Clamp Lining for Pendant Glass Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamp fittings for panes are complex to assemble, space-consuming, and visually unappealing due to the overlapping driver mechanism, which obstructs the field of vision.

Innovation Solution

The driver is attached to the clamp fitting using the clamping screw, featuring a base body with a connection area that engages a receiving area, allowing for a space-saving and concealed installation, with a blind hole contact surface for precise mounting and using a uniform clamping screw suitable for both with and without the driver, ensuring the driver is secured before clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the driver is attached to the clamp fitting using an overlying, overlapping arrangement, then the driver can be securely fastened, but the assembly becomes complex and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fastening of driverVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver is merged with the clamp fitting by integrating the connection area directly into the clamp fitting structure. The driver base body is received within the clamp fitting's receiving area, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and overlying arrangements. This integration simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining secure fastening through the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the driver is attached using an overlying, overlapping arrangement, then the driver can be securely fastened, but the driver takes up a lot of space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fastening of driverVSAvoidspace occupied by driver
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The driver base body is nested within the clamp fitting structure by receiving it in the receiving area formed between the clamp legs. This nesting arrangement allows the driver to be securely fastened without protruding beyond the outer contour of the clamp fitting, thereby minimizing the space occupied while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the driver is attached using an overlying, overlapping arrangement, then the driver can be securely fastened, but the overlapping cheeks obstruct the field of vision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fastening of driverVSAvoidfield of vision clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The driver is extracted from the overlying, overlapping arrangement and repositioned within the clamp fitting's receiving area. This extraction eliminates the protruding cheeks that obstructed the field of vision, while the driver remains securely fastened through its integrated connection with the clamp fitting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If different clamping screws are used for clamp fittings with and without the driver, then the driver can be precisely positioned, but the system becomes less versatile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position precisionVSAvoidcompatibility with different clamp fittings
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection area with the blind hole is designed to work with a uniform clamping screw that can be used for both clamp fittings with and without the driver. The blind hole provides precise positioning and secure fastening for the driver, while the same clamping screw design maintains versatility across different clamp fitting configurations, eliminating the need for different screw types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2116688B1Clamp lining
Publication Date: 2014.12.10 GEZE GMBH
  • EP2116688B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2116688B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A simplified clamping system for attaching pendant glass panels to an overhead drive (3) has the panels gripped at the top corners/edges by pairs of main clamping plates (11) secured by screw fasteners. The couplings (10) to the drive belt (8) locate into slots in the top edges of the clamping plates and are secured by the same screw fasteners. The main clamping plates are suspended under wheeled supports (4).