary between the beam and canvas. The groove provides a guided path for the bead, which serves as a mediator that translates the insertion motion into secure attachment, enabling operators to attach large canvases systematically rather than manually positioning entire sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the canvas is made large for extended coverage, then the display effectiveness is improved, but the regular tensioning becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecanvas coverage areaVSAvoidtension uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beam structure is divided into multiple groove segments spaced at regular intervals along its length. Each groove segment independently maintains tension on its corresponding canvas section, ensuring uniform tension distribution across the entire large canvas area without requiring complex global tensioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The groove geometry is designed with specific dimensional parameters (width, depth, spacing) that are optimized to maintain consistent tension forces. By controlling these geometric parameters, the system achieves uniform tensioning across large canvas areas through the repeated pattern of grooves rather than requiring active adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If the canvas is stretched tightly to avoid creases and wind damage, then the structural integrity and appearance are improved, but the installation complexity and personnel requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecanvas structural integrityVSAvoidinstallation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bead acts as an intermediary element that provides mechanical interlocking between the canvas and beam. When inserted into the groove, the bead's geometry creates friction and geometric constraints that maintain tight tension on the canvas, achieving structural integrity through a simple passive mechanical mechanism rather than complex active tensioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove-bead mechanism is designed to be self-tensioning. As the bead is inserted into the groove, the geometry of the groove walls and bead surface automatically creates the tensioning force needed to tighten the canvas against the beam, eliminating the need for separate tensioning devices or complex installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If operators work at height to install large canvases, then the installation capability is improved, but the safety risks and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation capabilityVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The groove-bead mechanism serves as an intermediary that guides and constrains the installation process. The groove provides a defined path that guides the bead into position, reducing the need for precise manual positioning by operators at height and minimizing the risk of dropped components or incorrect installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to be self-aligning and self-securing. The groove geometry automatically guides the bead into the correct position and the friction fit secures it without requiring additional fastening operations by operators at height, reducing both operational complexity and safety risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3526420B1Canvas system stretched between two beams
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 BLANC BEAUREGARD PHILIPPE
  • EP3526420B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3526420B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3526420B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The subject of the invention is a stretched canvas system comprising a canvas (20) as well as an upper beam (2) and a lower beam (30) which are designed to receive the top and bottom of this canvas, the lower beam (30) comprising a lower horizontal groove (24) having, in its cross section, a narrow opening, the canvas (20) at its base comprising a lower strip (26) that can be inserted into the lower groove (24) by introducing it radially thereinto via its opening, a locking profile being designed to be slid horizontally into the lower groove (24) from one of the ends thereof after the lower strip (26) has been introduced into this groove.