Hammer Head Fastening Element for Slip-Free Rail Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening elements for mounting components on sloping or vertical rails are prone to slippage during assembly, making the process imprecise and difficult, and require cumbersome two-directional force application and potential unintentional rotation, leading to unreliable fixation.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with a bolt, hammer head element, support element, and spring, where the support element exerts torque on the hammer head element as it is pressed into the mounting rail, allowing it to pivot and engage behind the rail's side flanks without additional turning, with anti-twist devices ensuring secure positioning and preventing unintended rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hammer head element is pressed into the mounting rail while rotating it manually, then the fastening element can be secured to the rail, but the fitter has to exert force in two directions simultaneously which is cumbersome and not ergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The support element automatically exerts a torque on the hammer head element when pressed into the mounting rail, causing it to rotate and engage behind the side flanks without requiring manual rotation. The system uses the pressing force itself to generate the rotational movement through the torque mechanism, making the assembly process self-serving and eliminating the need for dual-directional force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element is designed to convert the linear pressing force into rotational torque through its geometric configuration. When the hammer head element is pressed into the mounting rail, the support element's shape and positioning cause it to rotate automatically, changing the motion parameter from linear to rotational without additional manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the hammer head element is pressed into the mounting rail without additional turning movements, then the assembly process is simplified, but the hammer head element may unintentionally turn back and slip loose
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is designed with a geometry that creates a preliminary anti-action against unintended rotation. The shape and positioning of the support element prevent the hammer head element from rotating back to its initial position, effectively counteracting any potential reverse movement before it can cause slippage. This preliminary protective measure ensures reliable fixation without requiring complex locking mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the hammer head element automatically rotates into the clamping position, then the assembly is faster and easier, but the rotation direction is predetermined which may be difficult for left-handed or right-handed people
Solution Approach 1:
The support element automatically generates the rotational torque needed to pivot the hammer head element into the clamping position without requiring manual intervention. The system self-determines the rotation direction based on its geometric configuration, eliminating the need for users to manually rotate the element in a preferred direction. This self-service mechanism maintains high assembly speed while removing the constraint of predetermined manual rotation direction.
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 quick, easy, and reliable mounting without the need for additional turning movements, providing secure clamping and preventing slippage, even in blind assembly scenarios, with the anti-twist device ensuring the hammer head element reaches the correct position and remains clamped.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (50) which is supported between the support element (40) and a head section (21) formed on the bolt (20)
Implementation Method 2
the support element (40) exerts a torque on the hammer head element (30) when the hammer head element (30) is pressed into the mounting rail (70)
Implementation Method 3
the side flanks (72) are clamped between the 90° rotated hammer head element (30) and the support element (40)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The element (10) has a hammer head element (30) insertable into a mounting slot of a mounting rail in a mounting position (M) and pressed against a spring (50) in the mounting rail. The head element is pivotable between the mounting position and a clamping position, such that the head element backwardly engages side flanks of the mounting rail in the clamping position. A supporting element (40) exerts torque (D) on the head element during pressing the head element into the mounting rail. The mounting slot is limited by the side flanks, and the head element is connected with a bolt (20).