Adjustable Coding Elements for Modular Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular part assembly systems face challenges with complex structures, limited adjustability, and the risk of incorrect connections due to lost or unchangeable coding elements, which can lead to faulty operations or damage.
Innovation Solution
The use of coding elements that can be displaced back and forth within receiving spaces, allowing for adjustable coding positions to prevent or allow assembly, with noses accessible for manual actuation, enabling four different settings and preventing unauthorized connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotatable elements with protruding fingers are used as coding means, then module parts can be individualized to prevent unauthorized assembly, but the structure becomes relatively complicated requiring special measures for rotation and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The coding elements are made movable within receiving spaces, allowing them to be positioned in different coding positions. This dynamic approach replaces complex rotatable elements with simpler linearly movable elements that can still provide multiple coding states through their position within the receiving space.
Solution Approach 2:
The coding system is divided into multiple independent coding elements, each received in its own receiving space. This segmentation allows each element to be independently positioned and adjusted, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable coding functionality through the collective arrangement of multiple simple elements.
2Reliability
If recesses with separate coding pins are used as coding means, then module parts can be coded, but the coding pins may be lost and coding clarity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coding element and its receiving space are merged into an integrated unit. The coding element is received within the receiving space as a single assembly, eliminating the risk of separate coding pins being lost. The receiving space provides containment and guidance, ensuring the coding element remains in place while maintaining coding functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If recesses with displaceable sliders are used as coding means, then coding positions can be adjusted, but the adjustability is limited since recess positions are fixed during manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The coding elements are designed to be displaceable within their receiving spaces, enabling dynamic adjustment of coding positions. The receiving spaces are designed with sufficient travel distance to allow coding elements to be moved to different positions, providing flexible coding adjustability without fixing the coding pattern during manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving space serves multiple functions: it guides the coding element, contains it to prevent loss, and provides the travel distance necessary for adjustment. This multi-functional design enables coding adjustability without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while improving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The arrangement comprises at least one module part of a first type (60), at least one module part of a second type (60'), adjustable coding means having coding settings that allow or prevent the module parts from being joined, and retaining means (62-64, 62'-64') for holding one module part against the other module part when they are joined. Coding elements (10, 10') are provided, each of which is received in a receiving space formed in the module part of the first or second type, and each of which has a lug projecting from the receiving space.The respective coding element is arranged to be movable back and forth to assume at least two coding positions, which can be selected such that a) to join the module parts, a respective lug of a coding element is arranged offset in the direction of movement to the lug of an opposite coding element, and b) to prevent the module parts from joining, at least one lug of a coding element abuts the lug of an opposite coding element.