Deformable Plate Fastening for Play-Free Component Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements for components on devices, such as magnetic control valves and transmission actuators, often result in complex designs and require additional clamping elements, leading to play and mechanical overstressing during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement featuring a locally deformable plate with weakened regions and deformation zones, where spacers extend from the device to the component's surface, allowing the unweakened receiving area to be braced with screws, deforming the plate for a force-fitting and form-fitting connection without additional elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fastening arrangements are used, then components can be secured to devices, but the design becomes complex and requires additional clamping elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connectionVSAvoidfastening arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening element and clamping function into a single integrated plate structure. The plate includes both a receiving area for mounting and deformation zones for clamping, eliminating the need for separate clamping elements and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plate is segmented into functionally distinct zones: an unweakened receiving area for structural support and mounting, and weakened deformation zones for elastic clamping action. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with other parts of the fastening arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional clamping elements are used, then secure fastening is achieved, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening securityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function is merged directly into the plate structure through deformation zones that can elastically deform to engage with the component. This integration eliminates the need for separate clamping elements and reduces the number of assembly steps, making the process simpler while maintaining secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional fastening methods are used, then components are secured, but play and mechanical overstressing occur during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidplay-free connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plate's local thickness parameter is changed through weakened zones that reduce material thickness in specific areas. This allows the plate to deform elastically under clamping load, enabling precise adjustment to achieve play-free form-fitting connections without overstressing the component or requiring high-precision manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plate exhibits local quality variations with different thicknesses and material properties in different zones. The deformation zones have reduced thickness for elastic compliance, while the receiving area maintains full thickness for structural strength. This local differentiation enables precise, play-free connections while protecting the component from mechanical overstressing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a simple, easy-to-assemble, play-free, and non-positive or positive attachment method that securely fastens components to devices without mechanical overstressing, using few parts and minimizing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

deformation zones which are arranged between at least one pressure and centering area (4a, 4a') and an outer, unweakened receiving area (4b, 4b') designed as a clamping frame. The at least one component (3) is arranged on a receiving area (1b) of the device. Several spacers (2) extend from the receiving area (1b) of the device to below the height of the surface (3a) of the at least one component (3). The at least one unweakened receiving area (4b, 4b') of the fastening element (4, 4') designed as a plate can be braced against the spacers (2) by means of screws (7), such that the deformation zones (6, 6') are deformed and the pressure and centering area (4a, 4a') resting on the surface (3a) of the at least one component (3) fixes the component (3) to the device (1) in a positive and/or non-positive manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The fastening element has weakened regions (5, 5') and deformation zones (6, 6')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3592992B1Securing arrangement for securing at least one component to an appliance
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 ZF CV SYST HANNOVER GMBH
  • EP3592992B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3592992B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3592992B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a securing arrangement for securing at least one component (3) to an appliance (1), comprising a securing element (4) that can be deformed in sections and is designed to positively and/or non-positively connect the at least one component (3) to the appliance (1) in a substantially play-free manner. The aim of the invention is to provide a positively and non-positively connecting securing arrangement that is easy to construct and to mount and can be designed for at least one but also a plurality of solenoid control valves on a transmission actuator. To this end, the securing element (4) consists of a plate (4) comprising weakened regions (5) and deformation zones (6) between an outer, peripheral, unweakened receiving region (4b) and a pressure and centring region (4a) on the surface (3a) of the component (3), the at least one component (3) being attached to a flat receiving region (1a) of the appliance (1), a plurality of spacers (2) extending from the flat receiving region (1a) of the appliance (1) to below the height of the surface (3a) of the at least one component (3), and the at least one unweakened receiving region (4b) of the securing element (4) embodied as a plate can be braced against the spacers (2) by means of screws (7) such that the weakened region (5) is deformed and the pressure and centring region (4a) on the surface (3a) of the at least one component (3) fixes the component (3) to the appliance (1) in a positive and non-positive manner.