Corded Ceiling Fan Mounting Bracket for Flexible Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ceiling fan installation methods require a hard-wired electrical connection, limiting the placement of ceiling fans to locations with pre-existing junction boxes, which can be costly and inconvenient, especially in outdoor settings.
Innovation Solution
A ceiling fan mounting kit that utilizes a mounting bracket, strain relief, and an electrical cord with a plug, allowing for a non-hard-wired electrical connection, enabling flexible placement of ceiling fans without the need for junction boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hard-wired electrical connection is used, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but installation flexibility and placement freedom deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary power transmission mechanism between the electrical outlet and ceiling fan motor. Instead of direct hard-wired connection, the invention uses an electrical cord with plug that connects to standard outlets, serving as a mediator that enables power transmission without requiring junction box installation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable power connection while enabling flexible placement anywhere with electrical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical hard-wiring system with an electrical cord and plug system. The mounting bracket assembly substitutes the rigid mechanical electrical connection structure with a flexible cord-based system, allowing the ceiling fan to be installed in locations without pre-existing junction boxes while maintaining electrical connection reliability.
2Reliability
If hard-wired electrical connection is required, then electrical safety is improved, but installation complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket assembly serves as an intermediary structure that integrates multiple functions: mechanical mounting, cord management, strain relief, and electrical connection. This single integrated component eliminates the need for separate junction box installation, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining electrical safety through proper strain relief and organized wire management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components into a single integrated mounting bracket assembly: the mounting bracket, strain relief mechanism, cord management features, and electrical connection points are merged into one unified structure. This reduces installation complexity by eliminating multiple installation steps while maintaining all necessary safety features.
3Stability of the object's composition
If junction box installation is required, then structural support stability is improved, but installation time and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket assembly merges the structural mounting function with electrical power transmission function in a single integrated component. The bracket directly mounts to structural surfaces while incorporating cord strain relief and electrical connection features, eliminating the need for separate junction box installation and reducing overall installation time while maintaining structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket assembly is designed as a multi-functional universal component that performs structural mounting, cord support, strain relief, and electrical connection functions simultaneously. This universal design allows installation in various locations with different structural configurations without requiring specialized junction box installations, reducing both time and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A ceiling fan or similar air-moving device can include a motor for rotating one or more blades to drive a volume of air about a space. A mounting kit can be used to secure the ceiling fan to a structure. The mounting kit can be corded instead of hard-wired to the structure electrical supply, which provides the user with the freedom to mount the ceiling fan at any desired location, without being limited to an electrical junction box location.