Fender Fastening Device with Sliding Guide Profiles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for fixing fenders to vehicle frames, particularly trucks and heavy vehicles, are inadequate for fender models without cylindrical housings configured to receive a tube integral to the frame, lacking a rapid and safe coupling solution.

Innovation Solution

A rapid blocking/releasing device comprising a plastic insert with snap hooks and wedge hooks for secure engagement within a vehicle tube, combined with shaped profiles and clamping means to engage sliding guides on the fender, allowing axial sliding and adjustable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cylindrical housing is provided to receive a tube integral to the frame, then rapid and safe fixing is achieved, but fenders without such housing cannot be fastened to the frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different fender typesVSAvoidstructural requirements of the fastening system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening means is designed with dual functionality: it can engage with both traditional cylindrical housings (via the tube) and alternative mounting surfaces (via the flat engagement surface). This universal design allows the same fastening device to work with various fender types regardless of whether they have cylindrical housings or flat surfaces, thereby improving adaptability without requiring multiple different fastening systems

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

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening means acts as an intermediary component that bridges different mounting configurations. It provides both a tube-receiving portion for traditional cylindrical housings and a flat engagement surface for alternative mounting, allowing it to mediate between the frame structure and diverse fender types, thus solving the compatibility issue without increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blocking devices are engaged in the tube and fender housing, then axial sliding is limited and positioning is secured, but rapid assembly is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure positioning of the fenderVSAvoidspeed of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening means is pre-configured with engagement features (protrusions and corresponding recesses) that automatically align and engage with the fender housing and frame tube upon insertion. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for manual adjustment or complex locking operations during assembly, enabling rapid installation while ensuring secure positioning through the pre-designed geometric constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking devices are designed to self-engauge automatically when the fastening means is inserted into the tube and against the fender housing. The geometric shapes of the protrusions and recesses cause automatic alignment and locking without requiring external actuation or manual intervention, thus achieving both rapid assembly (ease of operation) and secure positioning (reliability) simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3686089B1Fast locking / unlocking device for constraining a fender to a frame provided with sliding guides
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 DOMAR
  • EP3686089B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3686089B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3686089B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Rapid blocking/releasing device for fastening a fender (40) provided with guides, comprising: a fender (40), an insert (20) configured to be introduced in a hollow tube (30) integral to the frame of a vehicle, and a fastening means (10) configured to be fastened both to said insert (20) and the fender (40), characterized in that said fender comprises on its outer surface at least a couple of parallel guides (46, 47), in that said fastening means (10) comprises in its own lower portion two shaped profiles (16, 17) configured to engage said guides (46, 47) and in that the geometry of said guides (46, 47) and said profiles (16, 17) is such that the same can engage the guides (46, 47) only by means of sliding from the lower portion thereof, and that once said profiles have engaged the guides the only movement allowed between said fastening means (10) and said fender (40) is sliding along the axis of the guides.