Radar Calibration Support Frame With Self-Locking Sliding Clamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bracket apparatuses for radar calibration lack a self-locking mechanism, causing the slider to potentially fall freely and leading to safety hazards during the calibration of automobile radar systems.

Innovation Solution

A bracket apparatus with a clamping assembly that includes a sliding member, a push rod assembly, and an elastic member, which provides an elastic restoring force to securely fix the slider to the vertical rod, preventing free fall and allowing for adjustable positioning of the calibration element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a slider is used to carry the calibration element on the vertical rod, then the calibration element can be adjusted to different positions, but the slider may fall freely without self-locking function causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of calibration element positionVSAvoidsafety of slider positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member (spring) automatically provides locking force to the slider without requiring external intervention. The slider self-locks at any position on the vertical rod through the elastic restoring force, eliminating the need for manual locking mechanisms while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a simpler elastic force-based locking system. The elastic member provides continuous locking force through its restoring force, substituting for traditional mechanical locks while improving reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If no locking mechanism is provided, then the structure is simple, but the slider can fall freely causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of bracket apparatusVSAvoidsafety of calibration element
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member automatically locks the slider at any position without requiring complex mechanical locking systems. This self-service locking mechanism maintains structural simplicity while ensuring safety through the elastic restoring force that prevents free-fall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the elastic properties of the spring member to provide locking force, changing from rigid mechanical locking to flexible elastic force-based locking. This allows the system to maintain simplicity while improving reliability through the continuous locking force provided by the elastic member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If an elastic member is added to provide locking force, then the slider is securely fixed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking function of sliderVSAvoidstructure of clamping assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simpler elastic force-based system. The elastic member provides continuous locking force through its restoring force, substituting for traditional mechanical locks while reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the elastic properties of the spring member to provide locking force, changing from rigid mechanical locking to flexible elastic force-based locking. This allows the system to improve reliability while maintaining relatively simple structure through the use of elastic deformation.

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 effectively prevents the slider from falling and allows for adjustable height settings to meet various calibration requirements, enhancing safety and precision in radar calibration.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic member is disposed between an inner wall of the sliding member and the backing plate and is configured to provide an elastic restoring force, so that the backing plate tightly abuts against the vertical rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic restoring force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3982029B1Support frame device
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP LTD
  • EP3982029B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3982029B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3982029B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to the technical field of automobile maintenance and repair as well as device calibration, and in particular, to a bracket apparatus. The bracket apparatus includes a base, a vertical rod and a clamping assembly. One end of the vertical rod is mounted to the base. The clamping assembly is mounted to the vertical rod. The clamping assembly includes a sliding member, a push rod assembly, a handle and an elastic member. One end of the sliding member is sleeved on the vertical rod. The sliding member is movable along the vertical rod. An other end of the sliding member is configured to carry a calibration element. The push rod assembly can be movably mounted to the sliding member in a preset direction. Two ends of the elastic member respectively abut against an inner wall of the sliding member and the push rod assembly. The elastic member can drive one end of the push rod assembly to be tightly pressed against the vertical rod. The sliding member is fixed to the vertical rod to prevent the sliding member from free falling and smashing. In addition, the handle is rotatably mounted to the sliding member to drive one end of the push rod assembly to be removed from contact with the vertical rod, so that the sliding member is slidable freely along the vertical rod. Therefore, the height of the calibration apparatus hung on the sliding member can be adjusted as needed, to meet different height requirements and calibration requirements.