Right-Angle Sheet Metal Clamp with Segmented Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting metal sheets at right angles often fail to achieve a high pull-out force efficiently, as they rely on complex slot designs or deformation of the metal sheets, which can be costly and difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with parallel legs extending from a head, featuring slots with enlarged insertion areas and bores at the ends, where the material web is severed upon impact, allowing the sheet metal edge to deform and compress, creating a form-fitting engagement that requires high pull-out forces to separate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex slot designs or deformation of metal sheets are used to achieve high pull-out force, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is divided into multiple functional segments: an insertion area with larger cross-section for easy insertion, a compression area with reduced cross-section for form-fitting engagement, and a bore for material deformation. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the slot have different cross-sectional properties tailored to their specific functions: the insertion area has larger dimensions to accommodate the sheet edge, the compression area has reduced dimensions for tight engagement, and the bore provides a cavity for material flow. This local differentiation achieves high pull-out force without complex overall design
2Strength
If complex slot designs or deformation of metal sheets are used to achieve high pull-out force, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is divided into multiple functional segments: an insertion area with larger cross-section for easy insertion, a compression area with reduced cross-section for form-fitting engagement, and a bore for material deformation. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the slot have different cross-sectional properties tailored to their specific functions: the insertion area has larger dimensions to accommodate the sheet edge, the compression area has reduced dimensions for tight engagement, and the bore provides a cavity for material flow. This local differentiation achieves high pull-out force without complex overall design
3Ease of manufacture
If the slot is designed with simple geometry, then the manufacturing is easier, but the pull-out force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is divided into multiple functional segments: an insertion area with larger cross-section for easy insertion, a compression area with reduced cross-section for form-fitting engagement, and a bore for material deformation. This segmentation allows each area to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the slot have different cross-sectional properties tailored to their specific functions: the insertion area has larger dimensions to accommodate the sheet edge, the compression area has reduced dimensions for tight engagement, and the bore provides a cavity for material flow. This local differentiation achieves high pull-out force without complex overall design
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 described clamp design achieves a high pull-out force by deforming and compressing the sheet metal edge within the slot, with remnants of the material web providing additional clamping, ensuring a strong and efficient connection between metal sheets.
Implementation Method 1
Further exposure causes deformation and compression of the sheet metal edge in the area of the hole
Implementation Method 2
The compression can result in a form-fitting engagement in the area of the end of the slot, so that high pull-out forces would be necessary to pull the edge of the sheet metal out of the slot
Implementation Method 3
When driving the edge of the sheet metal into the slot, it first hits the web of material, which is severed when the clamp is sufficiently impacted
Implementation Method 4
A clamp is provided for attachment to the edge of a metal sheet, which clamp has a head from which two parallel legs extend to a foot area
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4c
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a clamp 10 for fastening to the edge 32 of a sheet 28b, a connection of two sheets 28a, 28b arranged at right angles to each other using such a clamp 10, and a method for connecting two sheets 28a, 28b arranged at right angles to each other. The clamp 10 comprises a head 14 from which two parallel legs 16a, 16b extend to a base. Each leg 16a, 16b has a slot 18 for receiving the sheet 28b, which extends from a slot opening 20 in the base towards the head 14 to a slot end. A bore 24 for receiving a compression area 34 of the sheet edge 32 is provided in each slot end. To further increase the holding force, a material web 26 is arranged between the bore 24 and the end of the slot in the clamp 10.In the connection, the first sheet 28a has an opening 30 through which the legs 16a, 16b of the clamp 10 are inserted. The edge 32 of the second sheet 28b is received in the slots 18 and the material webs 26 are cut through.