Panel Securing Assembly for Thermal Expansion Accommodation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing constructions of light-transmitting panel systems, such as walls, ceilings, and roofs, face challenges in allowing for thermal expansion and contraction, leading to frictional forces that can cause buckling or distortion due to direct fixation of panels to support structures, which restricts their ability to expand longitudinally.

Innovation Solution

The assembly uses extruded modular panel units with joining flanges and a securing element formed from materials with similar thermal expansion coefficients, allowing for sliding accommodation within a support element, thereby enabling unimpeded thermal expansion and contraction without direct fixation to the support structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If panels are directly fixed to the support structure, then structural stability is improved, but thermal expansion and contraction are restricted causing frictional forces and distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidthermal distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into a fixed support element and a movable retaining member that can slide relative to it. This segmentation allows the panel assembly to be separated into a stable fixed portion and a movable portion that accommodates thermal expansion, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and thermal movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining member acts as an intermediary between the panel and the fixed support structure. It provides secure attachment while allowing thermal expansion through sliding movement within the support element, thereby mediating between the need for stable fixation and the need for thermal movement accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If clamping members are fixedly mounted to the support structure, then panel retention is improved, but thermal expansion is inhibited due to restrained clamping members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel retentionVSAvoidthermal expansion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to slide within the support element during thermal expansion and contraction. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain strong panel retention while adapting to thermal dimensional changes, resolving the contradiction between retention strength and thermal adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If panels are tightly clamped to prevent splaying, then structural integrity is improved, but friction increases preventing free thermal movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfrictional force

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping force is applied locally at specific contact points between the retaining member and panel, rather than uniformly along the entire panel length. This localized clamping provides sufficient structural integrity to prevent splaying while minimizing overall friction, allowing free thermal movement in the regions where no clamping is applied.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 allows for the panels to expand and contract freely relative to the support structure, reducing frictional forces and preventing distortion, while maintaining a watertight seal and secure attachment, thus enhancing the structural integrity and durability of the panel systems.

Implementation Method 1

The securing element 16 is formed of a material having a similar coefficient of expansion to the panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

allowing for sliding accommodation within a support element, thereby enabling unimpeded thermal expansion and contraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2723952B1Assembly for securing two juxtaposed panels to a structure so as to allow thermal expansion and contraction

Publication Date: 2018.01.17 DAN PAL

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AI summary

An assembly (10) secures to a structure (80) a panel or two juxtaposed panels (11, 12) each having a joining flange (15) in association with an edge thereof defining a longitudinal axis of the panel. The joining flanges are fastened by at least one securing element (16) that may include or have associated therewith a respective retaining member (30). For each securing element (16), a respective support element (20) is fixedly mounted to the structure and configured for slidably supporting the panels in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. Each support element (20) supports opposing side walls (22, 23) forming a channel (24) dimensioned for free sliding therein of the respective securing element (16) or associated retaining member, and each panel is supported by the at least one securing element without applying lateral pressure to the side walls (22, 23) of the respective support element (20).