Stiffened Wall Panel Assembly for Seamless Long-Panel Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall and ceiling panel assemblies face issues with bending, arching, and deformation due to climate changes, especially with thin or flexible panels like LVT, WPC, or SPC, and struggle with seamless installation and waterproofing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a stiffening member adjacent to the long sidewall of the panel, preferably made of a material with a higher Young's modulus, to increase rigidity, combined with coupling means that allow for perpendicular movement, and using resilient locking members for expansion compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If thin or flexible panels (LVT, WPC, SPC) are used to reduce material usage and cost, then the panels become prone to bending and arching during handling and installation, making it difficult to properly connect coupling means
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into multiple layers including a base layer, decorative layer, and a separate stiffening member. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function: the thin flexible layers provide aesthetics and flexibility while the stiffening member provides structural support for handling and installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel combines different materials with complementary properties: flexible materials (LVT, WPC, SPC) for the panel body to reduce weight and material usage, combined with a stiffening member made of more rigid material to provide structural support during handling and installation without requiring the entire panel to be thick and rigid.
2Strength
If coupling means requiring deformation during connection are used to achieve interlocking, then the connection strength is improved, but the coupling parts may be damaged during assembly or may not become assembled at all with thin or flexible panels
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening member changes the mechanical parameters of the panel by increasing its rigidity and reducing its flexibility. This parameter change allows the panel to withstand the deformation forces required for interlocking coupling without damaging the coupling parts or failing to assemble, while still using thin flexible panel materials.
3Shape
If large panels with length greater than 1200mm are used to reduce the number of joints and improve visual seamless appearance, then the panels become more flexible and tend to bend and twist during handling, making installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening member is positioned locally within the panel, specifically located to provide support where needed for handling long panels. This local reinforcement allows the rest of the panel to remain thin and flexible for aesthetic purposes while the localized stiffening prevents excessive bending and twisting during installation of large-format panels.
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 solution enhances panel rigidity, facilitates seamless installation, and accommodates dimensional changes due to temperature variations, ensuring a visually seamless and waterproof assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the panel further comprises a stiffening member adjacent to, or on, one of the long sidewalls. The stiffening member provides rigidity to the wall panel, thereby reducing the tendency to bending or arching of the panel during handling and installation.
Implementation Method 2
the wall assembly of WO'113 may further suffer from changes in the ambient climate conditions, which may lead to uncontrollable defects due to dimensional expansion of the panels.
Implementation Method 3
using resilient locking members for expansion compensation
Data Source
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AI summary
A wall or ceiling panel assembly comprising: at least one panel of rectangular or oblong shape provided with coupling means (100, 102) on at least two opposite long sidewalls (10) of said panel, wherein the length (L) of the panel is greater than 1200mm, the panel comprising: at least a base layer (12) comprising a mineral-based filler, and a decorative layer on top of the base layer (12), a coupling means on at least one long sidewall (10) and a complementary coupling means on the opposite long sidewall (10), characterized in that the panel further comprises a stiffening member adjacent to one of the long sidewalls (10).