Profiled Element for Stretched Fabric Slabs with Hidden Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing false ceiling and wall systems have complex and visible mounting mechanisms, leading to complications in assembly, inventory management, and aesthetics, particularly when slabs are spaced apart to break monotony in large areas.

Innovation Solution

A profiled element with a triangular cross-section featuring grooves for canvas edges, oriented to be hidden from view, and a reduced angle between walls to minimize visibility, along with friction or pinching mechanisms for secure mounting, allowing for easy and quick assembly of various fabric types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the canvas edge is mounted using conventional methods (hooks, shoulders, lips), then the canvas can be securely fixed to the frame, but the mounting mechanisms become visible and complicate the aesthetics, especially when slabs are spaced apart

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidmounting mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanisms (grooves, lips, shoulders) are extracted from the visible front face of the profile and relocated to the rear face. The groove opens onto the rear face only, allowing the canvas edge to be mounted and secured without any mounting components being visible from the front, thus resolving the contradiction between secure mounting and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting function is moved from the frontal dimension (visible face) to the rear dimension (hidden face) of the profile. By opening the groove onto the rear face and positioning mounting elements on the hidden side, the solution transfers the mounting mechanism to another spatial dimension where it no longer interferes with aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If various mounting methods are used for different fabric types, then adaptability is improved, but inventory management and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric compatibilityVSAvoidinventory management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single profile design with a groove opening onto the rear face serves multiple mounting functions. The groove can accommodate different canvas edge configurations (folded edges, hemmed edges, attached strips) and work with various fabric types (flexible deformable fabrics, low-deformability fabrics) through the same mounting mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized profiles.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is segmented into the profile structure and the canvas edge preparation. The profile provides a universal receiving groove, while the canvas edge can be prepared in different ways (folded, hemmed, with attached strips) to suit different fabric types, allowing versatility without complicating the profile inventory.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the profile thickness is reduced for a sleek appearance, then aesthetics improve, but the structural capacity to secure the canvas may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaestheticsVSAvoidstructural capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The groove is positioned and oriented so that its opening is on the rear face of the profile, perpendicular to the front face. This spatial arrangement allows the groove to extend deep enough into the profile thickness to provide secure canvas mounting while keeping the front face sleek and thin, as the mounting mechanism is hidden from the aesthetic viewpoint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove is pre-formed during profile manufacturing with sufficient depth and structural reinforcement at the groove location. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that even with reduced overall profile thickness, the groove maintains adequate structural capacity to secure the canvas edge firmly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4350099A1Profiled element for a stretched-fabric slab and slab comprising such a profiled element
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 NEWMAT
  • EP4350099A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4350099A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4350099A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A profiled element of a false wall frame with a stretched canvas, the profiled element having a cross-section generally in the shape of a right triangle, the profiled element comprising a lower wall and an inclined wall, as well as a connecting wall, the inclined wall forming the hypotenuse of the triangular section, the profiled element comprising at least two grooves for receiving the edge of the stretched canvas, characterized in that the two grooves for receiving the edge of the stretched canvas have their opening arranged in the upper part of the profiled element, between the inclined wall and the connecting wall.