Greenhouse Mounting Element for Rod Beam Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for mounting supporting beams and rods, such as in greenhouses, are cumbersome to assemble due to the need to lift and align rods precisely with gutter profiles, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A mounting element with a retaining portion, comprising a hook and a bottom portion, is designed to lock onto the supporting beam in both longitudinal and transverse directions, allowing the rod to be placed at a predefined position without lifting, facilitating assembly by enabling the rod to be slid into place and secured with a screw or alternative fixing means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rod is directly mounted to the gutter profile without a retaining portion, then the assembly structure is simpler, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome requiring precise lifting and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidmounting element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element is pre-positioned on the gutter profile with the retaining portion extending beyond the gutter profile edge before the rod is placed. This preliminary positioning creates a predefined location that guides the rod into place, eliminating the need for precise lifting and alignment during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining portion acts as an intermediary element between the gutter profile and the rod. It provides a reference surface that the rod can rest against, facilitating easy positioning without requiring direct precise alignment between the rod and gutter profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the rod must be precisely aligned with the gutter profile during assembly, then the mounting position is more accurate, but the assembly time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod positioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element with its retaining portion is installed first, establishing the precise position in advance. The rod is then simply placed against the retaining portion, which maintains positioning accuracy while dramatically reducing assembly time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the mounting element locks only in one direction, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but the security of the rod mounting is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverod locking securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element combines multiple locking functions into a single integrated component. The projection locks the mounting element to the gutter profile in one direction, while the hook locks it in the opposite direction, providing secure bidirectional locking through a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3871491B1A mounting element and a system for mounting a supporting beam and a rod to each other
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 BOAL SYSTEMEN BV
  • EP3871491B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3871491B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3871491B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system for mounting a supporting beam (2) and a rod (4) to each other, such as in a roof (1) of a greenhouse, comprises a supporting beam (2), a rod (4) which is mountable to the supporting beam (2) such that in a mounted condition the rod (4) is supported by the supporting beam (2) and extends transversely with respect to the supporting beam (2), and a mounting element (5) which is attachable to the rod (4) in a predefined mutual position of the rod (4) and the mounting element (5). The mounting element (5) is lockable to the supporting beam (2) in longitudinal direction of the supporting beam (2) and in transverse direction of the supporting beam (2) at least in a direction away therefrom. The mounting element (5) comprises a retaining portion (9) for retaining the rod (4) with respect to the mounting element (5) in longitudinal direction of the supporting beam (2) when the mounting element (5) is locked to the supporting beam (2) and the mounting element (5) and the rod (4) are in a non-attached condition in said predefined mutual position.