Swing Door Operator Clamp Assembly for Tight-Space Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door operator assemblies face challenges in reducing size while maintaining ease of mounting and accessibility, as well as ensuring strong attachment with minimal material usage to keep production costs down without compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A door operator assembly featuring a clamp with two connected clamp members and a resilient member, which applies a biasing force to secure components to a back plate using retaining shoulders and inclined surfaces, allowing for quick and easy attachment with reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the door operator assembly is reduced, then the space required for mounting is decreased, but the accessibility for attaching components to the back plate is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp members are designed to approach each other from opposite directions (different spatial dimensions) to compress the component against the back plate. This dimensional approach allows the mounting mechanism to function effectively in the reduced space available, as the clamping action occurs along the thickness dimension rather than requiring lateral space.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into modular components: the back plate, the component with retaining shoulders, and the clamp with two separate clamp members. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled in a compact configuration that maintains accessibility while reducing overall assembly size.
2Quantity of substance
If minimal material is used for attaching components to the back plate, then production costs are reduced, but the strength of attachment is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining shoulders are designed with curved surfaces that conform to the clamp members. This curvature distributes the clamping force more evenly across the contact area, increasing attachment strength without requiring additional material. The geometric form enhances the mechanical advantage of the clamp system.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system utilizes the composite action of multiple materials: the resilient member (elastic material) provides continuous pressure, while the rigid clamp members and retaining shoulders provide structural strength. This combination achieves strong attachment with minimal material usage by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
3Ease of operation
If a resilient member is added to provide biasing force, then the ease of mounting is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides self-regulating biasing force that automatically maintains optimal clamping pressure on the component. Once the clamp members are positioned, the resilient member autonomously provides the necessary force without requiring additional actuators or adjustment mechanisms, thereby improving ease of mounting while adding minimal complexity.
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
The solution enables easier assembly and mounting of door operator assemblies, reduces man-hours for installation and maintenance, and allows for flexibility in fitting components, even in constrained spaces, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp further comprises a resilient member configured to provide a biasing force pushing the clamp members away from each other, facilitating mounting of the clamp to the back plate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A clamp (1) for attaching a component (3) to a back plate (2), said clamp (1) comprises two clamp members (11, 12), the clamp members (11, 12) being connected by a fastener (13) configured to apply a force at least in a direction which brings the clamp members (11, 12) closer together, and wherein each clamp member (11, 12) is configured to cooperate with a retaining shoulder (31) of the component (3).