Wall Panel Cover Tile Clip Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cover tile and clip systems for upright wall panels lack efficiency in manufacturing, ease of attachment, and compactness, leading to suboptimal performance in aesthetics and practicality.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of elongate reinforcing rails on the cover tile with connector clips that have a channel-like body with a spring or hook projection, a positioning tab, and a locking tab for secure engagement with the panel frame, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly while being compact and cost-effective to manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional corner clips are used for cover tile attachment, then the attachment function is achieved, but manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector clip integrates multiple functions into a single component: the channel-like body provides structural engagement, the positioning tab ensures proper alignment, the locking tab secures the connection, and the spring or hook projection enables attachment to the panel frame. This merging of multiple elements into one monolithic piece simplifies manufacturing and improves efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector clip serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it positions the cover tile, secures it to the frame, provides alignment through the positioning tab, and enables easy attachment/detachment through the spring or hook mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
2Ease of operation
If conventional clips are used, then attachment is achieved, but ease of attachment and disassembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring or hook projection provides a dynamic attachment mechanism that allows easy insertion into the panel frame opening and secure retention. The spring action enables the clip to flex during attachment and disassembly operations, making the process simple and quick while maintaining a secure connection during use.
3Volume of moving object
If conventional clips are used, then attachment is achieved, but compactness and space efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all functional elements (channel body, positioning tab, locking tab, spring/hook projection) into a single integrated component, the overall volume and space required are minimized compared to using multiple separate parts. The monolithic construction eliminates the need for additional fasteners, washers, or adjustment mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If positioning and locking mechanisms are added to ensure proper clip positioning, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning tab is pre-formed on the connector clip to engage with a corresponding positioning feature on the channel, ensuring proper alignment and positioning is built into the component design itself. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking tab automatically engages with the channel to secure the connector clip in place during the attachment process. The spring or hook projection self-secures into the panel frame opening, providing automatic positioning and locking without requiring additional fasteners or complex mechanisms.
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
This solution enhances the attachment efficiency and compactness of cover tiles to wall panels, improving aesthetics and practicality while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Each connector clip includes a main channel-like body which is transversely slidably moved into engagement with the rail, and this body has a transversely protruding projection formed either as a spring or as a hook for cooperation with an opening formed in the panel frame
Data Source
AI summary
A cover tile for releasable cooperation with one side of a wall panel frame. The cover tile has elongate rails fixed to the rear side thereof so that the rail ends terminate adjacent corners of the tile. A pair of connector clips are engaged on the rail for disposition at the corners of the tile. Each connector clip includes a main channel-like body transversely slidably engaged on the rail, and this body has a transversely protruding spring or hook projection for cooperation with an opening in the panel frame. The main body of the clip, in one of the legs of the channel-shaped body, has a transversely deformed positioning tab adapted for cooperation with a positioning notch formed in the rail. The one leg also has a locking tab deformed transversely for cooperation with an edge formed on the respective rail to fixedly positionally secure the clip on the rail in the transverse direction thereof.