Leaf Spring Connecting Element for Protective Cover Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting elements for protective covers on machine tools are expensive to produce and lack design variability, requiring additional stabilization elements and being difficult to quickly assemble or disassemble.
Innovation Solution
A connecting element made from a flat blank with fastening sections that form a leaf spring design, incorporating a coupling element to provide tension and ensure secure, space-saving attachment, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly without additional stabilization elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connecting elements are produced by injection molding, then functional connection and stabilization are achieved, but production costs increase and design variability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive injection-molded connecting elements with simple metal clips that can be produced cost-effectively through bending processes. These clips are designed to be inexpensive components that fulfill the connection function without requiring complex manufacturing processes, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining adequate functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the manufacturing approach from injection molding to metal bending processes, altering the production parameters and methods. This allows for greater design variability in dimensions and configurations while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as metal clips can be easily adjusted and modified through bending operations rather than requiring new injection molds.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional stabilization elements are added, then lateral and longitudinal stabilization is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function and stabilization function into a single integrated metal clip component. The clip's geometry and bending configuration provide both the lateral and longitudinal stabilization needed for protective cover segments, eliminating the need for separate stabilization elements and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal clip is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides connection, lateral stabilization, and longitudinal stabilization. By making the clip universal in its functionality, the patent reduces the total number of components needed while ensuring all necessary stabilization functions are achieved through a single element.
3Stability of the object's composition
If connecting elements require additional stabilization elements, then necessary stabilization is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (connection and stabilization) into a single metal clip component, which reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled. This integration allows for quicker assembly since fewer components need to be handled and positioned, while still achieving the necessary segment stabilization through the clip's designed geometry and elastic properties.
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
The solution enables cost-effective production, ensures secure connection and stabilization of protective cover segments, and allows for easy addition, removal, or replacement of segments, enhancing assembly flexibility and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element is preferably designed in such a way that it is pressed together when the ends of the fastening sections are brought together and thus builds up a tension which leads to the fastening sections being pressed apart.
Implementation Method 2
builds up a tension which leads to the fastening sections being pressed apart
Implementation Method 3
leaf spring elements are provided for this purpose, which are introduced between two adjacent segments of the protective cover and ensure that the individual segments are damped when the protective cover is pulled together
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The connecting element (1) has fastening sections (2a, 2b) arranged in parallel and in opposite for fastening to segments of a protective cover. The fastening sections are connected with each other by a coupling element (4). End sections (3a, 3b) of the sections are combinable or combined to an end area (3). The element (4) is formed such that the element (4) holds the fastening sections at distance during the combining process. Each fastening section is provided with fastening elements and/or fastening recesses. A bar is attached at the element (4) and is connected with the end area. An independent claim is also included for a protective cover comprising sections.