Panel Mounting Assembly With Index Fitting for Precise Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs for attaching panels to a support structure lack orientation and locking features, leading to misalignment and variations due to differing panel thicknesses, and often require intricate dimensioning and special tooling, with adhesive migration issues into mounting holes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed assembly includes a saddle fitting with spaced plates, an index fitting with a flange and boss, and a back fitting that securely engage with the panel, using fasteners to connect the saddle fitting to the support member, and an adhesive to bond the fittings to the panel, preventing rotation and adhesive migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current plate designs are used to attach panels to support structures, then the attachment function is achieved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to lack of orientation and locking features
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate functional components: index fittings with orientation features, locking mechanisms with protrusions and recesses, and modular plate assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (alignment, locking, attachment) independently, achieving precise alignment without requiring the entire structure to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
Index fittings serve as intermediary components between the panel and support structure. These fittings include orientation features and locking mechanisms that mediate the connection, ensuring precise alignment and secure attachment while simplifying the overall system by concentrating alignment functions in dedicated intermediary elements rather than requiring complex integrated features throughout the entire attachment system.
2Productivity
If current plate designs are used, then attachment is achieved, but assembly time increases due to lack of self-aligning features
Solution Approach 1:
The index fittings are designed with pre-formed orientation features and locking protrusions that automatically align with corresponding recesses in the panel and support structure during installation. This preliminary configuration of alignment features eliminates the need for manual measurement and adjustment during assembly, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining ease of operation through simple snap-fit or lock-in actions.
3Strength
If adhesive is applied to bond plates to panel, then bonding strength is achieved, but adhesive migrates into mounting holes requiring cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting holes are prepared and positioned beforehand in the panel, and the index fittings are designed to engage these pre-existing holes. By extracting the hole-making operation to a preliminary manufacturing step and designing the index fittings to work with these pre-formed features, the system achieves strong bonding through adhesive application to the plate-panel interface while preventing adhesive migration into the already-positioned mounting holes, eliminating the need for post-application cleaning operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If current designs are used, then attachment functionality is achieved, but adaptability to varying panel thicknesses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plate assemblies are designed with adjustable or flexible positioning capabilities that allow them to adapt to varying panel thicknesses. The index fittings with their orientation features and the locking mechanisms can accommodate different thickness dimensions while maintaining secure engagement, providing dynamic adaptability across a range of panel specifications without compromising connection stability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An assembly (10) to connect a panel (100) to a support member (110). The assembly may include a saddle fitting (40) configured to connect to the support member and including first (41) and second plates (42). A back fitting (30) may be positioned between the second plate of the saddle fitting and a second face of the panel (103). An index fitting (20) includes a flange (23) that may be positioned between the first plate of the saddle fitting and a first face (102) of the panel, and a boss (22) that extends outward from the flange and through the opening (101) in the panel. The index fitting is wider than the panel and sized to fit within the gap of the saddle fitting with a first end of the index fitting contacting against the first plate and a second end of the index fitting contacting against the second plate. One or more fasteners (50) may connect the saddle fitting to the index fitting.