An angle bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiator brackets are aesthetically unappealing and costly due to their length and material consumption, with visible antidismounting protection mechanisms that are prone to plastic deformation and misactivation.

Innovation Solution

A bracket design featuring a spring projection movable within a recessed rail with blocking members, where the spring force is only engaged during locking and dismounting, reducing visibility and material usage, and utilizing a pivotally mounted retainer device with a low pivot center to minimize height and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bracket is designed with a long extension from the wall to provide antidismounting protection, then the security function is improved, but the visibility and aesthetic appearance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantidismounting protectionVSAvoidvisibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted from the main bracket structure and implemented through a separate, movable locking device that can be engaged or disengaged independently. This allows the bracket to maintain a clean, minimal appearance when locked while providing security functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is designed to be movable between a locked position (where it is recessed and invisible) and an unlocked position (where it can be manipulated). This dynamic capability allows the bracket to transition between aesthetic and functional states, resolving the contradiction between visibility and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the spring means is continuously biased to retain the stirrup, then the antidismounting protection is improved, but the risk of plastic deformation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantidismounting protectionVSAvoidspring deformation risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spring means is designed to be biased only periodically - during the locking and dismounting operations - rather than continuously. The blocking members engage the spring projection only when needed, allowing the spring to remain unbiased during normal operation and reducing cumulative stress and deformation risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the blocking members force the spring projection to move against spring force during locking, then the locking reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidblocking member positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members are designed with specific geometric features (such as inclined surfaces or cam profiles) that concentrate the forcing action on localized areas of the spring projection. This allows reliable locking through localized mechanical advantage rather than requiring precise positioning across the entire component interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution results in a more aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective bracket with reduced material consumption and minimized risk of plastic deformation, as the spring is only biased during specific operations, allowing for efficient and secure radiator mounting and dismounting.

Implementation Method 1

a spring means (11) comprises a spring projection (12) which is movable in a recess (16) in a rail (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2299187B1An angle bracket
Publication Date: 2018.01.24 SIGARTH AB
  • EP2299187B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2299187B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP2299187B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A radiator bracket includes an elongate rail which has first and second support means which support the radiator or its stirrups from beneath. A locking device protects against unintentional dismounting of the radiator at at least the first support means. The locking device is pivotally disposed in the rail about a pivot point and is movable between a locking position and a dismounting position. The pivot point is disposed below the adjacent support means.