One-Piece Clamping Device for Profile Tube Attachment
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching add-on parts to vehicle overhead guards require drilling or welding, increasing construction costs and reducing the loading capacity of the guard, while also limiting flexibility in attachment points and requiring preparatory work.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece clamping device with a retaining lug and hook-shaped extensions that can be elastically deformed to fit onto the profile tube, eliminating the need for holes or bolts and allowing for flexible attachment points without additional preparatory work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded holes or welded bolts are used to attach add-on parts to profile tubes, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the profile tubes are weakened and loading capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is divided into multiple functional components: a clamping body with hook-shaped extensions that engage with the profile tube, and separate attachment means for securing the add-on part. This segmentation allows the clamping device to exert localized clamping forces without requiring holes or welds in the profile tube, thereby maintaining the tube's structural integrity while achieving reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If holes are drilled in the pane or cabin lining for attachment, then the attachment point is fixed and secure, but preparatory work is required and construction costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating holes in the add-on part or profile tube to accommodate fasteners, the invention inverts the approach by using a clamping device that externally engages with the profile tube's outer contour and secures the add-on part from the outside. This eliminates the need for preparatory hole-drilling operations while maintaining secure attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If threaded holes or welded bolts are provided on all driver's canopies for potential retrofitting, then retrofitting is possible, but construction costs increase and the canopies are not optimized for specific configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is designed with a universal clamping body that can adapt to different profile tube configurations and sizes. The hook-shaped extensions are configured to engage with the outer contour of various profile tube shapes, allowing the same clamping device design to be used across different driver's canopy models without requiring model-specific threaded holes or welded bolts, thereby reducing construction costs while maintaining retrofitting capability.
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 simple, cost-effective, and quick attachment of add-on parts with reduced assembly effort, maintaining the structural integrity of the overhead guard and allowing for flexible positioning of attachment points.
Implementation Method 1
the clamping piece being elastically deformable between the hook-shaped extensions and the clamping piece being able to be clamped to the profile tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (10) has a single-piece clamping piece (15) for partially encompassing a front profile tube (3a), a lateral profile tube (3b) and a rear profile tube (3c). Two hook-shaped extensions (16a, 16b) engage at profile walls (12a, 13a) of the profile tubes. The clamping piece is flexibly deformable between the hook-shaped extensions and attached at the profile tubes by a tightener (30). A holding pin (17) is integrally formed at the clamping piece, where an attachment part e.g. disk (20), is positively held at the profile tubes by the holding pin.