Continuous Wall Assembly With Reconfigurable Mixed Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free-standing wall assemblies for display, storage, and advertising purposes are costly to manufacture, assemble, disassemble, and transport due to the need for different types of panels and complex mounting requirements, limiting their versatility and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
A free-standing continuous wall assembly composed of multiple panels, including slatwall, peg board, chalk board, cork board, and magnetic boards, with end and intermediate members that allow for flexible attachment and disattachment, enabling the assembly of panels of varying types without visible gaps and facilitating easy transport and storage by allowing panels to be partially disassembled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional slatwall panels are used as free-standing walls, then display functionality is provided, but material costs and labor costs to erect, take down and transport are greater than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The wall assembly is divided into separate panel units that can be independently manufactured, assembled, and transported. Each panel is a self-contained module with standardized connection mechanisms, allowing the wall to be segmented into manageable sections for cost-effective manufacturing and easy assembly/disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized panel design with universal connection mechanisms is created that can serve multiple functions and be used in various configurations. The same basic panel structure can be adapted for different display needs, reducing manufacturing variety and cost while maintaining ease of assembly through consistent interface standards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If same type panels are used in assemblies for display, storage and advertising purposes, then mounting requirements are simplified, but versatility for different applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The panel design incorporates universal mounting mechanisms and standardized interfaces that work across different panel types and applications. This allows the same basic panel structure to be used for display, storage, and advertising purposes without requiring different mounting hardware, thereby increasing versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
While maintaining a standardized overall panel structure, the design allows for local variations in specific features (such as shelf positions, display hooks, or mounting orientations) to accommodate different application requirements. This enables customization for specific uses without fundamentally changing the panel type or mounting system.
3Reliability
If complex mounting requirements are imposed on wall assemblies, then structural stability is improved, but assembly and disassembly time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into standardized, pre-fabricated connection components that simplify the assembly process. Rather than requiring complex custom mounting solutions, the segmented design uses repeatable connection mechanisms that maintain structural stability while reducing assembly time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting components and connection mechanisms are pre-configured and pre-positioned during panel manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures structural stability is built into the design from the start, eliminating the need for complex on-site mounting procedures and reducing assembly time significantly.
Data Source
AI summary
A free-standing continuous wall assembly includes two end members, one or more intermediate members, a plurality of panels disposed in a vertical plane, each panel defining a one-piece sheet being sufficiently flexible to develop a concave shape when being supported in a horizontal plane at a pair of opposite edges thereof, and fasteners fastening each panel directly to one of the two end members and one intermediate member or directly to two intermediate members. The panel may be provided as a one-piece sheet that may be one of a peg board, slat board, chalk board, cork board and dry-erase board and any combination thereof.