Vehicle Cross Member Clamp With Adjustable Lever Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment devices for maneuvering drive systems lack flexibility and ease of use when affixing cross members to vehicle chassis, requiring improved reliability and ease of mounting while accommodating various vehicle structures.
Innovation Solution
The attachment device features a height-adjustable lever element with pivot bearing assemblies and clamping devices that allow for versatile clamping of cross members, including U-shaped profiles with overlapping U-legs and screw connections for easy actuation, along with a pressure element for enhanced grip and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height attachment device is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate structures of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The lever element is made height-adjustable through multiple pivot bearing assemblies positioned at different heights, allowing the attachment device to adapt its configuration dynamically to match various vehicle chassis structures and cross member positions
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is divided into multiple pivot bearing assemblies (first, second, third, fourth) positioned at different heights, enabling selective engagement to achieve the required clamping height for different vehicle structures
2Reliability
If a robust clamping mechanism is used, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism utilizes the self-locking property of friction between the lever element and the vehicle chassis component, allowing the clamping force to be maintained automatically without requiring additional locking devices or complex fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism to secure the clamping force, the design inverts the approach by relying on friction to maintain the clamping state, with the lever element's position itself providing the securing function
3Force
If the clamping force is applied far from the pivot axis, then the clamping effectiveness is improved, but the lever element may become dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of pivot bearing assembly positioning by providing multiple assemblies at different heights and locations, allowing optimization of both the clamping moment arm length and the security of lever element attachment to the basic element
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 provides a flexible and reliable attachment system that can accommodate structures of varying sizes, ensuring secure clamping and easy mounting, while the height-adjustable design and accessible clamping mechanisms enhance user convenience and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a pivot bearing assembly defining a pivot axis
Implementation Method 2
a clamping device by means of which a free front end portion of the lever element can be pivoted around the pivot axis towards the basic element in order to clamp a component of a vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment device (1) for attaching a cross member (2), comprising - a basic element (9), - a lever element (12) that is supported at the basic element (9) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (X), - at least one clamping device (23) by means of which an end area (12b) of the lever element (12) can be moved in the direction of the basic element (9) to clamp a component of a vehicle between this end area (12b) and a cross member (2) and/or the basic element (9), wherein the clamping device (23) is embodied and arranged in such a manner that a force transmission occurs in that end area (12b) of the lever element (12) that is moved towards the basic element as a result of the force transmission. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising at least one attachment device (1) and at least one cross member (2), a vehicle and the use of an attachment device (1).