Clamping Device with Closing Sheet for 360° Screw Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for connecting a square profile to a T-profile, such as those used in louvered ceilings, face challenges with accessibility and secure fixing due to the screw element's orientation and varying profile dimensions, leading to difficulties in handling and ensuring a positive connection.
Innovation Solution
The clamping device incorporates a closing sheet with stops that cooperate with the shanks, allowing the screw element to be supported against the first profile for adjusting the shanks, enabling a relative movement that ensures a positive connection to the T-profile, even with different dimensions, and allows for 360° accessibility of the screw tool during mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the screw element runs in the longitudinal direction underneath the first profile, then the clamping device can be assembled, but the accessibility and mounting of the screw element is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The screw element is reoriented from running in the longitudinal direction underneath the first profile to running in the transverse direction on the outer side of the first profile. This dimensional change in orientation provides full 360-degree accessibility for mounting operations while maintaining the clamping function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping device is designed for a specific profile dimension, then the structure is simple, but it cannot securely fix different embodiments of profile bars
Solution Approach 1:
The shanks are designed with the ability to pivot relative to the closing sheet, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate different profile bar dimensions. The screw element moves the shanks toward one another while the closing sheet with stops provides adaptive positioning, enabling secure fixation across various profile embodiments without requiring multiple specialized devices.
3Force
If the shanks are moved onto one another by a screw element, then the clamping force is sufficient, but the accessibility is reduced due to the profile blocking the wrench rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The screw element and its mounting location are extracted from the longitudinal space underneath the profile and repositioned to the transverse outer side of the profile. This separation removes the interference between the profile and the wrench, allowing full rotational accessibility while preserving the clamping force generation capability through the shank pivoting mechanism.
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
This design enhances handling and ensures a secure, adaptable connection to various profile dimensions, allowing for easy assembly and secure fixing while maintaining accessibility of the screw element, reducing assembly forces and preventing lateral distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a screw element for moving the shanks toward one another
Implementation Method 2
the pivoting of the shanks onto one another brings about a positive connection of the end sections to the section of the second profile
Data Source
AI summary
A clamping device for connecting a first profile to a second profile that is suspended from a ceiling and runs transversely to the first profile, including a clamp with two shanks that can be adjusted relative to one another, each having a recess for receiving and fixing the first profile and each with an end section for being fixed to a section of the second profile, and having a screw element for moving the shanks toward one another. The clamping device allows a closing sheet with stops, which closing sheet cooperates with the shanks of the clamp.