Modular Spacer Guide Fastening for Building Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for fastening structures like windows and doors in building openings are time-consuming, expensive, and prone to errors due to the need for precise alignment and a wide variety of parts, especially when dealing with different insulation designs and architectural specifications, which increases tool costs and limits the load-bearing capacity of plastic components.
Innovation Solution
A modular, two-piece device consisting of a spacer element and a guide part that can be connected in a detachable or non-detachable manner, with the guide part featuring locking hooks and a sleeve-shaped shaft to facilitate alignment and secure fastening, allowing for adjustable distance and load diversion, and using materials like metals, plastics, or composite materials for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece injection-molded plastic assembly component is used, then manufacturing is simplified and heat transfer is optimized, but load-bearing capacity is limited and a large variety of parts must be kept in stock
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting component is divided into two separate parts: a plastic spacer element and a metal guide part. The plastic spacer element can be injection-molded for cost-effective manufacturing, while the metal guide part provides the necessary load-bearing capacity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the limitations of a one-piece design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a variety of parts are kept in stock to meet different insulation designs and architectural specifications, then adaptability is improved, but tool costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic spacer element is designed with a standardized structure that can accommodate different insulation thicknesses and architectural specifications through adjustable features, while the metal guide part provides universal mounting capabilities. This universality allows a limited set of components to serve multiple functions and adapt to various design requirements without requiring a large inventory of specialized parts.
3Reliability
If high precision alignment of bores is required, then fastening reliability is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The metal guide part acts as an intermediary component that features pre-aligned bores and guide structures. These guide structures automatically align the fastening elements during installation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment of multiple bores. The guide part mediates between the spacer element and the building structure, ensuring reliable fastening while significantly reducing installation time and complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If building components are mounted far in front of load-bearing elements, then architectural flexibility is improved, but the known plastic components reach their load-bearing limits
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system combines two different materials with complementary properties: plastic for the spacer element (providing insulation and cost-effective manufacturing) and metal for the guide part (providing high load-bearing capacity). This composite approach allows the system to achieve both architectural flexibility for mounting far from load-bearing elements and sufficient strength to handle the loads at these extended positions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A mounting component (10) for fastening a building element (16) comprises a spacer element (14) that can be attached to a support surface (12) and a guide element (22) with a sleeve-shaped shaft that can be inserted into a passage in the building element (16). The shaft has an opening (30) that serves to guide a fastening element (20), with which a force-fit connection can be established between the spacer element (14) and the building element (16). The mounting component (10) is designed in at least two parts, as a spacer element (14) and a guide element (22), and is attached to the spacer element (14) by the base part (26) during pre-assembly.