Leak Proof Frame Assembly With Chamfered Pin Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frame assembly methods face issues where the vertical frame members cannot be properly fitted into the stepped end sections of the top or bottom frame members due to size mismatches, leading to gaps that allow water infiltration, necessitating costly and time-consuming sealing treatments.
Innovation Solution
The frame assembly incorporates chamfered pins and holes that guide the second frame member into a press joint with the first frame member, ensuring a secure and leak-proof connection even when the frame members are slightly misaligned, by transitioning from a chamfered upper part to a shorter lower part during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the frame members are joined using traditional pins and holes without chamfers, then the assembly process is simple, but the frame members cannot be properly fitted due to size mismatches, leading to gaps that allow water infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfered upper part of the pin and/or hole is designed in advance to guide the second frame member during insertion. This preliminary guiding action ensures proper alignment and fit before the final pressing operation, preventing size mismatch issues and water infiltration gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the pin and hole is changed by adding chamfered upper parts with specific angles and dimensions. This parameter modification allows the components to self-align and guide each other during assembly, transforming a simple insertion into a guided pressing operation that eliminates gaps.
2Ease of operation
If the second end section is reduced in size to fit into the stepped first end section, then the fitting issue is resolved, but gaps are created that allow water to seep through
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfered geometry of the pin and hole creates a controlled pressing action that ensures the fourth end surface makes full contact with the second end surface. This parameter change in the assembly mechanism eliminates gaps that would otherwise allow water infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
The chamfered upper part is extracted as a separate functional element that performs the guiding action. This extracted guiding mechanism ensures proper alignment during insertion, preventing the creation of gaps while maintaining ease of fitting.
3Reliability
If sealing compound is applied to prevent water infiltration, then water proofing is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfered pin and hole design enables the joint to self-seal through the pressing action. The geometry itself creates the water-proof connection without requiring external sealing compounds, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating additional processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing action that initially seems to be just a joining mechanism is transformed into a dual-function element that simultaneously creates the water-proof seal. The force applied during assembly converts the potential harm of gaps into the benefit of a tight, sealed joint.
4Manufacturing precision
If the pin and hole are chamfered to guide the frame members, then proper alignment is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chamfer angle and dimensions are optimized to provide sufficient guiding action while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes. By carefully selecting parameters like the chamfer angle (typically 45 degrees) and depth, the design achieves high alignment precision without requiring specialized or complex manufacturing equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Frame assembly (1) comprising at least a first frame member (2) joined together with a second frame member (4). The first frame member (2) comprises a stepped first end section (9) comprising a first end surface (10) and a second end surface (11) at an angle to the first end surface (10). The second frame member (4) comprises a third end surface (15) perpendicular to the fourth end surface (16). The first end surface (10) comprises a pin (7) intended to be inserted into a hole (8) in the third end surface (15), or vice versa. The pin (7) and/or the hole (8) comprises an upper part (17, 22) that is chamfered in such a way that, when the pin (7) is inserted into the hole (8) and the third end surface (15) is moved towards the first end surface (10), the second frame member (4) is moved in the direction towards the second end surface (11) by the action of the chamfered upper part (17, 22).