Damped Fastening Assembly for Tool-Free Vibration Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements lack a damping effect for both axial and radial vibrations and are costly to assemble and produce, often requiring tool-based assembly and being unsuitable for varying material thicknesses.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement composed of two structurally identical units with central through-openings, each including a disc-shaped mounting element and damping element, where the damping element is partially arranged within the mounting element, providing a damping effect through compression and featuring a latching structure for secure engagement without the need for tools, suitable for different material thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fastening arrangements are used to secure components, then the components can be attached to one another, but the arrangement lacks damping effect for axial and radial vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamping effectVSAvoidfastening arrangement structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is nested within the mounting element, with the damping element being at least partially arranged in the central second through-opening of the mounting element. This nested configuration provides vibration damping functionality while maintaining a compact structure without requiring separate mounting and damping components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening arrangement combines a mounting element (typically rigid material) with a damping element (elastomeric or viscoelastic material) to create a composite structure. This composite design provides both structural support and vibration damping effects for axial and radial directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If two differently designed fastening devices are used to secure the fastening arrangement, then the fastening arrangement can be secured on both sides of the component opening, but the assembly and manufacturing effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring fasteningVSAvoidassembly and manufacturing effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening arrangement uses two identical fastening units with the same structure and design, rather than two differently designed devices. Each unit can be secured using the same method on both sides of the component opening, simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining reliable securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening arrangement is divided into two identical modular fastening units, each capable of independent installation. This segmentation into identical modules simplifies manufacturing by using standardized components and reduces assembly complexity through repetitive, uniform installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If conventional fastening arrangements are used, then components can be attached, but tool-based assembly is required which increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent attachmentVSAvoidassembly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening units incorporate self-securing features through their locking structures that engage automatically when the fastening units are positioned on opposite sides of the component opening. The identical locking structures of the two fastening units secure to each other without requiring external tools, enabling tool-free assembly while maintaining reliable component attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fastening arrangements are used, then components can be fastened, but they are unsuitable for varying material thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial thickness adaptationVSAvoidfastening security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element provides dynamic adaptation to varying material thicknesses through its elastomeric or viscoelastic properties. When the fastening units are secured, the damping element compresses between the mounting elements, automatically adjusting to different thickness variations in the component opening while maintaining secure fastening through the rigid mounting elements and locking structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 reduces manufacturing effort, minimizes the risk of incorrect assembly, and simplifies automated installation by using identical units that can be easily rotated for secure engagement, providing effective damping for both axial and radial vibrations while being adaptable to various applications.

Implementation Method 1

providing a damping effect through compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

providing a damping effect through compression

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3963217B1Fastening arrangement with damping effect and component connection to the fastening arrangement
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 BOLLHOFF VERBINDUNGSTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3963217B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3963217B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3963217B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement (1; 60) with damping effect, consisting of two structurally identical fastening units (3; 63; 103) each having a central first through opening (5; 105). Each fastening unit (3; 63; 103) comprises a mounting element (10; 110) and a damping element (30; 130). The mounting element (10; 110) is disc-shaped with a central second through opening (12) and an identical detent structure extends from a first side (14; 114) of each mounting element (10; 110). The damping element (30; 130) is disc-shaped with a central third through opening (32) and is arranged at last partially in the central second through opening (12) of the mounting element (10; 110). Due to this construction the two fastening units (3; 103) can be fastened to one another by means of the mutually facing first sides (14; 114) having the identical detent structure of the respective mounting elements (10; 110) with first component (A) arranged between them.