Cam Lever Fastener for Quick Secure Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable fastening devices for equipment in reactors and columns are cumbersome to assemble and disassemble, requiring perfect alignment and often involving complex mechanisms that can be improved for faster and easier operation.
Innovation Solution
A removable fastening device with a compressible flat part, an operating lever comprising a cam lever, and an assembly rod, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly by rotating the cam lever between tightened and loosened positions, utilizing a two-pronged fork and parallel cams to distribute force evenly and ensure secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional removable fastening device with slots and keys is used, then the equipment can be securely fixed to the support, but the assembly and disassembly processes are time-consuming and require complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is divided into distinct modular components: a support element with perpendicular portion and slot, a key element with inclined edge, and a clamping mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying both assembly (insert key into slot) and disassembly (remove key) operations while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The key is pre-formed with an inclined upper edge that automatically engages with the slot geometry. This preliminary preparation of the key's inclined shape enables automatic alignment and insertion without requiring complex adjustment procedures during assembly, reducing both time and operational complexity.
2Reliability
If a pivoting body with opening and pin mechanism is used, then the fastening can be secure, but the assembly requires perfect alignment of structures and the disassembly process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment requirement is extracted and transferred to the support structure itself through the perpendicular portion and slot geometry, rather than requiring alignment between multiple moving parts. The key simply needs to be inserted into the pre-defined slot, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures while maintaining secure fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the fastening components to align with each other through complex mechanisms, the design inverts the approach by providing a fixed reference (the slot in the perpendicular portion) that guides the key element. This reverses the complexity from the fastening mechanism to the static support structure, simplifying the operational complexity.
3Reliability
If a hammer is used to force the key into the slot, then the key can be locked in place, but the process requires additional tools and more steps
Solution Approach 1:
The key element is designed with an inclined upper edge that enables it to self-force into the slot through its own geometry when inserted. The inclined surface converts the insertion motion into a locking action, allowing the key to lock itself into place without requiring external tools like hammers, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliable locking.
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 device offers reduced loosening and setup times, ensuring secure fixation under varying conditions, with a compact design and adjustable clamping torque, facilitating quick and efficient installation and removal of equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an operating lever comprising a cam lever, said cam lever being arranged so that a rotation of the cam lever around an axis y perpendicular to the axis z of the assembly rod induces a displacement of the cam lever between a clamped position in which the compressible flat piece is compressed and the assembly is fixed
Implementation Method 2
a compressible flat part... in a clamped position in which the compressible flat piece is compressed and the assembly is fixed
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a removable fixing device 1 of a device A on a support B, with: - a compressible flat piece 5, - an operating lever comprising a cam lever 2 - and an assembly rod 3 having a first end and a second end; with: - said second end of the assembly rod 3 is provided with a clamping means (4), - said compressible flat piece 5, said operating lever comprising a cam lever 2 and said clamping means 4 arranged in the clamped position are arranged around said assembly rod 3 in an assembly; - said operating lever comprising a cam lever 2 is arranged so that a rotation of the cam lever 2 around an axis y perpendicular to the axis z of the assembly rod 3 induces a displacement of the cam lever 2 between a clamped position and a loosened position.