Door Leaf Snap-Fastening Retaining Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door leaf designs for house entrance doors, particularly those with sandwich constructions, face challenges in cost-effectiveness, assembly complexity, and visual appeal due to the need for additional screwing and adhesive bonding, which can lead to increased production costs and potential stability issues over time.
Innovation Solution
The integration of resilient, spring-loaded retaining elements with a U-shaped cross-section between the door leaf frame and panel, allowing for a snap connection that eliminates the need for screws and provides a secure, invisible attachment, using a spring tongue for easy fixation and an actuating lug for easy disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If angle elements are screwed to the door leaf frame and door panel for additional attachment, then the stability and reliability of the connection is improved, but the assembly time and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the fastening function from complex screw connections and concentrates it into simple retaining elements with holding legs that engage with recesses. The retaining element is inserted as a complete unit, eliminating the need for separate screw fastening operations while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element performs self-fastening through its design: the flexible connecting web allows the holding legs to deform during insertion and then snap into the recesses automatically, creating a self-securing connection without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly tools.
2Reliability
If multiple retaining elements are arranged between the door leaf frame and door panel for secure positioning, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple fastening functions into a single retaining element. Each retaining element simultaneously provides positioning, securing, and stabilization functions through its two holding legs and flexible connecting web, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and reducing the overall number of components required.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining element is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple tasks: the holding legs provide mechanical retention, the flexible connecting web enables deformation and energy absorption, and the overall structure provides both positioning and securing functions in a single element, replacing what would traditionally require multiple different components.
3Strength
If the door panel is screwed to the door leaf frame for secure attachment, then the connection strength is improved, but the visual appeal is reduced due to visible fastening elements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the visible fastening elements (screws) from the exterior view by using retaining elements that are inserted into recesses and secured from the inside. The holding legs engage with recesses on the door panel and door leaf frame, providing strong attachment while remaining hidden, thus maintaining visual appeal.
4Ease of manufacture
If adhesive bonding is used to fix the door panel to the door leaf frame, then the assembly process is simplified, but the reliability decreases due to adhesion loosening over time
Solution Approach 1:
The solution combines mechanical retention (retaining elements with holding legs) and chemical bonding (adhesive layer) to create a composite fastening system. The adhesive provides initial bonding and fills gaps, while the retaining elements provide long-term mechanical retention and resistance to loosening, creating a synergistic connection that maintains both ease of assembly and long-term reliability.
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
This solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces production costs, enhances visual appeal by hiding the fastening elements, and ensures long-term stability without damaging the door components during panel replacement.
Implementation Method 1
Due to their spring action, the spring-loaded retaining elements ensure a so-called snap connection between the door leaf frame and the door panel
Implementation Method 2
The cross-sectional configuration of the retaining legs and the connecting web is designed in such a way that the shape of the overall construction of the retaining element can be changed, with at least the connecting web being designed to be flexible
Data Source
AI summary
The door leaf has an insulating board arranged between an external plate and an internal cover plate. The external plate directly or indirectly overlies and fixes an outer surface of a door leaf frame (1) at an outer side of the door leaf frame in an overlapping manner. Multiple springy retaining elements (12) are arranged between the door leaf frame and a door plate (2) for position-securing the door plate on the door leaf frame. Each retaining element includes a connection bridge coupling two retaining side pieces (13, 14).