Interlocking panels, modules with interlocking panels, and a modular display case with interlocking modules with interlocking panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional modular display cases are heavy, lack transparency, and require mechanical fasteners or adhesives for assembly, making them cumbersome and unsafe for displaying fragile items.
Innovation Solution
Interlocking panels with a ball key system that use silicone rubber balls for snap-fit assembly, allowing for transparent, lightweight, and magnetically secure modular structures without mechanical fasteners or adhesives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional modular display cases are assembled from laser cut interlocking pieces or wood panels with keyed mortise and tenon joints, then structural strength and stability are improved, but weight increases and transparency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional wood or metal to acrylic plastic, which provides both transparency and sufficient structural strength. The acrylic panels maintain rigidity while being significantly lighter than wood or metal alternatives, resolving the contradiction between strength and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, adhesives, welded joints) with a magnetic fastening system. Magnets embedded in the panels create secure connections through magnetic attraction, eliminating the need for heavy mechanical fasteners while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If conventional modular display cases use mechanical fasteners or adhesives for assembly, then connection strength is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical fasteners and adhesives with magnetic fastening mechanisms. The magnets provide strong connection force that is easily controllable through simple pushing motions, allowing panels to be assembled and disassembled without tools while maintaining secure connections during display.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic fastening system is self-aligning and self-latching. When panels are brought close together, the magnets automatically guide them into proper alignment and secure the connection without requiring precise manual positioning or additional fastening actions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional modular display cases use wedge-shaped keys for mortise and tenon joints, then connection stability is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to difficult and tedious assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex wedge-shaped mechanical keys with simple magnetic connectors. The magnetic force provides stable connection equivalent to traditional mortise and tenon joints, while the assembly process becomes as simple as bringing panels together, eliminating the tedious alignment and insertion required by wedge keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection mechanism from mechanical interlocking with wedge-shaped keys to magnetic attraction. This parameter change maintains connection stability through magnetic force while dramatically simplifying the assembly operation to a single pushing motion.
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
Enables easy assembly and disassembly of modular display cases, provides a safe and secure display for fragile items, and allows for a variety of configurations and expansions.
Implementation Method 1
a ball key including a round resilient compressible ball made of silicone rubber
Implementation Method 2
a ferromagnetic target secured to an opposite side of the panel from the display surface
Data Source
AI summary
Interlocking panels are assembled to form modules, and the modules are assembled to form a modular display case, for displaying, transporting and storing objects such as models, display items or valuable collectibles. The interlocking panels include interlocking side edge ball key tab including a resilient, compressible ball key, and ports for removably receiving the ball key tab and ball key.