Fixing Device With Removable Spacer For Window Profile Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing fixing devices for window frames require a cumbersome and error-prone process to join profiles, involving the removal and reinsertion of screws, which can lead to loss and partial unscrewing issues due to the short stem length, making the assembly long and complicated.

Innovation Solution

A fixing device with a removable spacer that allows the upper edge of the profile to be inserted between the screw head and wing without unscrewing the screws, utilizing a knurled surface to prevent accidental unscrewing and incorporating a malleable spacer to facilitate easy installation by rubbing against the screw head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws are pre-screwed into the threaded holes of the fixing device, then the screws are protected from loss, but the profiles cannot be properly installed because the screw stems are too short to clear the profile base

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew retentionVSAvoidprofile installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing device is divided into separate components: the fixing device body with threaded holes, and separate screw elements. This allows the threaded holes to be prepared in advance while the screws remain detached until installation time, resolving the conflict between protecting screws from loss and enabling proper profile installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded holes are prepared in advance in the fixing device wings, but the screws are not fully installed. This preliminary preparation allows the fixing device to be ready for assembly while avoiding the problem of short screw stems interfering with the profile base during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If screws are unscrewed and removed from the threaded holes to insert the wings in the profile channels, then the profile installation can proceed, but the screws may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile installationVSAvoidscrew retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The screws are extracted or removed from the threaded holes before inserting the fixing device wings into the profile channels. This extraction allows the wings to be properly installed in the narrow channels without the screws interfering, while the screws are kept in a controlled environment to prevent loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The screws are removed in advance before the wing insertion operation. This preliminary removal of screws allows the wings to be freely inserted into the profile channels, and the screws can then be reinstalled in a controlled manner afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the screw stem is made very short to avoid interfering with the profile base, then the screw can be screwed in without removal, but the screw cannot be partially unscrewed for adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew installationVSAvoidscrew adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screw stem is made short (partial action) to avoid interfering with the profile base during installation. This short stem length is sufficient for the primary function of securing the profile but intentionally limited to prevent adjustment operations, which would require a longer stem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The screw stem has a specific local quality of being very short, which is appropriate for its location and function in preventing interference with the profile base. This localized shortness is deliberately designed to eliminate adjustment capability in that specific application context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If the fixing device uses a complex assembly process with multiple steps, then the profiles can be securely joined, but the assembly time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprofile joining securityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded holes are prepared in advance in the fixing device wings before assembly. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for drilling and threading operations during the actual assembly process, significantly reducing assembly time while maintaining secure joining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly process is segmented into distinct steps: preparing the fixing device with pre-drilled holes, inserting the wings into profile channels, and then installing screws. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the easy and reliable joining of profiles without removing screws from threaded holes, preventing loss and ensuring secure locking, thus simplifying the assembly process and enhancing installation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The screw (4) comprises a knurled surface (43) ... in such manner to come in contact with the wing (10, 11) of the fixing device, in such a way to prevent the screw (4) from being accidentally unscrewed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a malleable spacer to facilitate easy installation by rubbing against the screw head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3284893B1Improved fixing device
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 L M DEI F LLI MONTICELLI SPA
  • EP3284893B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284893B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3284893B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A fixing device (1) comprises: a first wing (10) inserted in a first profile (2), a second wing (11) inserted in a second profile (3); a threaded hole (5) obtained on each wing (10, 11); a screw (4) comprising a stem (40) screwed in the threaded hole (5), and a head (41) that tightens an upper edge (23, 33) of a profile (2, 3), a removable spacer (6) forming a space (G) between the head (41) of the screw (4) and the wind (10, 11); the space (G) receives the upper edge (23, 33) of the profile, without having to remove the screw (4) from the threaded hole (5) of the fixing device (1); the removable spacer (6) is removed by rubbing the head (41) of the screw (4) against the removable spacer (6) when screwing the screw (4) in the threaded hole (5).