Wall Ceiling Sail Tensioning Mechanism for Membrane Preloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall/ceiling sails face challenges in easily and securely attaching large membranes to their frames, particularly in achieving even preloading across the entire membrane surface.

Innovation Solution

A wall/ceiling sail design featuring a surrounding frame with a piping edge that engages in a piping holder, utilizing a tension piece with a clamping screw and optional spring for adjustable preloading, allowing for secure attachment and tensioning of the membrane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a membrane is attached to a frame using conventional methods, then the membrane can be secured to the frame, but the attachment process becomes complex and difficult for large-area membranes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidattachment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A tensioning piece with a clamping screw acts as an intermediary mechanism between the membrane and the frame. The clamping screw engages with the tensioning piece to provide a simple yet effective attachment method that avoids complex fastening systems while securing large-area membranes to the frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning piece is designed to be movable along a tensioning path within the frame, allowing dynamic adjustment during installation. This mobility enables the membrane to be tensioned evenly across its surface by moving the tensioning piece to different positions, simplifying the attachment process for large membranes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the membrane is tensioned to achieve even preloading, then the membrane can be securely fixed, but the tensioning process becomes time-consuming and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreloading uniformityVSAvoidtensioning time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning piece moves along a predefined tensioning path to distribute tension evenly across the membrane surface. This dynamic movement mechanism allows for uniform preloading to be achieved systematically rather than through time-consuming manual adjustments at multiple points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame is designed with a predefined tensioning path that guides the tensioning piece through the optimal sequence of movements. This preliminary design of the tensioning trajectory ensures that even preloading is achieved automatically during the installation process, eliminating the need for time-consuming trial-and-adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the membrane is securely attached to resist environmental fluctuations, then the attachment becomes rigid and difficult to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system maintains stability through the clamping screw mechanism while preserving adjustability via the movable tensioning piece. The clamping screw provides secure fixation that resists environmental forces, while the ability to move the tensioning piece along the tensioning path allows for adjustments to be made if needed, balancing reliability with operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy assembly and secure fixation of the membrane, maintaining consistent tension despite environmental fluctuations in temperature and humidity.

Implementation Method 1

the clamping device, in particular in the form of the clamping screw, can be provided with a spring, in particular in the form of a spiral compression spring or flat spring or another suitable type of spring, which can surround the clamping screw for a compact design. This additional tension spring makes it possible to keep the clamping force at least approximately constant, especially when temperature and humidity fluctuations need to be compensated for.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3505697B1Wall, ceiling raft
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 KOCH MEMBRANEN KUNSTTECH
  • EP3505697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3505697B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3505697B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to wall/ceiling sails (1) with a surrounding frame (2); and with a membrane (3) attached to the frame (2), which has a keder edge (4) by means of which the membrane (3) can be fixed to the frame (2) in a keder receptacle (5), wherein the keder receptacle (5) is arranged on a tensioning piece (6), characterized in that the tensioning piece (6) is movably guided in a receiving space (15) of the frame (2) along a tensioning path (W), and that the keder edge (4) is designed as a flat keder, the dimensions and shape of which are adapted to the dimensions and shape of the keder receptacle (5).