Wall-Mounted Controller Latching Mechanism for Connector Pin Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The attachment and removal of wall-mounted controllers from mounting plates can cause damage to connector pins due to misalignment, buckling, or excessive force, especially in designs where rotational forces or moments are applied, leading to difficulties in servicing or maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The use of a latching mechanism with bendable latches and latch shrouds on the mounting plate and control unit, along with a finger grip for easy removal, reduces the force required for detachment and minimizes damage by staging the release and aligning the components properly during assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the controller is rotated into place on the mounting plate, then the controller can be attached to the mounting plate, but rotational forces or moments can cause connector pins to buckle or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is first attached to the support panel before the controller is installed. This preliminary mounting allows the controller to be pushed straight onto the mounting plate without rotation, eliminating rotational forces on the connector pins while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate serves as an intermediary component between the support panel and the controller. By attaching the controller to the mounting plate separately from the support panel, the design eliminates the need for rotational attachment and protects connector pins from bending moments.
2Ease of manufacture
If the controller is attached to the mounting plate in a straight-in direction, then misalignment can cause connector pins to buckle or deform, but rotational attachment can also cause pin damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is pre-mounted to the support panel, creating a stable base. The controller is then pushed straight onto the mounting plate in a single motion, eliminating misalignment issues and rotational forces that could damage connector pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment process is segmented into two independent steps: first attaching the mounting plate to the support panel, then attaching the controller to the mounting plate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the coupling between mounting and electrical connection.
3Reliability
If multiple connector pins are used for electrical connection, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the pulling or rotating force required to overcome friction becomes significant
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is pushed straight onto the mounting plate with sufficient force to overcome the friction of multiple connector pins during installation. This same straight-in motion during removal allows easy detachment without requiring excessive pulling or rotating force, despite the presence of multiple pins.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate acts as an intermediary that distributes the attachment force across multiple connector pins simultaneously. This allows the controller to be securely attached with multiple pins while enabling easy removal through a single straight-in pulling motion without requiring excessive force on individual pins.
Data Source
AI summary
Controller assemblies including a control unit releasably supported to a mounting plate are disclosed. An illustrative controller assembly can include a mounting plate and a control unit that can be attached together via a number of latching mechanisms and corresponding mating recesses. Each latching mechanism can include a bendable latch and a latch shroud, which together are adapted to fit within a clearance area of the mating recess. The control unit can be removed from the mounting plate by rotating the control unit away from the mounting plate via a finger grip located along an edge of the assembly. The latching mechanisms can be configured to permit the staged removal of the control unit, reducing the force required to remove the control unit from the mounting plate.