Modular Routing Bracket Locking for Accurate Vehicle Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Standard single-point brackets for securing vehicle components are often mispositioned during installation, requiring re-torqueing and can cause user injury due to the need to hold the bracket while tightening, and they lack ease of detachment and reattachment without risking damage.

Innovation Solution

A modular bracket assembly with a base member, support member, and locking member that allows for easy angular adjustment and secure attachment to a vehicle structure, featuring a locking mechanism with offset teeth for balanced unlocking and locking forces and an anti-rotation guide mechanism for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If standard single-point brackets are used for securing vehicle components, then the installation process is simple, but the brackets are often mispositioned during installation requiring re-torqueing and can cause user injury due to the need to hold the bracket while tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket body is pre-formed with a non-circular cross-section that includes an angular positioning feature. This feature is designed in advance to engage with a corresponding feature on the mounting surface, automatically orienting the bracket in the correct angular position during installation without requiring manual adjustment or re-torqueing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If standard single-point brackets are used for securing vehicle components, then the installation process is simple, but user injury can occur due to the need to hold the bracket while tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiduser injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A self-holding mechanism is incorporated into the bracket design that automatically secures the bracket in its final position during tightening operations. This intermediary mechanism prevents the bracket from moving or rotating while the fastener is being tightened, eliminating the need for a second person to hold the bracket and thereby preventing user injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If standard single-point brackets are used for securing vehicle components, then the bracket structure is simple, but the brackets lack ease of detachment and reattachment without risking damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebracket structure simplicityVSAvoidease of detachment and reattachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked states. The locking member can be easily actuated to release the engagement between the bracket body and mounting surface, allowing for simple detachment and reattachment operations. The mechanism maintains a stable locked state during normal use but allows controlled release when needed, enabling repeated installation and removal cycles without damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3744989B1Modular routing bracket
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3744989B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP3744989B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3744989B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5(b)

AI summary

A bracket assembly comprising a base member (102) having a central axis, and an outer circumferential base surface; a support member (104), comprising an annular coupling portion adapted to be coaxially movably coupled to said base member in any one of a plurality of predetermined fixed angular orientations about said central axis of said base member; a locking member (106), configured to be coaxially and operably coupled with said support member and said base member, adapted to rotate relative to said support member about said central axis between a first angular orientation, allowing axial movement of said locking member relative to said support member, a second angular orientation, allowing axial movement of coupled said locking member and said support member relative to said base member, and a third angular orientation, preventing axial movement of coupled said support member and said locking member relative to said base member.