Angled-Bore Plate Mount for Vibration-Resistant Frame Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structural frames in automation equipment, furniture, and buildings often experience loosening of nut and bolt combinations due to vibration and environmental factors, compromising the integrity and alignment of the frame.
Innovation Solution
A plate mount system that mechanically interlocks a plate to a frame using a cylindrical head with a bolt-receiving bore at an acute angle, spacers, and a nut that engages with the frame's cavity, providing a clamping force to secure the plate in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nut and bolt combinations are used to secure frame members together, then the frame components are held together, but the connections loosen over time due to vibration and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The plate mount system allows the plate to rotate freely within the slot during assembly and adjustment, then becomes fixed when the clamp is engaged. This dynamic transition from movable to fixed state enables easy installation while ensuring long-term stability, resolving the contradiction between initial connection ease and long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp acts as an intermediary mechanism between the plate and frame member. Instead of directly fastening the plate with nuts and bolts, the clamp provides a intermediate clamping action that secures the plate firmly, preventing loosening while maintaining connection integrity under vibration and environmental stress.
2Ease of manufacture
If nut and bolt combinations are used to secure frame members, then the structural frame is assembled, but the frame members and components rotate with respect to one another compromising alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is positioned asymmetrically within the plate mount structure, creating a unique orientation that prevents rotation. The plate can be inserted in only one correct orientation, ensuring precise alignment while maintaining simple assembly. This asymmetric design eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures while guaranteeing manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If a plate is mechanically interlocked to a frame using a clamping system, then the plate is secured firmly, but the system becomes more complex compared to simple nut and bolt combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The plate mount integrates multiple functions into a single unified component: the plate itself serves as both the mounting surface and the structural element, while the slot and clamp work together as an integrated clamping mechanism. This merging eliminates the need for separate nuts, bolts, and mounting brackets, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining firm, reliable connection.
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 plate mount system effectively maintains the connection between the plate and frame, preventing rotational movement and ensuring alignment, even under repeated use and varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The bolt extends angularly through the slot and engages the nut received in the cavity so to interconnect the cylindrical head to the frame member and exert a clamping force on the plate between the at least one spacer and the frame member
Data Source
AI summary
A plate mount is provided for mounting a plate to a frame assembly. The plate mount includes a generally cylindrical head extendable through an aperture the plate and having an upper surface, a lower face, an outer peripheral surface, and an alignment structure receivable in a slot of the frame member. The cylindrical head including a bolt-receiving bore extending through the cylindrical head along a bore axes at an acute angle to the upper face. A flange extending radially extending from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head. The flange has a diameter. At least one spacer is positionable about the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical head at a location between the flange and the plate.