Right-Angle T-Connector With Eccentric Slide Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing T-connectors for connecting profiles at right angles suffer from issues such as lateral shifting, tilting movements, and inconsistent clamping forces, leading to dimensional deviations and incorrect positioning of frames.
Innovation Solution
A T-connector with a beam-shaped body and a slide mechanism, featuring a tooth and a rotatable wheel with an eccentrically placed cam, allows for secure clamping with a single movement, preventing lateral forces and ensuring correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a wheel with eccentric fan-shaped wheel is used to clamp the T-connector, then clamping force is exerted perpendicular to the upstanding walls, but the T-piece shifts in the longitudinal direction causing dimensional deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a first clamping element (tooth) that engages with the first rib and a second clamping element (slide) that engages with the second rib. This segmentation allows each element to clamp independently without causing lateral shifting of the entire T-piece, resolving the contradiction between exerting clamping force and maintaining dimensional precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide acts as an intermediary element between the wheel and the second rib. Instead of the wheel directly engaging the rib (which would cause lateral shifting), the slide mediates the clamping action by converting the rotational motion of the wheel into linear motion that clamps the second rib without laterally displacing the T-piece.
2Force
If alternately tightening the two wheels is used, then clamping is achieved, but the T-connector undergoes tilting movement complicating positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The first clamping element (tooth) and second clamping element (slide) are combined into a single integrated clamping mechanism that operates simultaneously. By merging the clamping actions into one unified operation rather than alternating between two separate wheels, the T-connector maintains stable positioning without tilting movements, making the assembly process simpler and more accurate.
3Device complexity
If only one wheel is used for clamping, then the structure is simplified, but clamping consistency deteriorates under loads in different directions
Solution Approach 1:
The single wheel is segmented into two functional clamping elements: a tooth for the first rib and a slide for the second rib. This segmentation allows the single wheel to independently clamp both ribs with consistent force in different directions, maintaining reliability while keeping the overall structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide is designed to be slideably mounted, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and maintain consistent clamping force under loads in different directions. This dynamic capability enables the single wheel to reliably clamp the T-connector regardless of the direction of applied loads.
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 provides stable, one-step clamping without lateral movement, ensuring precise positioning and strong connections between profiles, reducing dimensional deviations and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel with an eccentrically placed cam to move the slide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
T-connector with an essentially beam-shaped body with a first section (18) and a second section (22) which is delimited by two transversal side edges (25) which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X-X') of the essentially beam-shaped body and said second section (18) is provided with means to hook and clamp the T-connector (14), said means being formed by a tooth (26) on one of the transversal side edges (25) and by a slide (27) that is slideably mounted in a chamber (28) of said second section (18) which is open along the transversal side edge (25) opposite the transversal side edge (25) with the tooth (26), whereby the slide (27) is slideable from an at least partially retracted position to a more extended position in which the slide (27) is pushed further away from the side edge (25) with the tooth (26) out of the chamber (28) and in which the T-connector is provided with locking means to lock the slide (27) in said more extended position.