Chimney Cladding Angle Piece With Gear Lock for Fast Strap Tensioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing angle pieces for chimney lining require complex and labor-intensive processes for tightening and securing the clamping device, which can lead to accidental loosening of the tensioning strap, and there is a need for a more cost-effective and efficient method to attach chimney cladding securely and quickly.

Innovation Solution

The angle piece incorporates a gear wheel with a lock that selectively engages between teeth, allowing for non-rotatable fixation of the winding axis, simplifying the tensioning process and ensuring secure clamping without the need for manual locking nut operation, and can be produced inexpensively with a slightly more complex design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lock nut is used to fix the winding axis in its rotational position, then the winding axis can be secured, but the handling becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring of winding axisVSAvoidhandling of clamping device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the locking function from the winding axis itself and relocates it to a separate lock component. The lock can be designed as a folding latch or spring-loaded mechanism that independently engages with the gear wheel, separating the rotational positioning function from the winding axis and simplifying its operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gear wheel serves as an intermediary element between the winding axis and the lock. Instead of directly fixing the winding axis in position, the lock engages with the gear wheel's teeth, using the gear as a mediator to achieve the locking effect with simpler handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the lock nut is tightened sufficiently to prevent backward movement, then the tensioning strap remains secured, but the process requires significant force and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of strap looseningVSAvoidtime for tightening operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the force-intensive tightening operation from the final locking step. By using a gear wheel with engaged teeth and a separate lock mechanism, the system separates the tensioning phase (which requires force) from the locking phase (which requires minimal force), significantly reducing the time and effort needed for the final securing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gear wheel's tooth engagement provides preliminary mechanical advantage during the tensioning process. The teeth progressively engage as the winding axis rotates, providing incremental mechanical support that reduces the force needed in the final locking operation and prepares the system for easy securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the gear wheel has fine teeth (30-40 teeth), then the resetting of the gear is minimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveminimization of gear resettingVSAvoidprecision of gear teeth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of tooth count from coarse (fewer teeth) to fine (30-40 teeth). This parameter change directly reduces the angular displacement per tooth engagement, minimizing the resetting effect while the patent acknowledges and addresses the corresponding increase in manufacturing precision requirements through appropriate manufacturing processes.

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

This design simplifies the handling and increases safety by allowing easy engagement of the lock to prevent rotational movement, maintaining tension in the tension band without manual force, and can be used as a bird barrier on building roofs, enhancing cost-effectiveness and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

The teeth can advantageously be asymmetrically inclined or curved, so that the gear is designed as a ratchet and can be moved in a first direction of rotation even when the clamping device is in its locking position. However, movement of the gear in the opposite direction of rotation is reliably prevented by the lock.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP3926122B1Angle piece and substructure for a chimney cladding
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 VELKEN MATTHIAS
  • EP3926122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an angled fitting (1) of a substructure used for fastening a chimney cladding to a chimney, with two legs (5) extending at an angle to each other, wherein on the inside of the angled fitting (1) the legs (5) each have a contact surface intended for contact with a chimney and on the outside of the angled fitting (1) the legs (2) have connection surfaces intended for connection to the chimney cladding, and with a clamping device (3) for a tension band (2) that can be guided around the chimney, wherein the clamping device (3) has a rotatable winding axis (7) that can be locked in several rotational positions, the clamping device (3) according to the invention has a gear (12) which interacts with a fixed lock (15), wherein the gear (12) and the lock (15) are movable relative to each other in such a manner thatthat, optionally, in a locking position, the lock (15) projects between two adjacent teeth of the gear (12), or in a release position, the lock (15) is located outside the teeth.