Niche Closing Part With Integrated Positioning and Gap Covering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional niche end parts can only fulfill one task, such as fixing or covering gaps, and are difficult to handle, leading to increased assembly effort and costs, with risks of screw loss and aesthetic issues due to protruding arms.
Innovation Solution
A niche closing part with a base body, spacer, and cover plate that allows dual functionality for depth positioning and gap covering, featuring a cylindrical retaining dome for screw retention and a hinge for easy assembly, reducing the number of parts and tools required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional niche end parts are used for fixing built-in appliances, then the appliance can be fixed to the niche wall, but the assembly process becomes complicated and screws may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fixing function and the gap covering function into a single integrated niche end part. The base body serves as both the fixing element (with screw connection to the niche wall) and the gap cover, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliable fixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The niche end part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it fixes the built-in appliance to the niche wall via screw connection, covers the gap between the appliance and niche wall, and provides a finished aesthetic appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts and assembly steps.
2Measurement precision
If a protruding arm positioning aid is used on the niche end part, then depth positioning of the built-in device can be achieved, but the arm must be removed creating visible burrs and aesthetic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning aid is integrated into the base body design from the beginning, not added as a temporary protruding element. The base body's geometry itself provides the positioning function through its shape and fit against the niche wall, eliminating the need for removable protruding arms that create aesthetic defects when removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function is merged into the base body structure itself. The base body is designed with specific geometric features that provide depth positioning guidance while maintaining a clean, continuous surface without removable protruding elements, thus achieving both positioning precision and aesthetic appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If niche end parts are separated into fixing and gap covering components, then each can be optimized for its specific function, but assembly effort and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing component and gap covering component into a single integrated niche end part. The base body simultaneously provides screw connection capability for fixing and the necessary geometry for covering the gap, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and reducing assembly effort while maintaining functional versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening foot part for fastening a first device (4) to a second device (6) standing on the first device (4), comprising a base body (8) with a support side (22) for placing on the first device (4) , a first connecting element (50) for the positive connection of the base body (8) with the second device (6); and a second connecting element (26, 54) for positively connecting the first connecting element (50) to the second device (6), the second connecting element (26, 54) being directed towards the support side (22).