Busbar Adapter Tool-Free Rail Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing busbar adapters require technical aids like screwdrivers to lock and release the mounting rail, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
The busbar adapter features leg elements with pawls that extend through openings in the adapter, allowing manual locking and unlocking by a plate-shaped slide, eliminating the need for technical aids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking lever with screwdriver recesses or a resilient tongue with handle is used, then the mounting rail can be locked and released, but technical aids like screwdrivers are required for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail's leg elements are designed with pawls that automatically engage with the busbar adapter's openings and cams, enabling self-locking without requiring external tools. The leg elements serve both as structural support and as the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate locking components that would require screwdrivers or handles for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from complex mechanisms requiring tools and integrated directly into the leg elements themselves. The pawls on the leg elements directly engage with the openings and cams, removing the intermediary locking levers or resilient tongues that would require external tools for actuation.
2Reliability
If dome-like hollow projections with dowels or spreader pins are used, then the mounting rail can be fixed, but the structure becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The leg elements combine multiple functions into a single component: they provide structural support for the mounting rail, contain integrated pawls for locking, and directly engage with the busbar adapter's openings and cams. This eliminates the need for separate dome-like projections, dowels, or spreader pins, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliable fixation.
3Reliability
If the mounting rail is clamped with an actuating element adjusted using a screwdriver, then secure locking is achieved, but the operation requires technical aids and becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The leg elements with integrated pawls automatically engage with the busbar adapter's openings and cams when the mounting rail is positioned, providing self-locking without requiring manual adjustment with screwdrivers. The same mechanism allows for tool-free release by simply removing the slide, dramatically reducing assembly and release time while maintaining secure locking.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The adapter has a support rail (2) for fastening of a switching device on the adapter and fastenable in different positions on the adapter. Leg elements (4) of the support rail pass far from a periphery of the passages to another periphery of the passages. A latch (5) of one of the leg elements is arranged at a distance to the latter periphery. The distance corresponds to dimension of a slider that is inserted between a retaining surface (8) of the latch and the latter periphery in a form-fit manner. USE : Busbar adapter. ADVANTAGE : The latch of the leg elements is arranged at a distance to the periphery of the passages, and the distance corresponds to the dimension of the slider that is inserted between the retaining surface of the latch and the periphery in a form-fit manner, thus enabling anti-twist locking of the support rail on the adapter and releasing of locking of the support rail without utilizing an auxiliary technical device such as a screw driver. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a perspective view of a support rail in a busbar adapter. 2 : Support rail 4 : Leg elements 5 : Latch 8 : Retaining surface 19 : Base plate.