Roller Banner Base Units With Magnetic Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current roller banners cannot be linked together without gaps between the edges, preventing the creation of a continuous display across multiple units.
Innovation Solution
A banner system design where base units with engagement means allow for interlocking, enabling multiple units to be connected side by side without gaps, using a sliding or locking attachment mechanism, with protrusions for secure assembly and magnetic strips for improved handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the roller length is equal to the base unit length, then the banner can be fully contained in the base unit, but gaps will exist between adjacent banners when linked
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is segmented into distinct functional zones: a roller housing area and an engagement means area. The roller length is intentionally made shorter than the base unit length, creating unused space at the ends of the base unit that is dedicated to engagement means (protrusions and recesses). This segmentation allows the banner to be fully contained while providing additional space for linking mechanisms, enabling continuous displays across multiple banners without requiring the roller to span the entire base unit length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If engagement means are added to the base unit, then multiple banners can be linked together, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex active locking mechanisms or requiring precise alignment features, the engagement means uses a passive interlocking approach where protrusions on one base unit fit into recesses on adjacent units. The magnetic attraction provides the holding force without requiring active engagement components. This inverted approach—using attraction rather than mechanical locking, and passive fit rather than active engagement—reduces device complexity while maintaining versatility for linking multiple banners.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement means replaces traditional mechanical locking systems with magnetic attraction. Rather than using springs, latches, or threaded fasteners to secure adjacent base units together, magnets embedded in the engagement means provide sufficient holding force to maintain the linked configuration. This substitution of magnetic fields for mechanical fastening mechanisms significantly reduces the complexity of the attachment system while enabling versatile linking of multiple banners.
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 the creation of a larger, continuous widescreen display by allowing multiple banners to be connected seamlessly, with easy assembly and disassembly for transportation and storage, and allows for interchangeable materials without disrupting the display.
Implementation Method 1
The spring acts on the plate to create a rotational force on the roller thus when the banner graphic is released from its support it is automatically retracted around the roller
Implementation Method 2
They may however be held together magnetically providing a force strong enough to hold them together but which allows them to be readily separated
Data Source
Figure 1~1d
Figure 2~2f
Figure 3a
AI summary
A presentation banner system is provided which allows multiple banners to be provided side by side to provide a continuous display without gaps between adjacent banners. The banner is stored in a roller in a container the container being longer than the roller and the banner being the same length as the container and the ends of the container are provided with means for attachment of neighbouring containers to each other.