Rooftop Carrier Clamp With Cam Locking for Tool-Free Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle accessory clamps require tools to attach and detach carriers from vehicle rails, lacking a secure and tool-free locking mechanism that is also aerodynamic and easy to use.
Innovation Solution
A lockable rooftop carrier clamp featuring a frusto-conical locking post with a cylindrical stem, a rotor with a cam-shaped exterior, and a lock housing with a tumbler core, allowing for tool-free attachment and detachment by pivoting the rotor and using a key to unlock the core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional threaded fasteners are used to attach carriers to vehicle rails, then secure attachment is achieved, but tools are required for manipulation and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional threaded mechanical fastening systems with a cam-actuated locking mechanism. The cam-shaped exterior wall of the rotor converts rotational motion into linear motion of the bolt, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and allowing tool-free operation through simple rotor rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a movable bolt that can transition between locked and unlocked positions dynamically. The cam-shaped rotor allows the bolt to move outward to unlock and inward to lock, providing dynamic control over the attachment state without requiring tools.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional locking mechanisms are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but the profile is higher and aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed with a low-profile configuration where the cam rotation occurs in a plane parallel to the vehicle roof surface. This dimensional arrangement allows the locking action to occur without increasing the vertical profile height, maintaining aerodynamic performance while ensuring secure attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple clamp designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but secure locking capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam-shaped exterior wall of the rotor introduces an asymmetric geometry that converts simple rotational motion into the linear motion needed for locking. This asymmetric cam profile allows the mechanism to achieve secure locking through a simple rotating component rather than complex multi-part mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If threaded fasteners are used, then attachment security is achieved, but the number of parts and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The rotor simultaneously provides the locking cam action, the bolt provides both locking and positioning functions, and the spring combines resetting and biasing functions. This integration reduces the total number of parts compared to traditional threaded fastener systems while maintaining attachment security.
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 provides a secure, easy-to-use, and aerodynamic locking mechanism that eliminates the need for tools, reduces installation time, and minimizes modifications to vehicles and accessories, while ensuring compatibility with vehicle warranties.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor also having a cam shaped exterior wall adapted to contact the arm of the bolt so that when the rotor is pivoted from a captured condition to an uncaptured condition about the first axis, the cam on the exterior wall moves the bolt transversely outwardly against the bias
Implementation Method 2
the bolt being biased inwardly and adapted to capture the locking post in a captured condition
Implementation Method 3
a locking post having a frusto-conical plunger tapering at its first end and connected to a cylindrical stem at its base
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a lockable rooftop carrier clamp having a housing with a bore for accepting a frusto-conically shaped locking post. At least one, and preferably a pair of bolts are biased inwardly into the bore to capture the locking post. The bolts can be moved transversely outwardly by a cam on the outside wall of a hollow rotor located in the bore for pivotal rotation about an axis defined by the bore. The pivoting of the rotor is only allowed by the proper orientation of a tumbler core in a tumbler lock, which then allows either rotation of a release lever or retraction of a locking pin.