Flexible Interior Partition Wall with Elastic Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight partition walls face difficulties in reducing dimensions for storage and transport due to rigid layers, and securing outer fabrics to frames is challenging, leading to weight and size issues, as well as tension maintenance problems.
Innovation Solution
A wall system featuring a rigid frame with opposing faces made of flexible, elastic material, including stretch fabric or Jacquard fabric, secured with constraining means like enlarged edges or polymeric swellings to maintain tension and allow for easy assembly and disassembly, while maintaining rigidity and aesthetic versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid layers are used in the wall structure, then structural strength is improved, but the wall cannot be bent to reduce dimensions for storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is divided into modular panels that can be assembled and disassembled. Each panel contains a rigid frame structure that provides strength, while the overall wall system can be broken down into manageable units for compact storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible fabric coverings over the rigid frame structure. These flexible faces allow the wall to be wrapped and compressed when disassembled, enabling reduction of storage dimensions while the rigid frame maintains structural integrity during use.
2Strength
If rigid layers are used in the wall structure, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases making transport and assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy rigid layers with flexible fabric coverings that are stretched over a lightweight rigid frame. This combination provides the necessary structural strength while significantly reducing the overall weight compared to traditional rigid panel constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall uses a composite structure combining a rigid frame (providing structural strength) with flexible fabric faces (providing coverage and aesthetics). This composite approach optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio by using each material where it is most effective.
3Reliability
If perimeter grooves with rubber profiles are used to secure fabric, then fabric binding is improved, but the method is complex and fabric tension is not maintained over time
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric securing system uses elastic constraining means that automatically maintain tension through their inherent elastic properties. The system is self-regulating, requiring no additional mechanisms or adjustments to maintain fabric tension over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses elastic materials with specific elastic moduli to create constraining means that dynamically adjust to maintain optimal fabric tension. The elastic properties allow the system to accommodate variations in fabric tension while maintaining secure binding.
4Ease of manufacture
If perimeter swellings or continuous ribs are used to secure fabric, then fabric attachment is simplified, but elasticity is limited and fabric tension cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs elastic constraining means made from materials with high elastic properties, allowing significant deformation and recovery. This enables the system to maintain fabric tension reliably while remaining easy to manufacture and install.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a lightweight, easy-to-transport, and versatile wall that can be easily assembled and disassembled, with improved tension retention and aesthetic flexibility, suitable for various applications including temporary exhibitions and interior partitions.
Implementation Method 1
said opposing faces comprise elastic constraining means to maintain them tensioned and substantially parallel to a geometrical plane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a wall for interior architecture, particularly for partitioning adjacent rooms, comprising a substantially rigid frame (2) suited to define an external perimeter surface (4) of the wall (1), and one pair of opposite faces (3) constrained to the rigid frame (2) and made of a flexible material. In particular, the opposite faces (3) comprise elastic constraining means (5) suited to maintain them tensioned and substantially parallel to a geometrical plane, while the rigid frame (2) and the opposite tensioned faces (3) delimit an internal hollow region (6).