Rotating Fixing Plate for Roof Eave Trim Installation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing roof overhang cladding systems require significant preparation work and are prone to errors during installation, making adjustments and corrections difficult, especially due to the complex handling and fixing of plates, which can lead to unsightly deformations and longevity issues.

Innovation Solution

The roof overhang cladding system features movable fixing plates with T-shaped grooves that allow for rotation from a release position to a locking position, enabling easy insertion and secure locking without the need for partial dismantling, allowing for flexible positioning and adjustments during installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixing plates are pre-positioned and slid along grooves during assembly, then the manhole cover can be fixed to the framework, but significant preparation work and long manipulations are required, increasing installation time and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing plate is divided into two independent parts: the fixing plate itself and the fixing elements (L-shaped elements with hooks). These elements can be separately positioned on the grooves before the manhole cover assembly, allowing independent manipulation and reducing the complexity of handling the entire assembly together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing elements are designed to be movable along the grooves in a first direction (parallel to the groove length) but constrained in a second direction (perpendicular to the groove length). This dynamic constraint system allows installers to easily slide the elements into position while preventing accidental displacement during subsequent steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixing plates are assembled with the manhole cover before installation, then the structure is stable, but adjustments and corrections are difficult without dismantling the entire assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the fixing elements from the manhole cover body, the system allows the elements to be independently adjusted or replaced without dismantling the entire manhole cover assembly. This segmentation enables localized repairs and adjustments while maintaining the stability of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable constraint mechanism allows fixing elements to be freely positioned along the grooves during installation, enabling adjustments in the first direction without permanent fixation. This dynamic positioning capability provides flexibility for corrections while the perpendicular constraints maintain structural stability once positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple fixing plates are arranged along the rear face at regular intervals, then the manhole cover is securely fixed, but handling becomes tricky when transferring to fixing points due to offset fixing plates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing elements are designed with movable constraints that allow them to slide freely along the grooves in the first direction during handling and installation. This dynamic freedom of movement enables installers to adjust the position of fixing elements to match the actual spacing of framework elements, making the assembly easier to handle and install while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If fixing elements are introduced through the end of the groove, then the fixing plates can be assembled, but additional fixing plates cannot be added in central zones without dismantling significant parts of the work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidflexibility of modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The separation of fixing elements from the manhole cover body allows elements to be independently added, removed, or repositioned at any location along the grooves. This segmentation enables flexible modification of the fixing arrangement without requiring dismantling of the entire assembly, supporting both initial assembly ease and subsequent adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable constraint system allows fixing elements to be freely positioned at any location along the grooves, enabling the addition of central fixing plates or repositioning of existing elements without permanent constraints. This dynamic positioning capability provides the flexibility to adapt the fixing arrangement to various installation requirements while maintaining simple assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1783296B1Roof eaves trim soffit attachment device
Publication Date: 2008.07.02 RACCORDS & PLASTIQUES NICOLL SA
  • EP1783296B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1783296B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP1783296B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The device has mounting plates (6) each of which comprises fasteners that cooperate with maintenance elements of a rear side (10) of a drain board (5) of a roof eave trim (4). The plates have a dissymmetric contour. The fasteners are mounted in rotation with respect to the maintenance elements, between a release position and a locking position. The plates are released from the drain board, in the release position. The mounting plates are integrated with the drain board in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the drain board, in the locking position.