Lever-Actuated Locking and Clamping Bolt Mechanism for Rail Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for temporarily connecting a vehicle seat to a retaining rail often result in play between the seat base and the rail, leading to incomplete form-fitting and potential rattling noises due to complex and costly structures with springs, and require multiple clamping bolts for secure attachment.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring guide bolts, an axially displaceable locking bolt, and a clamping bolt, adjustable together via a lever device with a pivotable lever arm, allowing for secure, one-foot operated locking and unlocking, and eliminating the need for multiple clamping bolts by using a single clamping bolt for each locking profile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a locking bolt with dual function is used to engage the locking opening and pull the guide bolts upwards, then the positioning precision is improved, but a gap is created between the base plate and the holding rail resulting in play and loss of form-fitting connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidform-fitting connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the locking function and clamping function into two distinct bolts: a locking bolt that engages the locking opening for precise positioning, and a separate clamping bolt that maintains form-fitting connection between the base plate and holding rail. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a lever device that provides multi-functionality by simultaneously controlling both the locking bolt and clamping bolt through a single actuating mechanism. The lever device can displace both bolts axially together, enabling one operational interface to manage multiple functions (locking and clamping), thus improving ease of operation while maintaining both positioning precision and form-fitting connection.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple clamping bolts are used to achieve clamping without play, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnumber of clamping bolts
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the control of multiple clamping bolts into a single lever device that can displace both clamping bolts axially together through a unified mechanism. This combining approach maintains connection stability by ensuring both clamping bolts are actuated simultaneously while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each bolt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic elements including springs that resiliently support the clamping bolts and a lever device that provides dynamic actuation. The springs allow the clamping bolts to maintain constant contact force with the holding rail, ensuring clamping without play, while the lever device enables dynamic control of both bolts through a single operational interface, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If a complex gate control with springs and multiple clamping bolts is used, then the clamping effect is improved, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping effectVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever device serves as a multi-functional mechanism that simultaneously controls the locking bolt, clamping bolts, and interacts with the spring elements through a single actuating interface. This universal control mechanism maintains the strong clamping effect provided by the springs and multiple clamping bolts while significantly reducing structural complexity by consolidating control functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs dynamic spring elements that resiliently support the clamping bolts, providing automatic adjustment and maintaining constant clamping force. The lever device introduces dynamic actuation that can simultaneously displace multiple bolts, creating a dynamic system that achieves strong clamping effects with reduced structural complexity compared to static multi-bolt arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution provides a secure, form-fitting connection without play, reduces rattling noises, and simplifies the locking mechanism, enabling easy foot-operated locking and unlocking while maintaining stability under load.

Implementation Method 1

The lever device comprises a lever arm that can be pivoted about a pivot point. The lever arm directs the locking bolt, which can be moved in the axial direction, and the clamping bolt via pivot axes.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 2

With the help of the lever arm, locking bolts and clamping bolts are moved in opposite directions. Due to the lowering and simultaneous tightening, a particularly firm clamping is achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of guide bolts projecting downwards, which are guided in the retaining rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

the clamping bolt is clamped with the retaining rail in a non-positive and positive manner. The device is clamped down against the rail

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 5

The positioning device itself is held by a spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2253500B1Device for temporary connection of a mobile object with a hold rail
Publication Date: 2013.07.10 GEORG FISCHER METALLVERARBEITUNG
  • EP2253500B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2253500B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2253500B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

The device (1) has a holder (10) comprising a lever arm (12) pivoting around a rotation point (14) of the arm, where the arm is articulated by an articulated axis of a locking bolt (30) and an articulated axis of a clamping bolt (40). The locking bolts are displaced in an axial direction. The articulated axis of the locking bolt is arranged before the rotation point of the lever arm, and the articulated axis of the clamping bolt is arranged behind the rotation point of the lever arm. The locking and clamping bolts are moved in opposite directions by the lever arm.