Panel Frame Gripper Mechanism for Illumination and Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel systems face challenges in aligning sheet material effectively, leading to issues with illumination obstruction, aesthetically pleasing borders, and significant production losses due to shrinkage and stretching of temperature-sensitive materials.
Innovation Solution
A panel system comprising a frame with longitudinal channels and gripper members that include a flexible flap to form a resilient slot, allowing for easy alignment and tensioning of sheet material with stiffened edging, which can be oversized and securely held within the frame, reducing illumination obstruction and accommodating material shrinkage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gripper member in the form of a plug is pushed into a channel to trap an edge of the sheet material, then the sheet material is held in position, but a region of bordering is created around the edges that reduces the display area and may be less aesthetically pleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the gripping function from a bulky plug form and concentrates it into a thin profile member that fits within the channel. This removes the harmful bordering effect while preserving the sheet material holding function, thereby increasing the display area without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper member is designed as a thin profile member with a flexible gripping element that can deform to engage the sheet material edge. This thin-film approach allows the gripper to occupy minimal space within the channel, reducing the bordering effect and maximizing the visible display area.
2Shape
If the sheet material is pulled taut to eliminate bagginess, then the panel appearance is improved, but the risk of damage to the sheet material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper member incorporates a resilient gripping element that can dynamically adjust its engagement force. When the sheet material is inserted, the resilient element deforms to provide initial holding, then progressively engages as the material is pulled taut, distributing the stress and reducing the risk of sudden damage while maintaining the desired taut appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient gripping element acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs excess force during the tensioning process. By providing gradual, progressive engagement rather than rigid constraint, it protects the sheet material from damage while still achieving the taut appearance needed for aesthetic quality.
3Ease of operation
If stiffened edges are provided on the sheet material to facilitate alignment, then the alignment process is simplified, but the positioning accuracy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The channel structure with its specific cross-sectional profile serves as a self-aligning feature for the stiffened edge. The geometry of the channel and stiffened edge combination automatically guides the sheet material into the correct position during insertion, reducing the need for high-precision pre-positioning while maintaining easy alignment operation.
4Reliability
If the frame structure is designed to hold the sheet material securely, then the sheet material is firmly anchored, but the illumination from the reverse side is obstructed around the edges
Solution Approach 1:
The gripper member is designed as a thin profile structure that minimizes the obstruction of light paths. The thin cross-section of the gripper and channel allows illumination from the reverse side to reach the edges of the sheet material with minimal blockage, while still providing secure anchoring through the resilient gripping mechanism.
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
The solution enables easy and reliable alignment of sheet material, reduces illumination obstruction, and provides manufacturing tolerance for material shrinkage, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and functional display panel with reduced production losses.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient slot for receiving a second edge of the sheet material
Implementation Method 2
the gripper element is a flexible flap of the same width as, or wider than, the width of the channel of the second frame portion, which acts to close off the channel of the second frame portion to provide, together with a wall of the channel of the second frame portion, the resilient slot
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A panel (1) comprises a frame having first and second frame portions (2a, 2b) each provided with a longitudinal channel (7). The panel (1) also comprises sheet material (4) extending across the frame between the frame portions (2a, 2b). A first edge portion of the sheet material (4) is inserted into the channel (7) of the first frame portion (2a) and a second edge portion of the sheet material (4) is inserted into the channel (7) of the second frame portion (2b). The first edge portion of the sheet material (4) has a region of stiffened edging (6a) that is located within the channel (7) of the first frame portion (2a). The second edge portion of the sheet material (4) is gripped within a resilient slot formed by a gripper member (5) that provides at least one resilient gripper element in the channel (7) of the second frame portion (2b).