Modular Wall Panel System With Hidden Floating Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decorative wall panel systems require skilled labor, specialized tools, and significant time for installation, often resulting in a permanently modified appearance that is difficult to modify, and necessitate rerouting of electrical and communication ports, causing inconvenience and mess.
Innovation Solution
A modular wall panel system with a hidden, skeletal frame that allows decorative panels to float on the wall, eliminating the need for penetrating fasteners and enabling easy integration of peripheral components without modifying the underlying structure, and allowing for easy modification and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional decorative panels are installed using penetrating fasteners (nails, screws), then the panels are securely attached to the wall, but the fasteners remain visible and require careful finishing (filling, sanding, painting) to restore the wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
A hidden mounting system consisting of mounting members (tracks or channels) is introduced as an intermediary between the wall and the decorative panels. These mounting members are attached to the wall surface and provide recesses that receive corresponding protrusions on the panel back sides, securing panels without visible fasteners and eliminating the need for post-installation finishing work
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the visible panel surface and relocated to a hidden mounting system. The mounting members are positioned behind or within the panel structure, removing the visual and cosmetic impact of fasteners while maintaining secure attachment
2Ease of manufacture
If decorative panels are permanently installed on the wall, then the wall appearance is improved, but modification or removal requires removing panels and possibly refinishing or rebuilding portions of the underlying wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed with reversible connection mechanisms that allow panels to be easily installed and removed without permanent modification to the wall. The interaction between mounting member recesses and panel protrusions provides secure attachment during use but allows straightforward removal when modification is needed
Solution Approach 2:
The wall covering system is segmented into discrete, interchangeable panels that can be independently installed, removed, or replaced. This modular approach allows easy modification of the wall appearance by swapping individual panels without affecting the underlying wall structure or requiring extensive refinishing
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrical outlets, data ports, or other peripheral devices are integrated into conventional decorative panels, then the wall provides functional connectivity, but the panels require careful planning and placement, and may require rerouting of existing ports
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting members are designed with universal compatibility to accommodate various panel types and configurations. The system provides a standardized interface that works with different panel designs and can adapt to various electrical and data port locations without requiring custom mounting solutions for each scenario
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for localized adaptation at specific panel positions. Electrical outlets, data ports, and other peripheral devices can be integrated into individual panels at the specific locations where they are needed, while the rest of the panel system maintains its standardized modular structure. This enables functional customization without requiring complex planning for the entire wall system
4Manufacturing precision
If skilled carpenters and painters are used to install and finish conventional decorative panels, then the installation is completed professionally, but the process takes several days and requires scheduling multiple contractors
Solution Approach 1:
The panels and mounting members are pre-designed with integrated attachment features that eliminate the need for on-site cutting, fitting, and finishing work. The precise factory manufacturing of complementary protrusions and recesses ensures proper alignment and secure attachment, allowing installation by non-specialists in a single day rather than requiring multiple skilled contractors over several days
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative, modular wall panel system is disclosed that allows easy installation and that is adaptable to a variety of wall lengths by allowing the decorative panels to float on an easily installed frame assembly. A skeletal, hidden frame structure is attached to the preexisting wall over which the modular wall panel system is to be installed, and is configured to hold the decorative panel system in place without penetrating the decorative members with fasteners such as nails or screws, thus eliminating the need for wood fillers, plugs, caulking, paints, or stains and touch-up kits to fix blemishes on the decorative panels that would otherwise be caused by attaching them to a wall surface.