Two-Piece Clamp Layout for Compact Swing Door Operator Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door operator assemblies face challenges in reducing size while maintaining ease of mounting and ensuring strong attachment of components to a back plate, especially with limited space for mounting.

Innovation Solution

A clamp system comprising two clamp members connected by a fastener, which applies force to bring the clamp members closer together, allowing easy attachment and detachment of components to a back plate with minimal space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the size of the door operator assembly is reduced, then the space required for mounting is decreased, but the accessibility for attaching components to the back plate is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of door operator assemblyVSAvoidaccessibility for attaching components

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into two separate clamp members that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the clamp to be designed in a compact form factor that fits within the reduced space of the miniaturized door operator assembly, while still providing adequate leverage and accessibility for component attachment through its distributed structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp members utilize a multi-dimensional configuration where they extend in different spatial directions from the back plate. This dimensional arrangement allows the clamp to maintain functional accessibility for attaching components to the back plate while occupying minimal overall volume, effectively solving the space constraint without compromising operational ease

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of stationary object

If the size of the door operator assembly is reduced, then the protrusion from the wall is minimized, but the time required for mounting may increase due to reduced accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotrusion from wallVSAvoidmounting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is extracted and concentrated into the specialized clamp mechanism with its two clamp members and fastener. This extracted design allows for rapid attachment and detachment of components without requiring extensive manipulation in the limited space, thereby reducing mounting time despite the minimized protrusion from the wall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp members are designed with specific geometric parameters including inclined surfaces and retaining lips that enable quick engagement and disengagement. These parameter optimizations allow the compact clamp to maintain efficient mounting operations, reducing the time penalty that would normally result from reduced accessibility in miniaturized assemblies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If less material is used in the clamp, then production costs are reduced, but the structural integrity and attachment strength may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial usageVSAvoidattachment strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp members feature non-uniform cross-sections with thicker regions at critical stress points (such as where the fastener connects and where the retaining lip contacts the back plate) and thinner regions in non-critical areas. This local quality variation optimizes material distribution to maintain attachment strength while minimizing overall material usage and production costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp members utilize composite construction combining different materials or material densities in strategically placed zones. This allows high-strength regions to provide necessary attachment strength while lower-material regions reduce overall mass and production costs, effectively resolving the contradiction between material usage and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 clamp system enables quick and easy attachment of components, reduces the overall size of the door operator assembly, and maintains strong structural integrity while minimizing material usage and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

The clamp may further comprise a resilient member configured provide a biasing force pushing the clamp members away from each other, facilitating mounting of the clamp to the back plate.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12305681B2Space saving mechanism for installation of swing door operator

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB

AI summary

A clamp (1) for attaching a component (3) to a back plate (2), said clamp (1) comprises two clamp members (11, 12), the clamp members (11, 12) being connected by a fastener (13) configured to apply a force at least in a direction which brings the clamp members (11, 12) closer together, and wherein each clamp member (11, 12) is configured to cooperate with a retaining shoulder (31) of the component (3).