Structural Panel Joint Mechanism for Fastener-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for connection mechanisms for structural members that facilitate easy and strong connections without requiring excessive tooling or fasteners, particularly for applications like roofs, floors, and walls.
Innovation Solution
The use of elongated male and female joint members with aluminum extrusions, featuring a latch member and a curved channel respectively, allows for easy alignment and tilting to secure structural panels together, providing a strong and sealed connection without additional fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connection mechanisms with multiple fasteners and tools are used, then strong connections are achieved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate male and female joint members, each with specific geometric features. The male joint member includes a latch member while the female joint member includes a curved channel, allowing modular assembly without requiring multiple fasteners or complex tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member of the male joint member is received within the curved channel of the female joint member, creating a nested configuration. This nesting allows the connection to be formed by simple insertion and tilting motions without additional fastening operations.
2Productivity
If simple connection mechanisms are used, then ease of installation is improved, but connection strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved channel in the female joint member and the curved portion of the latch member in the male joint member utilize geometric curvature to guide the connection process. The curved surfaces engage during the tilting motion, providing mechanical interlocking that ensures strong connections while maintaining simple installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The male and female joint members feature asymmetric geometric profiles with specific curved surfaces and angles. This asymmetry ensures proper alignment and engagement during the tilting connection process, preventing improper assembly while providing robust mechanical connection strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If permanent connection mechanisms are used, then connection strength is maximized, but reusability and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is designed to be dynamically reversible rather than permanently fixed. The latch member can be inserted into and removed from the curved channel through controlled tilting motions, allowing the same joint members to be reused multiple times while maintaining consistent connection reliability through repeated engagement of the same geometric features.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural panel assembly includes first and second structural panels. Each structural panel includes: a substrate; an elongated male joint member comprising an aluminum extrusion at a first longitudinal edge portion of the substrate, with the male joint member including a latch member including a curved portion that extends the length of the substrate; and an elongated female joint member including an aluminum extrusion at a second, opposite longitudinal edge portion of the substrate, with the female joint member including a curved channel that extends the length of the substrate. The curved channel of the female joint member of the first structural panel is sized and configured to receive the latch member of the male female joint member of the second structural panel with the first and second structural panels in a coupled position.