Suspended Ceiling Clip Acute Locking Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector clips for suspended ceiling grid runners fail to maintain a secure connection under tension due to lateral slipping, resulting in a significant reduction in load capacity, often caused by the obtuse angle of locking surfaces formed during the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves orienting the locking surfaces at an angle greater than conventional practice by increasing the clearance between punch and die elements, forming locking surfaces that counteract forces attempting to separate the clips, thereby enhancing the retention force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional locking surfaces are formed with standard punch and die clearance, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the locking surfaces form at obtuse angles that allow lateral slipping under tension, reducing connection reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the locking surfaces by increasing the punch and die clearance during manufacturing. This parameter change transforms the locking surface angle from obtuse (prone to lateral slipping) to acute (resistant to lateral slipping), thereby improving connection reliability while maintaining the stamping process simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces asymmetry in the locking surface geometry by creating complementary acute angles rather than symmetric obtuse angles. The mating clips have locking surfaces that form acute angles relative to the clip plane, which asymmetrically directs tensile forces to press the clips together rather than allow lateral separation
2Strength
If locking surfaces are oriented at conventional angles, then the clip structure remains simple, but lateral forces cause the clips to slip sideways and disconnect lock engagement, significantly reducing load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the angular parameter of the locking surfaces from conventional obtuse angles to acute angles greater than 90 degrees relative to the clip plane. This parameter change ensures that lateral forces are converted into compressive forces that press the clips together, preventing disconnection and maintaining high load capacity without adding structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates preliminary anti-action by designing the locking surface geometry to preemptively counteract lateral separating forces. The acute angled surfaces are configured to generate reactive forces that oppose and prevent the lateral slipping and disconnection that would otherwise occur under tensile loading
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An end clip for joining runners of suspended ceilings by coupling with an identical clip, the clip being stamped from sheet metal stock with lead and trailing ends, a lateral projection and a projection receiving area behind the lead end, the clip being arranged such that when an identical clip oriented in the opposite direction of the clip and caused to laterally overlap the clip the projection of the clip is locked in the receiving area of the identical clip and, vice versa, at least one of the projection and projection receiving area having a rearward facing sheared edge forming an acute angle with the clip plane resulting from being sheared with tooling having a clearance between tooling substantially greater than 10% of the thickness of the sheet from which the clip is stamped.