Insulating Panel Connector with Cover Wall to Prevent Foam Ingress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for insulating panels used in constructing cold rooms face issues with foam penetration during the foaming process, leading to impaired functionality and increased manufacturing costs due to air bubbles and foam material entering the tool openings, which can render panels scrap if not removable.

Innovation Solution

A panel connector design featuring a housing with a covering wall that prevents foam material from entering, utilizing two housing halves where one half forms a cover wall with material weakening zones for easy passage of the locking hook, and a breakthrough projection to minimize breakthrough forces, ensuring a stable and gap-free closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tool openings are provided for inserting the locking hook and axle, then assembly and operation are enabled, but foam material penetrates into the housing during the foaming process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly operationVSAvoidfoam penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing opening is closed with a cover wall before the foaming process begins. This preliminary closure prevents foam material from penetrating into the housing during foaming, while still allowing the locking hook to be inserted and pivoted through the opening during assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A thin cover wall is used to close the housing opening. This thin wall structure allows the locking hook to pivot through it during operation while effectively preventing foam material from penetrating into the housing during the foaming process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the locking hook is pivoted through the housing opening, then the locking function is achieved, but foam material enters the housing and impairs functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidfoam ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover wall is installed on the housing opening before the foaming process, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents foam ingress while allowing the locking hook to pivot through during the locking operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cover wall, which might seem to obstruct the locking hook's movement, actually enables the locking function by preventing foam material from entering the housing and impairing the locking mechanism's functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective walls are added to seal the housing, then foam penetration is prevented, but the locking hook cannot pivot freely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam preventionVSAvoidhook pivoting

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A thin cover wall is used instead of a thick protective wall. This thin film structure provides effective foam prevention while allowing the locking hook to pivot through it freely during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover wall is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid - it allows the locking hook to pivot through it during operation while maintaining its sealing function against foam material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If tool openings are made accessible after foaming, then foam penetration is prevented, but additional drilling and cleaning operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam blockageVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover wall is installed on the housing opening before the foaming process begins, preliminarily preventing foam penetration. This eliminates the need for subsequent drilling and cleaning operations, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3882411B1Connecting elements for arranging two wall elements relative to each other

Publication Date: 2022.08.03 STEINBACH & VOLLMANN GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a connector for coupling several wall elements, in particular several insulating panels, to one another, by means of which insulating spaces, in particular cold storage rooms, are constructed, with a coupling which has a bearing for a locking hook and a locking hook which is pivotable from a rest position to an engagement position and movable into a locking position, with a clamp which has a locking rod seated in a bearing, wherein the locking hook in its locking position engages behind the locking rod, with a housing of coupling or clamp which has a housing opening through which the locking hook passes during its pivoting movement from the rest position to the engagement position.