Rotatable Clamping Fastening Element for Workstation Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening elements for workstation accessories often lack stability for large and heavy objects and are either complex or require tools for mounting.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with a rotatable or tiltable clamping mechanism that uses a rocker-like connection between two lever sections to securely hold objects without the need for tools, utilizing a spring element for pretension and friction-based locking, allowing for easy one-handed operation and efficient production with minimal parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamping jaws are used, then the fastening element is simple to construct, but it lacks stability for large and heavy articles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic leverage through rotatable/tiltable lever sections that can transition between splayed and non-splayed positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the clamping elements to generate increased clamping force on heavy articles while maintaining a relatively simple overall construction, resolving the contradiction between stability and construction complexity.
2Reliability
If a complicated clamping device is used to achieve high stability, then stability is improved, but the device becomes complex and requires tools for mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed to be self-sufficient through its leverage mechanism that generates clamping force automatically when lever sections are splayed. The device mounts itself onto articles without requiring external tools, while the lever mechanism provides the stability of a more complex device. This resolves the contradiction between stability and ease of mounting.
3Reliability
If a complicated clamping device is used to achieve high stability, then stability is improved, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The clamping elements combine support sections, lever sections, and connecting sections into unified structures. The rotatable connection between clamping elements integrates the mounting and clamping functions. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the stability provided by the leverage mechanism.
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 stable, tool-free mounting of workstation accessories on a variety of surfaces, ensuring secure attachment and easy operation while being cost-effective and efficient to produce.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a spring element for pretension
Implementation Method 2
friction-based locking
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening element comprises a first clamping element and a second clamping element rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation on the first clamping element. The first and second clamping elements each have a first or second lever section, which extends essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and a first or second connecting section, which extend away from that essentially parallel to the axis of rotation. The first lever section and the second lever section are moveable relative to one another about an axis of rotation between a splayed lever position and a non-splayed lever position. The first clamping element and the second clamping element are configured to hold the article when the first lever section and the second lever section are located in the splayed lever position, and to not hold the article when they are located in the non-splayed lever position. The first and second clamping elements each comprise a first or second support section, which extends essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, is connected stationarily to the lever section, and extends at an obtuse angle to the lever section. The first support section and the second support section are located in a non-splayed support position when the first and second lever sections are located in the splayed lever position. The first and second support section are located in a splayed support position when the first and second lever sections are located in the non-splayed lever position.