Spacer Plate Alignment Structure for Tolerance-Free Profile Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display support structures face challenges in accurately aligning profiles, leading to improper fitting and appearance of displays when vertical profiles are not accurately aligned.
Innovation Solution
A spacer plate with alignment and connector openings that allow adjustable positioning of alignment studs and connector bars, enabling precise alignment and connection of profiles without hampering assembly, and providing self-centering and stability through elastic deformation and spring force mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid alignment openings are used in spacer plates, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly ease deteriorates due to inability to accommodate tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment opening changes its geometric parameters dynamically during assembly. The slot-like shape with movable wall allows the opening to deform elastically, changing its width and position to accommodate tolerance variations in alignment studs while maintaining precise alignment when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment opening transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The movable wall design allows the opening to adapt its shape and position during assembly, providing both tolerance accommodation and final alignment precision
2Ease of operation
If alignment openings are made flexible to accommodate tolerances, then assembly ease is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates due to potential deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment opening's geometric parameters are designed to change controllably within specific ranges during assembly to accommodate tolerances, then stabilize to maintain precise alignment. The slot-like shape provides controlled flexibility with defined movement boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment opening exhibits dynamic behavior during assembly, being flexible when needed to accommodate misalignment, then becoming effectively rigid once the alignment stud is positioned, ensuring final alignment precision
3Stability of the object's composition
If connector bars are tightly fastened to profiles, then connection stability is improved, but alignment stud insertion becomes difficult due to eliminated free play
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment opening's flexibility is applied dynamically during the assembly process. When the connector bar is being inserted, the opening can deform to accommodate the alignment stud. After insertion, the same flexibility allows the structure to settle into a tight, stable connection
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible alignment opening is designed to accommodate the alignment stud insertion in advance, creating space for the stud to be inserted before the connector bar is fully tightened, thus preparing the structure for easy assembly while ensuring final stability
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
Ensures high accuracy in profile alignment, reduces free play, accommodates manufacturing tolerances, and increases stability, ensuring proper display alignment and appearance when used as a display wall.
Implementation Method 1
the form of the alignment opening can be elastically deformed by the force applied by the connector bar. This allows clamping the alignment stud to the spacer plate
Implementation Method 2
the alignment opening has a means for providing a spring force for clamping the alignment stud within the alignment opening
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer plate (3, 6, 7) for interconnecting support profiles (1, 5, 8, 9) of a display support structure (23) is described, including at least one alignment opening (11) for receiving an alignment stud (2) for aligning a first profile (1, 8) with respect to a second profile (5, 9) via the spacer plate (6), and at least one connector opening (13) for receiving a connector bar (4) for connecting the first profile (1, 8) to the second profile (5, 9) via the spacer plate (6), wherein the connector opening (13) is connected to the alignment opening (11) such that the relative position of the alignment stud (2) inside the alignment opening (11) is adjustable by the position of the connector bar (4) inside the connector opening (13). This allows to easily put the alignment stud (2) into the alignment opening (11) of the spacer plate (3, 6, 7) or vice versa and to eliminate all free play between the alignment stud (11) and the spacer plate (3, 6, 7) at the same time. The assembly of the support structure (23) is not hampered. At the same time a self centering of the alignment stud (2) with respect to the spacer plate (3, 6, 7) can be forced leading to an increased accuracy, when the profiles (1, 5, 8, 9) are connected to each other.