Profiled Sections With Inclined Protuberances For Seamless Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile assembly methods require excessive dexterity, are time-consuming, and involve cutting assembly strips, making them impractical for installation on uneven surfaces and ceilings, while also compromising aesthetic appearance due to visible junctions and potential imperfections.

Innovation Solution

Profiled elements with inclined protuberances that allow for simple contact-based assembly without additional strips, enabling easy installation on any surface and maintaining aesthetic appeal by hiding imperfections and allowing for expansion and contraction without disfigurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If assembly strips are used to join profiles, then the profiles can be attached side-by-side, but the assembly process becomes complex requiring cutting, alignment, and excessive dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the assembly function from a separate component (assembly strip) and integrates it directly into the profile structure through protuberances and recesses. This eliminates the need for separate assembly strips and their associated complex installation procedures including cutting and alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly means are merged with the profile structure itself. The protuberances and recesses are formed as integral parts of the profiles during manufacturing, combining the structural and assembly functions into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If profiles are placed on uneven surfaces or ceilings, then coverage is achieved, but installation becomes impractical requiring great dexterity and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to surface conditionsVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly means are pre-formed during profile manufacturing with built-in tolerance for misalignment. The protuberances and recesses are designed to accommodate surface irregularities without requiring precise alignment during installation, performing the alignment function in advance through design rather than during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If assembly strips are used for transverse edges, then profiles can be joined, but cutting and precise width adjustment are required increasing time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidtime for cutting and adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the reusable but complex assembly strip with simple, pre-formed protuberances and recesses that require no additional processing. The assembly means are built-in from the start, eliminating the need for cutting, measuring, and adjusting separate components during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If profiles are assembled with visible junctions, then assembly is straightforward, but aesthetic appearance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different qualities to different parts of the profile: the front surfaces maintain smooth, continuous lines for aesthetic appearance, while the rear edges incorporate protuberances and recesses for assembly functionality. This local differentiation allows both aesthetic and functional requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP1931842B1Set of profiles
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 DEWEERDT MARC
  • EP1931842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1931842B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1931842B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

The invention concerns an assembly of profiled sections for covering a planar surface comprising at least first (I), second (II) and third (III) elements, wherein each element includes at least first (1), second (2), third (3) and fourth (4) edges, said first edge (1) is provided with first assembling means (5), said third edge (3) is provided with first coupling means (7) and said fourth edge (4) is equipped with second coupling means (8). A second assembling means (6) is provided at the height of said second edge (2). Said first coupling means (7) enables the first element (I) to be coupled to the second element (II) via the second coupling means (8). Said first assembling means (5) enables said first element (I) to be contacted with the third element (III) via the second assembling means (6).