Flat Dowel Biscuit Design for Variable Slot Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat dowels are difficult to produce, not cost-effective, and their dimensions are not variable, making them challenging to securely attach to walls or materials regardless of the slot geometry, and they lack ease of assembly and secure holding of mounted elements.
Innovation Solution
A biscuit design comprising two spaced elements with a central part that allows relative mobility, forming a unit with positive and non-positive interactions, enabling secure clamping in slots of varying geometry, and facilitating easy assembly and secure attachment to walls or materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing flat dowel designs are used, then manufacturing complexity and cost increase, but production simplicity and cost-effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The flat dowel is divided into two separate elements (first element and second element) that can be manufactured independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each element to be produced using simpler, more cost-effective processes while maintaining the overall functionality of the dowel system.
Solution Approach 2:
The central part is inserted between the two spaced elements, creating a nested structure where the central part fits within the space defined by the elements. This nesting approach allows compact assembly while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each individual component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-dimension dowels are used, then standardization is achieved, but adaptability to different slot geometries decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flat dowel transitions from a rigid, fixed-dimension component to a dynamic system where the central part can move relative to the two elements. This movement capability allows the dowel to adapt its configuration to fit different slot geometries while maintaining manufacturing precision for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The dowel design with movable central part and two spaced elements creates a universal fastening solution that can accommodate various slot geometries and applications, replacing the need for multiple fixed-dimension dowel variants.
3Ease of operation
If simple dowel structures are used, then manufacturing cost decreases, but assembly ease and secure holding capability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The two elements are designed with predetermined interaction features (positive and non-positive interactions) that guide the assembly process. The central part is pre-configured to move between the elements during assembly, ensuring proper positioning and secure holding without requiring complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The dowel structure utilizes self-aligning features where the central part automatically positions itself between the two elements through the predetermined interaction mechanisms, reducing the need for precise manual positioning or additional assembly tools.
Data Source
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AI summary
A flat dowel (1) and a method for attaching a flat dowel (19) in a wall (42) are disclosed. The flat dowel (1) consists of a central part (8) and two spaced-apart elements (21, 22) between which the central part (8) is arranged. Each of the two elements (21, 22) has a first end (4) and a second end (6). The two elements (21, 22) define an inner side surface (21) and an outer side surface (22), each having a topology (25). The central part (8) defines a first side surface (81) and a second side surface (82). The first side surface (81) and the second side surface (82) each have a topology (85). The middle part (8) and the two elements (21, 22) interact in a form-fit and force-fit manner, whereby the middle part (8) nevertheless has a relative mobility between the first end (4) and the second end (6) of the two elements (21, 22).