Profile Rail Fastening Assembly With Spring-Guided Threaded Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for attaching loads to profile rails with C-shaped cross-sections are complex to assemble due to the need for precise alignment and limited mobility of the threaded plate relative to the cover plate.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device with a guide element designed as a spring element, allowing the threaded plate to be held at a distance from and parallel to the cover plate, enabling flexible mounting and secure rotationally fixed hold, with spring elements providing greater mobility and ease of assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the threaded plate is rigidly fixed to the cover plate, then the assembly structure is simple, but the threaded plate cannot move relative to the cover plate to adjust position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility of threaded plateVSAvoidcomplexity of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic movable connection. The threaded plate is held in a rotationally fixed manner but can be displaced toward or away from the cover plate, allowing position adjustment while maintaining structural integrity during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is divided into separate functional components: a holding element for rotationally fixing the threaded plate, and a displacement mechanism (spring element + guide element) for enabling linear movement. This segmentation allows independent optimization of rotational stability and linear mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If guide elements are designed as spring elements, then the threaded plate gains greater mobility and ease of assembly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembly and disassemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of guide element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element automatically provides the guiding and centering function without requiring external adjustment or complex mechanical guides. The spring's elastic deformation naturally accommodates misalignment and facilitates smooth insertion and extraction of the threaded plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element utilizes the elastic parameter of the spring element, which can change its length and stiffness characteristics during assembly and operation. This allows the system to adapt to different assembly conditions and provide both guidance and force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple spring elements are used, then the stability and centering of the threaded plate improve, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering and stability of threaded plateVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of holding device
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spring elements are arranged asymmetrically around the threaded plate's rotation axis, with different positions and orientations. This asymmetric arrangement provides both centering force and rotational stability, preventing the threaded plate from deviating from the central position while allowing free rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Each spring element serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing guiding force, centering the threaded plate, absorbing misalignment tolerances, and enabling smooth displacement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

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

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 facilitates secure and efficient attachment of loads to profile rails by allowing defined movement of the threaded plate relative to the cover plate, simplifying assembly, enhancing stability, and ensuring easy disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

at least one guide element (47) is provided between the holding device (30) and the cover plate (28), which guide element is preferably designed as a spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3586017B1Fastening device and fastening assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 MUEPRO SERVICES GMBH
  • EP3586017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3586017B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3586017B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4d

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device (20) for fastening a load to a profile rail (18), which has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal slot (22), wherein the fastening device (20) has a cover plate (28), the length and/or width of which is greater than the width of the longitudinal slot (22) of the profile rail (18), a threaded plate (32), which has a threaded bore (68) and a length which is greater than the width of the longitudinal slot (22) and a width which is smaller than the width of the longitudinal slot (22), and a retaining device (30) arranged on the cover plate (28) for the threaded plate (32) for inserting into the profile rail (18), in which the threaded plate (32) is held at a distance and parallel to the cover plate (28), wherein at least one guide or spring element (47) is provided between the retaining device (30) and the cover plate (28), by means of which the retaining device (30) is mounted so as to be movably guided to the cover plate (28). The invention further relates to a fastening assembly (10) having such a fastening device and having a profile rail (18) having a C-shaped cross-section, wherein the profile rail has a longitudinal slot (22), which is delimited by two substantially parallel slot edges.