Panel Attachment Assembly With Indexed Locking and Thickness Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current designs for attaching panels to a support structure lack orientation and locking features, leading to time-consuming assembly, misalignment, and issues with accommodating varying panel thicknesses, as well as adhesive migration 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, which are bonded to the panel using adhesive, and connected via fasteners to ensure proper alignment and secure attachment, preventing adhesive migration and accommodating panel thickness variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plates are positioned on opposing sides of the panel with openings that align with openings in the panel, then the panel can be connected to a support structure, but the assembly lacks orientation and locking features leading to misalignment and time-consuming build processes
Solution Approach 1:
The index fitting includes an asymmetric boss with a non-circular cross-section that fits into a corresponding asymmetric opening in the panel. This asymmetric geometry provides inherent orientation features that guide proper alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures and reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The index fitting is nested within the gap between the first and second plates of the saddle fitting. The boss extends through the panel opening and is contained within the index fitting, which itself is positioned within the saddle fitting structure. This nested arrangement provides built-in alignment and positioning features that simplify the overall assembly process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If current designs are used to attach panels, then connection to support structure is achieved, but the designs cannot accommodate for varying panel thicknesses leading to loose or tight fits and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle fitting structure with its gap that receives the panel allows for dynamic adjustment to accommodate varying panel thicknesses. The index fitting and back fitting can position themselves appropriately within this gap regardless of the specific panel thickness, maintaining proper alignment and connection without requiring custom components for each thickness variation.
3Strength
If adhesive is applied to bond the plates to the panel, then connection is strengthened, but the adhesive migrates into the mounting holes requiring cleaning or reaming
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting holes are extracted or removed from the panel in the vicinity of where adhesive would be applied. By eliminating the holes that could serve as pathways for adhesive migration, the design prevents the harmful effect of adhesive entering the holes while maintaining the bonding strength through the plate-to-panel adhesive connection.
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 efficient, secure, and adaptable attachment of panels to support structures, reducing assembly time and misalignment issues while preventing adhesive migration, and effectively addressing variations in panel thickness.
Implementation Method 1
The flange and the back fitting are both bonded to the panel with an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly to connect a panel to a support member. The assembly may include a saddle fitting configured to connect to the support member and including first and second plates. A back fitting may be positioned between the second plate of the saddle fitting and a second face of the panel. An index fitting includes a flange that may be positioned between the first plate of the saddle fitting and a first face of the panel, and a boss that extends outward from the flange and through the opening 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 may connect the saddle fitting to the index fitting.