Keyed Cam Lock and Insert Bracket for Insulated Panel Corners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Angled cuts at corners of insulated panel structures and side-by-side panel cam locks require special attention and angular orientation for proper assembly, making the process difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A keyed cam lock system with an insert bracket that immobilizes panels in two directions, featuring a V-shaped portion to guide fasteners and a cam lock that requires insertion at a specific rotational position, facilitating connections between insulated panels without the need for beveled cuts or complex angular alignments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If angled cuts are made at corners of insulated panels, then the panels can be connected to form corner structures, but the assembly process becomes difficult and requires special attention to angular orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connection system is divided into separate components: a corner post and panel connectors that attach to the panels. This eliminates the need for angled cuts on the panels themselves, as the corner geometry is provided by the separate post component. The panels remain straight-edged and connect to the corner post through perpendicular attachments, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining corner structure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A corner post acts as an intermediary component between two panels meeting at a corner. Instead of directly connecting panels at angled cuts, the corner post serves as a mediator that receives perpendicular connections from both panels and provides the corner geometry. This intermediary element simplifies the panel connections while achieving the desired corner structure.
2Strength
If cam locks are used for side-by-side panel connections, then the panels can be securely connected, but the cam requires insertion at a particular angular orientation which requires special attention
Solution Approach 1:
The cam lock mechanism incorporates asymmetric features including a keyed cam that can only be inserted in a specific rotational position, and a V-shaped slot that guides the fastener at a specific angle. This asymmetric design ensures proper orientation during installation while maintaining secure connection strength. The keyed cam and V-shaped slot work together to provide both the required strength and the orientation guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The V-shaped slot acts as an intermediary guiding feature that directs the fastener into the correct angular position before the cam lock engages. This intermediate guiding structure simplifies the installation process by providing physical guidance, eliminating the need for the installer to mentally calculate or estimate the correct angle.
3Stability of the object's composition
If insert brackets are used to cover panel ends and fit into slots, then panels can be immobilized in two directions, but the bracket design becomes more complex with V-shaped portions and fastener guidance features
Solution Approach 1:
The insert bracket combines multiple functions into a single component: it covers the panel end, fits into the panel slot, provides V-shaped guidance for the fastener, and immobilizes the panel in two directions. By merging these functions into one integrated bracket rather than using separate components, the design achieves stable panel immobilization while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert bracket is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides end coverage, slot engagement, fastener guidance through its V-shaped portion, and bidirectional immobilization. This universal design approach allows a single bracket type to handle multiple connection requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
A cam lock for side-by-side tongue-and-groove interlocking panels can be arranged to work easily and effectively by using a keyed cam lock that provides proper orientation and a stop when the lock is engaged. A cam lock for side-by-side tongue-and-groove interlocking panels can be arranged to be inserted on the tongue side and act against a mid-portion of the opposed panel. An insert bracket can cover with one end at least a part of an end of a panel at a corner connection between panels and with the other end it can fit into a slot in the panel to immobilize the panel in two directions, while a fastener-receiving portion of the bracket can have a V-shaped portion whose side walls can guide the fastener to pass through the bracket at a bottom of the V-shaped portion. This concept applies for wall to wall connection, wall to ceiling connection and wall to floor connection.