Angled Connecting Fitting with Nested Modules for Secure Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting fittings for workpieces have limited holding strength, are visually unattractive, and mechanically disruptive due to protruding components, and do not provide optimal support across the clamping axis.

Innovation Solution

The connecting fitting design features an anchor module and an abutment module with longitudinal axes at an angle to each other, supported by their outer contours, ensuring optimal support and hold, with the abutment module being supported transversely to the anchor module's longitudinal axis, and the clamping mechanism acting exclusively between the connecting device and the support bodies without direct contact with the workpieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the abutment module projects in front of the front side of the second workpiece, then the assembly is simple, but the appearance is visually unattractive and mechanically disruptive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidvisual and mechanical disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment module is nested within a recess of the second workpiece, with its outer contour substantially matching the recess contour. This allows the abutment module to be received inside the recess rather than projecting outward, eliminating visual and mechanical disruption while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Strength

If the abutment module is supported optimally across the clamping axis, then the holding strength is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding strengthVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer contour of the abutment module is designed to be asymmetric, substantially matching the asymmetric contour of the recess. This asymmetric design allows optimal support surfaces to be positioned for enhanced holding strength while the overall structure remains integrated and relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The support surfaces of the abutment module are specifically positioned and shaped to provide optimal local support across the clamping axis. The outer contour is tailored to match the recess contour in specific regions to maximize contact and support without requiring complex overall structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If the clamping means act directly on the workpiece, then the clamping force is effective, but the mechanical stress on the workpiece increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force effectivenessVSAvoidmechanical stress on workpiece
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment module serves as an intermediary between the clamping means and the workpiece. The clamping means act on the abutment module, which is received in a recess of the workpiece, rather than directly on the workpiece itself. This distributes the mechanical stress and protects the workpiece surface while maintaining effective clamping force through the abutment module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3243008B1Connecting fitting
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3243008B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3243008B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3243008B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting fitting (10) for connecting a first workpiece and a second workpiece, comprising an anchor module (11) for anchoring the connecting fitting (10) in an anchoring cut-out of the first workpiece, an abutment module (13) for supporting in an abutment cut-out of the second workpiece, and a connecting device (70) having clamping means (71), for arranging in a connecting cut-out in the first and/or second workpiece that communicates with the abutment cut-out and the anchoring cut-out and for releasably connecting and clamping the abutment module (13) to the anchor module (11) along a clamping axis (S) in order to clamp the first and the second workpieces to each other, wherein the anchor module (11) has an anchor supporting body (20) for supporting on an inner periphery of the anchoring cut-out and the abutment module (13) has an abutment supporting body (80) for supporting on an inner periphery of the abutment cut-out, wherein the anchor supporting body (20) and the abutment supporting body (80) each have, on the outer periphery of the cross-section thereof through which the longitudinal axis (L11, L12, L13) thereof passes, a flat shape having flat sides (27, 67, 87) lying opposite each other and in particular rounded narrow sides (28, 68, 88) extending between the flat sides (27, 67, 87). According to the invention, in the assembled state of the connecting fitting, the clamping axis (S) extends transversely to at least one of the longitudinal axes (L11, L12, L13) of the armature module (11) or of the abutment module (13) at an angle, the anchor supporting body (20) or the abutment supporting body (80; 180) thus being supported transversely to the clamping axis (S) on the inner periphery of the associated anchoring cut-out or abutment cut-out by means of a flat side (27, 67, 87) or a narrow side (28, 68, 88).