Adjustable Protective Wall Guide Groove Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective devices for scaffolding are complex to assemble and adjust, requiring precise positioning and alignment of fastening means and wall supports to ensure easy adjustability and sufficient tension of shielding elements.

Innovation Solution

The protective wall is designed to be adjustable as a whole relative to the fastening means, with a linear guide system using guide grooves and sliding shoes, allowing for separate installation and easy connection to a drive mechanism, enabling simple handling during assembly and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the protective device uses firmly connected wall supports to fastening means, then the structural stability is improved, but the adjustability and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is divided into modular components: wall supports with guide grooves, separate shielding elements, and detachable fastening means. This segmentation allows the wall supports to remain stable while the fastening means can be easily detached and repositioned for adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static firmly connected structure to a dynamic adjustable system. The guide grooves in the wall supports enable the fastening means to move along predefined paths, providing adjustability while maintaining structural integrity through the groove-guided connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the protective device requires precise positioning and alignment of fastening means and wall supports, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Guide grooves are introduced as intermediary elements in the wall supports that mediate between the fastening means and the wall support structure. These grooves provide predefined alignment paths that automatically guide the fastening means into correct positions, eliminating the need for complex precision alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide grooves replicate the required alignment geometry directly in the wall support structure. Instead of requiring precise manual positioning, the grooves copy the ideal alignment paths, allowing components to self-align during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the shielding elements are held adjustable by piping connections and receiving grooves, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide grooves are designed with specific geometric parameters (width, depth, orientation) that directly enable the adjustability function. By optimizing these parameters, the grooves provide smooth movement paths for the shielding elements while using standard manufacturing processes and materials, controlling production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration simplifies the assembly and adjustment of the protective device, providing secure hold and adjustability while allowing for versatile use and cost-effective manufacturing, with reduced friction and noise through the use of coated sliding shoes and various drive options.

Implementation Method 1

each sliding shoe can be provided with a coating, in particular made of plastic, which has a lower coefficient of sliding friction than the material of the sliding shoe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction through coating: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

A linear guide is advantageously provided for guiding the protective wall, which on the one hand comprises guide grooves formed in the wall supports and extending in the longitudinal direction and on the other hand slide shoes provided on the fastening means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Guided Rotor Compressor

Implementation Method 3

this comprises a motor that is fixed in place, a cable winch that is firmly connected to the motor and is driven by it, stationary fixed deflection rollers and a cable that is connected to the protective wall and is guided over the deflection rollers, and that can be moved by means of the cable winch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCable tension and pulley mechanism: Pulley

Implementation Method 4

Such a coating also improves the gliding ability of the sliding shoe and can also develop a damping effect, which reduces the adjustment noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3318698B1Method for protecting persons working on a building structure
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 TEUPE
  • EP3318698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3318698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Protective device (1) for persons working on a building structure, comprising a protective wall (3) which has a support structure with at least two spaced-apart and parallel elongated wall supports (5) and at least one flat shielding element (13) arranged between the wall supports (5) and detachably connected to them, and with a plurality of fastening means (4) to fix the protective wall (3) in a fixed position relative to the building structure, wherein in the assembled state of the protective device (1) the at least one shielding element (13) is adjustable in the longitudinal direction (L) of the wall supports (5), wherein the protective wall (3) in the assembled state of the protective device (1) is adjustable with the wall supports (5) and the at least one shielding element (13) relative to the fastening means (4).