Frame Connector Mitre Joint Alignment Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frame connectors for securing mitre joints in frames often result in mis-alignment, unsightly finishes, and inefficiencies due to sequential expansion and access from the outer surface, leading to uneven pressure and potential mis-alignment of frame sections.
Innovation Solution
A frame connector with a first body and a second body having arms extending from a mitre plane, with an actuator applying force in multiple directions within the internal channels of the frame members, allowing for robust and aesthetic securement of frame sections, reducing the risk of mis-alignment and enabling a wider range of applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector is expanded sequentially from the outer surface, then the connector can be accessed and operated, but the pressure exerted on each frame member is not equal resulting in mis-alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The connector expands in multiple directions (not just perpendicular to the frame plane) to apply equal pressure to multiple frame members simultaneously. The arms are arranged to expand toward different frame members, allowing simultaneous contact and equal force distribution across all joined members.
Solution Approach 2:
A single actuator performs the function of expanding multiple arms in different directions simultaneously. This multi-functional actuator replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate actuators, enabling simultaneous expansion and equal pressure application to multiple frame members.
2Device complexity
If the connector expands only perpendicular to the frame plane, then the expansion mechanism is simple, but the abutting surfaces of sections are not aligned resulting in mis-alignments at corners
Solution Approach 1:
The arms of the connector are configured to expand in multiple dimensions rather than solely perpendicular to the frame plane. This multi-directional expansion allows the connector to simultaneously align and secure multiple frame members, ensuring proper alignment of abutting surfaces at mitre joints.
3Ease of manufacture
If access is through a hole in the outer surface, then the connector can be installed, but the hole allows egress of glue or sealant resulting in unsightly finish
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is removed from the frame structure itself and placed on a separate tool. This extraction allows the connector to be actuated from the interior without requiring access holes through the outer frame surfaces, eliminating the pathway for glue or sealant to escape externally.
Solution Approach 2:
A tool serves as an intermediary to transmit the expanding force to the connector. The tool inserts through an interior aperture, acts on the actuator, and transmits force through the connector mechanism, allowing installation and operation without external access holes.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple actuators are used to expand in multiple directions, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple expansion functions that would require separate actuators are merged into a single actuator mechanism. This unified actuator simultaneously controls multiple arms expanding in different directions, achieving precise alignment of multiple frame members while minimizing the number of actuating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform the work of multiple actuators. It simultaneously expands multiple arms in different directions, providing both the precision of multiple actuators and the simplicity of a single actuating mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A frame connector for securing a first frame member to a second frame member, the frame connector comprising a first body having a first pair of arms extending along first and second axes from a origin mitre plane to respective free ends; a second body adjacent to the first body and having a contact surface and a second pair of arms extending from the origin mitre plane to respective free ends, and an actuator secured to the first body and arranged to apply a force to the contact surface in a first direction. The first and second axes are non-colinear and define a first plane. The first direction forms an acute angle to the first plane. The actuator is arranged to displace the first body relative to the second body in the first direction.