Fence Panel Coupling Seats for Welding Tubular Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temporary fence panels for construction sites are laborious, expensive, and require specific equipment to connect tubular frames with different diameters, making them difficult and costly to manufacture and assemble.
Innovation Solution
A temporary fence panel design featuring a metal tubular frame with plastically deformed ends of crosspieces that form concave semicylindrical coupling seats, allowing for easy and secure welding to uprights without needing specialized equipment, regardless of the diameter, and a method for manufacturing this panel using a specific die and press process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If tubes of different diameters are used for uprights and crosspieces, then the connection geometry is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to requiring specific equipment and procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the crosspiece ends by creating semicylindrical seats that match the external diameter of the uprights. This allows tubes of the same diameter to be used for both uprights and crosspieces, eliminating the need for different diameter tubes and the complex equipment required to join them.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting the crosspiece into the upright (as in conventional designs), the patent inverts the approach by having the crosspiece ends receive the uprights through semicylindrical seats. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process and allows for easier welding without specialized equipment.
2Ease of operation
If semicylindrical seats are shaped on crosspiece ends, then the ease of connection is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase due to additional shaping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The semicylindrical seats are pre-formed on the crosspiece ends during the manufacturing process. This preliminary action allows for quick and easy connection during assembly, as the seats are already prepared to receive the uprights without requiring additional field operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical connection systems (such as bolts, pins, or specialized clamping equipment) with a simple welding process. The semicylindrical seats provide the necessary geometric guidance, and welding provides the structural connection, eliminating the need for elaborate mechanical fastening systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized equipment is used to maintain orthogonality during welding, then the connection precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The semicylindrical seats create a geometric relationship between the crosspiece and upright that naturally maintains orthogonality. The curved surface of the seat provides a reference that guides the upright into the correct position, eliminating the need for external equipment to enforce the orthogonal relationship during welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The crosspiece ends are designed to self-align with the uprights through the semicylindrical seats. The geometry of the seats automatically positions the components correctly, allowing the structure to self-regulate its alignment without requiring external measurement or positioning equipment.
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 solution simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces costs, and enables quick assembly and disassembly of the fence panels, ensuring a strong and reliable connection without the need for specialized equipment, allowing for efficient use of tubular elements with the same or different diameters.
Implementation Method 1
opposite ends of at least one crosspiece provided with coupling seats shaped so as to receive and abut an external wall of an upright to which they are fixed, and allowing said crosspiece to be fixed almost orthogonally to said upright
Implementation Method 2
said coupling seats being shaped by plastically deforming said ends of the crosspiece
Implementation Method 3
opposite ends of at least one crosspiece provided with coupling seats shaped so as to receive and abut an external wall of an upright to which they are fixed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 4~10
AI summary
A temporary fence panel (1) for construction sites comprises a metal tubular frame (2) and a separating element (3; 30) fixed to the frame (2); the frame (2) comprises a pair of uprights (4) and a pair of crosspieces (5, 15) at least one of which having opposite ends (6) fixed to said uprights (4) by welding; each end (6) of the crosspiece (5) comprises a first portion (8) that is flattened and in which a coupling seat (7) is shaped so as to receive and abut an external wall (14) of the respective upright (4), a second portion (9) that is flattened and a third portion (10) that is tapered and associated to a central body (11) of the crosspiece (5; 25); the second portion (9) is interposed between the first portion (8) and the third portion (10).