Building Board Connector with Track Channel and Path-Following Hole
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mounting adjacent boards to a beam in building decoration are inefficient due to positional shifting of connectors, limited contact area leading to instability and noise, visible gaps, and high screw usage causing cost issues.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a path-following hole and track channel for axial movement, allowing precise positioning and increased contact area, reducing gaps and concealing screw heads for improved aesthetics and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connectors are used to mount boards to beams, then the connector can be installed, but the operator must use one hand to correct the position while simultaneously pushing the connector and using another hand to operate a screwdriver, leading to frequent positional shifting and poor construction quality
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-provided with a path-following hole that guides the screw to automatically follow the predetermined installation path. This preliminary design eliminates the need for manual position correction during installation, allowing the operator to simply push the connector into place while the screw self-guides through the path-following hole to the correct position.
Solution Approach 2:
The path-following hole acts as an intermediary element between the screw and the connector body. It mediates the positioning process by providing a physical guide that constrains the screw's movement path, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring manual intervention to correct position during installation.
2Device complexity
If traditional connectors with limited contact area are used, then the connector structure is simple, but the boards exhibit poor stability and generate noise and vibration when subjected to impact forces or jerk forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a track channel that extends in the axial direction, providing an additional dimensional feature for board engagement. This track channel increases the contact area between the board and connector by adding a longitudinal engagement surface, thereby improving stability without significantly complicating the overall connector structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional connectors are used to fasten boards, then the boards can be mounted, but a gap of around 6.4 mm remains between adjacent boards, making the decoration less delicate and harder to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a track channel that allows the connector to slide along the beam in the axial direction for limited movement. This dynamic capability enables the connector to adjust its position to accommodate variations in board dimensions and installation tolerances, thereby reducing gaps between adjacent boards while maintaining ease of mounting.
4Reliability
If multiple screws are used to fasten the connector to the beam, then the connector can be securely mounted, but the quantity of screws is large causing cost increases and screw heads are visible creating color conflict
Solution Approach 1:
The path-following hole provides self-guidance for the screw, allowing a single screw to automatically follow the predetermined path and securely fasten the connector to the beam. This self-service positioning mechanism eliminates the need for multiple screws to ensure proper alignment and secure mounting, reducing both quantity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the positioning function from the multiple-screw system and consolidates it into the path-following hole feature. By taking out the alignment responsibility from the screw installation process and embedding it in the connector's path-following hole, the system achieves secure mounting with fewer screws.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided for jointing two boards to have the boards mounted to and lapping over a beam. The connector has one side that is formed with an engagement slot for jointing one board and an opposite side formed with a mortise trough for jointing another board. The connector also includes a path-following hole penetrating therethrough in an up-down direction and a track channel formed in a bottom of the connector and having an opening facing downward. The engagement slot and the mortise trough have axial directions that are perpendicular to an axial direction of the track channel. The path-following hole has a bottom opening located in the center of the track channel. The connector is adjustable of the position thereof through sliding along the beam by means of the track channel for limited axial movement.