Spring Clip with Angled Profile and Tabs for Tool-Free Plate Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening methods for connecting two plates require tools and screws, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A spring clamp with an angle profile and elastically spreadable legs that hook into grooves or folds of the panels, utilizing tabs to grip the panel material like barbs for a tool-free connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional wall brackets and angled screws are used to connect plates, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly process requires tools and multiple steps making it cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp is designed to be self-installing by elastic spreading of its legs into grooves or behind folds of the panels, automatically engaging the panels without requiring external tools or additional fastening elements. The elastic legs spread apart during insertion and lock into position, making the assembly process tool-free and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate fastening elements like screws and wall brackets by integrating all connection functions into a single spring clamp component. The spring clamp combines the functions of positioning, fastening, and securing that were previously distributed across multiple separate components.
2Device complexity
If a single spring clamp component is used for connection, then the device complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the connection strength and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp is segmented into two resilient legs that can be elastically spread apart, with each leg independently engaging a different panel. This segmentation allows the single component to distribute connection forces across multiple engagement points, maintaining connection strength while simplifying the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clamp utilizes dynamic elastic deformation of its legs, which can spread apart during installation and then resiliently lock into position. This dynamic behavior allows the clamp to adapt to slight variations in panel positioning while maintaining secure engagement, ensuring both reliability and strength.
3Ease of operation
If the spring clamp legs are made resilient and elastically spreadable, then tool-free installation is enabled, but the structural rigidity of the clamp may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clamp employs dynamic elastic properties in its legs, allowing them to flex and spread during installation for easy tool-free insertion. Once installed, the elastic legs resiliently lock into position, providing stable rigidity. The dynamic-to-static transition ensures both easy installation and stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring clamp changes its physical parameters (rigidity and flexibility) based on operational state. During installation, the legs exhibit high flexibility for easy spreading and insertion. After installation, the legs maintain a stable rigid configuration that provides secure connection. This parameter change enables both easy installation and stable operation.
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
Provides a secure, tool-free connection between two plates by using a spring clamp with elastically spreadable legs and gripping tabs, facilitating easy assembly and enhancing structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The spring clamp has two legs that are resiliently connected to each other, forming an angle of less than 90° with each other in a rest state of the clamp
Implementation Method 2
The at least one tab forms a barb that can grip the panel material
Data Source
Figure 1a~2
Figure 3a~4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A spring clip (1) according to the invention for connecting two plates (2, 3) has the form of an angular profile with a first and a second profile leg (4, 5), which enclose an angle (α) of between approximately 80° and 90° with each other and which each have, at their mutually remote leg ends, a bent portion (6, 7), wherein the bent portions (6, 7) are bent toward each other, each about a line (9, 10) parallel to the vertex line (8) of the angular profile, and enclose respective angles (β1, β2) of between approximately 60° and 90° with their associated profile legs (4, 5), and wherein the first profile leg (4) has, on the side facing away from the second profile leg (5), at least one obliquely outwardly projecting tab (11), which is connected to the first profile leg (4) at a fixed tab side (12) parallel to the vertex line (8) and the free tab end (13) of which is directed away from the vertex line (8).