Tile Levelling Device Weakening Cavity Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile levelling devices often experience premature and unwanted breakages during the levelling process, leading to cumbersome repositioning and excessive time expenditure.
Innovation Solution
The device features a weakening cavity in the support-plate means with a central flat zone and raised outermost zones, reducing flexural resistance and promoting controlled breakage of the connecting means without unduly weakening the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a weakening cavity is provided in the plate means to promote breakage, then the breakage occurs more reliably, but premature and unwanted breakages occur during the levelling step
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening cavity features a central longitudinal flat zone with raised outermost zones that create localized variations in flexural resistance. The raised outermost zones concentrate stress at specific points to promote reliable breakage, while the central flat zone maintains sufficient strength during the levelling process, preventing premature failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening cavity divides the connecting means into distinct zones with different structural properties. The central flat zone and raised outermost zones create segmented stress distribution, allowing the structure to maintain integrity during use while facilitating controlled breakage at the raised zones when needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the connecting means is made stronger to prevent premature breakage, then unwanted breakages are avoided, but the breakage between base plate means and connecting means becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means incorporates a weakening cavity with raised outermost zones that create localized stress concentration points. This allows the overall structure to maintain sufficient strength to prevent premature breakage, while the raised zones ensure reliable breakage occurs at the intended location when flexural stress is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening cavity is pre-formed in the connecting means during manufacturing, creating predetermined breakage zones. This preliminary structural modification ensures that when breakage is needed, it occurs reliably at the raised outermost zones, while the overall design maintains strength during the levelling process.
3Reliability
If the weakening cavity extends deeply into the plate means, then breakage is promoted, but the connection strength is unduly weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening cavity extends into the plate means with raised outermost zones that create localized stress concentration. The cavity depth and raised zones are designed to provide sufficient stress concentration for reliable breakage while maintaining overall connection strength through the central flat zone and the plate means structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening cavity creates segmented zones within the plate means, with the raised outermost zones serving as stress concentration points for breakage initiation. The central flat zone and surrounding structure maintain sufficient connection strength, segmenting the stress distribution to achieve both breakage promotion and strength preservation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1F
Figure 1G
AI summary
A device (10', 10") for levelling tiles (11) comprises support-plate means (12) for the lower face (111) of corresponding tiles (11), knob means (14) for engaging the upper face (112) of the respective tile (11), connecting means (16) between said plate means (12) and said knob means (14), in particular extending from, and in one piece with, said plate means (12) and having means (160) for sliding and retaining said knob means (14) for engaging said upper face (112) of the respective tile (11), and breaking means (18) for separating said connecting means (16) from said plate means (12) in the form of a weakening cavity (180) provided in said plate means (12). Said weakening cavity (180) has an upper defining face (181) which extends longitudinally and has a corresponding central longitudinal, in particular flat, zone (182), and opposite longitudinal outermost zones (183, 183) raised with respect to said central zone (182), i.e., extending in height with respect to said central longitudinal zone (182) towards the corresponding upper surface (121 or 120c) of said support-plate means (12) for the lower face of corresponding tiles (11), and extending until reaching, in height, at, or near, the same upper surface (121) of said support-plate means (12).