Joining means for joining a first part to a rectangular tube or beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting means for bed parts to rectangular tubes or beams often require significant effort to detach and lack secure clamping in both horizontal and vertical directions, with wedge effects causing difficulties in releasing the connection.
Innovation Solution
The connecting means employs guide mechanisms with link guides and contact surfaces that move relative to each other to clamp and release the connection, eliminating the need for wedge effects and allowing for easy detachment without special effort, using a clamping lever and cam to manage the movement between attachment and release positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wedge effect is used to secure the connection, then connection strength is improved, but detachment effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means employs a dynamic release mechanism where the clamping lever can be pivoted to a release position, dynamically changing the engagement state from locked to disengaged. This allows the strong wedge effect to be maintained during connection while enabling easy release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving elements feature curved or inclined contact surfaces that guide the engagement and disengagement movements. The curved geometry of the guide rails and contact surfaces facilitates smooth movement between connected and disconnected states, reducing detachment effort while maintaining connection strength.
2Reliability
If clamping lever with cam is used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism and clamping lever are integrated into a single unified component rather than separate parts. This merging reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the reliable cam-actuated clamping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is designed to automatically engage and lock the clamping lever in the connected position without requiring additional locking components or complex control systems. The geometry of the cam profile itself provides the self-locking function, reducing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spring-loaded latch is added to prevent accidental release, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded latch is integrated with the clamping lever as a combined assembly rather than a separate component. The latch works in conjunction with the cam mechanism to provide both anti-accidental-release protection and stable connection, reducing overall device complexity through functional integration.
4Manufacturing precision
If guide mechanism is added to control movement direction, then connection precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails and receiving elements feature asymmetric geometries that naturally guide the movement along the correct path. The asymmetric contact surfaces and guide profiles ensure proper alignment and movement direction without requiring complex active control mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining connection precision.
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 solution provides secure clamping in both horizontal and vertical directions while enabling simple and effortless detachment of the connecting means from the rectangular tube or beam, improving usability and reducing the labor involved in attachment and release.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (32) arranged to pull the first receiving element (1) against the second receiving element (2)
Implementation Method 2
The clamping lever (3) may have a cam (31), via which, upon actuation, a force is exerted on the first or second receiving element (1, 2)
Implementation Method 3
two guide rails (14, 15), via which a part attached to one another or to the second receiving element (2) can be guided in a movement from the second position to the first position and vice versa
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a connecting means for connecting a first part to a rectangular tube or beam, in particular for connecting a side panel, a headboard, or a footboard of a bed to a bed support. The invention further relates to a bed, in particular a medical bed, in which a side panel, a headboard, and/or a footboard of the bed is connected to a bed support via at least one connecting means.The connecting element comprises a first receiving element (1) and a second receiving element (2), which form a receptacle for the tube (R) or beam and which can be moved relative to each other between a first position in which the tube (R) or beam can be clamped in the receptacle between the first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) for connecting the connecting element to the tube (R) or beam, and a second position in which the tube (R) or beam can be inserted into the receptacle or the tube (R) or beam can be released from the receptacle, wherein the connecting element has a guide which determines the direction of movement of the first receiving element (1) and the second receiving element (2) from the first position to the second position and vice versa.