Two-Part Joining Piece for Weld-Free Removable Metal Frames

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal frame assembly methods for movable buildings, such as agricultural structures, require welding, which is time-consuming, difficult to dismantle, and prone to corrosion from environmental factors, leading to structural weakness and increased fragility under antagonistic forces.

Innovation Solution

A junction piece designed in two removable parts with guide channels and removable fixing means, allowing for sliding assembly without welding, and featuring a reinforcing gusset and elbow sleeve element to enhance structural integrity and ease of assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welding is used to assemble metal frame components, then structural strength is improved, but assembly time increases and dismantling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently assembled and disconnected. Each section contains guide channels that receive metal tubes, allowing the structure to be segmented into modular units that can be quickly assembled and dismantled without welding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces connecting pieces as intermediary elements between metal tubes. These connecting pieces feature guide channels that slidably receive tube ends, creating a mechanical interface that replaces welding. The intermediary connecting piece enables quick assembly through sliding insertion while maintaining structural integrity through the guide channel geometry and interlocking features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If welding is used to assemble metal frame components, then structural strength is improved, but ease of dismantling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of dismantling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system transitions from static welded joints to dynamic removable connections. The guide channels allow metal tubes to be inserted and removed while maintaining structural integrity during use. This dynamic connection system enables easy dismantling and reassembly of the metal frame structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If welds are exposed to corrosive environmental factors, then structural integrity is maintained initially, but corrosion causes breakage and weakens the structure over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vulnerable welded joints from the structure and replaces them with connecting pieces that have guide channels. By removing the welding process entirely and using mechanical insertion instead, the source of corrosion vulnerability (weld lines) is eliminated. The connecting pieces can be designed with corrosion-resistant materials and geometries that are not susceptible to the same degradation mechanisms as welded joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Strength

If multiple sections of metal profiles are welded together to form connecting pieces, then structural strength is improved, but fragility under antagonistic forces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidfragility under antagonistic forces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting piece combines multiple material sections (first section, second section, third section) with different functional properties. The guide channels in each section are designed to receive and secure metal tubes, creating a composite connection system that distributes loads across multiple interfaces rather than concentrating stress at welded joints, thereby reducing fragility under antagonistic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4033045B1Joining piece for assembling a removable metal frame of a displaceable building

Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SERE SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a connecting piece (100A, 100B) intended for use in assembling a metal frame (20) of a relocatable building, particularly an agricultural building. The invention provides a connecting piece (100A, 100B) that does not require welding and is detachable. Furthermore, the connecting piece (100A, 100B) according to the invention is in two parts and is arranged to resist opposing forces to which it may be subjected. In particular, thanks to its clever two-part arrangement, the connecting piece is well-suited to withstand forces from opposing directions. Indeed, when assembled, the connecting piece is locked in all directions so that the mechanical stresses to which it may be subjected can be better distributed. The invention also relates to an assembly method (300) and a construction system for creating such a metal frame (20).