Interlocking Metal Profile Joint With Z-Direction Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing profile composites face challenges in maintaining a secure, waterproof, and high-strength connection between metal profiles during cold joining, particularly with the risk of displacement and inadequate sealing under increased joining forces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of additional locking elements that complement the clamping structures, allowing for positive engagement in the z-direction and enhanced interlocking mechanisms to prevent relative movement and ensure a metallic seal, thereby enabling higher joining forces without displacement and achieving media-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional locking elements are introduced to prevent displacement and enhance sealing, then mechanical load capacity and media-tightness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are integrated into the profile geometry itself, merging the locking function with the profile structure. The first profile includes locking protrusions on its clamping surface, while the second profile includes corresponding locking recesses, eliminating the need for separate locking components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced mechanical load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: locking protrusions for engagement, clamping regions for force application, and sealing surfaces for media-tightness. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional locking elements are introduced to prevent displacement, then connection stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking elements are formed as integral parts of the profile extrusion process. The locking protrusions and recesses are incorporated into the profile geometry during manufacturing, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps or assembly operations, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced connection stability.
3Strength
If higher joining forces are applied during cold joining, then profile connection strength is improved, but risk of unintended displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions and recesses are designed to engage before the main clamping force is applied during cold joining. This preliminary engagement establishes proper profile alignment and prevents unintended displacement during the subsequent application of higher joining forces, ensuring both connection strength and profile stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking elements provide a counteracting force that prevents displacement in the direction opposite to the applied joining force. The interlocking geometry of the protrusions and recesses creates mechanical resistance against unintended movement, allowing higher joining forces to be applied safely without compromising profile alignment.
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 provides a profile composite with improved mechanical load capacity and media-tightness without additional means, ensuring secure and stable connections under higher forces while preventing unintended profile displacement and enhancing sealing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
both profiles having complementary clamping structures on their mutually facing longitudinal sides for cold joining the two profiles by means of a joining force acting in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
The hook projection is bent into the undercut provided by the anchoring channel, engaging within this channel
Implementation Method 3
the two profiles connected to each other by cold joining are positively engaged with each other in the vertical direction by means of additional locking elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A description is given of an interconnected-profile arrangement (1) produced from a first profile (3) and a second profile (2) made of metal, the latter being connected to the former on the longitudinal sides by cold joining, which two profiles (2, 3) bear complementary interlocking structures on their mutually facing longitudinal sides for the cold joining of the two profiles (2, 3), wherein the first profile (3) has an interlocking structure in the form of an interlocking head (8), which is formed on a web (12) and, by having a greater extent in the transverse direction (y direction) of the profile in comparison with that of the web (12), forms a respective undercut on both sides of the web (12), and the complementary interlocking structure of the second profile (2) has an interlocking-head receptacle (24) for receiving a portion of the interlocking head (8) of the first profile (3) and also has an integrally formed engaging limb (11) having a first profile arm (21), which is in a projecting state prior to the cold-joining operation, and having a second profile arm (22), which is formed at an angle on the first profile arm and the free end of which is intended for engaging behind the interlocking head (8), wherein, in the cold-joined interconnected-profile arrangement (1), the free end of the engaging limb (11) has been pressed into the interlocking pocket (9), engaging behind the interlocking head (8) of the other profile (3). This interconnected-profile arrangement is characterized in that the first profile (3), which bears the interlocking head (8), has a first locking member (20) on its side which faces the second profile (2) and is in contact therewith and the second profile (2) has at a corresponding location a complementary, second locking member (25), which is engaged with the first locking member (20), the two profiles (2, 3) being engaged with one another in a form-fitting manner in the vertical direction (z direction) of the profile by way of these engaged locking members (20, 25).