Undercut Groove Connector for Low-Force Rigid Component Joining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting means for furniture or machine parts, such as those described in DE 196 04 243 C2, face difficulties in securely connecting components made of hard materials like hardwood or metallic materials without damaging them during assembly, due to the need for high forces and the risk of breaking the component's lateral walls when using self-cutting edges.

Innovation Solution

A connecting means featuring non-self-cutting holding projections with a curved supporting surface in the form of an arc of a circle, which can be inserted into pre-existing grooves with a curved undercut section, allowing for secure anchoring with minimal force and enabling positional corrections by allowing movement in the groove's longitudinal direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If self-cutting protruding edges are used to anchor connecting elements into components, then anchoring strength is improved, but the risk of damaging component lateral walls increases and high driving forces are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoiddamage to component lateral walls

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The groove with undercut section is pre-formed in the component before the connecting element is inserted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for self-cutting action during insertion, preventing damage to lateral walls while still achieving strong anchoring through the pre-configured undercut geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the connecting element cutting into the component during insertion (self-cutting action), the groove is pre-formed with the anchoring geometry. The connecting element then simply engages with the pre-prepared undercut section, reversing the traditional sequence of creating the anchoring feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If self-cutting protruding edges are used to anchor connecting elements, then anchoring strength is improved, but large driving forces are required that can damage components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoiddriving force during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The groove with undercut section is pre-formed in the component before insertion. This eliminates the need for high-force self-cutting action during assembly, allowing the connecting element to be inserted with minimal force while still achieving strong anchoring through the pre-configured undercut geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The traditional approach of creating anchoring geometry during insertion is reversed. Instead, the anchoring groove is pre-formed, and the connecting element simply engages with it, inverting the sequence to avoid high insertion forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If holding projections are inserted into grooves with undercut sections, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the precision requirements for groove placement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoidgroove placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The groove with undercut section is pre-formed in the component before the connecting element is inserted. This preliminary preparation creates a tolerance-absorbing feature that reduces sensitivity to precise groove placement, as the connecting element can engage with the undercut section even with moderate positioning variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The groove geometry includes an undercut section that changes the dimensional parameters of the engagement zone. This geometric feature creates a tolerance zone that accommodates variations in groove placement while maintaining secure anchoring, effectively reducing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If holding projections are inserted into grooves with undercut sections, then secure anchoring is achieved, but corrections in positioning become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure anchoringVSAvoidpositional correction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting element is designed with movable holding projections that can shift position within the groove's undercut section. This dynamic capability allows for positional corrections during assembly while maintaining secure anchoring through the undercut engagement, combining both reliability and adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8882416B2Connecting means and method of producing a connection between a first component and a second component

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 LAMELLO AG

AI summary

This application is directed to groove milling devices for milling a groove in a component. In one example, a groove milling device includes a milling disk which is rotatable about a rotational axis, wherein the groove milling device comprises a displacement device for moving the milling disk along the rotational axis during the milling process. In an example, the groove milling device may include a control device which actuates the displacement device automatically when a predetermined depth of the milled groove is reached during the milling process. In an example, the groove milling device may include a switch for activating the displacement device by an operator during the milling process. In an example, the energy required for actuating the displacement device may be generated by a generator coupled to a main drive spindle of the groove milling device.