Adjustable Glass Pane Mounting Without Recess Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for fastening panels or glass panes in shower or bathtub partitions face challenges in adjusting to misalignments or different dimensions over time, as readjustments are often difficult or impossible without significant modifications, and require separate processing that increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a carrier profile with slotted holes and an adjustment profile allows for transverse adjustment of a frameless glass pane without needing recesses in the pane, using a clamp and elongated profile rail for secure attachment and adjustment, enabling easy readjustment and maintaining an aesthetic appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a clamp and carrier profile with slotted holes are used for adjustment, then adjustment range is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp integrates multiple functions: it secures the panel to the carrier profile, enables adjustment through slotted holes, and provides structural support. By combining these functions into a single component rather than separate elements, the system achieves generous adjustment range while minimizing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier profile serves multiple purposes: it provides the mounting structure attached to the wall, contains slotted holes for adjustment, and works with the clamp to both secure and position the panel. This multi-functional design allows adjustment capability without adding separate adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If recesses are made in the pane for fastening, then secure attachment is improved, but manufacturing cost and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the panel by creating recesses to receive fastening elements, the invention inverts the approach: the clamp and carrier profile are designed to attach to the external surfaces of the panel. This eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming recess machining while achieving secure attachment through the clamp's gripping mechanism on the panel's outer surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If a clamp system is used without recesses in the pane, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of fastening may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidfastening security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is designed with curved or contoured surfaces that conform to the panel's external geometry, creating a secure gripping interface. This curved design allows the clamp to envelop and firmly hold the panel edge or surface without requiring recesses, maintaining fastening reliability while simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP1764018B1System for the mounting of a plate

Publication Date: 2011.09.21 KERMI GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

The system includes a u-shaped beam profile (10). The plate (A) to be attached is held by an adjustable profile (11) between one limb (10.1) of the beam profile and a clip (12) inserted between the plate and the other limb (10.2) of the beam profile. The plate can be fixed by a fixing screw (14) which extends through the beam profile and the clip, in an adjustment range defined by the clip and beam profile.