Deformable Finishing Profile with Flexible Hinge for Level Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing finishing accessories are not adequately suited to reliably and robustly address level differences between surfaces, particularly for thin floor coverings like LVT, and are limited in their ability to connect surfaces oriented at angles other than perpendicular.
Innovation Solution
A deformable finishing accessory with rigid wings and a flexible hinge, along with adjustable blocking parts, allows for rotation and angular adjustment to accommodate level differences and surface orientations, ensuring a secure and aesthetically pleasing transition between surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deformable finishing profile is used to accommodate level differences, then adaptability to level deviations is improved, but the height space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finishing profile incorporates a flexible hinge connecting two rigid wings, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust its configuration. The hinge enables the wings to rotate relative to each other, accommodating level differences between surfaces while maintaining a compact overall height profile suitable for thin floor coverings like LVT.
Solution Approach 2:
The finishing profile is divided into two separate rigid wings connected by a flexible hinge. This segmentation allows each wing to independently contact different surfaces while the hinge provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate level deviations without requiring excessive height.
2Device complexity
If a finishing accessory is designed for mono-function use, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different surface configurations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hinge enables the finishing profile to dynamically adapt to different surface configurations. The wings can rotate relative to each other through the hinge, allowing the same simple structure to accommodate various surface orientations and level deviations without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The finishing profile with its flexible hinge design serves multiple functions: it can connect surfaces at different orientations (perpendicular, parallel, angled), accommodate various level deviations, and work with different floor covering types. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single versatile structure rather than multiple specialized accessories.
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
The accessory effectively adapts to various level differences and surface orientations, providing a robust and aesthetically uniform transition while being compact enough for use with thin floor coverings and allowing easy mass production.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible hinge that extends lengthwise parallel to said longitudinal axis, which is, at least in part, positioned between the two wings, and which connects the two wings to one another while allowing a rotation of the two wings relative to one another
Implementation Method 2
said blocking part comprises an adjusting shim, which extends lengthwise, which is capable of being inserted into said longitudinal groove and which, once inserted into said longitudinal groove, acts as a stop preventing the two longitudinal projections from being brought closer to one another so as to block the inward rotation of the two wings
Data Source
AI summary
A finishing accessory (1A) includes a deformable finishing profile (10) and at least one blocking part (P2A). The finishing profile (10) is suitable for making up a finishing transition between two surfaces (S1; S2), and includes two rigid wings (100; 101) that extend lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis (A), which are spaced from one another and which are intended to be in contact respectively with the two surfaces (S1; S2) to be connected, and a flexible hinge (102) that extends lengthwise parallel to said longitudinal axis (A), which is, at least in part, positioned between the two wings (100; 101), and which connects the two wings to one another while allowing a rotation of the two wings (100; 101) relative to one another in a plane (X, Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A). Said blocking part (P2A) includes an adjusting shim (20a), which extends lengthwise and which, once inserted into a longitudinal groove (103) of the finishing profile, is adapted to block the two wings (100; 101).