Lateral Connecting Element for Transparent Roof Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting transparent panels in roofing systems result in a high overall thickness due to overlapping ends, leading to potential infiltrations and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element with a main portion and lateral portions that connect to supporting portions, allowing for easy installation of transparent panels next to each other without overlapping their constraining ends, thus reducing the covered area and ensuring stable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transparent panels are connected by overlapping their ends, then the connection is simple, but the overall thickness increases leading to infiltrations and alignment problems
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is divided into distinct functional portions: a main portion for structural support and lateral portions for connecting to adjacent panels. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing the need for overlapping and thereby reducing overall thickness while maintaining connection simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element acts as an intermediary component between adjacent transparent panels. Instead of directly overlapping panel ends, the connecting element mediates the connection through its lateral portions that attach to the lateral surfaces of the panels, eliminating the thickness issue caused by direct overlapping while preserving connection simplicity.
2Reliability
If transparent panels are connected using conventional methods, then connection is achieved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to high thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The connection transitions from a vertical overlapping arrangement (thickness direction) to a lateral attachment arrangement (width direction). The lateral portions of the connecting element attach to the lateral surfaces of the panels, moving the connection interface to another dimension and thereby improving alignment precision while maintaining connection stability.
3Reliability
If panel ends overlap to connect transparent panels, then connection is formed, but the covered area increases due to reduced transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element serves as an intermediary that connects panels laterally without requiring vertical overlap. This eliminates the need for thick connection zones that would block light, thereby preserving the transparent area while maintaining connection stability through the lateral attachment mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a connecting element (30,30') for transparent panels (15) for forming coverings (10), wherein the connecting element (30,30') comprises a main portion (30g) having at its ends (31) two lateral portions (30a,30d), wherein each lateral portion (30a,30d) connects the main portion (30g) to a respective supporting portion (30b,30e), and each supporting portion (30b,30e) is spaced out from the main portion (30g) and is configured for the connection to a transparent panel (15). The invention also concerns a roofing system (10).