Folding Lever Arm Fastening Anchor for Water Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for fastening water fittings in receiving bores face challenges such as complex assembly requiring special tools, high manufacturing costs, and inability to route water pipes and fastening anchors through a common hole, due to precise structural designs that are difficult to correct during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The use of folding lever arms with protectors and spring elements that automatically unfold to secure the fitting, allowing water pipes and fastening anchors to pass through a mounting hole, with an anti-twist device ensuring proper alignment and a secure hold, and a mounting body for detachable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fastening anchor is designed to automatically pivot into the locked position using gravity, then the assembly process is simplified, but the manufacturing precision and structural design requirements become more stringent, increasing production costs
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening anchor is designed to automatically pivot into its locked position using its own center of gravity, eliminating the need for external tools or complex positioning mechanisms. The anchor's weight creates a moment that naturally drives it into the locked position after insertion, making the system self-actuating and simplifying assembly while reducing dependency on precise manual positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The design creates a gravitational potential energy system where the fastening anchor's center of gravity is positioned to create a natural tendency toward the locked position. By utilizing gravity as the driving force, the system converts potential energy into the mechanical action of locking, reducing the need for complex spring mechanisms or external actuation systems
2Reliability
If the clamping body is inserted from the underside of the plate, then the fitting can be secured, but the assembly becomes cumbersome and requires special tools and considerable assembly skills
Solution Approach 1:
The entire fastening sequence is inverted compared to conventional designs. Instead of inserting the clamping body from the underside and then securing the fitting, the fitting is first positioned on the dashboard with the tie rod inserted from above, and then the fastening anchor automatically locks from the top side. This inversion eliminates the need to work from the difficult-to-access underside and removes the requirement for special assembly tools
3Strength
If the folding lever arm axes enclose an angle of less than 180°, then the clamping effect is enhanced, but the free space for water pipes and tie rod passage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The angle between the folding lever arm axes is optimized to be less than 180° (specifically around 120-130°), which changes the geometric parameters of the folding mechanism. This angular parameter optimization creates a more favorable mechanical advantage for clamping while still maintaining adequate passage space for water pipes and the tie rod through the mounting hole
4Reliability
If the fastening anchor is designed as a folding dowel with two folding lever arms, then the automatic locking is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening anchor is segmented into two folding lever arms that can pivot independently relative to each other and to the clamping nut. This segmentation allows the anchor to be guided through the mounting hole in a collapsed state and then automatically unfold into a locked position, achieving reliable automatic locking while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured as a single piece
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
Simplifies the assembly process, reduces manufacturing complexity, and enables secure fastening without special tools, while allowing simultaneous passage of water pipes and fastening anchors through a common hole, enhancing the clamping effect and stability.
Implementation Method 1
folding lever arms are held in the locked position by a spring
Implementation Method 2
folding lever arms are held in the locked position by a spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A device is disclosed for securing a fitting (1), in particular a water fitting, in a receiving hole (2) of a fitting carrier (T), comprising a tie rod (3) engaging the fitting (1), comprising a tensioning nut (5) screwed onto a threaded bolt (4), which tensioning nut carries a securing anchor (6), which is designed such that same can be guided through the receiving hole (2) when the fitting (1) is installed and which automatically assumes the locking position thereof after passing through the receiving hole (2), wherein the securing anchor (6) in the locking position thereof and the fitting (1) with the tie rod (3) can be braced against each other by clamping the tap hole edge (7), wherein the securing anchor (6) is designed in the manner of a hinged dowel, specifically as an at least two-part hinged lever. In order to improve the installation conditions, it is proposed that the hinged lever arm axes (A) enclose an angle (a) of less than 180° when viewed in a projection plane in the direction of the tie rod axis.