Hook-and-Loop Panel Enclosure Assembly for Positive Pressure Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional enclosures for hot-work operations, such as welding, face challenges with tedious and time-consuming installation due to zipper alignment and mating, lack of interchangeability, and vulnerability to damage from excessive force or extreme environments, which compromises the ability to maintain positive pressure.

Innovation Solution

The use of panels with a fastening medium, such as Velcro or similar hook and loop systems, where each panel has multiple edges with strips of fastening medium, allowing for rapid and secure engagement of panels without the need for zipper alignment, providing a seal that withstands impact and shear forces, and enabling the use of interchangeable panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If zippers are used to attach panels together, then panels can be connected, but alignment and mating of zippers is tedious and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel assembly speedVSAvoidzipper alignment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes zippers entirely from the panel attachment system and replaces them with a flap-based fastening mechanism using hook-and-loop fasteners. This extraction eliminates the alignment and mating difficulties associated with zippers while maintaining panel connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is segmented into separate functional components: flaps extending from panel edges, hook-and-loop fastening surfaces, and overlapping panel configurations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of panels are used to enable zipper mating, then panels can be connected, but interchangeability is reduced when panels are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel interchangeabilityVSAvoidenclosure sealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs all panels with identical flap configurations and fastening surfaces, making every panel universally compatible with any other panel of the same type. This universality allows any damaged panel to be replaced with any other panel from the inventory without requiring specific mating pairs, thereby improving both interchangeability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If zippers are used for panel attachment, then panels can be connected, but zippers are vulnerable to damage from excessive force or extreme environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidzipper vulnerability to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a robust flap-based fastening system with extensive hook-and-loop contact areas that can withstand extreme forces and environmental conditions. The design accepts that fastening elements may wear over time but prioritizes initial strength and damage resistance, allowing for simple replacement rather than repair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If Velcro flaps cover zippers to protect from hot-work environment, then zipper exposure is prevented, but manipulation of covered zippers is time consuming and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezipper protection from heatVSAvoidquick exit capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes zippers entirely from the system, eliminating the need to cover them with flaps or manipulate them during emergencies. The flap-based fastening system allows for rapid opening by simply pulling the flap away from the panel edge, providing immediate egress without the complexity of zipper manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution enables quick and efficient formation of securely sealed enclosures that are resistant to damage and can maintain positive pressure, facilitating safer and more efficient hot-work operations by simplifying installation and ensuring reliable sealing.

Implementation Method 1

the fastening medium can include Velcro or a similar hook and loop fastening medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHook and loop fastening: Velcro

Data Source

PatentUS9517609B2Attachment systems and methods usable to form enclosures

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 AL AZEM SAMER

AI summary

Enclosures and panels for forming such enclosures can include a first edge having a front side and a rear side, each side having a first portion of a fastening medium thereon, and a second edge having first and second flaps, each flap having an inner surface with a second portion of the fastening medium thereon. The flaps of a first panel can engaged with the front and rear sides of an adjacent panel, and similarly, any number of adjacent panels can be engaged in this manner to form a sealed enclosure, usable for maintaining a pressure differential between the interior and exterior thereof.