Levelling Spacer Device with Lockable Separator Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing levelling spacer devices for laying tiles are less handy to use due to their elastic material causing the separator element to return to a storage position, resulting in irregular spacing between tiles, which complicates the positioning of adjacent tiles.
Innovation Solution
A levelling spacer device with a mobile separator element that can be locked in a work position using blocking means, such as an abutting shelf and hooking element, preventing spontaneous return to the storage position, allowing for precise tile positioning and easy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the separator element is made mobile between storage and work positions to reduce storage volume, then storage and transport costs are reduced, but the separator element spontaneously returns toward the storage position due to material elasticity, causing irregular tile spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is designed to be mobile between storage and work positions, transitioning from a coplanar state to a perpendicular state relative to the base. This dynamic configuration allows the device to reduce its storage volume while maintaining functionality during use, directly addressing the volume reduction benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The intrinsic elasticity of the material, which causes the separator element to spontaneously return toward the storage position, is converted into a beneficial feature. The element is designed to spontaneously return to a predetermined work position after being deformed during tile laying, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms and simplifying the device structure while ensuring consistent tile spacing.
2Volume of moving object
If the separator element is made mobile to enable space-saving storage, then storage efficiency improves, but the device becomes less handy to use for personnel doing the laying
Solution Approach 1:
The separator element is designed to automatically return to its predetermined work position through its inherent elastic properties, without requiring manual intervention or complex locking mechanisms. This self-service characteristic simplifies operation for personnel while maintaining the mobile configuration for space-saving storage.
3Productivity
If the separator element is allowed to move freely between positions, then storage and transport become more efficient, but exact positioning of tiles is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic properties of the material, which could cause positioning instability, are harnessed to ensure the separator element consistently returns to a predetermined work position. This converts the potential harm of free movement into a benefit, where the element's elasticity ensures repeatable, precise positioning for exact tile placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element's spontaneous return to a predetermined position due to material elasticity acts as a self-correcting mechanism. After being deformed during the tile laying process, the element naturally returns to its original configuration, providing feedback that ensures consistent spacing and positioning accuracy without requiring external control systems.
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 device reduces storage and transport costs while providing a more efficient and user-friendly solution for laying tiles with precise spacing, ensuring regular gaps between tiles.
Implementation Method 1
a hooking element solidly constrained to the other of the separator element and the base, so as to prevent the spontaneous return of the separator element towards the storage position
Data Source
AI summary
A levelling spacer device (10) for laying slab products (P) for cladding surfaces, which device (10) comprises a base (20), positionable on a backside of a laying surface of at least two slab products (P) that are adjacent and flanked with respect to a flanking direction (A), at least a separator element (30) emerging from the base (20), able to contact the facing flanks of the two slab products (P), and mobile between a storage position in which it lies substantially parallel to the base (20) and a work position in which it emerges substantially perpendicular to the base (20); the peculiarity of the device consisting in the fact of comprising blocking means (250, 311) of the separator element (30) in the work position.