Busbar Mounting System with Rotating Closure Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing busbar systems face challenges in achieving simple and precise positioning of functional inserts on mounting rails while ensuring easy assembly and meeting aesthetic requirements, with current assembly systems lacking in stability and visibility of joints.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system comprising a closure plate, retaining plate, and lever, where the closure plate and retaining plate can rotate relative to each other, allowing for secure attachment to the mounting rail, and the lever enables the system to be actuated for open and closed positions, ensuring precise positioning and flush integration of the functional insert, while maintaining a continuous aesthetic appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a traditional assembly system is used to attach functional inserts to mounting rails, then the assembly process is simple, but the positioning precision and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidassembly system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly system is divided into distinct functional components: a closure plate for securing the functional insert, a retaining plate for attachment to the mounting rail, and a lever for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system precision and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure plate is designed to rotate relative to the retaining plate about a first axis, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic mechanism enables precise positioning during assembly while providing stable fixation in the closed position, resolving the contradiction between positioning precision and assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the closure plate is designed to rotate relative to the retaining plate, then precise positioning is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure plate rotates about a first axis relative to the retaining plate, enabling transition between open and closed positions for precise positioning and stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lever provides actuation in a second dimension by rotating about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. This dimensional separation allows the closure plate rotation (first axis) to handle positioning precision while the lever actuation (second axis) handles the opening/closing operation, distributing complexity across different mechanical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the lever is actuated to rotate the closure plate, then the mounting system can be secured, but the operation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidactuation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lever rotates about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis, providing intuitive hand-operated actuation. This dynamic design allows a single operational movement (lever actuation) to control the closure plate's rotation and secure the mounting system, maintaining ease of operation while achieving reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lever mechanism is designed to directly transmit the user's actuation force to rotate the closure plate about the first axis. The system serves itself by using the lever's rotational movement to automatically control the closure plate's positioning and securing action, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the mounting system uses separate closure plate and retaining plate, then assembly flexibility is improved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into a closure plate for securing the functional insert and a retaining plate for attachment to the mounting rail. This segmentation provides assembly flexibility by allowing independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining a manageable number of parts through their integrated interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure plate serves multiple functions: it secures the functional insert to the retaining plate, provides a surface for lever actuation, and when closed, prevents displacement along the mounting rail. The retaining plate similarly serves multiple functions including attachment to the mounting rail and providing the rotation axis for the closure plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3701188B1Mounting system for fastening a functional element to a power track rail of a power track system, said functional element and said power track system
Publication Date: 2021.12.15 SITECO GMBH
  • EP3701188B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701188B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3701188B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A mounting system for fastening a functional insert (101) to a supporting rail (102) of a busbar system (103) has: - a closure plate (104), - a holding plate (105), - a lever (106), wherein - the closure plate (104) can be coupled to the holding plate (105) on a first main side (107), with the result that the closure plate (104) and the holding plate (105) can be rotated relative to one another about a first axis (111) in order to rotate the closure plate (104) between an open position and a closed position; - the lever (106) can be pivoted relative to the holding plate (105) about a second axis (112), wherein the second axis (112) is transverse with respect to the first axis (111), and the lever (106) extends from a second main side (108) of the holding plate to the first main side (107), wherein the first (107) and the second (108) main sides are opposite to one another; - the lever (106) is in operative connection with the closure plate (104) in such a way that the closure plate (104) is rotated about the first axis between the open position and the closed position if the lever (106) is pivoted about the second axis (112).