Leveling Fastener Assembly With Identical Clamping Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for mounting and adjusting add-on parts on a mounting base are not user-friendly and require different manufacturing processes for holding and counter-supporting disks, necessitating specific combinations that complicate manufacturing and usage.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system featuring geometrically identical clamping elements with circular or polygonal designs, including primary and secondary through-openings, and stepped recesses, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment with a primary screw and secondary fastening elements, enabling secure attachment and alignment without requiring distinct disks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different retaining washer and counter-support washer designs are used, then the fastening system provides secure attachment and alignment, but the manufacturing complexity increases and user ease of use decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the retaining washer and counter-support washer into a single integrated clamping element that combines both functions. This single element includes a clamping surface for attachment retention and a support surface for alignment, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining secure attachment and alignment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a retaining washer and a counter-support washer. The geometrically identical design with multiple through-openings allows it to fulfill both clamping and support roles, reducing the number of different part types needed in the fastening system.
2Reliability
If different retaining washer and counter-support washer designs are used, then the fastening system provides secure attachment and alignment, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the retaining and support functions into one clamping element, the user no longer needs to distinguish between different washer types or ensure correct pairing. The simplified component selection and assembly process directly improves ease of operation while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs geometrically identical clamping elements throughout the system, creating homogeneity in the components. This uniformity allows users to interchangeably use the same component type without concern for matching specific pairs, significantly easing operation and reducing user error.
3Ease of manufacture
If geometrically identical clamping elements are used, then manufacturing is simplified and ease of use is improved, but the ability to provide both retention and support functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is segmented with multiple through-openings (at least one primary and one secondary) that are radially offset from each other. This segmentation allows a single geometrically identical element to provide multiple functional interfaces: the primary through-opening for retention and the secondary through-opening for support, thereby maintaining functional versatility while using uniform components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension by offsetting through-openings at different radial positions on the clamping element. This dimensional arrangement allows a single component to engage with different features of the fastening system at varying radial distances, providing both retention and support functions without requiring different component geometries.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening system (1) for mounting and leveling an attachment (2) on a mounting base (4). The fastening system (1) comprises a first clamping element (6) and a second clamping element (17). The first and second clamping elements (6, 7) partially enclose a screw head (33) of a primary screw (29) of the fastening system (1) in a form-fitting manner. By unscrewing the primary screw (29) from the mounting base (4), the attachment (2) can be spaced away from the mounting base (4) and thus leveled.