Functional Device Upper Socket Front Claw Insertion Slope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Functional devices with a plastic base face challenges in securing to inclined walls due to the rigidity of the base material, which damages pre-holding claws and results in inadequate pre-maintenance, especially when the center of gravity is forward, causing the device to tilt and potentially slip off during screwing.
Innovation Solution
The functional device incorporates an upper sleeve with a screw passage featuring a rigid claw adapted to be housed between thread portions, along with a variable radius design and optional angularly offset claws, to ensure effective pre-holding without damaging the claws and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pre-retaining clip with flexible claws is used to pre-hold the base to the screw, then the pre-retaining effect is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to the need for oversized sockets and additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-retaining function directly into the base structure by molding three claws at 120° angles into the bottom of the rear part of the upper sleeve during base manufacturing. This eliminates the need for a separate pre-retaining clip component, reducing device complexity while maintaining the pre-retaining function through the rigid claws integrated into the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper sleeve structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the base, guides the screw through its passage, and incorporates integrated claws that perform the pre-retaining function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated pre-retaining components, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid material is used to make the base and integrated claws, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the claws are damaged by screw threads during assembly, worsening the pre-retaining effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a variable radius screw passage with a smaller radius at the front and a larger radius at the rear. This localized geometric variation allows the rigid claws to be positioned in a region where they engage the screw threads effectively during pre-retaining, while the overall passage geometry facilitates smooth screw insertion without damaging the claws.
3Reliability
If the radial extension of the claws is increased to improve pre-retaining, then the pre-retaining effect is improved, but the upper sleeve jams relative to the screw, worsening assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The variable radius screw passage creates local geometric variations that accommodate the claws at specific positions. The smaller front radius allows the claws to engage the screw threads effectively for pre-retaining, while the larger rear radius provides clearance that prevents jamming during assembly, optimizing both pre-retaining effect and assembly ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated claws are pre-positioned at specific angular orientations (120° apart) and depths within the upper sleeve during base manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the screw is inserted, the claws automatically engage the threads at the optimal location for pre-retaining without requiring adjustment or causing assembly interference.
4Ease of operation
If the radial extension of the claws is decreased to facilitate assembly, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the pre-retaining effect becomes insufficient, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The variable radius passage optimizes the local geometry at different positions: the smaller front radius region allows adequate claw engagement for reliable pre-retaining, while the larger rear radius region provides clearance for smooth assembly. This localized geometric optimization resolves the contradiction between assembly ease and pre-retaining effectiveness.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a functional device (DF) which is intended for being secured to a wall (PF) that is angled and provided with at least two screws (V1), which has a centre of gravity located in a front portion, and comprises in a rear portion (PR1) a base (ED) provided with at least one upper socket (DS) comprising a screw passage (PA) delimited by an inner surface (FI) including in an upper front area (ZVS) at least one rigid claw (G) suitable for being housed between two adjacent portions of a thread of the screw (V1) in order to pre-hold the base (ED) relative to the screw (V1).