Positioning Device Spacer for Insulation Board Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing positioning devices for insulating material holders require multiple dowel lengths to accommodate varying substrate thicknesses, leading to inefficiencies and increased working time, especially in old buildings with thicker non-load-bearing substrates.

Innovation Solution

A versatile positioning device that adjusts the position of the insulating material holder based on the thickness of the non-load-bearing substrate, using a single dowel length and optional spacers marked for 'new' and 'old' building types, allowing for tool-free attachment and precise drilling depth compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dowel lengths are used to accommodate varying substrate thicknesses, then the positioning device can adapt to different building types, but the device complexity and working time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different substrate thicknessesVSAvoidcomplexity of positioning device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device uses a single dowel length that serves multiple functions by combining it with interchangeable spacers. The spacers are selectively attachable to the dowel to create different total lengths, allowing one dowel to function as multiple effective lengths for different substrate thicknesses. This eliminates the need for multiple dedicated dowels while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning device is segmented into modular components: a base dowel and separate spacers. These segments can be combined in different configurations by attaching the appropriate spacer to the dowel, enabling adaptation to various substrate thicknesses without requiring a complete set of different-length dowels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple dowel lengths are used to accommodate varying substrate thicknesses, then the positioning device can adapt to different building types, but the loss of time in selection and operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different substrate thicknessesVSAvoidtime for selecting and installing dowels
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers are pre-manufactured with specific lengths and attachment features that correspond to different substrate thickness requirements. The installer can quickly select and attach the appropriate spacer to the standard dowel based on the building type, eliminating the need to search through multiple dowel lengths and reducing selection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the insulation holder is screwed all the way into the insulation board, then the anchor is securely fastened, but the drilling depth into the load-bearing substrate increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strength of insulation holderVSAvoiddrilling depth into load-bearing substrate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer acts as an intermediary element between the dowel and the insulation board. It provides the necessary positioning and fastening function without requiring the dowel to extend through the entire thickness of the insulation board into the load-bearing substrate. The spacer mediates the connection, allowing secure fastening with reduced drilling depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If spacers are made selectively attachable to the screwing tool, then the device can be adapted to different insulation board thicknesses, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different insulation board thicknessesVSAvoidease of positioning device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers are pre-configured with attachment features that simplify the selection and attachment process. The installer only needs to choose the appropriate spacer based on the insulation board thickness and attach it to the dowel, rather than dealing with complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3181770B1Positioning device
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 FROWIS
  • EP3181770B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP3181770B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3181770B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3d

AI summary

Positioning device (1) for correctly positioning an insulation holder (2) in an insulation board (3), wherein the positioning device (1) has a screwing tool (5) connectable to the insulation holder (4), by means of which the insulation holder (2) in its state connected to the screwing tool (5) can be screwed into the insulation board (3), and wherein the screwing tool (5) has an elongated base body, and at least one spacer (6) which can be selectively connected to the screwing tool (5) at different predetermined positions of the elongated base body corresponding to a thickness of the insulation board (3) to be fastened and has a stop (7) by which the length to which the screwing tool (5) can be screwed into the insulation board (3) can be limited.wherein either the spacer (6) has two different connection positions for selective connection with the screwing tool (5) and the stop (7) is displaced by a predefined amount relative to the screwing tool (5) in the two different connection positions when connected to the screwing tool (5) at one of the different predetermined positions of the elongated body, or two spacers (6) are provided which differ from each other in the state connected to the screwing tool (5) at one of the different predetermined positions of the elongated body by a different positioning of the stop (7) relative to the screwing tool (5) by a predefined amount.