Adjustable Clamping Device for Angular Alignment Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices for mounting devices, such as those used for attaching navigation systems to vehicle windshields, face challenges with angular and coordinate deviations due to manufacturing tolerances and deformation of metal structures, particularly when multiple mounting points are involved, requiring flexible yet rigid clamping solutions that can compensate for alignment errors and allow for precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

A clamping device featuring a first internally threaded component and a second externally threaded component that are axially displaceable but non-rotatable, secured together by a bolt element and a lock nut, allowing for adjustable and lockable angular adjustment of objects, enabling precise positioning and compensation for alignment deviations while maintaining structural rigidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a rigid mounting structure is used to ensure positioning precision, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to alignment deviations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidadaptability to alignment deviations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure transitions from a rigid fixed state to a dynamic adjustable state through the universal joint mechanism, allowing real-time angular adjustments to compensate for alignment deviations while maintaining positioning precision when locked

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible mounting structure is used to accommodate alignment deviations, then adaptability is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to alignment deviationsVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The universal joint provides flexible angular adjustment during installation to accommodate alignment deviations, then locks into a precise fixed position to ensure accurate positioning of the mounted object

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple mounting points are used to distribute load, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distributionVSAvoidnumber of mounting points
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The universal joint serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pivot point for angular adjustment, a locking mechanism for position fixation, and a load distribution point, thereby reducing the need for separate mounting components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3409957B1Clamping device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 PROFIL VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3409957B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3409957B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3409957B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A clamping device, intended in particular for use with an assembly device but also suitable for many other applications, is characterized by a first component having an internal thread and one side forming a first clamping surface, by a second component having an internal and an external thread, which can be axially displaceable but rotationally fixed to the first component, wherein the respective internal threads of the first component and the second component are designed to be jointly attached to a support in a height-adjustable or distance-adjustable manner by means of a bolt element with an external thread, and by a lock nut that can be screwed onto the external thread of the second component, the side of which facing the first clamping surface forming a second clamping surface, wherein the first and second mutually facing clamping surfaces are designed for clamping an object or the clamping area of ​​the assembly device.