Ceiling Mounting Housing With Claw Clamping Against Rigid Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling mounting devices face challenges in maintaining a flush position on ceilings due to the force exerted by rigid electrical supply lines, which can dislodge the installation device from the ceiling.
Innovation Solution
An installation device with a housing featuring a smaller diameter first section and a larger diameter flange-like section, equipped with spring-elastic spreader arms and a claw element with an eccentric threaded bore, allowing for easy insertion and secure clamping against the ceiling using a screw mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring-loaded spreading arms are used to hold the installation device on the ceiling, then the device can be easily inserted through the opening, but the holding force is insufficient when rigid conductors are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism is divided into two independent functional parts: spring-loaded spreading arms for insertion and claw elements with screws for clamping. The spreading arms (7) provide initial holding force during insertion, while the claw elements (5) with eccentric threaded bores provide additional clamping force when the screw (4) is rotated, together resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and sufficient holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded spreading arms are pre-loaded to automatically expand and engage with the ceiling opening during insertion. This preliminary action creates initial holding force before the conductors are connected, allowing easy insertion while preparing the mounting structure to accommodate additional clamping force from the claw elements when rigid conductors are attached.
2Device complexity
If the installation device is held only by spring-loaded arms, then insertion is simple, but the device may be pushed out by conductor force
Solution Approach 1:
Two different mounting mechanisms are merged into a single integrated system: the spring-loaded spreading arms (7) that provide automatic engagement during insertion, and the claw elements (5) with screws (4) that provide adjustable clamping force. This combination maintains relative simplicity while significantly improving mounting reliability to prevent the device from being pushed out by conductor forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting mechanism transitions from a static spring-loaded arm system to a dynamic system where the claw elements can be actively adjusted by rotating the screw (4). The eccentric threaded bore allows the claw element to move from a retracted position to a clamping position, enabling the mounting force to be dynamically increased to match the conductor force, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.
3Force
If a clamping mechanism with screw is added, then holding force increases, but installation effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eccentric threaded bore changes the operational parameter from direct axial screw movement to rotational movement with lever arm multiplication. By positioning the threaded bore eccentrically, the screw acts as a lever that amplifies the clamping force on the claw element, allowing high clamping force to be achieved with moderate screw tightening effort, thus reducing installation effort while maintaining high holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The claw element is designed with a curved or elongated shape that extends radially beyond the housing diameter when clamped. This geometric design allows the claw to engage with the ceiling opening and leverage the screw's rotational force into significant clamping force through moment arm multiplication, achieving high holding force without requiring excessive tightening effort from the installer.
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
Enables easy installation and secure fixation of the device to the ceiling, even with rigid supply lines, ensuring the flange remains flush with the ceiling underside and providing a high holding force.
Implementation Method 1
two diametrically opposed spreading arms (7) are pivotably mounted and are forced from a radially inner insertion position into a radially extended spreading position by spring-elastic means
Implementation Method 2
at least one claw element (5) with an eccentrically threaded bore formed in the first housing section (6a) is accommodated. This claw element (5) can be moved from an insertion position to a clamping position by rotating a screw (4) engaging in the threaded bore (5a) in a first direction of rotation in the axial direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An installation device for mounting in an opening (16) of a building ceiling (9) formed from panel-shaped material, with a housing (6) which has a housing portion (6a) which can be pushed into the opening (16), and a second, flange-like housing portion (6b) which is arranged outside the opening (16) and has a larger diameter than the opening (16) and which, after being pushed in, can be brought into contact flush with the lower side of the ceiling (6), and with spring-loaded expansion arms (7) which are arranged in the region of the first housing portion (6a) and are forced by spring-elastic means from a radially inner insertion position into a radially extended expansion position, is characterized in that a claw element (5) having an eccentric threaded bore (5a) formed in the latter is arranged on the first housing portion (6a) and, by rotation of a screw (4) engaging in the threaded bore (5a) in a first direction of rotation, is movable in the axial direction towards the flange-like housing portion (6b) from an insertion position into a clamping position.