Energy-Absorbing Fastening Element for Vehicle Shelf Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to securely attach heavy built-in elements or shelves to vehicle frames, which are weakened by lighter body structures, risking detachment during impacts due to excessive loads and instability.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with a connecting section that includes an absorption area, designed to deform and absorb kinetic energy upon exceeding a predefined load, distributing the force and preventing the fastening element from tearing, thus maintaining the built-in element's secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid bolted connections are used to attach shelves to vehicle frames, then the connection strength is sufficient for stable frames, but the connection fails when vehicle frames are made lighter and less stable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an absorption area with energy-absorbing elements (such as deformable sections, springs, or viscoelastic materials) into the fastening element before installation. These elements are designed to deform or absorb energy when excessive forces occur during impacts, thereby cushioning the connection between the shelf and vehicle frame and preventing detachment while maintaining secure attachment under normal conditions.
2Weight of moving object
If lighter vehicle body structures are used to reduce vehicle weight, then fuel consumption decreases, but the mechanical connection stability of the frame weakens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the fastening element by incorporating energy-absorbing components that alter the force-deformation characteristics of the connection. The absorption area is designed with specific deformation paths and energy absorption capacities that allow the connection to remain reliable under impact loads despite the lighter frame structure, effectively decoupling the frame weight reduction from connection stability degradation.
3Loss of energy
If the absorption area is designed to deform significantly to absorb energy, then kinetic energy absorption increases, but the deformation path becomes uncontrolled and may lead to fastener failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the absorption area with pre-defined deformation paths and geometric constraints (such as bent sheet metal strips with specific curvature radii, predetermined fold lines, or constrained deformation zones) that guide the deformation process. This preliminary design ensures that energy absorption occurs through controlled deformation within safe limits, preventing uncontrolled deformation that would lead to fastener failure while still absorbing sufficient kinetic energy.
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 fastening element effectively absorbs kinetic energy during impacts, reducing the load on the vehicle frame and allowing higher load capacities without risking detachment, ensuring the built-in elements remain securely attached.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption area is designed in such a way that a deformation path is limited... the absorption area only absorbs a portion of the impact energy or kinetic energy of the installation element during an impact or heavy braking and absorbs this energy, at least temporarily, for example, by converting it into a mechanical deformation of the absorption area
Implementation Method 2
The absorption area is designed in such a way that a deformation path is limited... The absorption area constantly undergoes a change in its spatial dimensions, whereby this change can be reversible or irreversible
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening element for fastening installation elements in vehicles, more particularly shelves or cabinets, wherein the fastening element has a first fastening end, a second fastening end and a connecting section between the first and the second fastening end, wherein the connecting section has at least one absorption region, which gives and deforms if a maximum predefined holding load between the first fastening end and the second fastening end is exceeded, wherein a deformation path is limited and after a maximum predefined deformation path has been reached, a further exceeding of the maximum holding load causes the fastening element to fail through breaking or tearing.