Profile Rail Fastening Assembly With Bore-Engaging Threaded Plate Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for profile rails require additional post-processing of the threaded plate, which weakens the thread and increases production costs, and often fail to securely hold the threaded plate in place during assembly and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

A holding device with a free end that engages within the threaded bore of the threaded plate, preventing it from falling out and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, while maintaining secure fixation without additional indentations in the thread, and a resilient mounting that ensures reliable centering and secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tabs or ribs engage in recesses on the flanks of the groove to secure the threaded plate, then the threaded plate is held securely against falling out, but additional post-processing of the threaded plate is required which weakens the thread and reduces maximum load capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding of threaded plateVSAvoidthread strength and load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the securing function from the threaded plate itself and relocates it to the holding cage. Instead of modifying the threaded plate with recesses, the holding cage is equipped with holding elements that actively engage the threaded plate, thereby preserving the thread integrity while achieving secure holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than having the threaded plate passively receive securing features (recesses), the invention inverts the approach by having the holding cage actively provide securing features (holding elements) that engage the threaded plate. This inversion eliminates the need for post-processing the threaded plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If slots are machined laterally into the threaded bore of the threaded plate to accommodate arms with latching elements, then the threaded plate is fixed on the quick fastener, but additional work steps are required and the threads are weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation of threaded plateVSAvoidproduction complexity and thread integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the securing features from the threaded plate and places them in the holding cage. The holding elements are integrated into the holding cage structure, eliminating the need for additional machining operations on the threaded plate and preserving thread strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are merged with the holding cage structure, forming an integrated component. This combination eliminates the need for separate securing features on the threaded plate and simplifies the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the threaded plate is held securely in the holding cage to prevent slipping or falling out, then reliable fixation is achieved, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure holding during assemblyVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding elements are designed with elastic mounting, allowing them to dynamically adapt during assembly and disassembly. During assembly, the elements flex to allow insertion, then spring back to secure the threaded plate. During disassembly, the threaded plate can be pushed out by applying force, after which the elements return to their original position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements change their engagement parameter based on the assembly state. During normal operation, they maintain strong engagement to prevent falling out. During disassembly, when force is applied to push the threaded plate out, the elements yield and allow extraction, then automatically return to their securing position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for reliable and secure fastening of the threaded plate without post-processing the thread, enabling higher load-bearing capacity and simplified assembly/disassembly, while maintaining secure fixation and centering.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient mounting that ensures reliable centering and secure engagement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3586012B1Fastening device and fastening assembly
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 MUEPRO SERVICES GMBH
  • EP3586012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3586012B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3586012B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4d

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening device (20) for fastening a load to a profiled rail (18), which has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal slit (22), which fastening device comprises a cover plate (28), the length and/or width of which is greater than the width of the longitudinal slit (22) of the profiled rail (18), a threaded plate (32), which has a threaded bore (68) and is longer but narrower than the longitudinal slit (22) of the profiled rail (18), and a retaining cage (30) for the threaded plate (32) for inserting into the profiled rail (18), which retaining cage is arranged on the cover plate (28) and has a receptacle (44), which extends through the retaining cage (30) and in which the threaded plate (32) is retained at a distance from and parallel to the cover plate (28). In order to enable simple and reliable securing of the threaded plate (32) against falling out, a retaining apparatus (60) for the threaded plate (32) is provided on the retaining cage (30), which retaining apparatus engages by means of a free end (76) into the bore diameter of the threaded bore (68) of the threaded plate (32) and secures the threaded plate (32) in an insertion direction (S) in the receptacle (44) against falling out, the insertion direction (S) extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the threaded plate (32). The invention further relates to a fastening assembly (10) having such a fastening device and having a profiled rail (18), which profiled rail has a substantially C-shaped cross-section and a longitudinal slit (22), the length of the threaded plate (32) being greater than the width of the longitudinal slit (22) and the width of the threaded plate (32) being less than the width of the longitudinal slit (22).