C-Shape Rail Fastening With Integrated Positioning Component

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements for C-shaped support rails are complex to produce and assemble, particularly in ensuring the retaining washer and sliding nut maintain a constant distance and facilitate easy rotation within the rail.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement with a screw and sliding nut, featuring a positioning component with a spacer section and pretensioning section, where the spacer section keeps the retaining washer and sliding nut at a constant distance, and the pretensioning section, often with a leaf spring, ensures the sliding nut can be rotated 90° within the rail, simplifying assembly and production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a positioning component with multiple sections (spacer and pretensioning) is used to maintain constant distance between retaining washer and sliding nut, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant distance maintenanceVSAvoidpositioning component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning component is divided into two functional sections: a spacer section (32) that maintains constant distance between the retaining washer and sliding nut, and a pretensioning section (34) that applies prestressing force. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function independently, improving manufacturing precision while keeping the overall structure manageable through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the sliding nut is designed to rotate 90° within the C-shaped rail for easy assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of secure engagement may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidsecure engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning component is designed to maintain a constant distance between the retaining washer and sliding nut even before the sliding nut is rotated into its final position. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the sliding nut is rotated 90° for easy assembly, the components remain properly aligned and engaged, thereby maintaining reliability throughout the rotation process and in the final secured position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a pretensioning component with spring hooks is used to hold the sliding nut in position, then reliability of positioning is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition holdingVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer section and pretensioning section are merged into a single integrated positioning component (18) made of plastic material. This merging eliminates the need for separate spring hooks and assembly steps, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the reliability of position holding through the integrated pretensioning function that applies continuous prestressing force to the sliding nut.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution allows for easy and reliable assembly of the fastening arrangement, ensuring the retaining washer and sliding nut maintain a constant distance, facilitating automatic assembly and secure engagement within the C-shaped rail, while allowing the sliding nut to rotate freely for secure fastening.

Implementation Method 1

The positioning component has a spacer section (32) between the retaining disk (14) and the sliding nut (16) and, on a screw head facing away from the underside of the sliding nut, a biasing portion (34). The biasing portion is in the form of a leaf spring.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2980425B1Fastening assembly for c-shaped attachment strips and kit
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 WURTH INT AG
  • EP2980425B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2980425B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2980425B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for C-shaped retaining rails with a screw and a sliding nut, wherein a threaded section of the screw is at least partially screwed into a threaded bore of the sliding nut, a retaining washer arranged between a screw head of the screw and the sliding nut, and a positioning component arranged between the retaining washer and the sliding nut, wherein the positioning component has a spacer section arranged between the retaining washer and the sliding nut and a preload section engaging on an underside of the sliding nut facing away from the screw head.