Wall System With Bent Edge Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall systems face challenges in easy assembly and waterproof mounting of wall modules, as they often require complex linking elements or interengaging members, which can complicate the construction process and ensure a watertight seal.
Innovation Solution
A wall system comprising wall modules with side edge and bottom edge bent configurations that accommodate linking elements, allowing for easy connection and mounting to a floor strip, with locking features that secure the linking elements within the bent configurations, ensuring stability and waterproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If complex linking elements or interengaging members are used to connect wall modules, then connection stability is improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wall module is divided into distinct functional parts: the main wall panel and the integrated bent edge configuration. The bent edge configuration itself is segmented into multiple bends (first bend, second bend, third bend) that create separate functional zones for insertion and locking, simplifying the overall connection mechanism while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent edge configuration is designed to automatically lock the linking element in place through its geometric structure. The third bend creates a locking surface that engages with the linking element without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex assembly steps, allowing the structure to self-secure.
2Strength
If traditional linking elements are used to connect wall modules, then connection strength is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The linking function and the structural edge of the wall module are merged into a single integrated bent edge configuration. This eliminates the need for separate linking elements and reduces assembly to a simple insertion motion, greatly improving ease of assembly while maintaining connection strength through the geometric locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a separate linking element to connect two wall modules, the invention inverts the approach by making the wall module's own edge structure the connecting element. The bent edge configuration serves both as the structural boundary and the connection interface, simplifying assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If wall modules are designed with simple edge configurations, then manufacturing ease is improved, but connection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flat edge of the wall module is transformed into a curved bent edge configuration with multiple bends. This curvature creates the necessary three-dimensional geometry for insertion and locking functionality while still being manufacturable through standard bending processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while dramatically improving connection capability.
4Reliability
If complex interengaging members are used for wall module connection, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bent edge configuration is pre-formed during manufacturing with the locking geometry already in place. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex assembly operations or additional components, allowing for quick and reliable connection by simply inserting the linking element into the pre-configured bent edge structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
A wall system comprising at least one wall module and at least one linking element is provided. Said wall module comprising a substantially rectangular plate (3), said rectangular plate comprising two side edges (5a, 5b), each comprising a side edge bent configuration (11), wherein said side edge bent configuration comprises a first side bend (13a), a second side bend (13b) and a third side bend (13c), wherein all three side bends (13a,b,c) are substantially 180˚or 160-200˚ and are provided along different bending lines being parallel with the side edges (5a, 5b) of the plate. Said linking element comprises an elongated rectangular plate (33; 33') comprising two side parts (45a, 45b: 45a', 45b') along a length of said plate (33; 33') and a middle part (47; 47')along the length of said plate between said two side parts, wherein said two side parts (45a, 45b; 45a', 45b') comprises locking features (43a, 43b; 201; 43a', 43b'; 43a''; 43b''; 43a'''; 43b'''), wherein the radius of the second side bend (13b) of the wall module is provided such that a side part (45a, 45b; 45a', 45b') of the linking element (31; 31'; 31''; 31'''; 31'''') can be provided into an opening (17) between first and third bent side parts (15a, 15c) of the wall module and during the connection will be passing a third bent side part (15c) which finally will lock a side part (45a, 45b; 45a', 45b') of the linking element (31; 31'; 31''; 31'''; 31'''') within the side edge bent configuration (11) of the wall module (1) when a wall module and a linking element have been connected.