Wall Material Fixture Reducing Window Frame Gap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wall-material mounting members face difficulties in reducing the gap between the lower end of a window frame and the wall material, leading to impaired appearance and troublesome installation processes.

Innovation Solution

A wall-material mounting member comprising a fixed member with a guiding portion and a movable member, where the movable member is supported between the guiding and pressing portions, and features a protruding piece and locking piece with tool engagement portions, allowing for precise alignment and locking of the wall material, reducing the gap between the window frame and the wall material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional mounting members are used, then the mounting operation can be performed, but the gap between the lower end of the window frame and the wall material cannot be reduced, resulting in impaired appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap reduction precisionVSAvoidmounting operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting member incorporates a movable engaging fitting that can dynamically adjust its position relative to the fixing fitting. The engaging fitting is capable of moving along the fixing fitting during installation, allowing the installer to precisely control the gap between the window frame and wall material while maintaining ease of operation through a simple sliding motion rather than complex adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engaging fitting is pre-configured with a specific geometry and positioning mechanism that allows it to be inserted into the fixing fitting in a predetermined manner. This preliminary arrangement enables the engaging fitting to automatically align and lock at the correct position, reducing the gap precisely without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the engaging fitting is located on the back surface side of the wall material, then the mounting structure can be simplified, but it becomes difficult to engage the engaging fitting with the fixing fitting on the structural body side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidengagement operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging fitting is designed as a movable component that can slide along the fixing fitting during the engagement process. This dynamic capability allows the engaging fitting to be positioned on the back surface side for simplified structure while still enabling easy engagement with the fixing fitting through a straightforward sliding motion that overcomes the spatial constraint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing fitting serves as an intermediary element that facilitates the engagement between the engaging fitting and the structural body. The fixing fitting is disposed below the window frame and provides a stable base for the engaging fitting to move along, mediating the engagement process and allowing the engaging fitting to be positioned optimally on the back surface side while maintaining ease of connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a gap for pressing down the engagement fitting is secured, then the engagement fitting can be pressed to lock the wall material, but reducing this gap makes the operation difficult and installation troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engaging fitting is designed with a movable structure that can dynamically adjust its position during installation. The engaging fitting can be pressed down along the fixing fitting in a controlled manner, allowing the locking action to occur at the optimal position without requiring a large gap for pressing operations. This dynamic positioning maintains locking reliability while simplifying the installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engaging fitting is pre-designed with a geometry that allows it to be pressed down along the fixing fitting in a predetermined sequence. The pressing action is facilitated by the pre-configured shapes of the engaging and fixing fittings, which guide the pressing motion and enable reliable locking without requiring excessive gap space, thus maintaining installation ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3567182B1Wall material fixture and wall structure
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 NICHIHA CORP
  • EP3567182B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3567182B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3567182B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a wall-material mounting member and a wall structure that make it possible to reduce the gap between the lower end of a window frame or the like and an end portion of a wall material, while also facilitating the mounting operation, thus enhancing the appearance quality of an installed wall. A fixed member 110 includes guiding portions 111L and 111R that movably guide movable main bodies 125L and 125R of a movable member 120 in a first direction, and pressing portions 113L and 113R that press the movable main bodies 125L and 125R toward the guiding portions 111L and 111R. The movable member 120 includes a protruding piece 121 protruding from the movable main bodies 125L and 125R in a second direction, and a locking piece 123 protruding from the protruding piece 121 in the first direction. The protruding piece 121 is provided with a first tool engagement portion 121U capable of taking on a force F1 in the first direction. The locking piece 123 is provided with a second tool engagement portion 123H capable of taking on the force F1 in the first direction at a position that is displaced relative to the first tool engagement portion 121U in the first direction.