Enclosed Slide Sections With Flanges And Clamp Rings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Assembling enclosed slides for recreational use is time-consuming and requires trial and error due to the complexity of segment identification and positioning.
Innovation Solution
The design includes elongate sections with flanges and clamp rings that align and secure together using notched edges and locking mechanisms, along with indicators for precise positioning, facilitating faster assembly by ensuring accurate alignment and secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If segments are assembled at the site to provide a slide bed with curves and slopes, then the slide can be customized to desired configurations, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and painstaking
Solution Approach 1:
The sections are pre-configured with flanges and alignment features during manufacturing, so that during assembly the sections can be quickly connected in the correct positions without requiring trial and error. The flanges extend outwardly from the bodies at predetermined positions, enabling direct placement and connection.
Solution Approach 2:
Clamp rings serve as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between adjacent sections. The clamp rings have holes that align with flange holes when sections are in correct positions, providing a simple mechanism for securing sections together without complex fastening procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If segments are assembled at the site with identification and positioning, then the slide can be constructed from separate components, but the process involves trial and error and is painstaking
Solution Approach 1:
The flanges are positioned asymmetrically on the sections, with each flange located at specific positions on the section bodies. This asymmetric positioning ensures that sections can only be assembled in the correct orientation, eliminating trial and error during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment and connection mechanism replaces complex mechanical identification and positioning systems with simple geometric features. The flanges and clamp rings create a straightforward mechanical interface where alignment is achieved through the natural geometry of the components rather than requiring active identification procedures.
3Reliability
If sections are connected with flanges and clamp rings, then secure fastening is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flanges serve multiple functions: they extend outwardly from the section bodies to provide connection surfaces, their positions are predetermined to ensure correct assembly configuration, and they work with clamp rings to provide both alignment and securing functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment features and fastening mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp rings nest around the flanges of adjacent sections, with the flanges positioned to be received by the clamp rings. This nested arrangement provides a compact and simple connection system where the securing mechanism is integrated with the alignment features rather than being separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosed slide including a number of elongate sections, each section extending between first and second ends thereof, the sections being fastened together in abutting end-to-end relations respectively in a predetermined configuration in which selected pairs of the sections are positioned end-to-end in preselected positions. Each section has a body defining at least a part of a slide bed, and one or more flanges extending outwardly from the body. The flanges positioned at each abutting end of the sections in each selected pair are a pair of flanges positionable adjacent to each other. The enclosed slide also includes a number of clamp rings adapted for securing the adjacent flanges to each other respectively, and a number of fasteners at least partially positionable in flange holes and in the clamp ring holes upon alignment thereof, to at least partially fasten the clamp rings to the adjacent flanges at least partially therein.