Architectural Wall Panel Triple-Seal Flange Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional architectural wall panels often fail to form a robust seal and sufficient engagement with each other, leading to potential water and environmental factor ingress into buildings.
Innovation Solution
The architectural wall panel system features a design with upper and lower flanges that include clips and projections, allowing for a triple-seal engagement between panels, ensuring robust sealing and supporting engagements through a unitary, identically formed panel structure made from materials like aluminum or stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If overlapping and interlocking portions are used to form seals between panels, then the need for additional gaskets and sealants is reduced, but the robustness and sufficiency of the seal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a single integrated flange structure. The flange incorporates an overlapping portion that engages with the panel below, a pocket that receives a compression seal, and a channel that directs water away from the joint. This merging of sealing, engagement, and water management functions into one structure achieves robust sealing without requiring separate gaskets or sealants applied to simple overlapping joints.
2Reliability
If conventional sealing methods with gaskets and sealants are used, then the seal can be achieved, but the engagement between panels is insufficient and additional sealing materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is segmented into distinct functional zones: an overlapping portion for mechanical engagement with the panel below, a pocket for housing the compression seal, and a channel for water management. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system, achieving both robust sealing and sufficient engagement without requiring additional separate components.
3Ease of operation
If simple overlapping panels are used, then the installation is simpler, but the engagement between panels is not sufficient to prevent water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The compression seal acts as an intermediary element between the overlapping flange portions. The seal is received in the pocket and compressed between the flange and the panel below, creating a reliable water-tight barrier. This intermediary sealing element enables simple overlapping installation while effectively preventing water ingress that would occur with simple overlapping alone.
Data Source
AI summary
An architectural wall panel comprising a panel body including a generally rectangular face plate having an upper end and a lower end. An upper flange generally extends in a rearward direction the upper end and includes a first projection projecting laterally relative to the rearward direction. A lower flange generally extends in a rearward direction from the lower end of the face plate and terminates in a clip. The clip includes a first portion extending toward the upper flange and a second portion extending away from the upper flange and is configured to clamp therebetween a first projection of a second architectural wall panel positioned below the architectural wall panel.