Sliding Fastener Rail for Flexible Commercial Vehicle Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening systems for commercial vehicle superstructures require varying sheet metal profiles and additional fasteners, leading to increased manufacturing and storage costs due to the need for custom-made components and limited positioning flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece, elongated sheet metal profile with a longitudinal recess and sliding connecting elements that can be positively engaged and positioned at any desired location, allowing for flexible attachment of components without the need for multiple profile lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If varying sheet metal profiles are used for different vehicle lengths and attachment positions, then attachment positioning flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and storage costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment positioning flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal sheet metal profile design is used for all vehicle lengths and attachment positions. The profile includes a longitudinal recess that can accommodate connecting elements at any position along its length, eliminating the need for multiple customized profiles while maintaining full positioning flexibility for attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If custom-made sheet metal profiles are produced for specific vehicle dimensions, then attachment positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing costs and production time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment positioning precisionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet metal profile is pre-engineered with a longitudinal recess that extends along its entire length, allowing connecting elements to be positioned at any desired location without requiring custom manufacturing. This preliminary design enables rapid adaptation to different vehicle dimensions while maintaining precise attachment positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple profile lengths are stocked to accommodate different vehicle sizes, then adaptability to various vehicle dimensions is improved, but inventory costs and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to vehicle dimensionsVSAvoidinventory quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of maintaining inventory of multiple profile lengths, a single universal profile design is used that can be cut to any required length. The longitudinal recess and connecting element system remains functional regardless of the final profile length, eliminating the need to stock multiple variants while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional fasteners are added for customer-specific attachments, then attachment versatility is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment versatilityVSAvoidfastener variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet metal profile integrates a longitudinal recess that serves as a built-in mounting system for all attachments. This unified approach eliminates the need for separate fasteners for different attachment types and positions, as the recess accommodates connecting elements that can secure various attachments along the entire profile length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4699911A1Fastening system
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 ZOELLER TECH SP Z O O
  • EP4699911A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4699911A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4699911A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening system for attaching components to a superstructure (1) of a commercial vehicle, comprising an elongated, one-piece, uniform sheet metal profile (3) with a recess (5) extending in the longitudinal direction and at least one connecting element (4) that can be positively engaged in the recess (5) towards an opening (6) of the recess (5) and is displaceable in the longitudinal direction. This allows for any desired positioning of attachment components and variability for different sizes, particularly different lengths, because profiles of any length can be used. This reduces production and storage costs.