Nestable Fitting With Hinged Gussets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fittings, such as tees, lack nesting ability, making shipping and storage inefficient due to their geometry, which results in inefficient use of space and increased transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A fitting designed to transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration, featuring gussets and a hinge mechanism, allowing for nesting and stacking, and equipped with snap-type fasteners for easy manipulation into a closed position for use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional fittings are made in completed form, then they maintain structural integrity and functionality, but they occupy excessive space and increase transportation costs due to inability to nest
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is divided into two separable members: a first member and a second member. These members can be stored separately or nested within each other, reducing storage volume while maintaining the capability to form a complete fitting when assembled. The segmentation allows the fitting to transition from a compact stored state to a functional assembled state.
Solution Approach 2:
The first member and second member are designed to nest within each other when in their respective first and second configurations. This nesting capability significantly reduces the volume required for storage and transportation, directly addressing the space efficiency problem while preserving the structural integrity needed for functionality.
2Ease of operation
If fittings are designed for easy assembly, then field installation becomes simpler, but additional components like fasteners increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The second member includes a fastener that is integral to its structure, and the first member includes a corresponding receptacle. When the members are positioned together in their assembled configuration, the fastener automatically engages with the receptacle to secure the connection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate fastening operations or additional components, simplifying field installation while not increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener and receptacle act as an intermediary coupling mechanism between the first and second members. This intermediary design enables easy assembly and disassembly in the field while maintaining a secure connection when assembled, balancing ease of operation with structural integrity without requiring complex additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments are directed to a fitting configured to transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration. In example embodiments, the fitting may include a first member, a second member, a first gusset base extending from the first member, a second gusset base extending from the second member, and a hinge connecting the first member to the second member. In example embodiments, the first gusset base may include at least one first gusset and the second gusset base may include at least one second gusset. In example embodiments a distance between outermost portions of the at least one first and second gussets may be substantially the same as a distance separating the first member from the second member.