Adjustable Mount Locking Structure for Variable Sheet Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems that rely solely on magnets to secure objects to sheets of material are inadequate, as they can become dislodged during sudden changes in motion or incidental contact with other items, necessitating a more robust attachment method.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system comprising an outer and inner plate with retention structures that engage different contact surfaces based on the material thickness, using mechanical couplers to securely attach objects to sheets of material without magnets, ensuring stability and resistance to forces and movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If magnets are used to attach the object to the sheet of material, then the mounting system is simple and easy to install, but the attachment force is insufficient and the mount becomes dislodged during sudden motion or incidental contact
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: an inner plate with retention structures that provides mechanical attachment, and an outer plate with contact surfaces that interfaces with the sheet material. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, with the inner plate providing strong mechanical retention and the outer plate providing material interface, thereby increasing overall attachment force without requiring a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system combines different attachment mechanisms into a composite structure: mechanical retention structures (providing strong physical engagement) work in conjunction with contact surfaces designed for specific material thicknesses. This composite approach merges the reliability of mechanical fastening with the adaptability of surface contact, achieving superior attachment force compared to magnets alone while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single contact surface is used on the outer plate, then the structure is simple, but the mount cannot accommodate different material thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The outer plate is designed with multiple contact surfaces on different sides, each optimized for specific material thickness ranges. This multi-functional design allows a single outer plate to serve multiple purposes: it can interface with thin materials using one contact surface and thick materials using another contact surface. The retention structures on the inner plate correspond to these multiple contact surfaces, enabling the same mounting system to universally accommodate various material thicknesses without requiring different mounting components
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of varying the contact surface area or shape to accommodate different thicknesses, the solution adds a dimensional aspect by placing multiple contact surfaces on opposite sides of the outer plate. This dimensional approach (using both sides of the plate) allows the system to handle different material thicknesses by selecting the appropriate contact surface orientation, thereby achieving adaptability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A mount secures an object to sheets of material with one or more material thicknesses. The mount includes an inner plate and an outer plate. The outer plate includes a coupler for the object and one or more contact surfaces associated with one or more material thicknesses. The inner plate includes a retention structure to engage a contact surface of the outer plate. The outer plate may comprise a locking element to A mounting system includes a mount and a coupler integrated with the object to be secured to a sheet of material. The object may be a camera and the mount may be a camera mount.