Clamped Frame Assembly for Through-Panel Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional frames fitted into through holes on worktops often experience untimely disengagement and manufacturing imperfections lead to clearance issues, affecting the quality of the interlocking and aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
A frame with a clamping member featuring a tongue and arm system that secures to the panel, exerting forces to press the peripheral wall against the panel structure and the frame's rim, ensuring stable positioning and preventing disengagement, utilizing a double wall design with ribs for reinforcement and a recess for the tongue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a frame is simply mounted with a tight fit in a through hole without additional assembly elements, then the structural simplicity is maintained and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to untimely disengagement and clearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is segmented into distinct functional components: a clamping member with arms for gripping the frame, a tongue for insertion into the through hole, and a fastening element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping members are pre-positioned on the frame with their arms arranged to exert pressing forces. When the tongue is inserted and fixed to the panel, the clamping members automatically engage and apply the necessary clamping force, eliminating the need for complex adjustment procedures during installation.
2Device complexity
If a frame is simply mounted with a tight fit in a through hole without additional assembly elements, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to clearance issues affecting aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping members are designed to exert adjustable pressing forces that can compensate for variations in the fit between the frame and through hole. By changing the clamping force parameter, the device can accommodate different manufacturing tolerances while maintaining a tight, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping members act as intermediary elements between the frame and the panel structure. They transfer and distribute the clamping forces across the interface, compensating for clearance issues and ensuring consistent contact pressure that maintains both functional reliability and aesthetic appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a frame serving as support for closure means is subjected to frequent manipulations, then the functionality is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to untimely disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping members are positioned and configured to exert counteracting pressing forces that balance the forces generated during frequent manipulations of closure means. This counterbalancing action prevents the frame from disengaging from the through hole even under repeated operational stresses.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device incorporates dynamic elements that allow the clamping members to adapt their pressing forces in response to operational loads. The arms of the clamping members can flex and adjust to maintain optimal clamping pressure during frequent manipulations, ensuring continuous engagement and reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
Device for fixing a frame (1) in a through-orifice (2) extending between two opposite faces (4, 5) of a panel (3), such as in particular a worktop (3), said frame (1) consisting of a peripheral wall (10) having an upper edge (13) and a lower edge (14), said peripheral wall (10) being able to cover the structure (9) of the panel (3) defining said through-orifice (2), and its upper edge (13) being provided with a lip (15) that is able to rest against a first face (4) of the panel (3) around said through-orifice (2). This device has at least one clamping member (8) comprising at least one arm (80, 81) secured to a tab (82) extending in a plane perpendicular to said arm (80, 81), and an assembly means for fixing said tab (82) to the second face (5) of the panel (3) in the vicinity of the through-orifice (2), said arm (80, 81) of the clamping member (8) being designed both to exert, on said peripheral wall (10), a force intended to press said peripheral wall (10) against the structure (9) of the panel (3) defining said through-orifice (2) and to exert, on an end stop (19) which said peripheral wall (10) has, a force intended to press the lip (15) of said frame (1) against the first face (4) of the panel (3), when said tab (82) is fixed to the second face (5) of the panel (3).