Vehicle Rail Mounting Assembly With Adhesive-Free Elastomer Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail mounting devices face issues such as the use of adhesives for securing elastomeric members, susceptibility to fouling by concrete, inability to disassemble for component replacement, and the need for multiple installation steps, leading to increased time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rail mounting device comprising a plastics bottom piece, elastomeric element, and plastics top plate, secured with bolts and washers, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and featuring complementary ridges and recesses for secure engagement, reducing the need for adhesives and separate connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesives or bonding materials are used to secure elastomeric members in place, then the elastomeric members are firmly held, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesives) with a mechanical retention system. The elastomeric member is held in place by a cavity-reinforcement structure where the elastomeric material is received within a cavity formed in the mounting device, eliminating the need for adhesives while maintaining firm engagement and reducing production costs.
2Strength
If metal components are used in rail mounting devices, then structural strength is achieved, but susceptibility to rust and corrosion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite construction combining metal and plastic materials. The mounting device includes a metal base plate providing structural strength and anchoring capability, while plastic components (cavity structure, reinforcement elements) provide corrosion resistance. This composite approach allows the device to achieve both structural integrity and immunity to rust and corrosion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shims or plastic elements are positioned first to prevent fouling by concrete, then fouling is prevented, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is designed to be self-protecting against concrete fouling. The plastic components and cavity structure inherently resist concrete adhesion and fouling without requiring separate protective shims or elements. The device can be installed directly over concrete pouring areas, and the concrete cannot foul the critical engagement surfaces, eliminating the need for preliminary positioning of protective elements and reducing installation time.
4Reliability
If crimping or swaging is performed to firmly hold boot and top plate, then components are securely fixed, but the assembly cannot be disassembled for component replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a modular, segmented design where the mounting device consists of separate components (base plate, elastomeric member, top plate) that are retained through a reversible mechanical system. The cavity-reinforcement structure allows components to be firmly held during operation but can be released by removing the retention mechanism, enabling disassembly and replacement of individual components without compromising the firm holding achieved during assembly.
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
Facilitates easy installation and disassembly, reduces production costs, and prevents fouling, while maintaining structural integrity and load absorption capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
elastomeric shock- and vibration-absorbing members
Implementation Method 2
elastomeric element (18)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~9
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A vehicle rail mounting device (10) Is provided for mounting a vehicle rail (12) on a support structure (14). The device Includes a bottom piece (16), an elastomeric bearing element (18) to be supported on the bottom piece, top cover elements (22) having elastomeric element retainers (54), a top piece (20), and rail connectors (82). The elastomeric element retainers are provided to retain the elastomeric element in place while the elastomeric element is adapted to retain the top piece, and hence the rail connectors, and therefore also the rail, in place. The top cover elements can be connected to the to the bottom and to the support structure to keep the whole device in place.