Adjustable Mounting Aid for Rack Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of slide-in elements in frames is expensive and time-consuming due to the weight and bulkiness of the elements, requiring manual alignment and support, often necessitating two people or complex handling.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable assembly aid with pivoting legs and angled fastening elements that can be securely fastened to the frame's sheet metal angles, providing a support surface for the slide-in elements and allowing single-person, tool-free installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and support of slide-in elements is performed, then assembly precision can be achieved, but assembly time and personnel costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting aid is prepared in advance with adjustable legs and fastening elements positioned to match the rail hole pattern. The legs are pre-adjusted to the correct height and angle before the slide-in element arrives, so that when the element is placed on the support surface, the holes are already aligned with the fastening elements, eliminating the need for manual alignment during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting aid acts as an intermediary device between the worker and the slide-in element. It provides a stable support surface that holds the element at the correct position and orientation, while the adjustable legs and fastening elements serve as intermediaries to transfer the element to the rails without requiring direct manual handling and alignment by the worker.
2Stability of the object's composition
If manual support of slide-in elements is performed, then proper positioning can be maintained, but the operation becomes complex and requires multiple people
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting aid is designed to be self-adjusting and self-stabilizing. The adjustable legs automatically find their stable position when the fastening elements engage with the rails, and the support surface automatically maintains the slide-in element in the correct position. The device serves itself by using the weight of the element and the mechanical engagement with the rails to maintain stability without requiring continuous manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting aid is divided into separate functional segments: adjustable legs for height and angle adjustment, fastening elements for securing to the rails, and a support surface for holding the element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation and allowing a single worker to manage each segment sequentially rather than coordinating multiple people for simultaneous support.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable legs with fastening elements are used, then single-person assembly is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed to be adjustable in length and angle, allowing them to adapt to different mounting heights and rail configurations. This dynamic adjustability enables the device to handle various slide-in element sizes and positions without requiring multiple specialized tools, simplifying operation for a single worker while the adjustment mechanisms add manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting aid is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different types of slide-in elements and rail configurations. The adjustable legs and fastening elements can be positioned to match various hole patterns and heights, making the device versatile enough to handle multiple assembly tasks with a single tool rather than requiring specialized equipment for each case.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a mounting aid (1) for mounting slide-in elements in frames, in particular racks for use in information technology, comprising at least two legs (2), which can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to each other, wherein the free end of each leg (2) has a fastening element (4) that is bent in relation to the leg (2), the fastening elements being designed to fasten the free ends of the legs (2) to rails, in particular sheet metal angled sections (5) of the frame, said rails pointing toward each other, protruding inward, and being provided with a series of holes.