Rotatable Panel Clamp with Segmented Fixable Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamps for surface coating structures lack efficient support on the base frame, are difficult to control, and have challenging insertion into panel grooves, leading to instability and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a fixable element with concentric cylindrical holes and a rotatable element with a butterfly-shaped cavity and ultrasonic welding for secure connection, allowing easy rotation and stable gripping of panels, facilitated by a support plate for comfortable fastening on the base frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rotatable part is designed to engage with longitudinal grooves in panels, then panel connection is achieved, but insertion is not facilitated and positioning is difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two distinct parts: a fixable element that remains stationary on the base frame and a rotatable element that moves independently. This segmentation allows the rotatable element to be easily inserted into panel grooves while the fixable element provides stable support, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and positioning control.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism with a cavity and protrusion design acts as an intermediary between the rotatable element and the fixable element. This intermediary structure facilitates controlled rotation and engagement, making insertion easier while maintaining precise positioning control through the complementary cavity-protrusion interface.
2Reliability
If the rotatable part is designed to rotate on the lower part, then panel engagement is achieved, but support on the base frame is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the clamp into a fixable element (lower part) and a rotatable element (upper part), the invention provides efficient support on the base frame through the fixable element while maintaining rotation controllability through the dedicated coupling mechanism. The fixable element's support plate and fastening means ensure stable base frame attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be dynamic, allowing controlled rotation of the rotatable element relative to the fixable element. The cavity-protrusion interface enables smooth rotation while maintaining connection, achieving both reliable support and operational controllability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable coupling is created between upper and lower parts, then panel connection is achieved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is segmented into a fixable element and a rotatable element connected through a simplified coupling mechanism. This segmentation provides adaptability for panel installation while keeping each component relatively simple in design, reducing overall operational complexity despite the rotatable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism with its cavity and protrusion design serves as an intermediary that simplifies the rotation operation. The complementary shapes guide the rotation movement and reduce the complexity of controlling the rotatable element, making the system more adaptable without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
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 clamp provides a stable and easy-to-operate rotatable coupling, enabling efficient installation and removal of panels with improved fastening on the base frame and effective gripping of adjacent panels, reducing manufacturing time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable element (2) having an upper part (20) which, after the assembly of the clamp (50), protrudes upwardly with respect to the top surface (16) of the fixable element (1)
Implementation Method 2
A clamp design featuring a fixable element with concentric cylindrical holes and a rotatable element with a butterfly-shaped cavity and ultrasonic welding for secure connection
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp (51) for connecting panels in a surface coating structure on a base frame comprises a fixable element (100) and a rotatable element (200) having an upper part (220), projecting after its rotation from the fixable element (100) and provided with end (21, 22) of engagement in lateral grooves of adjacent panels. The rotatable element (200) has an intermediate part (280) and a lower part (290) which are constituted by two coaxial discs, the disc of the intermediate part (280) having a smaller diameter than the disc of the lower part (290). The fixable element (100) has two communicating coaxial holes (10, 11) housing the intermediate part (280) and the lower part (290) with a wide coupling to allow rotation of the rotatable element (200) with respect to the fixable element (100). A manufacturing process of the clamp (51) is also described.