Plug-in Wall Garden Kit with Hook-and-Slot Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kits for assembling plantable wall gardens are complex and time-consuming to assemble, requiring tools and multiple components, which hinders quick and easy installation of resilient and stable vertical greening solutions.

Innovation Solution

The kit features wall elements connected via plug-in connections with hanging hooks and slots, allowing for simple assembly without tools, and includes planting holes for plant growth, using sheet metal parts for stability and thermal insulation to promote plant growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional kits with multiple components and tool connections are used, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single integrated plug-in mechanism. The suspension hook integrates both the hanging function and the connection function, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and tools. This merging of functions maintains structural stability while dramatically reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in connection system is designed to be self-assembling without requiring external tools or complex procedures. The suspension hook automatically engages with the suspension slot through a simple push-in motion, and the resilient connection provides self-locking through elastic deformation, making the assembly process intuitive and tool-free.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If simple plug-in connections are used, then assembly ease is improved, but connection strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes elastic deformation as the key parameter change mechanism. The resilient connection element deforms elastically during insertion and maintains continuous contact pressure, creating a strong friction-based connection. This elastic parameter change allows the simple plug-in design to achieve connection strengths comparable to traditional mechanical fasteners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension hook features a curved, hook-shaped geometry that engages with the suspension slot. This curved design distributes the connection forces along the arc of the hook, increasing the effective contact area and friction, thereby maintaining high connection strength despite the simplicity of the plug-in mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If wall elements are made from formed sheet metal parts, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wall elements are divided into modular components: flat side wall elements and corner wall elements. Each module is manufactured as a separate formed sheet metal part with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining the overall structural stability through standardized assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The formed sheet metal wall elements are designed with universal plug-in connection interfaces that work for both flat and corner sections. The standardized suspension slots and hook geometries allow the same manufacturing processes and connection mechanisms to be used across different wall element types, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the use of formed metal parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3827663B1Kit for mounting a plantable wall garden
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 RICHARD BRINK
  • EP3827663B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827663B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3827663B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a kit for assembling a plantable wall garden, which is formed from at least two wall elements, at least one of which has planting holes through which the plants which can be rooted in a planting substrate provided on one side of the wall elements can grow outwards.The kit according to the invention is characterized in that the wall elements (1, 2) of the kit can be connected to each other by plug connections, that of the adjacent wall elements (1, 2) a first wall element (1) has at least one hook (6) on mutually facing edge or corner areas (5), which (6) can be inserted into a hook slot (7) on an adjacent second wall element (2) such that the at least one hook (6) with a hook projection (12) engages behind an edge zone of the second wall element (2) that borders the associated hook slot (7), and that at least one planting hole (4) is provided on at least one of the first and/or the second wall elements (1, 2) (see Fig. 1).