Profile Rail Fastening Assembly With Integrated Spring-Guided Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for attaching add-on parts to profile rails are complex and difficult to assemble due to their numerous components, which increases production costs and assembly complexity.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a C-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal slot, featuring a cover plate, threaded plate, holding device, and spring, where guide projections on the cover plate engage with corresponding recesses in the holding device for torsionally rigid and axially displaceable mounting, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fastening device with multiple individual parts is used to ensure reliable fixation, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual parts into an integrated fastening device with a unified body structure. The holding device integrates the receptacle, retaining flange, and guide recesses into a single component that works cooperatively with the cover plate and threaded plate, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining fixation reliability through the coordinated function of integrated elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device is designed as a multi-functional unit where the holding device serves multiple purposes: it holds the threaded plate, provides retaining flange for support, incorporates guide recesses for alignment, and works with the spring mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components while ensuring reliable fixation.

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

2Strength

If a fastening device with numerous components is used to achieve secure attachment, then the fixation strength is improved, but the ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple components into integrated structures, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. The holding device and cover plate are designed as cohesive units with built-in features (guide recesses, retaining flange) that eliminate the need for separate alignment and retention components, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining fixation strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening device is segmented into functional modules (cover plate, holding device, threaded plate, spring) that can be manufactured separately and assembled through simple engagement features. The guide projections and guide recesses enable easy modular assembly without complex fastening operations, improving ease of manufacture while ensuring strong fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If guide projections with sufficient length are used to provide required axial spring travel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of collision with other elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial spring travelVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide projections act as intermediaries that define the axial travel path of the spring and cover plate. By positioning these projections strategically within the holding device structure, the patent enables sufficient spring compression travel while the projections themselves serve as physical stops that prevent excessive movement and collision with other elements like the attachment or guide rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide projections are pre-positioned on the cover plate at specific locations that predetermined the maximum axial travel distance. This preliminary positioning ensures that during operation, the spring can compress to the required extent for proper fastening, while the projections themselves prevent further travel that would cause collision with other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 simplified design reduces production costs and significantly eases assembly by minimizing components while maintaining effective clamping force, independent of the material used for the holding device, ensuring reliable fixation without material-dependent weight or stability issues.

Implementation Method 1

The fastening device also has a spring which pushes the cover plate and the holding device, with the threaded plate held in the receptacle, apart.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the spring pushes the cover plate and the holding device, with the threaded plate held in the receptacle, apart

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a threaded rod which engages with an external thread in the threaded bore and is supported against the cover plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3586018B1Fastening device and fastening assembly
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 MUEPRO SERVICES GMBH
  • EP3586018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3586018B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3586018B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device (10) for fastening an attachment part (14) to a profiled rail (16) having a substantially C-shaped cross section and a longitudinal slot (18), wherein the fastening device (10) comprises a cover plate (30), a threaded plate (32) having a threaded bore (45), a holding device (34) having a receptacle (46) for the threaded plate (32) and a radially protruding holding flange (52) for supporting on the attachment part (14). The holding device (34) is coupled with the cover plate (30) and the threaded plate (32) in a rotationally rigid manner, has a spring (36) arranged between the cover plate (30) and the holding device (34), and a threaded rod (38), which engages with an external thread (42) in the threaded bore (45), and which is supported by the cover plate (30). On the cover plate (30), at least one guide projection (62) projecting in the direction of the threaded plate (32) is provided, which guide projection engages in a corresponding guide recess (58) in the holding device (34) in a rotationally rigid and axially displaceable manner, and the spring (36) is supported directly on the cover plate (30). A fastening assembly (12) has such a fastening device (10) and an attachment part (14), which has an opening (28), through which the holding device (34) extends, wherein the holding flange (52) of the holding device (34) rests on the assembly part (34).