Angle Coupling with Pivoting Bolt for Angled Body Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing angle couplings face challenges in efficiently attaching components with sloping body walls, requiring complex pre-assembly and leading to tilting issues during installation, which increases assembly time and affects quality, while current solutions either offer limited angular compensation or are inflexible, necessitating additional adjustment efforts and fastening points.
Innovation Solution
A coupling receptacle with a dome-like vault and non-round insertion opening allows for variable angular orientation of a coupling bolt within a defined pivoting plane, featuring a fastening collar with locking lugs and a sealing collar for secure attachment and sealing, enabling pivoting within a specific angular range while preventing movement outside this plane, and can be manufactured using injection molding or 3D printing for adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional couplings with parallel central longitudinal axes are used, then simple snap-fit connection is achieved, but components cannot be mounted on angled body walls without complex pre-assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling receptacle incorporates a ball catch mechanism that allows dynamic angular adjustment of the coupling bolt within a defined angular range (e.g., ±15 degrees). This dynamic capability enables the coupling to adapt to angled body walls without requiring complex pre-assembly, as the bolt can self-adjust to the correct orientation during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the coupling bolt relative to the coupling receptacle by introducing a pivoting mechanism. The ball catch allows the bolt to pivot within a specific angular range, transforming the fixed parallel axis configuration into a variable angle configuration that accommodates sloping body walls.
2Reliability
If coupling bolts are pre-mounted at an angle to match angled body walls, then engagement with the receptacle is achieved, but assembly time increases and tilting occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling receptacle is pre-configured with a ball catch mechanism that anticipates the need for angular adjustment. This preliminary design allows the coupling bolt to automatically find its correct orientation during insertion, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment and preventing tilting issues without requiring pre-montaging at specific angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball catch mechanism enables the coupling system to self-adjust to the correct angular orientation during installation. The coupling bolt automatically pivots within the defined angular range to achieve proper engagement, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or manual adjustment by the assembler.
3Force
If coupling receptacles with locking mechanisms are used to prevent removal, then high pull-out force is achieved, but angular compensation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ball catch mechanism provides a dynamic solution that combines strong locking capability with angular flexibility. The ball head of the coupling bolt engages with the ball catch to provide high pull-out force, while simultaneously allowing the bolt to pivot within a defined angular range, thus achieving both strong retention and angular compensation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an angle coupling (1) for fastening a first component (90), in particular a mounted part in a motor vehicle, to a second component (80), in particular a vehicle body-in-white structure, which coupling comprises a coupling bolt (50) with a head (52) and a coupling receptacle (10) in which the coupling bolt (50) can be pivoted in a two-dimensional angular range, whereas the head (52) of the coupling bolt (50) is locked in place releasably or non-releasably. The coupling receptacle (10) has a dome-like vault (16) with an insertion opening (12), a fastening collar (30), which surrounds the insertion opening (12), which has a non-round form such that the opening area can be described by a longitudinal axis AL and a shorter, transverse axis AQ running transverse thereto. The dome-like vault (16) includes a pivot plane spanned by the longitudinal axis AL of the insertion opening (12) and the insertion direction R, which defines a variable angular orientation of the lockable coupling bolt (50) in a two-dimensional angular range which is delimited maximally by an inner wall (22) of the dome-like vault (16).