Magnetic Piston Alignment for Easier Board Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembling devices, such as wooden plugs, often struggle with alignment issues and user difficulty in insertion, leading to misalignment and potential damage to the boards due to tolerance problems.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a hollow first unit with a moveable piston and a magnetically activated second unit, where the piston automatically extends into the second unit's cavity when the parts are correctly aligned, providing a clicking sound for confirmation and ensuring proper alignment without manual handling of plugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a wooden plug is used for assembling, then alignment stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in insertion and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The piston unit automatically extends and retracts without user intervention. The spring-loaded piston is activated by the magnetic field from the activator part, causing it to extend automatically when the parts are brought together, eliminating the need for manual insertion while maintaining alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical insertion process is replaced by a magnetic field-based activation system. The permanent magnet in the activator part generates a magnetic field that acts on the ferromagnetic piston, causing it to extend automatically, thereby replacing the need for manual mechanical handling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a wooden plug is used for assembling, then alignment stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to manual handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The piston unit is designed to activate itself through magnetic interaction. The spring-loaded mechanism combined with the ferromagnetic piston creates a self-activating system that extends and retracts automatically, eliminating complex manual handling operations while maintaining the alignment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex manual handling operations are replaced by a simplified magnetic field-based system. The permanent magnet and ferromagnetic piston interaction provides automatic activation, reducing the operational complexity while maintaining the alignment stability function.
3Manufacturing precision
If tolerance is reduced for better alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by using a spring-loaded piston that can extend and retract, combined with magnetic field interaction. This allows for tolerance compensation during assembly while maintaining precise final alignment, making manufacturing easier without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is pre-loaded with a spring that prepares it for automatic extension. This preliminary action allows the system to accommodate manufacturing tolerances during assembly, as the piston can extend to bridge small gaps or misalignments automatically when the magnetic field is activated.
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
Facilitates easier assembly by ensuring correct alignment and stability between parts, reducing the need for manual alignment and providing a clear auditory feedback for correct assembly, while maintaining stability through the magnetic interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The second unit comprises an activator part that interacts magnetically with the piston such that the piston automatically moves to the extended position
Implementation Method 2
A spring may be arranged to urge the piston towards the retracted position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for facilitating assembling of a product involving attaching a first surface (5), of a first part, to a second surface (7), of a second part. The device comprises a first unit (9) intended to be embedded in the first surface and a second unit (11) unit intended to be embedded in the second surface, and having a cavity that is open at the second surface. The first unit comprises a piston (17), which is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, where the piston extends out of the first unit. The second unit comprises an activator part that interacts magnetically with the piston such that the piston moves to the extended position, extending into the cavity, when the first and second surfaces are in contact and the first and second openings are aligned.