Frame-Clamping Mounting Bracket for Repositionable Hose Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional mounting brackets for securing cables and hoses in heavy-duty vehicles require drilling new bolt holes for re-design or relocation, making them inconvenient and costly to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A mounting bracket with integrally formed opposing jaw members connected via a resilient bending portion, allowing clamping onto the vehicle frame without holes, using sheet metal or spring steel for robustness and cost-efficiency, and featuring a friction-enhancing surface treatment and a press screw for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional bolting mounting brackets are used, then secure attachment to vehicle frame is achieved, but new bolt holes are required whenever bracket relocation is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket relocation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket is divided into separate components: a clamp body with clamping jaws and a separate fastening mechanism. This segmentation allows the clamp body to be reused and repositioned without requiring new mounting holes, while the fastening mechanism can be adjusted or replaced independently to accommodate different relocation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket incorporates a dynamic fastening system that allows the bracket to be easily attached and detached. The fastening mechanism can be adjusted to different positions and configurations, enabling the bracket to adapt to various relocation requirements without requiring permanent modifications to the vehicle frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If clamping mechanism is used instead of bolting, then bracket can be moved without drilling holes, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket repositioning flexibilityVSAvoidmounting bracket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping function and fastening function are merged into a single integrated clamp body structure. The clamping jaws and fastening mechanism work together as one unified component, eliminating the need for separate clamping devices and reducing overall system complexity despite the increased functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamp body is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides both the clamping action to secure the bracket to the vehicle frame and the fastening mechanism for attachment and detachment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining repositioning flexibility.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If integrally formed jaw members are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but securing force against vibrations may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidholding force under vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp body is constructed using composite material structures, combining different materials or material treatments to achieve both cost-effectiveness and high reliability. The integral formation reduces manufacturing steps and cost, while strategic material selection or heat treatment ensures sufficient securing force against vibrations and gravitational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The design optimizes geometric parameters of the integrally formed jaw members, such as thickness distribution, cross-sectional shapes, and contact surface areas, to enhance the holding force. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the bracket achieves adequate vibration resistance while maintaining the cost advantages of integral formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables flexible re-positioning and re-design of cable and hose routing without drilling new holes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, while providing a strong and reliable holding force against vibrations and gravitational forces.

Implementation Method 1

the first and second opposing jaw members are integrally formed and connected via a resilient bending portion, whereby the tightening means force the first jaw member against the second jaw member by bending the resilient bending portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the mounting bracket further comprises a friction-enhancing surface treatment on at least one of the first and second jaw members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3987619B1A mounting bracket
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP3987619B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3987619B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3987619B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

A mounting bracket for securing a pneumatic hose or electrical wire harness to a vehicle frame portion. The bracket comprises first and second opposing jaw members configured movable in a direction against each other to clamp onto the vehicle frame portion, tightening means for forcing the first jaw member against the second jaw member to secure the mounting bracket to the vehicle frame portion, and at least one supporting member for supporting the pneumatic hose or electrical wire harness, wherein the first and second opposing jaw members are integrally formed and connected via a resilient bending portion, whereby the tightening means force the first jaw member against the second jaw member by bending the resilient bending portion.