Surface Covering Panel Anchoring Bracket Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surface covering structures for buildings, particularly in the building sector, face issues with mechanical stability under external forces, insufficient anchoring, and water infiltration due to inadequate hermetic coupling between panels.

Innovation Solution

A surface covering structure comprising panels with complementary hooking portions and anchoring brackets that provide stable engagement and improved mechanical stability, using a fixing bracket and anchoring bracket configuration to enhance anchoring and prevent water infiltration through a shape-coupled interlocking mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If panels are anchored using a single fixing bracket retaining the end edge of the internal hooking portion, then the anchoring system is simple, but the anchoring is insufficiently robust to retain the panelling under considerable external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring system complexityVSAvoidanchoring robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system is divided into two distinct brackets: a fixing bracket that retains the end edge of the internal hooking portion, and an anchoring bracket that engages with the external hooking portion of the adjacent panel. This segmentation allows each bracket to perform its specific function optimally, with the anchoring bracket providing additional robustness against external forces while the fixing bracket maintains positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If panels use recesses on the lower hooking portion to collect and channel filtered water, then water drainage is provided, but water stagnation between panels occurs causing deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage capabilityVSAvoidstructural durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The external hooking portion of each panel acts as an intermediary element that receives water flowing along the panel surface and redirects it laterally away from the joint between panels. This mediator function prevents water from entering the recesses where it would cause stagnation, while still maintaining the drainage capability of the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If hooking portions are coupled to provide stable engagement, then mechanical stability is improved, but the coupling is not sufficiently hermetic to prevent fluid passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel coupling stabilityVSAvoidwater infiltration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solution addresses water infiltration not by modifying the horizontal coupling between hooking portions, but by utilizing the vertical dimension. The external hooking portion extends downward to engage with the anchoring bracket, creating a vertical barrier that blocks water passage. This dimensional approach maintains mechanical stability while preventing fluid infiltration through a different spatial plane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3819440B1Structure for surface covering
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 SANDRINI METALLI
  • EP3819440B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3819440B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3819440B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Structure (1) for the covering of surfaces, comprising mainly a first panel (2) and a second panel (3), each having a main portion (8) and, on opposite sides of the main portion (8), a first hooking portion (6), and a second hooking portion (7), at least partially shaped at the first hooking portion (6). In a configuration of use, the second hooking portion (7) of the second panel (3) is applied on the first hooking portion (6) of the first panel (2) according to a unique and predetermined positioning. The structure (1) also comprises a fixing bracket (4) configured to interpose, in the configuration of use, between the first panel (2) and the second panel (3). Finally, the structure (1) comprises an anchoring bracket (5) shaped so as to define a mounting portion (20) on which the fixing bracket (4) is applicable, in use.