Modular Wall Panel Clip With Self-Aligning Frame Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing architectural wall systems lack efficient and secure methods for mounting panels to internal frames, particularly in modular walls, which are not load-bearing and require quick assembly and disassembly during remodeling and construction.
Innovation Solution
The development of clips and clip systems for mounting panels to internal frames of modular walls, featuring alignment members and mounting inserts that align with vertically arranged openings on vertical frame members, ensuring secure and stable attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used for panels in modular walls, then the mounting process becomes complex and time-consuming, but the panel attachment lacks stability and alignment precision
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a mounting member with mounting openings, and a clip with a mounting insert and alignment member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently - the mounting openings provide secure attachment points while the clip with alignment features ensures proper positioning, simplifying the overall mounting process while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The clip acts as an intermediary component between the panel and the mounting member. It features a mounting insert that engages with the mounting opening and an alignment member that ensures proper positioning. This intermediary clip simplifies the mounting process by providing a pre-assembled unit that combines alignment and attachment functions, reducing complexity while ensuring stable panel attachment
2Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment methods are used during panel installation, then the alignment precision is poor, but the installation time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment member is designed to automatically align the panel with the mounting opening before the mounting insert engages. This preliminary alignment action is built into the clip structure itself, ensuring precise positioning occurs automatically during the insertion process without requiring separate manual alignment steps, thus maintaining high precision while enabling quick installation
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment member enables the clip to self-align with the mounting opening during installation. As the clip is inserted, the alignment member automatically positions itself relative to the mounting opening, ensuring proper alignment without external intervention. This self-aligning feature maintains manufacturing precision while speeding up the installation process by eliminating manual alignment operations
Data Source
AI summary
A clip for mounting a panel to an internal frame of a modular wall is provided. The frame comprises vertical frame members with a plurality of vertically arranged mounting openings. The clip comprises a mounting portion for attaching the clip to the panel, a mounting insert extending in an insertion direction for insertion into one of the mounting openings on one of the vertical frame members with a longitudinal direction of the clip aligned in the vertical direction of the vertical frame member, and an alignment member offset from the mounting insert in a lateral direction of the clip. The alignment member may extend further in the insertion direction than the mounting insert and being configured such that contact of the alignment member with a vertical edge of the vertical frame member aligns the mounting insert in the lateral direction with the corresponding mounting opening for insertion therein.