Connection device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection devices, such as those disclosed in US Patent No. 8,911,037 B2, face difficulties in mounting due to immovable nubs, making it challenging to adjust the bracket's position relative to the main panel, limiting flexibility and ease of assembly.
Innovation Solution
A connection device featuring a base with guiding and position-limiting structures and a bracket with elastic portions that can be mounted in moving spaces, allowing for adjustable positioning and easy assembly by storing and releasing elastic forces, enabling horizontal displacement within defined limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nub is connected to a panel portion in a continuous manner, then the bracket structure is simple and robust, but the bracket cannot be easily mounted or adjusted relative to the main panel
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into a panel portion and a nub that can move relative to each other. The nub is separable from the panel portion through the elastic portion, allowing independent movement and mounting adjustment while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The nub is made movable relative to the panel portion through the elastic portion, transforming a static continuous connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the bracket to be mounted and positioned easily while maintaining structural stability when assembled.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nub is stationary with respect to the panel portion, then the bracket structure is simple, but position adjustment is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic portion enables the nub to move relative to the panel portion, providing position adjustability. The movable connection allows the bracket to adapt to different positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion allows the nub to change its position parameter relative to the panel portion. This dynamic parameter change enables position adjustment while keeping the structural complexity low.
3Productivity
If elastic portions are made movable relative to the panel portion, then mounting becomes easy and position adjustable, but the bracket structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into functional portions (panel portion, nub, elastic portion) that can move relative to each other during assembly. This segmentation enables easy mounting while the portions integrate into a cohesive structure that minimizes overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portion provides self-aligning and self-latching functionality during assembly. The elastic deformation automatically guides the nub into the correct position and secures it, reducing the need for complex mounting mechanisms or precise manual alignment.
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
Facilitates easy and flexible mounting of the bracket to the base, allowing for adjustable positioning and improved assembly efficiency, addressing the limitations of conventional devices by enabling horizontal adjustment within specific limits.
Implementation Method 1
the first elastic portion of the bracket is configured to be mounted in the first moving space of the base... the first elastic portion of the bracket is guided by the first guiding structure of the base into a state in which the first elastic portion stores an elastic force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A connection device (20) includes a base (22) and a bracket (24). The base (22) includes an upper feature (28), a lower feature (30), and a middle wall (32) disposed between the upper and the lower features (28, 30). The middle wall (32) includes a guiding structure (G1) and a position-limiting structure (B1) that define a moving space (S1) therebetween. The bracket (24) is configured to be movably mounted on the base (22) and includes an upper portion (36), a lower portion (38), and a middle portion (40) disposed between the upper and the lower portions (36, 38). The middle portion (40) includes an elastic portion (42) configured to be mounted in the moving space (S1). The upper and the lower portions (36, 38) of the bracket (24) are configured to be mounted to the upper and the lower features (28, 30) of the base (22) respectively.