Conductive Rack Attachment Clip for Self-Cleaning Electrical Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support racks for finishing systems are inefficient due to the need for multiple racks for different-sized parts, with coating material adhering to rack components causing electrical contact issues and increased maintenance costs, and previous reconfigurable designs have limitations in adjustment range and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
An electrically conductive attachment system featuring a tubular portion and mounting clip that provides a secure, adjustable, and self-cleaning connection between cross-bars and support beams, allowing for easy reconfiguration while maintaining electrical conductivity, using resilient materials and designs to abrade and remove coating material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If support racks are made reconfigurable to accommodate different part sizes, then adaptability improves, but coating material accumulates on rack components causing electrical contact degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cross-bar from direct contact with coating material by designing it to engage only with the inner surface of the tubular portion. The cross-bar remains outside the tubular portion during dip coating, preventing coating accumulation on the cross-bar while maintaining electrical conductivity through the engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular portion acts as an intermediary between the cross-bar and the support beam. It provides a protected engagement surface inside the tube that can be cleaned or maintained, while the cross-bar itself remains exposed but does not accumulate coating material due to its positioning and geometry.
2Adaptability or versatility
If support racks are disassembled and reconfigured for different part sizes, then adaptability improves, but extensive cleaning and maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is designed so that the cross-bar's weight and positioning automatically maintain contact with the inner surface of the tubular portion. The system self-regulates the electrical connection through gravitational force and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for external cleaning or maintenance of the engagement interface.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple permanently configured support racks are used for different part sizes, then manufacturing precision for specific parts improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support rack uses standardized tubular portions with uniform inner surfaces that can engage cross-bars of varying lengths and configurations. This universal engagement mechanism allows a single rack structure to accommodate multiple part sizes and types, eliminating the need for multiple specialized racks while maintaining precise positioning capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack system transitions from fixed, permanent configurations to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. Cross-bars can be easily inserted into and removed from tubular portions at different heights, allowing the rack to adapt its configuration based on the specific part being coated, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
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 efficient reconfiguration of support racks to accommodate various part sizes with reduced maintenance and cleaning needs, improving productivity and cost-effectiveness by maintaining electrical connectivity and extending the life of the support rack.
Implementation Method 1
The engagement portion is adapted to abrade the inner surface of the tubular portion when the engagement portion is inserted into the tubular portion
Implementation Method 2
providing an electrical connection between the tubular portion and the mounting clip
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically conductive attachment system is disclosed. The attachment system may have a tubular portion of electrically conductive material adapted to be attached to a support beam, and a mounting clip adapted to be attached to a cross-bar and to releaseably engage the tubular portion. The mounting clip may have an attachment portion adapted to be attached to a cross-bar and to releaseably engage the tubular portion having an attachment portion adapted to electrically connect the mounting clip to the cross-bar, and an engagement portion adapted to be inserted through a top opening of the tubular portion engaging an inner surface of the tubular portion and providing an electrical connection between the tubular portion and the mounting clip. The attachment system may be capable of releaseably connecting the cross-bar substantially transverse the support beam and providing an electrical connection therebetween.