Modular panel assembly for an enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-glass shower enclosures face challenges in customization, aesthetics, and maintenance due to the need for a single large pane of glass, which limits size, shape, color, and pattern options, making them restrictive and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular panel assembly comprising multiple panels and channel members, secured by brackets, allowing for customizable shapes, sizes, colors, and the integration of electronic features like digital displays and interfaces, enabling flexible and aesthetically appealing configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single large pane of glass is used to form each shower door and panel, then the enclosure achieves an all-glass appearance that is aesthetically appealing and easy to maintain, but customization of door size, shape, color, and pattern becomes more difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shower enclosure into multiple separate glass panels that can be individually customized in size, shape, color, and pattern. Each panel is framed independently, allowing for modular assembly and customization without requiring a single large pane of glass. This segmentation enables both aesthetic appeal and design flexibility.
2Device complexity
If a single large pane of glass is used, then the enclosure structure is simplified, but the ability to customize size, shape, color, and pattern is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is segmented into multiple manageable glass panels with independent frames, allowing each panel to be customized while maintaining overall structural coherence. The modular frame system connects panels in various configurations to achieve desired customizations.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables panel replacement, allows for customization of different panel types (glass, solid, translucent), and facilitates various enclosure configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and customization capability.
3Strength
If conventional metal framing is used around the shower entry, then structural support is provided, but the enclosure becomes restrictive to entry/exit and difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional bulky metal framing with thin, sleek frame members that provide necessary structural support while minimizing obstruction. The frames are designed to be unobtrusive, allowing easy entry and exit while maintaining structural integrity of the glass panels.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular panel assembly for use with, e.g., a shower enclosure. The modular panel assembly includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first side surface and a second side surface. The modular panel assembly also include a plurality of channel members, wherein each channel member is configured to be coupled to an edge portion of one or more panels. Additionally, a plurality of brackets are provided, wherein each bracket is configured to hold both the first side surface and the second side surface of two or more of the plurality of panels and an end portion of one or more of the plurality of channel members.