Lightweight Panel End Post Sliding Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight construction panel end posts lack versatility without compromising ease of assembly, and existing designs prevent disassembly under transverse forces, limiting the use of deformable fillers like wood.
Innovation Solution
The end post design features a first base profile, a second intermediate profile, and a third locking section, where the second profile is movable transversely to prevent disassembly and allow for deformation, with a sliding interlocking connection between the first and third profiles, enabling the use of wood fillers and simplifying assembly by allowing infill placement as uprights are laid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second profile is fixed rigidly between the first and third profiles, then disassembly under transverse forces is prevented, but versatility and ease of assembly are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The second profile is designed to be movable relative to the first profile along the longitudinal axis, transitioning from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the assembly to adapt to different infill dimensions while maintaining stability during use, resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and disassembly prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the second profile is made movable to accommodate infill deformations, then versatility is improved, but disassembly prevention under transverse forces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second profile is constrained by the third profile's locking mechanism that engages with the first profile, creating a dynamic system that allows controlled movement for infill accommodation while preventing unintended disassembly under transverse loads through the locking action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the second profile along the longitudinal axis to accommodate infill deformations, while the locking mechanism maintains the transverse position stability, thus achieving both versatility and disassembly prevention through parameter control.
3Strength
If additional connecting elements are used between profiles, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function and connecting function are merged into the third profile itself, which integrates the locking mechanism and structural connection in a single element, eliminating the need for separate connecting elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The third profile serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural connector between the first and second profiles, provides the locking mechanism to prevent disassembly, and enables the movable connection for infill accommodation, thus reducing the need for additional specialized components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an end post (1) for the making of a light construction panel (20), such as a screen, fence, pergola, said post (1) comprises at least a first profile (2) called base, a second profile (3) called intermediate and a third profile (4) called locking, said profiles (2, 3, 4), arranged in the assembled state next to each other to form at least a part of the post (1), each having the form of an elongated body, and the third profile (4) is, in the assembled state to the first profile (2), configured to hold the second profile (3) in the assembled state to the first profile (2), so that any disassembly of the second profile (3) from the first and third profiles (2, 3) under the effect of a force exerted on the second profile (3) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of said profile (3) is prevented.