Universal Back Mounting Plate With Movable Tabs for Rail Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting plates face challenges in connecting larger electrical boxes and managing wires due to size limitations and the need to pass through openings between rails, making installation impractical.
Innovation Solution
A universal mounting plate with movable tabs and hooks that allows connection from behind the rails, accommodating various box sizes and enabling secure attachment without requiring wires to pass through the opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrical box is connected to the mounting plate prior to connecting to the rails, then the connection process is easier, but larger electrical boxes cannot fit through the opening between rails
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate incorporates movable tabs that can change position between a first position (extending outward for easy connection) and a second position (retracted for passing through openings). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the mounting plate to adapt to different installation scenarios and box sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is divided into a body and separate movable tabs that can independently change position. This segmentation allows parts of the mounting plate to be reconfigured during installation, enabling both easy connection and passage through openings.
2Volume of moving object
If the electrical box is made larger to accommodate more components, then more space is available, but it becomes too large to fit through the opening between rails
Solution Approach 1:
The movable tabs allow the mounting plate to dynamically adjust its configuration. During installation, the tabs can be positioned to minimize the profile for passing through openings, then repositioned to provide full mounting surface area for larger electrical boxes with more components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tabs can move between positions in the dimensional space, changing the effective configuration of the mounting plate. This allows the same mounting plate to accommodate electrical boxes of varying sizes by adjusting tab positions rather than requiring different plate sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wires extend from the electrical box, then electrical functionality is provided, but passing the box through the opening becomes impracticable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of passing the electrical box with wires through the opening, the mounting plate is designed to be attached to the box first (with wires already connected), then the entire assembly is mounted to the rails from behind. The movable tabs enable this reverse installation sequence by allowing the plate to be reconfigured during the process.
4Ease of manufacture
If a fixed mounting plate design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate various sized electrical boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate uses movable tabs that can be positioned in different configurations to accommodate various electrical box sizes. The tabs are designed to be simple mechanical components that can be moved manually during installation, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate with movable tabs serves multiple functions: it can accommodate different box sizes, enable easy connection, and allow passage through openings. This universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized mounting plates for different box sizes.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting bracket that includes a body, a first tab, and a second tab. The body has an inner perimeter and an outer perimeter. The first tab extends from the body in a first direction. The first tab includes a first slot configured to receive a first fastener. The second tab extends from the body in a second direction opposite the first direction. The second tab includes a second slot that can receive a second fastener. The first tab and the second tab are each movable relative to the body between a first position and a second position. The first position is substantially parallel to the surface of the body and the second position is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the body.