Tightening Square with Fixed Pins and Helical Spring for Angular Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing squares with fixed pins face difficulties in installation between upright and crosspiece frames, particularly for less experienced operators, and those with mobile pins have higher manufacturing costs and longer assembly times due to complex assembly requirements.

Innovation Solution

A square with fixed pins featuring an adjustment screw and a helical spring that automatically positions and fixes the plates orthogonally within sections, allowing for easy installation and reduced manufacturing costs by enabling automatic alignment and stabilization of the pins during assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If fixed pins are used in the square, then manufacturing costs are reduced and assembly is simpler, but the fixing operation becomes difficult and time-consuming for less expert operators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidfixing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The square incorporates an adjustment screw mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the distance between plates during assembly. This dynamic capability enables operators to accommodate variations in section dimensions and achieve proper alignment more easily, transforming a static rigid structure into an adaptable one that guides the fixing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element (spring) automatically pushes the pins toward the holes in the sections, creating a self-aligning and self-fixing mechanism. This eliminates the need for precise manual positioning and reduces the skill level required for operators, as the system automatically performs the alignment and fixing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mobile pins with housings and elastic elements are used, then the square can be inserted into sections more reliably, but manufacturing time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the pin and the elastic element into a single integrated fixed pin structure. The elastic element is directly attached to the pin without requiring separate housings, reducing the number of components and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the reliable pushing action needed for section insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the complex housing structure from mobile pin designs and replaces it with a simpler fixed pin configuration. By removing the housing component and retaining only the essential elastic element attachment, the design achieves reliability without the manufacturing complexity of mobile pin systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If adjustment screw alone is used without elastic element, then structure is simpler, but the plates cannot maintain stable orthogonal position automatically

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidplate position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is pre-loaded to automatically push the pins toward the holes in the sections during assembly. This preliminary action ensures that the plates are guided into the correct orthogonal position without requiring complex adjustment procedures, maintaining stability while keeping the structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 facilitates straightforward and stable assembly of the square between adjacent sections, reducing installation time and costs while ensuring accurate orthogonal alignment without the need for empirical adjustments, thus improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

The peculiar characteristic of the invention consists in that the square comprises an elastic element that comprises a helical spring, inside which the adjustment screw is inserted. The helical spring is positioned between two wings of the plates of the square in order to oppose the diverging movement of the square and dispose the two plates of the square in orthogonal position.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2954139B1An improved tightening square with fixed pins for angular connection of sections
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 L M DEI F LLI MONTICELLI SPA
  • EP2954139B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2954139B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2954139B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5C

AI summary

The tightening square with fixed pins (12, 22) for connecting two adjacent sections disposed at right angle comprises two plates (1, 2) provided with adjustment means (14, 24, 4) adapted to get the two plates (1, 2) closer or farther; said adjustment means (14, 24, 4) allowing the square of the invention to diverge, in such manner that the internal sides (1b, 2b) of the two plates are respectively tilted by an angle (α) higher than 90°.