Box Assembly Internal Wedge Clamping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing room cell arrangements face challenges in assembling continuous facades without disrupting elements and achieving a clamping force comparable to external screws, while also allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of vertical connecting means.

Innovation Solution

The use of internal wedge-clamping vertical connecting means that can be manually attached and detached, allowing for a stable and secure internal clamping connection without external disruptions, enabling the attachment of facades and achieving a clamping force equal to or greater than external screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If external clamping screws are used to connect vertical corner pieces, then the assembly is simple and easy to install, but the facade cannot be routed over the corner connectors and external appearance is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidexternal disruptions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is extracted from external screws and moved inside the corner connector hollow bodies. The internal clamping elements (clamping plates, clamping arms, or wedge-shaped elements) are contained within the corner connectors, eliminating external visible components while maintaining the clamping function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping mechanism is nested within the corner connector hollow bodies. The internal clamping elements are housed inside the corner connectors, with the clamping action occurring internally between the upper and lower corner pieces without requiring external attachment points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If internal wedge-clamping vertical connecting means are used, then facade attachment is enabled without external disruptions, but assembly and disassembly require manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal disruptionsVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corner connectors are pre-assembled with the internal clamping mechanism in a ready-to-connect state. The upper corner piece can be positioned on the lower corner piece with the clamping elements already in place, requiring only manual insertion or positioning rather than complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If external clamping screws are used, then high clamping force can be achieved, but the clamping force is not sufficient when compared to internal wedge clamping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping mechanism transitions from a screw-based system to a wedge-based system, changing the mechanical parameter from rotational force to inclined plane force multiplication. The wedge-shaped elements convert horizontal insertion force into vertical clamping force through the wedge angle, achieving high clamping force with simpler linear motion.

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

Facades can be attached without external disruptions, and the connections can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing a stable and secure internal vertical connection that maintains the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of the room cells.

Implementation Method 1

comprising a wedge-shaped element which, in a clamping position, secures the upper corner piece (20.1) of the lower space cell (11.1) in a releasable, vertical clamping against each other with the lower corner piece (20.2) of the upper space cell (11.2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

The two wedge surfaces (101.1, 101.2) of the wedge-shaped element (29) enclose a wedge angle (102)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3613911B1Box assembly
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 MODULRAUM GMBH
  • EP3613911B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3613911B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2.1
  • EP3613911B1 patent drawingFigure 2.2~2.3

AI summary

A space cell arrangement (10) comprising several space cells (11; 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4), at least one upper space cell (11.2, 11.4) of which is arranged on at least one lower space cell (11.1, 11.3). The space cells (11; 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4) are each cuboid in shape and each comprises eight cuboid corner connecting hollow bodies (20; 20.1, 20.2), each forming a space corner (19). At least two or four upper corner connecting hollow bodies (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the eight corner connecting hollow bodies (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the lower space cell (11.1, 11.3) are each firmly but releasably connected to one lower corner connecting hollow body (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the four lower corner connecting hollow bodies (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the eight corner connecting hollow bodies (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the upper space cell (11.2, 11.4) by means of a vertical connecting element (24).Each vertical connecting element (24) is completely arranged within a space occupied by the respective upper corner connecting hollow body (20; 20.1, 20.2) and by the respective associated lower corner connecting hollow body (20; 20.1, 20.2) and comprises a releasable wedge (29) in a wedge clamping position (34), by means of which the respective upper corner connecting hollow body (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the lower space cell (11.1, 11.3) is releasably clamped vertically against each other with the respective associated lower corner connecting hollow body (20; 20.1, 20.2) of the upper space cell (11.2, 11.4) forming an internal clamping connection.