Corner Connector for Window Frames with Self-Aligning Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner connectors for window or door frames require manual alignment and can cause warping due to play within the hollow profiles, necessitating screws to maintain the miter edge connection.
Innovation Solution
A corner connector that transitions from a first state with play for easy insertion to a second expanded state with frictional connection, ensuring alignment and non-positive hold without screws, featuring modular design with connecting elements for adaptable dimensions and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the corner connector legs are designed with play for easy insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment of hollow profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connector transitions from a compressed insertion state to an expanded holding state. During insertion, the legs are compressed to reduce their diameter, allowing easy insertion into the hollow profiles. After insertion, the legs expand to their normal diameter, creating frictional contact with the profile walls to prevent movement and ensure precise alignment. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between easy insertion and precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The diameter of the corner connector legs is changed as a parameter. In the compressed state, the leg diameter is reduced to facilitate insertion. In the expanded state, the leg diameter returns to normal, creating interference fit with the hollow profiles. This parameter change enables both easy insertion and precise positioning without requiring manual alignment or screws.
2Strength
If screws are used to fasten the corner connector, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases due to pre-drilling and fastening operations
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connector performs the fastening function itself through its expansion mechanism. When the legs expand after insertion, they automatically create frictional contact and positive engagement with the hollow profiles, securing the connection without requiring external screws or pre-drilled holes. This self-service approach eliminates complex assembly operations while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw fastening system is extracted from the corner connector design. Instead of incorporating screw holes and requiring separate fastening operations, the invention uses the expansion of the legs themselves to create the securing mechanism. This extraction simplifies the device by removing the need for screws, drill bits, and pre-drilling operations.
3Device complexity
If the corner connector is designed as a single piece, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for different profile dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The corner connector is segmented into multiple legs that can independently expand and contract. Each leg can be individually compressed during insertion and then expand to fit the specific dimensions of the hollow profile it engages. This segmentation allows the connector to adapt to different profile dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure based on repeated modular leg elements.
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
Simplifies assembly by automatically aligning and holding hollow profiles without play, allowing screwing without pre-drilling and accommodating various dimensions through modular design.
Implementation Method 1
into a second expanded state, in which the two legs are frictionally connected to the respective hollow profiles are connected
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a corner connector (100, 200, 300) for connecting miter-cut hollow profiles (1, 2) of a window or door frame. In order to ensure a play-free connection of the corner connector (100, 200, 300) with the hollow profiles (1, 2), it is provided according to the invention that the corner connector (100, 200, 300) can be transformed from a first state in which the two legs (110, 120, 210, 220, 310, 320) can be inserted into and removed from the respective interior spaces (4, 5) of the hollow profiles (1, 2) to a second expanded state in which the two legs (110, 120, 210, 220, 310, 320) are positively connected to the respective hollow profiles (1, 2).