Depth Adjustment Bracket With Rotating Clamp Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing clamping devices face difficulties during assembly, particularly when transferring the second clamping element from a pre-mounted to a completely mounted position, as they often require manual holding and can be challenging in confined spaces and when frequently changing or replacing construction parts.

Innovation Solution

The second clamping element is designed to be rotatable from a pre-mounted position to a completely mounted position, allowing for one-handed operation and simplifying assembly, with guiding elements such as studs and grooves ensuring secure alignment and retention, and a fastening element that fixes both clamping elements together, reducing the number of components and labor intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the second clamping element is transferred from pre-mounted position to completely mounted position by linear movement, then the clamping device achieves secure attachment, but the assembly process requires manual holding and becomes difficult in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the linear movement of the second clamping element into a rotational movement around a stud. By changing the movement dimension from linear translation to rotation, the assembly can be performed with one-handed operation, eliminating the need for manual holding and making it feasible in confined spaces while maintaining secure attachment through the rotational engagement mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the second clamping element requires manual holding during assembly, then precise positioning can be achieved, but the assembly becomes labor intensive and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guiding elements (stud and groove) are designed to automatically guide and retain the second clamping element during its rotational movement from pre-mounted to completely mounted position. The groove geometry ensures proper alignment and positioning without requiring manual intervention, allowing the assembly mechanism to serve itself and significantly improving assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple components are used for fastening, then secure connection is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening function with the positioning and retention functions into a single integrated mechanism. The stud-groove combination serves multiple purposes: guiding the rotational movement, retaining the clamping element in the correct position, and providing the fastening connection. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining secure connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design facilitates easier and more efficient assembly, especially in confined spaces, allowing for secure attachment of construction parts with reduced manual effort and increased stability, while minimizing the risk of inadvertent disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

both clamping elements have a clamping surface and a wedge-shaped surface, the latter one being slanted against the clamping surface respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Implementation Method 2

through the interaction of the two wedge-shaped surfaces the two clamping surfaces are pressed against the supporting structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the first clamping element is outfitted with a first guiding element, and the second clamping element with a second guiding element, whereby both guiding elements interact with each other as guidance fixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Guidance:

Implementation Method 4

the two clamping elements are fixed and clamped together by means of a fastening element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3534017B1Depth adjustment bracket
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 ELDON GROUP
  • EP3534017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3534017B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3534017B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This invention relates generally to a device for attaching a construction part to a supporting structure (1), with a clamping device (2) being lockable against the supporting structure (1), wherein the construction part is attachable to the clamping device (2), and wherein the clamping device (2) has an attachment surface (27) for the construction part, wherein the clamping device has a first clamping element (3) and a second clamping element (4), wherein the first clamping element (3) has a first clamping surface and first wedge-shaped surface being slanted relative to the first clamping surface, and wherein the second clamping element (4) has a second clamping surface and a second wedge-shaped surface being slanted relative to the second clamping surface and being in direct contact with the first wedge-shaped surface in a completely mounted state of the clamping device (2), wherein the first clamping element (3) and second clamping element (4) are fixed and clamped together in a completely mounted state by means of a fastening element in such a way, that the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface are, through interaction of the first wedge-shaped surface and the second wedge-shaped surface, pressed against the supporting structure (1) arranged in between the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface, wherein the first clamping element (3) additionally has at least one first guiding element and the second clamping element has at least one second guiding element 88), wherein the first and second guiding element (3,4) interact as guidance fixture and can be brought into engagement in such a way, that the second clamping element (4) is retained at the first clamping element (3) in a pre-mounted position and is transferable from the pre-mounted position into a completely mounted position. According to the invention, the second clamping element (4) is rotatable from the pre-mounted position into a position that, with respect to the orientation of the second clamping element (4) relative to the first clamping element (3), is equivalent to the completely mounted position of the second clamping element (4).