Straight-Cut Joinery Plug for Profile Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straight-cut joinery assemblies face challenges in achieving aesthetic continuity, sealing efficiency, and manufacturing complexity when dealing with different profiles, leading to potential infiltration issues and visible plugs that disrupt the aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A plug is designed to be preformed with projections that ensure continuity of seals and fit within the assembled profiles, eliminating the need for post-assembly seal installation and maintaining the profile's external aesthetics by being hidden from view, using a thermoplastic elastomer material for flexibility and integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a straight-cut joinery assembly is used to simplify connection between uprights and crosspieces, then the mechanical connection is facilitated and different profiles can be used, but aesthetic continuity is compromised and sealing issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
A plug is introduced as an intermediary element to fill the gap between two differently profiled sections joined in straight cut. The plug is preformed with projections that match the recesses of the joined sections, creating a visual and functional bridge that restores aesthetic continuity while maintaining the simplicity of straight-cut joinery
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed with specific local projections and recesses that correspond to the particular profiles being joined. By customizing the local geometry of the plug to match the adjacent sections, the solution addresses aesthetic continuity issues at the joint location without affecting the overall simplicity of the straight-cut assembly method
2Adaptability or versatility
If different profiles are used for uprights and crosspieces to adapt to function and aesthetics, then profile flexibility is improved, but sealing efficiency deteriorates due to recesses forming infiltration paths
Solution Approach 1:
The plug serves as a sealing intermediary by filling the recesses created by the meeting of different profiles. The projections on the plug engage with corresponding recesses in the joined sections, creating a continuous sealing surface that prevents infiltration paths while allowing different profiles to be used
Solution Approach 2:
The plug merges the sealing function with the aesthetic continuity function. By combining the visual bridge element with the sealing projections, the solution simultaneously addresses both aesthetic and sealing requirements without needing separate components
3Shape
If a plug is used to ensure continuity of volumes at straight-cut joints, then aesthetic rendering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is preformed with its sealing projections and positioning features before assembly. This preliminary preparation allows the plug to be simply inserted into the prepared recesses during assembly, maintaining aesthetic rendering while minimizing the complexity of the assembly operation itself
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed with self-positioning features where the projections automatically engage with the corresponding recesses in the joined sections. This self-aligning design eliminates the need for complex positioning procedures or additional fastening operations, keeping the assembly simple while achieving good aesthetic rendering
Data Source
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AI summary
The assembly has a plug (300) preformed for providing preformations (311, 312) that are positioned and sized for assuring continuity of linear joints (110, 210) accommodated in grooves of profiles (100, 200), where the plug is obtained by molding of material e.g. thermoplastic elastomer. Straight cut of one of the profiles, whose end is assembled, is realized by interrupting removal of material so that an end (220) to be cut from a front face of the profile is maintained. The plug has an internal side face equipped with a projection engaged with a hollow core of one of the profiles.