Tile Laying Device with Segmented Base and Threaded Knob

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for laying floor tiles are complex, costly, and inefficient, with high structural complexity, high material consumption, and difficult operating conditions, including the need for significant operator effort and traumatic separation processes.

Innovation Solution

A device with a simpler structure featuring a base with a vertical blade and threaded stem, combined with a reusable knob for helical coupling, allowing for easy alignment and planarity of tiles with reduced material consumption and improved operational ease.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a device with monolithic structure and oscillating arch is used for tile laying, then tile alignment and planarity can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and material consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetile planarityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate functional parts: a base element with a vertical bar for alignment and a separate oscillating arch for planarity adjustment. This segmentation simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the ability to achieve precise tile alignment and planarity, directly resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating arch is extracted as a separate, removable component from the base element. This allows the arch to be used temporarily during tile laying and then removed, reducing the permanent structural complexity of the device while still enabling precise planarity control when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a wedge is inserted into the oscillating arch to ensure tile planarity, then tile alignment is improved, but operator effort and operating difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetile alignmentVSAvoidoperator effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge is designed as a simple, inexpensive, disposable element that is inserted into the oscillating arch only when needed for tile alignment. After use, it is discarded rather than requiring complex removal mechanisms, significantly reducing operator effort while maintaining alignment precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating arch is pre-configured with a receptacle for the wedge, so that when the arch is oscillated into position, the wedge is already in place to provide the necessary mechanical leverage for tile alignment, eliminating the need for operators to perform complex adjustment operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the arch is connected to the bar by thinned sections acting as hinge and tearing points, then the device can be assembled, but the separation process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice assemblyVSAvoidseparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The arch is designed to be completely extracted from the base element after use. The thinned sections are positioned and sized to allow clean separation through simple oscillating motion, enabling the arch to be removed and reused while minimizing the time required for separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the arch and bar is designed to transition from a rigid assembled state to a separable state through dynamic oscillating motion. The thinned sections are positioned to fail in a controlled manner during oscillation, allowing easy separation without requiring excessive force or time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Loss of substance

If a reusable knob with helical coupling is used instead of disposable connections, then material consumption is reduced and component reuse is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidconnection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The knob with helical coupling is designed as a universal connection mechanism that can be used to attach various components (such as the oscillating arch or other accessories) to the base element. This single reusable component replaces multiple disposable connections, reducing material consumption while adding only minimal complexity through a standardized interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2549030B1A device for correct laying of floor tiles
Publication Date: 2014.11.12 BRUNOPLAST DI ELEUTERI BRUNO
  • EP2549030B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2549030B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for correct laying of floor tiles, which comprises a knob (2) with threaded central cylindrical conduit (24) and a base (1) from which a blade (10) centrally protrudes, supporting a threaded stem (11) in upper position, adapted to be screwed into said cylindrical conduit (24).