Hanging Bracket Screw Locking Against Vibration Loosening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hanging brackets for wall-cupboards experience accidental rotation or loosening of regulation screws due to vibrations from automated assembly tools, leading to incorrect positioning and assembly issues.

Innovation Solution

The hanging bracket incorporates a depth-regulation screw that secures the bracket horizontally, preventing accidental rotation of the height-regulation screw by creating friction through a deformation in the threading, which engages with a nut and arched supports to maintain the bracket's position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a vibrating feeder is used to feed the hanging-bracket to the automatic fixing unit, then the assembly process is automated and productivity is improved, but the vibrations from the feeder cause the regulation screws to rotate or loosen, leading to incorrect positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidscrew position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the bracket in a specific orientation on the vibrating feeder before automation begins. The bracket is initially placed with its regulation screws in a predetermined safe position that prevents vibration-induced rotation, ensuring that even during automated high-speed handling, the screws maintain their correct positioning for subsequent assembly operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of vibrations into a beneficial outcome by designing the fixture or feeder mechanism to utilize vibrational forces in a controlled manner. The vibrations are directed or constrained to produce a consistent, repeatable positioning effect that actually enhances screw stability rather than disrupting it, transforming the previously harmful vibration into a useful positioning mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If manual fixing is used to avoid vibration issues, then screw position stability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to slower assembly speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescrew position stabilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the bracket or fixture with self-positioning features that automatically maintain screw stability without requiring manual intervention. The mechanism includes self-aligning elements or vibration-dampening structures that automatically compensate for vibrational effects, allowing the system to maintain reliability while operating at automated speeds without needing continuous manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket is designed with regulation mechanisms for height and depth adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases due to additional regulation screws

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadjustabilityVSAvoidnumber of regulation mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by combining multiple regulation functions into a single integrated mechanism. Instead of separate independent adjustment systems for height and depth, the design integrates these functions into a unified regulation system where one set of screws or a combined mechanism performs both adjustment tasks, reducing the total number of components while maintaining full adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the regulation screws to serve multiple functions simultaneously. Each regulation screw is engineered to control both height and depth adjustments through a single operation, allowing one component to perform what would traditionally require separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving full adjustability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution ensures that the regulation screws remain in their intended position, facilitating correct and rapid assembly of wall-cupboards by preventing unintended rotation or loosening caused by vibrations, thereby ensuring accurate fixing to the wall and cupboard shoulder.

Implementation Method 1

preventing accidental rotation of the height-regulation screw by creating friction through a deformation in the threading

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2850971B1Process to prevent an accidental rotation of adjustment screws of a hanging bracket
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 LEONARDO
  • EP2850971B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2850971B1 patent drawingFigure 2~8
  • EP2850971B1 patent drawingFigure 6~13

AI summary

A perfected hanging bracket (20) for the assembly of wall-cupboards comprises, in combination: a shaped base (21) on which a bracket (22) is assembled, whose position is adjustable, with the possibility of rotating and translating, said bracket (22) having a hook-shaped end (24) protruding from said base (21), two regulation mechanisms, the first (25) for adjusting the height and a second (26) for adjusting the depth, cooperating with said bracket (22), the first mechanism (25) for regulating the height comprises a lunette (28) guided to slide on the base (21), the lower end of said lunette (28) acting on the bracket (22) whereas the upper end cooperates with a regulation screw (29), the second mechanism (26) for regulating the depth, consists of a regulation screw (33) which acts on the end of the bracket (22) opposite to the hook (24). According to the invention, an undesired accidental rotation (screwing or unscrewing) of said screws (29) and (33) is prevented by completely pulling the bracket (22) against the base (21) by tightening the screw (33), said maneuver compelling the bracket (22) to acquire a horizontal position, the screw (29) cannot therefore be screwed by pushing the lunette (28) and consequently the bracket (22), which is blocked in a horizontal position by the tightening of the screw (33) and cannot be unscrewed as, thanks to a deformation (d) in its threading, it creates friction with the rotation which prevents this.