Ceramic Tile Leveling Structure for Rotation-Limited Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ceramic tile leveling devices cause misalignment and uneven spacing due to the continuous rotation of fixing members that contact the tiles, leading to displacement.

Innovation Solution

A ceramic tile leveling device with a first component between tiles, a second component that rotates to fix the first component, and a third component that contacts and fixes the tiles first, preventing further rotation and misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fixing member continuously rotates to fix the ceramic tiles, then the fixing function is achieved, but the ceramic tiles move and become misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing functionVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is segmented into two functional parts: a rotation component for fixing and a limiting component for preventing displacement. The limiting portion is separated from the rotation component, allowing independent functions. This segmentation enables the fixing member to perform both fixing and positioning without interference between functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting portion acts as an intermediary element between the rotation component and the ceramic tiles. It mediates the interaction by providing a positioning function that prevents excessive rotation, thereby protecting the alignment precision while allowing the rotation component to perform its fixing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the fixing member rotates along the adjacent portions to fix the ceramic tiles, then the fixing action is achieved, but the spacing becomes uneven

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing actionVSAvoidspacing uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is divided into functional segments: the rotation component for applying fixing action and the limiting portion for controlling rotation range. This segmentation allows the fixing action to be performed while the limiting portion simultaneously constrains the rotation to maintain uniform spacing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting portion is designed to contact the ceramic tiles first during rotation, establishing a preliminary positioning before the main fixing action occurs. This preliminary action prevents excessive rotation and ensures spacing uniformity is maintained throughout the fixing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the fixing member contacts the ceramic tile surfaces, then the fixing function is achieved, but continuous rotation causes displacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing functionVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is segmented into a rotation component that provides fixing function and a limiting portion that provides position stability. The limiting portion is structurally separated but functionally integrated, allowing it to prevent displacement while the rotation component performs fixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The limiting portion is designed with asymmetric geometry relative to the rotation component, allowing it to engage with the ceramic tiles in a specific orientation that prevents displacement. The asymmetric design ensures that the limiting portion contacts the tiles first and constrains the rotation path, maintaining position stability during the fixing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4711556A1Ceramic tile leveling device
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HANGZHOU GREAT STAR IND CO LTD
  • EP4711556A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711556A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4711556A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A ceramic tile leveling device comprises: a first component, configured to be disposed between adjacent ceramic tiles, wherein the first component comprises a base and a supporting portion vertically extending upwards from the base, wherein a lower portion of the supporting portion is a sheet-shaped portion, and an upper portion thereof is a rod-shaped portion; a joint between the supporting portion and the base is arranged as a tearable portion; a second component, configured to fix the first component between the ceramic tiles, wherein the second component comprises a cylindrical channel for receiving the rod-shaped portion; and a third component, connected to a bottom of the second component, and at least part of the third component protrudes out of the second component; the third component is configured such that the third component contacts the ceramic tiles first to fix the ceramic tiles when the second component moves towards the ceramic tiles.