Rotating Clamping Elements for Profile Undercuts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for fastening fitting parts to profiles fail to achieve a desirable combination of high load capacity, simple assembly, and cost-effective manufacturability, particularly in cases with wide grooves.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring a fitting part and profile with at least two rotatable clamping elements that interact with undercuts in the groove, allowing for a resilient attachment by rotating 90° from a mounting to a fastening position, utilizing clamping screws and threaded bores with increased thread friction to ensure secure engagement and prevent unwanted rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional fastening systems are used with wide grooves, then the load-bearing capacity is reduced, but the assembly process remains simple
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed to rotate from a mounting position to a fastening position, transitioning from a static to a dynamic fastening mechanism. This rotation allows the clamping element to engage with the undercut in the groove, creating a secure connection that can handle high loads while maintaining simple assembly through the rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element features an asymmetric design with a projection that engages with the undercut groove. The asymmetric shape allows the element to be inserted easily in the mounting position but creates a interlocking connection in the fastening position, resolving the contradiction between simple assembly and high load-bearing capacity
2Strength
If multiple clamping elements are used to increase load capacity, then the fastening strength improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clamping elements are merged into a single rotatable component that can engage with multiple undercuts simultaneously. The clamping element is designed with extensions that can interact with both undercuts in the groove, reducing the number of separate fastening components needed while maintaining high fastening strength
3Reliability
If clamping elements engage with both undercuts simultaneously, then the fastening security increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is segmented into two distinct positions: mounting position for easy insertion and fastening position for secure engagement. The clamping element rotates to engage with one undercut at a time in sequence, rather than requiring simultaneous engagement with both undercuts, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining fastening 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 system provides a resilient connection that maintains high load-bearing capacity while ensuring easy assembly and cost-effective manufacturability, even with wide grooves, by evenly distributing force and preventing tilting or bending stresses through radially extending extensions and counter bearings.
Implementation Method 1
The respective clamping element can be rotated from the mounting position to the fastening position by means of a rotary actuation of the respective clamping screw, preferably by frictional engagement of the thread of the clamping screw with the threaded bore
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100) having a fitting part (1) and having a profiled section (2), which has a longitudinal direction (L) and comprises a longitudinal groove (3) having a groove opening (4) which defines a plane (E) and also having two opposing undercuts (5, 5'), wherein, for fastening the fitting part (1) to the profiled section (2), the system (100) has at least two clamping elements (8), which can be turned between an assembly position (M) and a fastening position (H), wherein, in the fastening position (H), the clamping elements (8) each co-operate with precisely one undercut (5, 5').