Support Profile Adjusting Element for Panel Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass construction systems in U-profiles face challenges in securely holding and adjusting panels, particularly with round rods that are not held securely, leading to variable storage and alignment issues.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a movable adjusting element, such as a screw, that exerts force on a flexible leg of an actuating element within the support profile, allowing for fine adjustment of the panel's position by spreading the flexible leg and applying force to the panel, enabling secure and precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If round rods are used as clamping elements in U-profiles, then the glass pane can be clamped and positioned, but the round rods are not held securely leading to variable storage and alignment issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertion and adjustmentVSAvoidsecurity of holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element is divided into a fixed part (round rod) and a movable adjusting part (adjusting element with bending leg). The adjusting element can be positioned at different locations along the profile leg and adjusted independently, allowing secure holding while maintaining ease of operation. The segmentation enables the system to address both reliability and ease of operation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting element includes a bending leg that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions and angles. This dynamic capability allows the clamping element to adapt to different glass pane positions and thicknesses while maintaining secure holding. The movable adjusting element can be repositioned along the profile leg as needed, providing both reliability and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If adjusting elements are added to enable fine adjustment of panels, then precise alignment is achieved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of alignmentVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjusting element is merged with the profile leg structure, where the bending leg integrates directly into the profile. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly while maintaining precise alignment capability. The adjusting element works in conjunction with the existing profile leg, avoiding the need for additional complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending leg acts as an intermediary element between the adjusting mechanism and the glass pane. It translates the adjustment motion into precise positioning of the glass pane, providing fine adjustment capability without requiring complex direct control mechanisms. The bending leg serves as a simple yet effective mediator that achieves precision alignment through its geometric transformation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution simplifies the insertion and fine adjustment of panels, ensuring secure holding and precise alignment within the support profile, reducing assembly time and complexity while avoiding metal-to-panel contact through the use of a covering hood.

Implementation Method 1

a bending leg (12), which is designed to be spread out or tilted about a bending point (14)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3617419B1Supporting profile with positioning element
Publication Date: 2021.06.23 BANGRATZ PABLO
  • EP3617419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3617419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3617419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

1. A support profile (34, 45) is proposed, comprising a first profile leg (38) and a second profile leg (38') as well as a profile base (36), wherein a section of a plate (40) is held between the first profile leg (38) and the second profile leg (38'), wherein an adjusting element (10, 10') is arranged on at least one profile leg (38, 38') of the support profile (34, 45), which is formed in one piece, wherein each adjusting element (10, 10') has a spreading bending leg (12, 12'), and that the position of the bending leg (12, 12') is variable depending on a screw-in depth of an insertable element (32), whereby the angular position of the plate (40) within the support profile (40) is adjustable.