Detachable Pin Joint for Timber Wall and Roof Element Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connections for wall, ceiling, or roof elements in timber construction, such as dovetail joints and metal connectors, are costly to produce, complex to manufacture, and difficult to assemble, especially for large-area components, and offer limited freedom of movement during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A wall, ceiling, or roof element connection featuring a pin with a widening outer contour on one component and a corresponding pocket or groove on another, with a detachable screw or pin connection, allowing for easy alignment and adjustment, and made from materials like wood, plastic, or metal, enabling simple and cost-effective assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dovetail joints are used to connect wooden components, then tensile forces can be transmitted and connection stability is improved, but production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate components: a pin (spigot) that can be detached and a pocket (groove) that is integrated into the wooden component. This segmentation allows the pin to be manufactured separately and attached only when needed, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection stability through the specialized dovetail geometry of the pin-pocket interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pin acts as an intermediary element between two wooden components. Instead of directly creating complex dovetail joints between large components, the pin serves as a mediating connector with the pre-formed dovetail geometry, simplifying the manufacturing process while enabling stable force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If metal connectors are used to connect wall elements, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity increases and assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidconnector complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is made from the same wood material as the components it connects, creating a homogeneous connection system. This eliminates the need for complex metal connectors and their associated hardware (screws, washers, brackets), simplifying the overall device while maintaining sufficient connection strength through the wood-to-wood dovetail interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fixed connections are used, then structural stability is improved, but assembly flexibility and freedom of movement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system transitions from a fixed, permanent joint to a dynamic, detachable connection. The pin can be removed and reattached, allowing the structure to be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured as needed. This dynamic capability provides assembly flexibility while the dovetail geometry of the pin-pocket interface ensures structural stability when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If pins are permanently attached to components, then connection reliability is improved, but assembly time and repositioning capability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is pre-formed with the dovetail geometry and attachment features before being brought to the assembly site. This preliminary preparation allows for quick attachment to the wooden component using simple fastening methods, reducing on-site assembly time while maintaining connection reliability through the pre-engineered dovetail interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4081686B1Wall, ceiling or roof element connection
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 BUHL STEFAN
  • EP4081686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4081686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4081686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wall element joint, ceiling element joint or roof element joint for joining rod-type, bar-type or plate-type wooden components (1, 2), which joint comprises: a pin (3) that is located on the first wooden component (1) and has an outer contour widening in the direction of the second wooden component (2); a pocket or groove (4) that is located directly on the second wooden component (2) and has an insertion region (5) for inserting the pin (3); and a retaining region (6) having an inner contour which matches the outer contour of the pin (3) and widens inwardly, which retaining region is intended for retaining the pin (3). According to the invention, the pin (3) is fastened to the first wooden component (1) via a releasable connection (15).