Grooved Panel Edge Structure for Soft Partition Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing partition equipment has a hard and inorganic appearance due to metal or resin frames, leading to potential light leakage between panels, increased weight, complex structure, and higher manufacturing costs, with exposed locking mechanisms damaging the appearance and increasing weight.
Innovation Solution
A panel body design featuring a panel-like base material with a continuous groove along its outer edge, covered by a soft material and a cover material that is fixed in place, creating a softer appearance and preventing light leakage, while maintaining a simple and lightweight structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a frame made of hard material (metal or resin) is provided along the outer circumferential portion, then structural strength is improved, but the appearance becomes hard and inorganic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by covering the hard frame with a soft material layer that has flexibility and elasticity. This soft material layer conforms to the frame's shape while providing a softer, more organic appearance. The soft material acts as a flexible shell that masks the rigid frame beneath, resolving the contradiction between structural strength and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines hard frame material (metal or resin) with soft material (such as foam or rubber) to create a composite structure. This composite approach allows the frame to provide structural strength while the soft material provides the desired appearance. The combination of dissimilar materials resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to fulfill its optimal function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If panels are disposed adjacent to each other to divide space, then space partitioning function is improved, but voids between core materials may generate causing light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The soft material layer extends to the outer circumferential edge of the panel and can deform elastically to fill gaps between adjacent panels. This flexible material acts as a sealing element that prevents light from passing through voids between panels while maintaining the space partitioning function. The elasticity of the soft material allows it to conform to slight variations in panel positioning.
3Reliability
If locking structures (locking grooves or slits) are provided in the panel body, then optional members can be locked, but the structure becomes complex and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the locking function from the panel body itself and relocates it to the frame structure. By providing locking grooves or slits in the frame rather than the panel body, the invention simplifies the panel construction while maintaining the locking capability. This extraction reduces the complexity and weight of the overall structure by separating the locking function from the primary panel assembly.
4Reliability
If locking structures are provided in the panel body, then optional members can be locked, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By relocating the locking structures from the panel body to the frame, the patent simplifies panel manufacturing while maintaining locking functionality. The frame can be designed and manufactured separately with integrated locking features, reducing the complexity and cost of panel production. This separation of functions allows for more efficient manufacturing processes and lower overall costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel body (11) includes: a panel-like base material (12); a groove (25) which is continuous along at least a part of an outer circumferential end portion of the base material (12), and is recessed to the inside of the base material (12); a soft material (13) which is provided on one or more surface of the base material (12); a cover material (14) which covers the base material (12) and the soft material (13), and in which the outer circumferential end portion is caught in the groove (25) in the outer circumferential edge portion of the base material (12); and a fixing member (30) which fixes the cover material (14) in the groove (25).