Resilient Spacer Structure for Flat Construction Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers struggle to maintain a relative distance between construction elements while allowing for necessary movements, such as bending or thermal expansion, while preventing undesirable stresses and maintaining a flat surface.
Innovation Solution
A spacer structure incorporating resilient elements and restrictors, which are spatially separated and alternate along a dimension, providing resiliency to enhance distance and restrict movement in specific directions, primarily across the direction of gravity, allowing for slight deformations and relative displacements without compromising the flat surface integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spacer maintains a fixed distance between construction elements, then the relative distance is stable, but movement in all directions is completely restricted causing stress buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple functional segments: resilient elements (springs) that allow movement in specific directions, restrictors that prevent movement in other directions, and load-bearing interlock features. This segmentation allows different parts of the spacer to handle different types of forces and movements independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where resilient elements can compress and extend, and restrictors can engage and disengage based on the direction and magnitude of applied forces, allowing the spacer to adapt to varying load conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a spacer allows relative movement between construction elements, then stress is reduced, but the distance stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the spacer have different mechanical properties: resilient elements provide flexibility in vertical compression, restrictors provide rigidity in horizontal directions, and load-bearing features provide structural strength. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the spacer to allow movement where needed while maintaining stability where required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a spacer structure is complex to combine distance maintenance and movement allowance, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated spacer structure: resilient elements for shock absorption, restrictors for positional control, and load-bearing interlock features for structural connection. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs distance maintenance, movement restriction in specific directions, stress absorption, and load-bearing functions, making it a universal solution for various construction element connections.
4Shape
If construction elements are kept at a fixed relative position, then surface flatness is maintained, but thermal expansion and bending are restricted causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer allows dynamic adjustment to accommodate thermal expansion and building bending through the resilient elements that can compress and extend, while the restrictors and interlock features maintain the overall positional relationship and surface flatness.
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 spacer effectively maintains a relative distance and restricts movement in specific directions, ensuring a large flat surface is maintained despite slight deformations and relative displacements, enhancing the overall appearance and functionality of construction elements.
Implementation Method 1
a structure that: a) provides resiliency and generates a force for enhancing a distance relative to another nearby construction element when the distance to that other construction element is reduced to less than a predetermined distance
Implementation Method 2
The structure is provided with a plurality of resilient elements and a plurality of restrictors for restricting the movement
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A spacer for fixation to a construction element, for maintaining a relative distance to another construction element, and for restricting at the maintained distance a movement about a position that is relative to another construction element, the spacer having a structure that: a) provides resiliency and generates a force for enhancing a distance relative to another nearby construction element when distance to that other construction element is reduced to a predetermined distance, and b) provides restriction of a movement of the structure in at least one direction that is different from the direction of predetermined distance.