Adjustable Rocker Panel Clamp Kit for Wind Tunnel Load Cell Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in securely attaching vehicles to load cells in wind tunnels, particularly due to varying vehicle ground clearances, which affects the accuracy of aerodynamic testing data.
Innovation Solution
A rocker panel restraint clamp kit that includes a clamp module, post member, extensions, and fasteners, allowing for adjustable clamp configurations to accommodate different vehicle rocker panel heights and ensure secure attachment to load cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed clamp configuration is used to attach vehicles to load cells, then the attachment structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate vehicles with varying ground clearances and rocker panel heights
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into modular components including a clamp body, extendable arms, and adjustable positioning mechanisms. This segmentation allows the same basic clamp structure to be configured for different rocker panel heights by assembling different arm lengths and positioning elements, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring completely different clamp designs for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates adjustable and movable components such as extendable arms with variable lengths, repositionable mounting points, and configurable fastening mechanisms. These dynamic elements allow the clamp configuration to be changed between tests to match different vehicle ground clearances and rocker panel heights, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamp is designed to accommodate a wide range of rocker panel heights, then adaptability is improved, but the attachment precision and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp design incorporates specific localized features such as precisely engineered gripping surfaces, targeted reinforcement at contact points, and specialized fastening mechanisms at critical attachment locations. These local quality enhancements ensure that even though the overall clamp structure is adaptable and configurable for different heights, the actual attachment points maintain high reliability and security through optimized local geometry and material properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp system allows adjustment of critical parameters such as arm length, mounting height, and gripping force to match specific vehicle characteristics. By changing these parameters rather than the fundamental clamp structure, the system achieves adaptability across different rocker panel heights while maintaining consistent attachment reliability through controlled parameter optimization for each configuration.
3Measurement precision
If multiple clamp configurations are used to accommodate different vehicles, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the time required to reconfigure between tests increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp system includes pre-configured modular components and standardized interfaces that allow rapid assembly and reconfiguration. Critical elements such as extendable arms, mounting brackets, and fastening mechanisms are prepared in advance with standardized connection points, enabling quick changeover between different vehicle configurations without requiring complex on-site adjustments or custom fabrication, thus minimizing reconfiguration time while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp kit and method for removably connecting a vehicle to a load cell in a wind tunnel can include a clamp module, at least one extension and a third fastener. The clamp module can include first and second jaws, a drive member, and a clamp fastener. The clamp fastener can be connected to the second jaw. The at least one extension can include first and second fasteners. The clamp module can be connected to a post member to form a first configuration clamp when the third fastener is directly connected to both of the clamp fastener and a fastener of the post member, and the clamp module and the extension can be connected to the post member to form a second configuration clamp when the first fastener is directly connected to the clamp fastener and the second fastener is directly connected to the fastener of the post member.