Wedge-Actuated Securing Assembly for Profiled Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing securing assemblies for metallic sectional structures lack an efficient mechanism to securely engage and disengage with profiled section elements, particularly in scenarios where manual adjustment and secure clamping are required.

Innovation Solution

A securing assembly featuring a wedge mechanism and spring-loaded anchoring and bearing elements that allow for manual rotation and clamping onto profiled section elements, utilizing a support element with flexible hook members and spring-generated forces to create receiving spaces for flanges, enabling easy assembly and secure engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a securing assembly uses a fixed anchoring mechanism, then structural stability is improved, but ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of assembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed anchoring mechanism into a dynamic one using spring members that can compress and expand. The spring members allow the anchoring part and bearing element to move relative to each other, enabling easy assembly when compressed and secure locking when expanded, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing the spring members during assembly. The spring members are compressed before the anchoring part engages with the profiled section element, allowing the assembly to be easily inserted. Once in position, the springs expand to provide secure locking, achieving both ease of assembly and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between bearing element and anchoring part is increased to create receiving spaces, then adaptability to profiled section elements is improved, but structural compactness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to profiled section elementsVSAvoidstructural compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dynamics by making the distance between the bearing element and anchoring part variable through spring members. In the unengaged state, the springs are compressed keeping the structure compact. During engagement, the springs expand to increase the distance and create receiving spaces for the flanges, thus achieving both compactness and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies nesting by placing the anchoring part within the bearing element structure. The anchoring part with its receiving spaces is nested inside the bearing element, allowing the flanges to be received within the overall assembly structure. This nested arrangement provides adaptability while maintaining structural compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If spring members are used to provide clamping action, then ease of movement along profiled section is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of movement along profiled sectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by using spring members that automatically provide clamping force without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The springs self-regulate the clamping pressure, allowing the assembly to move easily along the profiled section while maintaining secure engagement. This eliminates the need for complex adjustment devices, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables secure engagement and disengagement of the assembly with profiled section elements, allowing for manual adjustment and positioning, while providing a clamping action that maintains stability and facilitates easy movement along the profiled section.

Implementation Method 1

When the wedge element is withdrawn, the spring members push the anchoring part and the bearing element towards one another again, so that the anchoring part and the bearing element engage with the flanges in a clamping manner.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the spring members push the anchoring part and the bearing element towards one another again, so that the anchoring part and the bearing element engage with the flanges in a clamping manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the wedge element is pressed between the bearing element and the anchoring part. Due to the wedge action, the bearing element and the anchoring part are pushed apart and the distance between them is increased

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge action: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP1876362B1Securing assembly
Publication Date: 2010.01.27 J VAN WALRAVEN HLDG BV
  • EP1876362B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1876362B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP1876362B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a securing assembly (1) for securing an object to a profiled section element with flanges which delimit a longitudinal slot between them. The securing assembly (1) comprises a metal bearing element (2) which is designed to bear against the outside of the profiled section element, an elongate metal anchoring part (4) which is situated on the bottom side of the bearing face (3) of the bearing element (2), and a support element (6) for the anchoring part (4), which support element (6) is provided with one or more spring members and is optionally removably connected to the bearing element (2) and which support element (6) supports the anchoring part (4) resiliently in such a manner that the anchoring part (4) can be moved up and down with respect to the bearing element (2). The securing assembly (1) and its anchoring part (4) can be aligned with the longitudinal slot and the anchoring part (4) can be introduced into the profiled section element through the longitudinal slot in such a manner that after rotation of the securing assembly (1) the anchoring part (4) extends at an angle, preferably substantially at right angles, with respect to the longitudinal slot, and the anchoring part (4) grips behind the flanges of the profiled section element. The securing assembly (1) furthermore comprises a wedge mechanism (70) which is effective between the bearing element (2) and anchoring part (4). When the wedge mechanism (70) is operated, the anchoring part (4) is pushed down with respect to the bearing element (2) in such a manner that the flanges of the profiled section element can be received in receiving spaces between the bearing element (2) and anchoring part (4) when the securing assembly (1) is rotated.