Circuit Breaker Accessory Mounting Member With Resilient Tab
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, is the limited space for mounting accessories, which often requires blind installation and can lead to incorrect installation or damage, and the use of separate fasteners like screws, which can become loose and cause safety issues.
Innovation Solution
An accessory assembly that securely mounts circuit breaker accessories within the housing without the need for separate fasteners, utilizing a mounting member with a receptacle and resilient tab to secure the accessories in place, allowing for easy installation and removal without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If threaded screws are used to mount accessories, then the accessories can be securely fastened, but the screws can become loose and cause safety issues, and they require additional separate parts and tools for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member integrates the mounting function and fastening function into a single component. The resilient tab with protrusion is formed as part of the mounting member itself, eliminating the need for separate screws or fasteners. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining secure mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient tab provides self-fastening capability through its elastic deformation. When the protrusion is inserted into the recess, the resilient tab automatically deforms and locks into place without requiring external fasteners or tools. The mounting member serves itself to secure the accessory.
2Reliability
If threaded screws are used for mounting, then accessories can be secured, but repeated insertion and removal may cause the threads in the plastic housing to strip
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is merged into the mounting member through the resilient tab, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners that interact with the plastic housing. This prevents thread stripping while maintaining secure mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient tab is designed as a single-use or limited-use component that absorbs wear and deformation rather than the housing. The tab can be replaced if needed, protecting the more critical housing structure from damage.
3Volume of moving object
If blind installation is required due to limited space, then the circuit breaker size is reduced, but it becomes difficult to see the accessory for proper mounting, leading to incorrect installation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member provides self-alignment and self-guiding features that enable blind installation. The guide rails and protrusion-recess geometry automatically guide the accessory into the correct position without requiring visual verification, allowing proper installation even in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails act as intermediaries between the mounting member and the accessory, providing tactile guidance and alignment. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate positioning without direct visual observation, solving the blind installation problem.
4Reliability
If separate fasteners like screws are used, then accessories can be mounted, but additional tools such as screwdrivers are required for installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient tab provides tool-free fastening and unfastening. The operator can manually deform the tab to release the lock and remove the accessory, or simply pull the accessory to release the resilient tab's grip, eliminating the need for screwdrivers or other installation tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient tab transitions from a rigid locking state to a flexible release state through manual deformation. This dynamic behavior allows the same component to provide both secure mounting and easy removal without requiring different tools for each operation.
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
This solution ensures secure and efficient mounting of accessories, preventing damage and safety hazards, while eliminating the need for additional fasteners and tools, thereby improving the reliability and ease of installation within the limited space of circuit breaker housings.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient tab extending outwardly from the mounting member proximate the second end of the mounting member. When the accessory module is installed on the mounting member, the resilient tab is biased against the second protrusion of the second end of the enclosure of the accessory module, thereby securing the accessory module on the mounting member.
Data Source
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AI summary
An accessory assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing. The accessory assembly includes at least one accessory and a mounting member structured to mount such accessory within the housing of the circuit breaker. The mounting member includes at least one mounting portion. Such mounting portion receives and secures a corresponding one of the at least one accessory, without a number of separate fasteners. The corresponding accessory is removable from such mounting portion, without a number of separate tools. The at least one mounting portion may be a first mounting portion and a second mounting portion, and the at least one accessory may be a plurality of primary accessories coupled to the first mounting portion, and a number of secondary accessories coupled to the second mounting portion.