Drywall Metal Frame Tabs for Smooth Corrugated Duct Passage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal framing systems for prefabricated panel drywall face challenges in facilitating the smooth deployment of corrugated ducts due to oversized, sharp-edged openings that hinder the movement of ducts during installation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of four cutouts in the base of the metal profile, forming tabs that extend perpendicularly to create a larger passage opening with triangular or square configurations, allowing easy sliding of corrugated ducts without encountering sharp edges, and the use of I-beam profiles that can be adjusted in length by telescoping and secured with self-tapping screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If circular openings are made oversized to accommodate all sizes of corrugated duct, then the duct passage capacity is improved, but the sharp inner edge of the opening disrupts the deployment of corrugated ducts and causes them to get stuck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduct passage capacityVSAvoidduct deployment smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The circular opening is segmented by adding radial cutouts that divide the opening into multiple sections with tabs. These tabs create a stepped configuration that segments the duct passage path, allowing the duct to navigate through without encountering a continuous sharp edge, thus resolving the contradiction between opening size and deployment smoothness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs are pre-formed by pressing the base wall into cutouts during manufacturing, creating a preliminary stepped structure around the opening. This preliminary action prepares the opening geometry in advance to guide and facilitate smooth duct deployment, preventing the duct from getting stuck on sharp edges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If standard U-shaped metal profiles are used with pre-cut circular openings, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the sharp inner edges of the openings obstruct corrugated duct movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprofile manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidduct passage facilitation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Radial cutouts are added to the circular opening and the base wall is pressed into these cutouts to form tabs. This segments the opening into a multi-faceted structure with stepped edges, eliminating the problematic continuous sharp inner edge while maintaining manufacturability through standard pressing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening geometry is locally modified by adding tabs at specific radial positions around the circular opening. This creates local quality variations in the opening structure, providing smooth transition zones for duct passage at critical locations while maintaining the overall circular shape and manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If metal profiles have fixed standard lengths, then the manufacturing and inventory management is simplified, but the framework cannot be easily adjusted to varying partition heights

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management simplicityVSAvoidpartition height adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Metal profiles are designed with telescoping capability, allowing one profile to be inserted inside another. This nesting configuration enables variable length adjustment by extending or retracting the nested profiles, providing adaptability to different partition heights while maintaining standard profile lengths for manufacturing and inventory purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The metal profile structure is made dynamically adjustable through the telescoping mechanism. The profiles can transition between different extended states to accommodate varying partition heights, transforming a static fixed-length component into a dynamic adjustable structure that maintains manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3748097B1Metal frame for prefabricated drywall panels

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SOC DE PROFILAGE DU POITOU

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9

AI summary

[Metal framework for prefabricated panel drywall, said metal framework comprising a metal profile (10) having a base (12) and two opposing flanges (14, 16) extending from said base (12) facing each other, said facing flanges being adapted to respectively receive prefabricated panels in support. Said base (12) of said metal profile (10) has at least a set of n cutouts (28, 30, 32, 34) each extending from a central point (36) and along n mean radii (R1, R2, R3, R4), to allow n tabs (44, 46, 48, 50) projecting from said base (12) around a duct passage opening (52), n being a natural number greater than 2.