Fencing Anchoring Assembly With Elastic Tabs for Hygienic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anchoring systems for industrial enclosures are inefficient for assembly and disassembly, prone to accidental detachment, and not suitable for hygienic environments due to high contact surfaces and potential bacterial contamination.
Innovation Solution
A modular anchoring assembly featuring a pin with elastic tabs and a clamp system that securely attaches to posts, using a threaded stem for locking, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly while minimizing contact surfaces for hygiene and requiring tool use for activation/deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional anchoring elements are used, then the assembly operations can be performed, but the assembly and disassembly operations are time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring assembly is divided into distinct modular components: a pin with head and shank, elastic tabs integrated with the shank, a clamp with jaws, and a threaded stem. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables rapid assembly through simple sequential engagement of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tabs are pre-configured in a deformed state that allows automatic engagement with the post hole. When the pin is inserted, the tabs automatically deform and then return to their original shape, creating immediate mechanical interlocking without requiring additional fastening steps.
2Reliability
If conventional anchoring elements are used, then the fencing can be assembled, but the anchoring elements can accidentally detach during installation or use
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic tabs are designed to deform beforehand during insertion and then spring back to create a cushioning effect that locks the pin in place. This pre-configured elastic deformation provides a safety mechanism that prevents accidental detachment by creating mechanical interference fit between the pin and post hole.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic tabs act as an intermediary element between the pin and the post hole. They mediate the connection by deforming to allow insertion and then recovering to create a secure mechanical lock, preventing direct contact and potential detachment between the rigid pin and post components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional anchoring elements are used, then the fencing can be assembled, but the anchoring elements are not suitable for hygienic environments due to high contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts and eliminates unnecessary contact surfaces by using a minimal-component anchoring mechanism. The pin passes through the post with tabs engaging the hole, and the clamp secures the screen wire, creating connections with minimal surface contact areas that are easier to clean and less prone to bacterial accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surfaces are localized to specific functional areas: the pin head against the post, the tabs within the post hole, the clamp jaws gripping the wire, and the stem threads. This localization minimizes overall contact surface area and concentrates cleaning efforts on discrete, easily accessible points rather than extensive horizontal surfaces.
4Reliability
If conventional anchoring elements are used, then the fencing can be assembled, but tool-free operation is required which reduces security and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The manual tool-free engagement mechanism is replaced with a threaded stem that requires a tool for rotation and tightening. This substitution provides more secure and reliable anchoring through threaded mechanical fastening while still maintaining ease of operation with common tools.
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 anchoring assembly facilitates rapid and secure assembly of enclosures, reduces the risk of component loss, and is suitable for hygienic environments by minimizing contact surfaces and requiring tool use for operation, enhancing reliability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
tabs (5) which can be deformed elastically between a non-deformed configuration, in which they protrude from the lateral surface of the end portion of the shank (4), and at least one deformed configuration, in which they are kept inside the transverse space occupation of the shank (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
An anchoring assembly for enclosures (100) that comprise at least one laminar screen (101), which has at least one rigid wire (101a), and at least one post (102), for supporting the screen (101) with vertical orientation. T he assembly comprises at least one pin (2) provided with a head (3) and with a shank (4), the shank (4) being configured to be inserted into a hole (102a) in the post (102). The assembly (1) further comprises at least one clamp that comprises a recess (8) which is configured to receive the shank (4) with interference. The rigid wire (101a) can be clamped in the clamp. The assembly (1) also comprises at least one at least partially threaded stem (9), which can be screwed into a female thread which is provided inside the pin (2), with consequent mutual tightening of the clamp.