Lever-Arm Profile Bar Connector With Single-Bolt Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for extruded aluminum profile bars require multiple bolts for secure attachment, which is inefficient and not suitable for standardized dimensions, limiting their application and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a rotatable lever with a pivot joint and T-shaped gripping elements, allowing secure attachment with a single screw bolt, minimizing material usage and ensuring a compact, easy-to-mount solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple bolts are used for secure attachment of profile bars, then connection strength is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gripping functions into a single lever arm structure with integrated gripping elements. The lever arm incorporates both the first gripping element for the first profile bar and the second gripping element for the second profile bar, allowing both profile bars to be secured with a single screw bolt instead of multiple separate bolts.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a pivot joint for rotational movement, incorporates gripping elements for both profile bars, and acts as a lever to amplify the clamping force applied by the single screw bolt. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed.
2Device complexity
If a single screw bolt is used for attachment, then device complexity is reduced, but connection strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm is designed to be rotatable about a pivot joint, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during the clamping process. When the screw bolt is tightened, the lever arm rotates to engage the gripping elements with the profile bars, converting the linear motion of the bolt into a clamping action that secures both profile bars reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the single screw bolt and the two profile bars. It translates the clamping force from the bolt into effective gripping forces on both profile bars through its rotational movement and lever arm geometry, ensuring secure attachment despite using only one bolt.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized extruded aluminum profile bars are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different connector designs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping elements are designed with specific geometric features (such as T-shaped or U-shaped profiles) that match corresponding features on the standardized extruded aluminum profile bars. This localized geometric compatibility ensures that the connector can be securely attached to standard profile bars while maintaining the ability to adapt to different configuration requirements.
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 efficient and cost-effective attachment of profile bars with a single screw bolt, providing a robust and compact connector that maintains structural integrity without material deformation, while being easy to assemble and mount.
Implementation Method 1
a lever (40) being accommodated in the base body (30) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (44)
Implementation Method 2
The screw bolt passes through the base body, preferably in the area of the second contact surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector (10) for use with a first and a second profile bar (21; 22), each of which has at least one side surface (23) with an undercut groove (24), wherein the connector (10) comprises a base body (30) having a first and a second contact surface (31; 32) that can be placed against a respective associated side surface (23) of the first and second profile bar (21; 22), respectively, wherein the connector (10) comprises a first and a second gripping element (11; 12) that can engage in a respective associated undercut groove (24) of the first and second profile bar (21; 22), respectively, and wherein a screw bolt (13) is provided.According to the invention, a lever (40) is provided which is rotatably mounted on the base body (30) in a pivot joint (43), wherein the pivot joint (43) separates a first and a second lever arm (41; 42) of the lever (40) from each other, wherein the first gripping element (11) is coupled to the movement of the first lever arm (41), and wherein the second gripping element (12) can be clamped against the second lever arm (42) by means of the screw bolt (13).