Housing with a flange corner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flange corner designs require complex manufacturing processes and additional fastening methods to achieve stability, as the corner angle formed in one piece cannot be inserted into fully formed hollow profiles, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity in assembly.

Innovation Solution

The corner bracket is designed with insertion openings that allow uniform insertion parallel to the flange plane, enabling engagement parts to fill openings in fully formed flanges, providing stability without additional fastening means, and can be further secured through gluing, welding, or sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the corner bracket is formed in one piece and the hollow profiles of the flanges are already completely formed, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the corner bracket cannot be inserted into the hollow profiles because the legs are oriented at right angles to one another

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidinsertability of corner bracket
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corner bracket is divided into two separate parts: a first corner bracket part insertable into the first hollow profile, and a second corner bracket part insertable into the second hollow profile. This segmentation allows each part to be independently inserted into the pre-formed hollow profiles without requiring complex process modifications, while still achieving a stable corner connection when both parts are in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the corner bracket is formed in two parts to enable insertion into hollow profiles, then insertability is improved, but additional fastening methods such as screws, adhesives or welding are required to achieve sufficient stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability of corner bracketVSAvoidnumber of parts and connection points
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second corner bracket parts are connected to each other through a corner connection element that integrates both connection functions. This merging approach reduces the number of separate connection points and fastening operations required, as the corner connection element simultaneously secures both bracket parts to their respective hollow profiles and to each other, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the corner bracket is formed in two parts, then insertability into hollow profiles is achieved, but the joint between the two parts may have to be sealed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertability of corner bracketVSAvoidsealing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The corner connection element is designed to automatically provide sealing functionality as part of its primary connection function. The structural design of the corner connection element creates form-fitting connections that inherently prevent gaps or leakage paths between the two corner bracket parts and the hollow profiles, eliminating the need for separate sealing measures while maintaining insertability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design allows for a stable and efficient assembly of flange corners with already fully formed hollow profiles, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing sealing capabilities without additional fastening means, achieving a form-fitting seat through elastic deformation.

Implementation Method 1

achieving a form-fitting seat through elastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3719410B1Housing with a flange corner
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 WILDEBOER BAUTEILE
  • EP3719410B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3719410B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3719410B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Flange corner on a housing (10) with two walls (12) converging at an edge (14), each of which has a flange (16, 18) forming a hollow profile extending in its longitudinal direction, projecting such that the flanges lie in one plane and converge at a corner of the housing, forming a gap (22) there, and with a corner angle (24) formed in one piece and which can be engaged with both flanges (16, 18) in such a way that it fills the gap (22), characterized in that each of the flanges (16, 18) has at least one opening (50, 52) leading into the interior of the hollow profile, that at least one (50) of these openings is an insertion opening which allows the corner angle to be inserted into the flanges in a uniform insertion direction (A) parallel to the plane of the flanges, and that the corner angle has two engagement parts (54, 56),one of which (54) can be inserted into the insertion opening of one flange (16) by moving the corner angle in the insertion direction (A) and the other, when inserted, fills the opening (52) of the other flange (18).