Vehicle Rail Pawl Locking for Quick-Release Fixture Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixtures in vehicles, such as shelves and cabinets, are securely bolted to the interior but lack a quick and secure detachment mechanism, risking detachment during sudden maneuvers or accidents.
Innovation Solution
A device with rotatable pawls and a camshaft mechanism that allows for quick attachment and detachment by engaging locking teeth into rail openings, featuring a housing for the camshaft and actuating lever for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixtures are securely bolted to the interior wall, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates (cannot be quickly detached)
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device transitions from a static bolted connection to a dynamic system where the pawl can rotate between locked and unlocked positions. The camshaft enables this dynamic transition, allowing the connection state to change from permanent to temporary based on operational needs, thus resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and quick detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device is segmented into distinct functional components: the pawl with locking tooth, the camshaft for actuation, and the housing for support. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be independently controlled and operated quickly, enabling both secure attachment when engaged and rapid detachment when released, without requiring tool-assisted unscrewing.
2Reliability
If a screw connection is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases (requires additional fastening elements)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the attachment and locking functions into a single integrated pawl mechanism. The pawl simultaneously provides mechanical attachment to the rail and locking engagement with the opening, eliminating the need for separate screw connections and multiple fastening elements. This consolidation maintains connection strength while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pawl serves multiple functions: it acts as both the attachment element that connects to the rail and the locking element that engages with the opening. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fastening components, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable connection through the unified pawl mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If a quick release mechanism is added, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates (risk of accidental release)
Solution Approach 1:
The camshaft mechanism incorporates a preliminary anti-action by requiring deliberate rotational movement to disengage the locking tooth from the opening. The camshaft's geometry ensures that accidental forces or vibrations cannot inadvertently rotate the pawl enough to release the lock, while still allowing intentional quick release when the camshaft is properly actuated. This pre-empts accidental release while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
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
Provides secure and stable attachment while enabling easy and tool-free detachment, ensuring fixtures remain attached during vehicle maneuvers and preventing accidental release.
Implementation Method 1
When rotated, the camshaft acts on the rear face of the pawl opposite the front face, rotating the pawl about the axis of rotation
Implementation Method 2
a first locking tooth that can be engaged or disengaged from a first side edge of the opening by rotating the pawl
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for attaching a piece of equipment (1, 2) to a rail (5) running along the inner wall (4) of a vehicle and provided with openings (3). Known devices of this kind require tools for fastening and detaching. The objective of providing a suitable device that enables secure yet quick detachability of the piece of equipment to the vehicle is achieved by at least one first pawl (10) rotatably mounted on the piece of equipment (1, 2) about an axis of rotation (8), which carries on its front face (13) facing an opening (3) a first locking tooth (9) that can be brought into locking engagement with a first side edge (11) of this opening (3) or released from this engagement by rotating the pawl (10) about the axis of rotation (8).