Positioning System for Covering Elements Using Disposable Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing positioning systems for flooring or walls require significant time for operation due to the need for screwing and unscrewing, which slows down the alignment and positioning process, leading to inefficiencies in achieving a regular surface with uniform joints.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system that includes a spacer element with a threaded pin and a fixing device with actuation elements allowing for easy connection and disconnection without the need for unscrewing, enabling faster alignment and positioning of adjacent covering elements with predetermined joint dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a threaded pin and handle system is used for positioning covering elements, then alignment precision is improved, but operation time increases due to screwing and unscrewing
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning system is divided into separable components: a reusable fixing device with flange and a disposable spacer element with threaded pin. This allows the time-consuming threaded connection to be performed only once per spacer element, while the fixing device can be rapidly reused across multiple positioning operations, significantly reducing cumulative operation time while maintaining alignment precision through the consistent flange reference surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element containing the threaded pin is designed as a disposable component that is broken and discarded after use. This eliminates the need to unscrew and store threaded pins between uses, allowing operators to quickly discard used spacers and install new ones without time-consuming disassembly operations, thereby reducing operation time while the reusable fixing device maintains precision alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If a spacer element with breaking line is used, then joint dimension control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is pre-designed with a weakened zone or breaking line at the precise location where the joint dimension needs to be controlled. This preliminary preparation allows the spacer to be easily broken at the correct position after use, ensuring accurate joint dimensions without requiring complex measurement or adjustment mechanisms during the positioning operation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element with integrated breaking line is designed as a disposable component that combines joint dimension control functionality with a simple breakage mechanism. This approach achieves precise joint dimension control through the pre-defined breaking line while avoiding complex adjustable mechanisms, as the entire spacer including the control feature is discarded after single use.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 2A
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Positioning system (100) for covering elements (3, 4), comprises a spacer element (1) intended to be inserted between at least two adjacent covering elements (3, 4) and comprising a base (5) intended to be made to bear on a fixing adhesive for the covering elements and to receive in support a portion of a rear surface (3b, 4b) of the two adjacent covering elements (3, 4), a threaded shaft (8) extending transversely to the base (5), and a plate (7) interposed between the threaded shaft (8) and the base (5) and intended to be interposed, in use, between facing edges (3c, 4c) of the two covering elements (3, 4), a fixing device (2; 2') comprising a body (12) provided internally with a thread (50) shaped to define a seat (51; 51') for the threaded shaft (8) so as to couple the fixing device (2; 2') and the spacer element (1), and a base (16a, 16; 16'a, 16') intended to be made to bear, in use, on a visible surface (3a, 4a) of the two covering elements (3, 4) to be laid, wherein the thread (50) is defined by at least two separate threaded portions (32, 42; 32', 42') at least one of the threaded portions (32, 42; 32', 42') being movable along a movement axis (Y, Y1) relative to the other in order to vary the extent of the seat (51; 51'), there being provided on the body (11) actuation means (34, 35, 44, 45) for moving the at least one threaded portion (32, 42; 32', 42',) to open/close the seat (51; 51'), in order to couple/uncouple the fixing device (2; 2') and the spacer element (1).