Panel Mounting Clip With Adhesive Undercuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panel mounting systems in luxury boats, RVs, and aviation industries face issues with security deterioration over time, inconsistent mounting, high material and labor costs, and inaccurate reinstallation due to reliance on hook and loop fastening materials.
Innovation Solution
A fastener system with a base having a surface configuration that promotes mechanical connection with adhesive, featuring protrusions and undercut portions for enhanced bonding strength, and optionally incorporating low-friction plastic materials and additional fasteners for secure panel attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hook and loop fastening materials are used to secure panels to the framework, then the panels can be removed and reinstalled, but the security of the connection deteriorates over time and the effectiveness of the hooks and loops deteriorates over repeated removal and reinstatement
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into two separate components: a permanent adhesive-mounted anchor fixed to the framework, and a removable fastener attached to the panel. This segmentation allows the panel to be removed and reinstalled multiple times while the adhesive bond remains intact, solving the problem of deteriorating connection security with repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive is applied and cured in advance to securely mount the anchor to the framework before the panel needs to be installed. This preliminary action creates a permanent, reliable attachment point that can withstand repeated panel removal and reinstallation cycles without deteriorating.
2Reliability
If hook and loop fastening materials are used to secure panels, then a great quantity of the fastening material is required to securely hold the panels in place, but this results in high cost for materials and labour
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding function is extracted and applied only at the anchor mounting location on the framework, rather than requiring extensive fastening material across the entire panel surface. This concentrated application of adhesive significantly reduces the quantity of fastening material needed while maintaining secure panel holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor acts as an intermediary component that concentrates the adhesive bonding at a specific location on the framework. This intermediary allows the panel to be securely held with minimal adhesive material, reducing both material cost and application labor.
3Ease of operation
If panels are mounted using hook and loop fastening materials, then the panels must be located by eye during re-installment, but this results in inaccurate mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener includes visual indicators such as colored alignment marks or contrasting color elements that provide clear visual cues during reinstallation. These color-based indicators make it easy to locate and accurately align the panel with the anchor without relying solely on eye estimation, improving mounting precision while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the lower side of the base is made flat for adhesive application, then the adhesive connection is simple, but the mechanical connection strength with the adhesive is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lower side of the base incorporates curved or contoured surface features such as domes, ridges, or undulating patterns instead of a completely flat surface. These curved features increase the surface area available for adhesive bonding and create mechanical interlocking effects, enhancing adhesive bond strength while remaining compatible with standard adhesive application processes.
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 provides a secure, consistent, and cost-effective panel mounting system with improved connection strength and ease of alignment, reducing the need for extensive fastening materials and labor, while maintaining panel accessibility for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the lower side of the base adapted to be adhesively connected to a substrate and incorporating a surface configuration that promotes a mechanical connection with an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
the undercut portions configured to form a mechanical connection with the adhesive, in use adhesive fills between the protrusions and forms a mechanical connection with the undercut portions when hardened
Implementation Method 3
the fastener part is fabricated from a low friction plastic
Data Source
AI summary
A fastener for mounting a panel to a supporting structure includes a fastener part having a base with an upper and lower side. A connector is adapted to engage with another fastener part projecting from the upper side of the base. The lower side of the base is adapted to be adhesively connected to a substrate and incorporating a surface configuration that promotes a mechanical connection with an adhesive. The lower side surface configuration includes a protrusion extending from the base to a crown. The protrusion includes an undercut portion configured to form a mechanical connection with the adhesive. In use adhesive fills between the protrusions and forms a mechanical connection with the undercut portions when hardened.