Profile Rail System with Elastic Body for Edge Covering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile rail systems for covering edges face challenges in assembly complexity and reliability, particularly in ensuring freedom of movement and preventing seizing of cover profile rails on the floor covering, which can lead to deformation and restricted movement due to temperature and humidity changes.

Innovation Solution

A profile rail system comprising a base profile rail, a cover profile rail, and a holding profile rail connected via an elastic body, which allows for tilting and ensures the cover leg remains aligned parallel to the covering, preventing seizing and enabling movement due to elastic restoring forces, while also providing sound-damping and dust protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cover profile rail is firmly fixed to the holding profile rail, then the connection reliability is improved, but the freedom of movement (tilting capability) is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidfreedom of movement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holding profile rail is made movable relative to the base profile rail through an elastic connection, allowing the system to dynamically adjust between stability and movement freedom. The elastic body enables the holding rail to tilt and adapt while maintaining reliable connection through elastic restoring forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body changes its physical state (deformation) in response to applied forces, allowing the holding profile rail to tilt when needed while returning to its original position through elastic restoring forces. This parameter change enables both firm connection and freedom of movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the cover profile rail is fixed with excessive force, then the connection strength is improved, but the cover leg seizes on the floor covering causing deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidseizing and deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body acts as an intermediary between the holding profile rail and the base profile rail, providing a cushioning effect that prevents excessive force from being transmitted to the cover leg and floor covering. This intermediary element maintains connection strength while preventing harmful seizing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing and distributing forces before they can cause seizing or deformation. The elastic deformation capacity prevents excessive force transmission to the cover leg and floor covering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the holding profile rail is made movable relative to the base profile rail, then the freedom of movement is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the elastic connection for movement freedom, acts as a cushioning element, and serves as a mounting element for the holding profile rail. This merging reduces assembly complexity despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it enables the elastic connection for tilting movement, provides cushioning against excessive forces, and serves as the mounting element between the holding and base profile rails. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall assembly.

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

4Reliability

If the cover profile rail is pressed with pretension against the base profile rail, then the connection reliability is improved, but the elastic body must withstand increased forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidforce on elastic body
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic body changes its force characteristics through prestressing, adjusting its stiffness and load-bearing capacity to match the required pretension forces. This parameter change allows the elastic body to withstand increased forces while maintaining reliable connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system simplifies assembly, ensures reliable movement of cover profile rails with temperature and humidity changes, and enhances sound insulation and dust protection, maintaining the integrity of the floor covering.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastic body is provided between the at least one base profile rail and the at least one retaining profile rail. In a relaxed position, this holds the at least one holding profile rail in a defined position. Tilting of the at least one cover rail is then still possible, but the at least one cover rail is always transferred back into the defined position mentioned by elastic restoring forces of the at least one elastic body.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

At least one sound-damping material can also be provided in between to reduce the sound transmission.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound damping: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3258031B1Profile rail system for covering at least one fitting edge
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 SONDERMANN FR
  • EP3258031B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3258031B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3258031B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A profile rail system (1) serves to cover at least one edge (11) of a covering. It comprises a base profile rail (2) and a cover profile rail (3), which can be connected to each other by means of a retaining profile rail (4). The cover profile rail (3) has at least one cover wing (10) for covering the edge (11) of the covering. The cover profile rail (3) can be fixed to the retaining profile rail (4). The base profile rail (2) has retaining means for connection to the retaining profile rail (4). At least one elastic body (20) is provided between the base profile rail (2) and the retaining profile rail (4), which holds the retaining profile rail (4) in a predefined position in its relaxed state. The retaining profile rail (4) can be pivoted relative to the base profile rail (2) by elastically deforming the elastic body (20).