Bus Interior Mounting Rail for Corrosion-Free Component Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screw connections for fastening equipment components in buses lead to issues like corrosion, damage to anti-corrosion coatings, fixed component positions, and rattling noises, making it difficult to rearrange interior components and affecting resale value.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device using a mounting rail system that allows for variable positioning of equipment components along the rail, with a spring plate to prevent rattling and absorb forces, and a combination of screw and positive connections for secure attachment without damaging the vehicle's paintwork.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If screw connections are used to fasten equipment components, then secure attachment is achieved, but corrosion damage occurs and anti-corrosion coating is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidcorrosion damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mounting rail as an intermediary component between the vehicle body and equipment components. The mounting rail is attached to the vehicle body surface without penetrating it, using adhesive or friction-based fixation, thereby serving as a mediator that provides fastening functionality while preserving the integrity of the anti-corrosion coating and preventing corrosion damage to the vehicle body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw connection system with a mounting rail system that uses friction, adhesive bonding, or elastic retention mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for holes and threads in the vehicle body, thereby preventing corrosion while maintaining secure attachment of equipment components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If screw connections are used to fasten equipment components, then secure attachment is achieved, but component position cannot be changed easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening strengthVSAvoidposition adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rail is designed with movable elements such as sliders, clips, or elastic retention mechanisms that allow equipment components to be easily repositioned along the rail. This dynamic design enables the component position to be adjusted without dismantling the entire fastening system, thereby providing adaptability while maintaining secure attachment during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system is segmented into the mounting rail and the equipment component, with an interface that allows relative movement. The mounting rail is divided into multiple positioning zones or slots, enabling the equipment component to be securely fastened at different positions along the rail, thus achieving both secure attachment and position adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional fastening methods are used, then simple installation is achieved, but rattling noises occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidrattling noises
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rail acts as an intermediary that incorporates vibration-dampening features such as elastic elements, rubber inserts, or friction-based contact surfaces. These features absorb and dampen vibrations between the equipment component and the vehicle body, preventing rattling noises while maintaining installation simplicity through the modular rail design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting rail is designed with built-in vibration damping elements and friction-based contact surfaces that provide cushioning against vibrations before they can cause rattling noises. This beforehand cushioning is integrated into the fastening mechanism itself, eliminating rattling while keeping the installation process simple and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If mounting rail is used for variable positioning, then position flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidfastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rail is designed as a universal fastening system that can accommodate different types of equipment components through standardized interfaces, clips, or attachment mechanisms. This multi-functionality allows a single rail design to provide variable positioning for various components without requiring complex component-specific fastening systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

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

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

Enables easy reconfiguration of interior equipment, prevents rattling noises, and maintains corrosion protection by allowing flexible positioning and secure attachment of components without damaging the vehicle's paintwork.

Implementation Method 1

a spring plate (20), which can be inserted into the mounting rail (5) in order to avoid annoying rattling noises

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

a spring plate (20), which can be inserted into the mounting rail (5) in order to avoid annoying rattling noises

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

The mounting rail (5) is attached to the body of the bus by an adhesive connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2735479B1Fixing device for equipment components in a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2735479B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2735479B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~5
  • EP2735479B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device for attaching equipment components (25) to a side wall in the interior of a motor vehicle, in particular a bus. The invention provides a mounting rail (5) that can be attached to the side wall of the motor vehicle and to which the equipment components (25) can be attached.