Resilient Panel Splice Connector for Stable Ceiling Panel Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing splices for aligning longitudinal ends of linear panels are prone to movement due to temperature fluctuations and manufacturing deformations, offering limited structural support and requiring additional panel carriers, which increases costs and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A panel splice connector featuring a resilient material with a high friction coefficient, integrated into the connector's edge, providing a secure grip on linear panels and preventing relative movement, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the need for additional panel carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing splices are used to align longitudinal ends of linear panels, then panel alignment is achieved, but the splice is prone to movement due to temperature fluctuations and manufacturing deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating a resilient material with high friction coefficient into the splice connector. This material dynamically adjusts its frictional properties to maintain secure grip on panel edges under varying thermal conditions and deformations, preventing splice movement while accommodating expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining resilient material with high friction coefficient integrated into the connector structure. This composite approach creates a splice that simultaneously provides mechanical support, friction-based gripping, and resilience to thermal and manufacturing variations, eliminating the need for additional panel carriers
2Strength
If additional panel carriers are used to support spliced panels, then structural support is improved, but costs and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single splice connector: alignment guidance, structural support, and anti-movement gripping. By integrating the resilient high-friction material directly into the connector, it eliminates the need for separate panel carriers, reducing both material costs and installation complexity while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The splice connector is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an alignment guide and a structural support element. The resilient material with high friction coefficient provides additional gripping function, allowing the single component to replace multiple specialized elements and simplify the overall 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
The connector effectively maintains panel alignment under thermal changes and manufacturing deformations, enhancing structural integrity and reducing carrier requirements, thus lowering costs and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient material with a high friction coefficient, integrated into the connector's edge, providing a secure grip on linear panels and preventing relative movement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A panel splice connector configured to splice two adjacent linear panels at their respective longitudinal ends. The connector comprises a longitudinally extending base portion, having a length and a width, and two wall portions each extending from the base portion at opposed, longitudinally extending sides thereof. At least one of the wall portions comprises a resilient section that allows a free, longitudinally extending edge of said wall portion to be resiliently displaceable towards the base portion.