Resilient Panel Connector for Tool-Free Modular Display Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display panel systems are cumbersome to transport, assemble, and disassemble, and lack a modular, standardized design that allows for easy configuration changes, often requiring tools for assembly and leading to one-time use.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a first and second key joined by a bridge, which engages uniformly sized apertures in adjacent panels, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly without tools, and includes a resilient material for flexible engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional wood panels with plywood or solid lumber are nailed together and belt sanded to fit adjoining panels, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a first key portion that engages with a first aperture and a second key portion that engages with a second aperture. This segmentation allows the connector to be inserted and rotated independently, enabling tool-free assembly while maintaining strong panel joining through the distributed engagement points of multiple key portions with respective apertures
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary component between panels, featuring a resilient body that flexibly engages with apertures in adjacent panels. The resilient material allows the connector to accommodate slight variations in aperture positioning while maintaining secure engagement, enabling easy assembly without tools yet preserving structural integrity through the mediator's flexible yet firm connection
2Ease of operation
If a sliding button/channel system is used to interconnect panels, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates because buttons cannot engage the channel in a firm, tight manner
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a sliding button that moves within a channel, the invention inverts the mechanism by using a rotational key system where the first key rotates to engage the second key with the aperture. This inversion allows the connector to achieve firm engagement through rotational locking action rather than sliding, maintaining both ease of assembly through simple rotation and structural integrity through tight engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes changes in the physical state of the resilient material during insertion and rotation. As the connector is rotated into position, the resilient body deforms and then locks into place, changing from a flexible insertion state to a rigid engagement state. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both easy assembly through simple rotational motion and firm structural engagement through the locked resilient material
3Ease of manufacture
If PVC foam board is folded to create three-dimensional members and joined with fasteners, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of disassembly deteriorates and reusability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a resilient body that provides dynamic engagement with the apertures. During assembly, the resilient material flexes to accommodate insertion, then locks into place to provide rigid connection. During disassembly, the same resilient material can be manually depressed to release the engagement, enabling easy disassembly while maintaining strong connection during use. This dynamic behavior allows the system to be easily manufactured yet easily disassembled for reuse
4Strength
If fastening means such as screws and punch clips are used to secure folded PVC board, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removing fastening means
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to be self-servicing through its resilient body that can be manually manipulated for both assembly and disassembly. The resilient material allows the connector to be inserted and rotated into position without tools, and can be manually depressed to release panels for disassembly. This self-service capability maintains structural integrity through secure engagement while eliminating the need for tool removal, enabling easy disassembly for reuse
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
Enables easy, tool-free assembly and disassembly of display panels, facilitating modular configurations and reducing waste by allowing panels to be reused in various setups.
Implementation Method 1
The connector may be formed from a resilient material allowing flexure to disengage the keys from the apertures and separate the joined panels
Data Source
AI summary
A connector and connection arrangement for a joining at least two panels in a display panel system has a resilient connector with a first key and a second key joined thereto by a bridge engaging a primary and secondary aperture in at least two adjacently positioned panels. The connector is configured so that inserting the first key into the primary aperture and rotated the connector to bring the second key toward the secondary aperture engages both keys into the respective apertures to fixedly join the two panels. The bridge provides a handle to allow a user to move the joined panels as well as facilitating removal of the connector during disassembly of the display panel system.