Pivotable Lever Attachment Device for Vehicle Cross Member Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment devices for cross members in vehicles, particularly those supporting maneuvering drive systems, face challenges in providing a reliable and easy-to-mount solution for securing cross members to the vehicle chassis, with a need for improved force transmission and accessibility during the clamping process.
Innovation Solution
The attachment device features a pivotable lever element with a clamping device arranged closer to the end that moves towards the basic element, allowing for force transmission through a screw or nut mechanism, providing easy access and a secure clamping force, and includes a pressure element with a wave-shaped profile for enhanced friction and a separate actuating element for comfortable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamping device is designed to provide strong clamping force for reliable attachment, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to complex force transmission paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lever element as an intermediary mechanical component that transmits and amplifies the clamping force. The lever element pivots about a pivot axis and transfers force from the actuating element to the clamping point, providing mechanical advantage while maintaining operator accessibility. This mediator enables strong clamping force without requiring complex direct force transmission mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device employs a dynamic lever mechanism that pivots during operation. The lever element rotates about a pivot axis, allowing the clamping force to be applied dynamically as the lever moves from an open to a closed position. This dynamic action enables easy operation through simple lever motion while generating substantial clamping force at the contact point.
2Force
If the clamping device is positioned for optimal force transmission, then the clamping effectiveness is improved, but the accessibility for actuation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the actuating element in a different spatial dimension relative to the clamping point. The actuating element is located at one end of the lever, accessible from the exterior, while the clamping force is applied at another location through the lever's pivoting action. This dimensional separation allows optimal force transmission geometry while maintaining easy accessibility for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device is segmented into distinct functional components: an actuating element for operation, a lever element for force transmission, and a clamping interface for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the actuating element for accessibility and the clamping interface for force effectiveness - while working together as an integrated system.
3Ease of manufacture
If a U-shaped clamp is used for simple attachment, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the attachment reliability deteriorates due to insufficient force transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the static U-shaped clamp with a dynamic lever-based clamping mechanism. The lever element pivots about a fixed axis, allowing it to apply concentrated clamping force at the contact point while maintaining a simple overall structure. This dynamic mechanism achieves reliable attachment through controlled force application rather than relying solely on the geometric constraint of a U-shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment device is designed to be pre-assembled in a simple manner, with the lever element already positioned on the basic element. During installation, the lever is simply pivoted into the clamping position, and the clamping force is automatically applied through the lever's geometry. This preliminary arrangement of components simplifies manufacturing while ensuring reliable attachment through the lever's inherent mechanical advantage.
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
This design ensures a reliable and safe attachment of cross members, facilitating easy mounting and secure engagement with the vehicle chassis, even during towing, by optimizing force transmission and accessibility, thereby enhancing the stability and safety of the maneuvering drive system.
Implementation Method 1
a preferably elongated lever element (12) that is supported at the basic element (9), in particular at the preferably open top side of the basic element (9), so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (X)
Implementation Method 2
a pressure element with a wave-shaped profile for enhanced friction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment device (1) for attaching a cross member (2), comprising - a basic element (9), - a lever element (12) that is supported at the basic element (9) so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis (X), - at least one clamping device (23) by means of which an end area (12b) of the lever element (12) can be moved in the direction of the basic element (9) to clamp a component of a vehicle between this end area (12b) and a cross member (2) and/or the basic element (9), wherein the clamping device (23) is embodied and arranged in such a manner that a force transmission occurs in that end area (12b) of the lever element (12) that is moved towards the basic element as a result of the force transmission. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising at least one attachment device (1) and at least one cross member (2), a vehicle and the use of an attachment device (1).