Roof Rack Clamp with Rotating Groove Lock for Fast Tent Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing roof tent attachments to car roofs are not user-friendly and fast, posing a risk of damage to the roof rack profile and roof during clamping.

Innovation Solution

A clamping apparatus with rotatable and movable clamping parts that allow easy attachment and detachment to a roof rack profile, featuring a first clamping part that rotates between insertion and connection positions, and a second clamping part that connects via a tool with an anti-theft mechanism, ensuring secure and quick installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional attachment methods are used, then the roof tent can be attached to the car roof, but the process is not user-friendly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping apparatus is divided into multiple independent clamping parts (first clamping part, second clamping part, third clamping part) that can be independently positioned and attached along the groove of the roof tent profile. Each clamping part can be separately inserted, rotated, and secured, allowing modular and simplified attachment operations that reduce overall installation time and improve user-friendliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping parts feature rotatable connection portions that transition between different rotational positions (first rotational position for insertion, second rotational position for clamping). This dynamic rotation mechanism enables easy insertion and secure locking through simple rotational motion, making the attachment process intuitive and quick for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional clamping methods are used, then attachment is achieved, but there is a risk of damaging the roof rack profile and/or roof

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping parts are designed with movable connection portions that can be positioned along the groove before final securing. This allows the attachment process to proceed gradually with controlled force application, preventing sudden or excessive clamping forces that could damage the roof rack profile or roof, while still achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping apparatus allows adjustment of clamping force through the rotational positioning and movement of multiple clamping parts along the groove. By distributing and controlling the clamping parameters, the system achieves reliable attachment security while maintaining forces within safe limits to prevent damage to the vehicle roof or roof rack profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed attachment positions are used, then structure is simple, but adaptability to different roof rack profiles is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniversal fitVSAvoidclamping apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping parts are designed with grooves that can receive multiple clamping parts at different positions, and the connection portions can rotate to different positions. This universal design allows the same clamping apparatus to accommodate various roof rack profile types and configurations, providing versatile adaptability without requiring multiple specialized attachment devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If multiple clamping parts are used, then secure clamping is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclamping securityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple clamping parts are positioned along a single groove of the roof tent profile, with each clamping part nested within the same groove structure. This nesting approach allows multiple clamping elements to work together for secure attachment while sharing common structural elements (the groove), thereby reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate grooves or structures for each clamping part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260054655A1Clamping Apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 VDL HAPRO BV

AI summary

There is disclosed a clamping apparatus a clamping apparatus for a roof rack profile (10), comprising:-a roof tent profile (20) comprising at least one groove (21),-a first clamping part (30) comprising a first connecting portion (31),-a second clamping part (40) comprising a second connection portion (41), wherein the second clamping part (40) is connected or connectable to the groove (21), wherein the first clamping part (30) is configured to rotate between a first rotational position for insertion into or removal from the groove (21) and a second rotational position for connecting the first clamping part in the groove and vice versa, wherein in the second rotational position of the first clamping part (30) the first clamping part and the second clamping part (40) are configured to be movable with respect to each other along the groove (21) for connecting the first connecting portion (31) and the second connecting portion (41) to each other to clamp the clamping apparatus to the roof rack profile (10).