Screwless Corner Connector With Spring-Latched Tube Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner connectors for sheet metal cabinets or housings are complex and require screws, complicating their assembly and construction.
Innovation Solution
A corner connector design featuring a cube-shaped base body with resilient retaining elements and a spring-loaded carriage that securely attaches tube profiles without screws, using a channel and spiral spring mechanism for axial retention and easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional corner connectors are used, then reliable attachment of tube profiles is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and requires screws
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment function and the retention function into a single integrated corner connector body. The resilient retaining elements are built-in components of the connector itself, eliminating the need for separate screws or fasteners. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining reliable tube profile attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient retaining elements automatically engage with the tube profile openings without requiring additional fastening operations. The spring-loaded mechanism self-adjusts to secure the tube profile in place, providing self-service attachment that eliminates the need for manual screwing or complex fastening procedures.
2Reliability
If multi-part structures with screws are used, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining elements automatically engage with the tube profile openings through a simple insertion motion. The spring-loaded mechanism self-adjusts to secure the tube profile in place, providing self-service attachment that eliminates the need for manual screwing or complex fastening procedures, significantly reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the time-consuming screw fastening operation from the assembly process entirely. By replacing screws with resilient retaining elements that engage through simple insertion and automatic spring loading, the design removes the multi-step fastening procedure, leaving only the essential tube profile insertion action.
3Ease of operation
If resilient retaining elements are used, then screw-less attachment is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient retaining elements are integrated directly into the corner connector body as built-in components rather than separate mechanisms. This merging of the retention function into the main structure avoids adding external complexity while achieving screw-less attachment through the resilient elements' direct engagement with tube profile openings.
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
Facilitates simplified assembly and construction of sheet metal structures by providing secure, screw-less attachment of tube profiles, enhancing stability and ease of use while reducing material usage and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
one end of the carriage being in the working position due to the spring tension from the channel
Implementation Method 2
the attachment having resiliently projecting retaining elements over its alignment line
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A description is given of a corner connector (10) comprising a cubic main body (12) which, on a first cube face (14), has a closed surface and also has two adjoining second (16) and third (18) closed surfaces which extend at right angles to one another and to the first cube face (14), while each of the cube faces located opposite the second and third surfaces have extending from them an attachment with a prismatic outer cross section, on which can be plugged a pipe end with an inner cross section (32) adapted to the outer cross section of the attachment, wherein the attachment has retaining elements (36) which project resiliently beyond its alignment line (34), project into a through-passage (38) formed by the pipe end and position themselves on the one through-passage periphery (40) in order to retain the pipe end (28, 30) axially in an abutment position against the wall surface (20, 21), wherein, according to the invention, the retaining element (36) has a carriage (48) which can be displaced, counter to spring force (46), in a channel (44) arranged transversely to the pipe axis (42) and, in the operating position, has two sloping surfaces projecting out of the channel on account of the spring stressing, wherein the one sloping surface forms, with the displacement direction of the carriage (48), a first, relatively large angle (54) as an inlet surface (52) and the second sloping surface, correspondingly, forms a smaller angle (56) as a retaining surface (50).