Scaffolding Connection Head With Stepped Receiving Slot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing scaffolding component connections experience significant play and uneven force transmission, leading to stress on the edge areas and potential jamming from foreign bodies, which complicates assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A first scaffolding component with a connection head featuring an upper and lower head part forming a receiving slot, combined with a second component having a perforated disk projection, ensures minimal play and optimized force transmission by centering the components and distributing the load across an extended surface, reducing the risk of jamming from foreign bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the connection head and projection are designed with traditional geometry, then assembly is simple, but significant play occurs between components and force transmission is uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidassembly smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving slot is designed with a floor that rises toward the wall, creating a stepped configuration with an inclined end face. This local geometric variation provides a centering effect that guides the projection into proper alignment during assembly, minimizing play while maintaining assembly smoothness through the inclined guide surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The floor of the receiving slot is designed with a stepped profile featuring an inclined end face, adding a dimensional guide feature that actively centers the projection during insertion. This dimensional enhancement ensures minimal play and large-area force transmission without compromising assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If force is transmitted through a small contact area, then assembly is simple, but stress concentrates on edge areas causing potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidconnection head structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling and floor of the receiving slot are designed as extended surfaces rather than simple flat planes. This local quality enhancement increases the contact area between the connection head and projection, distributing stress across a larger area to improve load bearing capacity while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling and floor are designed as extended surfaces in the longitudinal direction, increasing the contact area for force transmission. This dimensional extension enhances strength and load distribution without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If the receiving slot is designed as a simple through-slot, then manufacturing is easy, but foreign objects can become trapped causing jamming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslot fabricationVSAvoiddebris accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floor of the receiving slot features a stepped profile with an inclined end face that slopes toward the opening. This local geometric feature prevents foreign objects from becoming trapped by providing a smooth transition that guides debris out of the slot, eliminating jamming while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the floor of the receiving slot is flat, then manufacturing is simple, but abrupt stops occur during assembly requiring excessive pushing force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly force requirementVSAvoidfloor geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The floor includes a stepped configuration with an inclined end face that provides a gradual transition during assembly. This local geometric feature reduces the pushing force required by eliminating abrupt stops, while the stepped design remains simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The floor is designed with a stepped profile in the longitudinal direction, creating an inclined end face that gradually guides the projection into place. This dimensional variation reduces assembly force requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This configuration achieves a stable and resilient connection with reduced play between components, allowing smooth assembly and easy separation, while minimizing stress on the edge areas and preventing jamming from debris, thus enhancing the overall structural integrity and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The wedge 104 is inserted with its central section 104a through the upper wedge channel 106, through the left opening 205a of the projection 203, and through the lower wedge channel 108

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the connecting head 103 is attached to the projection 203 to form a detachable connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3712348B1Assembly
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 ALTRAD PLETTAC ASSCO
  • EP3712348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3712348B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3712348B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) comprising a first scaffolding component (101) and a second scaffolding component (201), wherein the first scaffolding component (101) comprises a beam (102), a connecting head (103) and a wedge (104), wherein the connecting head (103) comprises an upper head section (105) with an upper wedge channel (106) and a lower head section (107) with a lower wedge channel (108), wherein a receiving slot (109) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L102) of the beam (102) is formed between the upper head section (106) and the lower head section (108), wherein the receiving slot (109) is formed by a ceiling (110) formed by the upper head section (105),The device has a base (111) formed by the lower head section (107) and a wall (112) formed by the connecting head (103) between the upper head section (105) and the lower head section (107), wherein the receiving slot (109) opens towards an end face (113) of the connecting head (103) facing away from the support (102). The top (110) is designed as a flat bearing surface (114), and the base (111) rises towards the wall (112). (Figure 1)