Vehicle Cross Bar End Support Anti-Loosening Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle article carrier systems face challenges in securely fastening cross bars to support rails, particularly for individuals with limited hand strength, as normal road vibrations can cause loosening of the end supports, even after initial tightening.
Innovation Solution
The cross bar end supports incorporate an integral anti-loosening mechanism featuring a spring clip and a specially configured threaded member with scallops, which cooperatively prevent loosening by engaging with a specialized tool for secure tightening and resisting vibration-induced loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional tightening mechanism is used, then the cross bar end support can be manually tightened, but it loosens under road vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip applies a preliminary counteracting force in the opposite direction of vibration-induced loosening. The spring is pre-loaded to exert continuous pressure on the threaded member's head, creating an anti-loosening moment that counteracts the loosening effect of road vibrations before they can cause actual loosening.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system is segmented into distinct functional components: the threaded member for initial tightening, the spring clip for anti-loosening, and the latching element for final securing. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of the fastening process, with the spring clip specifically addressing the vibration resistance problem.
2Reliability
If a specialized threaded member with scallops is used, then loosening is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring clip and threaded member are merged into a single integrated assembly where the spring clip is positioned to engage with the scallops on the threaded member's head. This merging creates a compact anti-loosening mechanism that adds minimal complexity while providing reliable vibration resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded design provides self-adjusting anti-loosening protection. As vibrations attempt to loosen the threaded member, the spring automatically compresses and releases, maintaining constant counteracting pressure without requiring external intervention or complex control mechanisms.
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 anti-loosening mechanism ensures that the cross bar end supports remain securely attached to the support rails, even under road vibrations, without requiring excessive hand strength for initial tightening, providing a reliable solution for various vehicle article carrier systems.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip inserted in the opening... The engagement of the at least one third feature of the spring clip and the at least one second feature of the head portion of the threaded member cooperatively prevent loosening of the threaded member
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cross bar for a vehicle article carrier that may be releasably secured to a support rail. The cross bar has an end support at each end thereof for securing the cross bar to the support rail. Each end support has a main body configured to engage with a portion of the support rail, an opening in the main body, and a latching element moveably supported from the main body. A threaded member is used for controlling engagement of the latching member with the support rail. The threaded member has a head portion which engages with portions of a spring clip secured in the opening. This helps prevent loosening of the threaded member after it has been tightened.