Positioning Washer for Precise Facade Fastener Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for attaching facade panels to substrates fail to ensure precise positioning of fastening elements during assembly, leading to potential misalignment and constraint issues due to environmental influences like temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A disk-shaped fixing disk with a predetermined position and adjustable design, featuring a fixing means such as recesses or projections, ensures the fastening element is initially positioned correctly and allows for relative movement, using materials like thermoplastics with reinforcement for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the opening is made larger than the fastener cross-section to enable sliding movement, then the freedom of movement is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing disk is inserted into the opening before the fastening element is installed. The disk's outer edge abuts against the opening edge at multiple points, establishing a predetermined position for the fastening element in advance. This preliminary positioning action ensures that when the fastener is later installed through the disk, it automatically assumes the correct position despite the large opening size that allows sliding movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the fastening element is allowed to move freely in the opening, then the reliability under environmental influences is improved, but the assembly precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability under environmental influencesVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing disk is placed in the opening before the fastening element is installed, establishing a predetermined position in advance. This preliminary action ensures accurate assembly positioning while still allowing the fastening element to move freely within the opening to accommodate environmental influences like temperature changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing disk acts as an intermediary component between the opening and the fastening element. It provides the predetermined positioning function while allowing the fastening element to maintain freedom of movement relative to the opening edge, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of positioning precision and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If a fixing means is added to the fixing disk, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing disk features a localized fixing means (such as a recess, projection, or stepped structure) at its center where the fastening element contacts it. This local modification provides the necessary positioning precision without requiring complex features throughout the entire disk structure. The fixing means is concentrated in the specific area where it is needed, keeping the overall device simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing means utilizes simple geometric parameter changes such as a recess depth, projection height, or step difference to establish the predetermined position. These parameter changes are sufficient to provide accurate positioning without introducing mechanical complexity, relying instead on straightforward dimensional variations in the disk structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3405624B1Positioning washer and procedure for initial fixing of a fastening element
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 EJOT SE & CO KG
  • EP3405624B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3405624B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~5b

AI summary

The invention relates to an attachment disc (1) for initial attaching of a securing element (6) in an opening, in particular a drilled hole of a facade plate, during placing of the securing element (6), wherein the attachment disc (1) comprises a disc-shaped region (3) that is designed in such a way that the attachment disc (1) is substantially arranged in a predetermined position in the opening and the disc-shaped region (3) comprises an attachment means that is designed so as to initially hold the securing element (6) when placing same in a predetermined position relative to the opening, as well as a corresponding method and a corresponding use.