One-Piece Plastic Shim with Folding Legs for Door Frame Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shims, particularly wooden and traditional plastic shims, are inefficient due to material limitations, require multiple pieces leading to waste, and are difficult for unskilled workers to use, with issues of splintering, environmental vulnerability, and increased debris.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece plastic shim with a self-locking mechanism that expands in thickness by folding legs, allowing easy installation and adjustment without impact tools, reducing debris and skill requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple plastic shims are used to achieve the required thickness, then the shimming function is satisfied, but the device complexity increases and more debris is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple shim functions into a single integrated shim structure. The shim includes a body with multiple legs that can be folded to create multiple thickness layers, eliminating the need for multiple separate shims. This reduces device complexity and debris generation while maintaining the required shimming function.
Solution Approach 2:
The shim body is segmented into multiple legs that can be folded relative to each other. Each leg can be independently folded to adjust the overall thickness, allowing the single shim to perform the function of multiple traditional shims while reducing complexity and waste.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple plastic shims are used to achieve the required thickness, then the shimming function is satisfied, but the loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple shim functions into a single integrated shim structure. The shim includes a body with multiple legs that can be folded to create multiple thickness layers, eliminating the need for multiple separate shims. This reduces device complexity and debris generation while maintaining the required shimming function.
3Ease of operation
If traditional wooden shims are used, then the shimming function is satisfied, but the reliability decreases due to splintering and environmental vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses plastic material for the shim body, which provides superior reliability compared to traditional wood. The plastic material is resistant to splintering, decay, and environmental degradation, while still providing the necessary shimming function. The plastic material maintains its structural integrity under duress and does not require treatment or maintenance.
4Reliability
If plastic shims are used instead of wood, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to difficulty in alignment and installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates flexible elements that allow the rigid plastic shim to be dynamically adjusted during installation. The flexible elements enable the shim to be bent and shaped to fit into tight spaces and align with mounting surfaces, overcoming the brittleness issue of plastic materials while maintaining their reliability and durability.
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 convenient, low-waste, and easy-to-use shimming system that effectively adjusts thickness without impacting the shim or frame, suitable for unskilled workers, and minimizes debris generation.
Implementation Method 1
A one-piece plastic shim with a self-locking mechanism that expands in thickness by folding legs
Data Source
AI summary
A single piece, plastic shim simplifies the process of shimming a fixture (such as a door) within a frame. The operation of the shim requires only that one piece of the shim be pulled so that the shim folds in on itself, filling the space between the frame and the fixture. Only a small portion of the shim extends beyond the frame, and needs to be cut. This arrangement avoids stress to the shim and the frame.