Portable exhibit display with magnetic accessory mounts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable exhibit displays require mechanical fasteners to secure accessories, which can damage the fabric covering and limit the flexibility and aesthetic customization of displays, leading to increased costs and reduced usability.

Innovation Solution

A tensioned fabric exhibit display with a magnetic attachment array that allows accessories to be removably secured without mechanical fasteners, using magnets embedded in fittings within the frame to attract metallic or magnetized attachment points on the accessories, enabling rapid attachment and detachment while maintaining the integrity of the fabric.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical fasteners are used to secure accessories to the fabric covering, then accessories can be firmly attached, but the fabric covering is damaged and cannot be reused

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessory attachment firmnessVSAvoidFabric covering damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fasteners (screws, nails, staples) with a magnetic attachment system. Magnets are embedded in fittings within the frame, and accessories with metallic or magnetized attachment points are held in place by magnetic attraction forces, eliminating the need for mechanical penetration of the fabric covering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary force between the frame and accessories. The magnetic force acts through the fabric covering without physically penetrating or damaging it, allowing accessories to be securely attached while preserving the integrity of the fabric.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mechanical fasteners are used to secure accessories, then accessories can be firmly attached, but setup time increases due to the need for fastening tools

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessory attachment firmnessVSAvoidSetup and attachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening operations with simple magnetic attachment. Accessories can be quickly attached by bringing them near the frame, where magnetic attraction automatically secures them, eliminating the time-consuming steps of aligning holes, inserting fasteners, and tightening connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic attachment system is self-aligning and self-securing. The magnetic field automatically guides and holds the accessory in the correct position without requiring manual alignment or additional fastening operations, significantly reducing setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If mechanical fasteners penetrate the fabric covering, then accessories can be securely mounted, but aesthetic appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessory mounting securityVSAvoidFabric covering appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical penetration with magnetic attraction that acts through the fabric without visible fasteners. The fabric covering remains intact and aesthetically pleasing while still providing secure accessory mounting through the magnetic force field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If the fabric covering is punctured with mechanical fasteners, then accessories can be attached, but the covering material cannot be reused, increasing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessory attachment capabilityVSAvoidFabric covering reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical penetration with magnetic attachment that preserves the fabric covering. Since no holes are punched or fasteners inserted, the fabric covering maintains its integrity and can be reused for multiple displays and events, eliminating the cost of replacing damaged coverings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates flexible and rapid attachment of accessories, preserving the fabric covering and reducing setup time, while allowing for customizable display arrangements without the need for separate fasteners, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9728110B2Portable exhibit display with magnetic accessory mounts

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 VOMELA SPECIALTY CO LLC

AI summary

A portable exhibit display includes a frame and a fabric covering for tensioned securement to the frame, wherein the frame incorporates a plurality of first magnets defining magnetic attachment regions of a magnetic attachment array. An accessory provided with one or more attachment points attractive to the first magnets may be removably magnetically secured to the fabric covering in proximity to respective magnetic attachment regions of the magnetic attachment array.