Vehicle Floor Fixation Insert for Hidden Flexible Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation systems for objects in vehicles with continuous, unbroken floor covers, such as rail vehicles, face challenges in precisely determining mounting positions due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for flexible installation, while maintaining structural stability and aesthetic integrity.
Innovation Solution
A fixation system with point-localized receptacles, such as threaded holes or bayonet locks, integrated into the floor panel, covered by a continuous floor cover, allowing for flexible mounting and hidden receptacles, using a jig for precise alignment, and a fastening element with an oblong hole for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If fixation receptacles are integrated into the floor panel and covered by a continuous floor cover, then the aesthetic integrity of the floor is maintained, but the mounting position cannot be precisely determined due to manufacturing tolerances and floating floor movement
Solution Approach 1:
The floor panel is segmented into two functional layers: a continuous floor cover for aesthetic purposes and an integrated insert containing multiple fixation receptacles for precise mounting. This segmentation allows the floor cover to remain visually intact while the insert provides exact mounting positions despite floating floor movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation receptacles are pre-positioned within the insert at predetermined locations that account for manufacturing tolerances and floating floor movement ranges. This preliminary positioning ensures that regardless of the floor's final position within tolerance ranges, the receptacles will be at the correct mounting locations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixation receptacles are provided at different positions in the insert, then flexible mounting is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the floor cover, contains multiple fixation receptacles for various mounting positions, and acts as a alignment reference for the fastening element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation receptacles are nested within the insert, which itself is integrated into the floor panel. This nested structure allows multiple fixation points to be contained within a single compact component, providing mounting flexibility without increasing overall system complexity or requiring separate fixation structures.
3Strength
If the fastening element has an oblong hole for receiving fixation elements, then secure attachment is achieved, but the fastening element protrudes beyond the object's outer face
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion of the fastening element is extracted and separated from the main object body. This extracted portion contains the oblong hole for secure fixation and can be independently positioned or concealed, allowing the main object to maintain its aesthetic appearance while the fastening mechanism provides strong attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary between the floor panel and the fastening element. It provides the fixation receptacles that receive the fastening element, allowing the fastening element to be securely attached to the floor while the insert and floor cover conceal any protruding portions, maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a fixation system (1000) for fastening an object (600) to a floor (1), especially a floating floor (1), of a vehicle in amounting position flexibly chosen in affixation area comprising: said floor (1) with a continuous unbroken floor cover (400); said object (600); and at least one fixation element (800); wherein said object (600) comprises at its bottom a fastening element (700) not protruding beyond said object's (600) outer faces (640, 660), said fastening element (700) comprising an oblong hole (720), wherein said floor (1) comprises at least one floor panel (100) with an insert (300) flush with the surface (210) of the floor panel body (200) of said at least one floor panel (100); wherein the surface (210) of the floor panel body (200) is covered by the continuous unbroken floor cover (400), said insert (300) comprising a plurality of fixation element receptacles (370) at different point-localized positions for receiving said fixation element (800) inserted through the oblong hole (720) of the fastening element (700) and a hole in continuous otherwise unbroken floor cover (400), in order to clamp the fastening element (700) of the object (600) to the floor (1) in a tightened position of the fixation element (800). In one Embodiment the said floor fixation system (1000) further comprises a jig (500), said jig (500) comprising an arrangement of alignment holes (570) corresponding to the plurality of fixation element receptacles (370) and wherein said at least one floor panel (100) and said jig (500) comprise mating alignment elements (394, 395, 594, 595) for a mechanically aligning said jig (500) with respect to said at least one floor panel (100), and wherein one of the alignment holes (570) is centered with each of the plurality of fixation element receptacles (370) when the jig (500) is mechanically aligned. The invention further relates to a method for fixing an object (600) to a floor (1).