Plate Member Connecting Structure for Bend-Free Groove Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connecting structures for plate members are limited in their applicability to various materials and require bending, making them difficult to assemble and maintain the assembled state without specific materials.
Innovation Solution
A connecting structure featuring projections with resilient and engagement portions that can be easily fitted into grooves, allowing for assembly without tools and maintaining the assembled state across different materials, utilizing projections with a main body, resilient portions, and engagement portions that deform to securely engage with the groove.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connecting structures with projected fragments are used, then plate members can be connected together, but the structure requires bending and is limited to specific materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the projection, specifically making the tip radius larger than conventional structures. This parameter change allows the projection to be inserted into the groove without bending the plate members, enabling the use of various materials including rigid materials that cannot be bent, while maintaining easy assembly through a simple insertion motion
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connecting structures are used, then connection between plate members is achieved, but bending is required which limits material selection
Solution Approach 1:
By increasing the tip radius parameter of the projection beyond conventional designs, the invention eliminates the need for bending during assembly. This allows plate members made from various materials with different flexibility characteristics to be easily assembled through simple insertion, significantly broadening material selection while simplifying the manufacturing process
3Manufacturing precision
If projections with sharp tips are used for fitting into grooves, then precise fitting is achieved, but the structure cannot be easily assembled without bending
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the tip radius parameter to a specific range that balances fitting precision with assembly ease. The enlarged tip radius allows the projection to be easily inserted into the groove without requiring bending operations, while still achieving precise fitting through the geometric relationship between the projection and groove dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies curvature by designing the projection tip with a rounded surface rather than a sharp edge. This spherical/curved tip geometry facilitates easy insertion into the groove by reducing stress concentration and enabling smooth entry, while maintaining precise fitting through controlled dimensional relationships
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
Enables easy assembly and secure retention of plate members across various materials, ensuring stability and versatility in assembly without the need for bending or specific materials.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient portion provided on one side of the main body in the second direction and resiliently inwardly deformable in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
an engagement portion outwardly expanded in the second direction from the resilient portion and configured to be plastically deformed along and engage with one of the inner faces of the groove
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present invention provides a connecting structure (5) for plate members (3), including a projection (7) projected from one of the plate members (3) in a first direction, and a groove (9) provided on the other of the plate members (3) to have inner faces (9a, 9b) facing each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction and configured to fittingly receive the projection (7). The projection (7) includes a main body (13), a resilient portion (15) provided on one side of the main body (13) in the second direction and resiliently inwardly deformable in the second direction, and an engagement portion (17) outwardly expanded in the second direction from the resilient portion (15) and configured to be plastically deformed along and engage with one of the inner faces (9a, 9b) of the groove (9) when the groove (9) fittingly receives the projection (7).