Component Connector Layout With Separate Actuation Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting devices for furniture and mechanical components lack simplicity in manufacturing and reliability in providing a stable connection between components.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a main body featuring distinct openings for insertion, fixing, and actuation of a fixing element, allowing for secure and accessible assembly, including a receiving channel, insertion opening, fixing opening, and actuating opening, which enables easy handling and stable connection of two components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single opening is used for insertion and actuation of the fixing element, then the device structure is simpler, but the actuation becomes difficult and the visual appearance is less appealing
Solution Approach 1:
The opening in the connecting device is divided into two distinct openings: an insertion opening for inserting the fixing element and an actuating opening for actuating the fixing element. This segmentation allows each opening to be optimized for its specific function, making actuation easier and more visually appealing while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating function is extracted from the insertion opening, creating a separate actuating opening. This allows the actuating opening to be positioned and sized independently to provide optimal access for actuation tools, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational ease
2Ease of operation
If the actuating opening is made larger to improve accessibility, then actuation becomes easier, but the visual appearance becomes less appealing and the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the insertion and actuation functions into different openings, the actuating opening can be designed with appropriate size and shape for tool access without compromising the overall aesthetic appearance of the connecting device
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating opening is designed with specific local characteristics (size, shape, position) optimized for actuation accessibility, while the rest of the device maintains its visual appeal. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between operational ease and aesthetic appearance
3Ease of operation
If multiple openings are provided for insertion, fixing, and actuation, then handling comfort and connection reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into three functional openings: insertion opening for inserting the fixing element, fixing opening for securing the fixing element, and actuating opening for actuating the fixing element. This functional segmentation improves handling comfort and connection reliability while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The main body of the connecting device serves multiple functions through its different openings: it provides insertion access, fixing access, and actuation access. This multi-functionality approach improves operational ease without proportionally increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide a connecting device for connecting two components, which is simple to manufacture and enables a stable and reliable connection of the two components, it is proposed that the connecting device comprises a main body which comprises a receiving channel extending through the main body for accommodating a fixing element, wherein the receiving channel is preferably accessible at one end by way of an insertion opening of the main body and/or preferably at a (further) end by way of a fixing opening of the main body, wherein the main body preferably further comprises an actuating opening that is different from the insertion opening and/or the fixing opening, by way of which in particular the fixing element arranged in the receiving channel is preferably accessible for the actuation thereof.