DIN Rail Latch Assembly with Pre-Positioned Release Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of electronic bases on DIN rails is challenging due to difficulties in properly positioning latch components, leading to increased manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A latch assembly with a release member, latch member, and spring that is initially secured in a fixed assembly position within the shells, allowing for easy shifting to an operative position for latching and unlatching, ensuring accurate alignment and facilitating easy mounting and removal of the base on a DIN rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the latch components are positioned freely during assembly, then the assembly process is simpler, but the positioning precision of latch components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The release member is pre-positioned in a fixed initial assembly position within the shells during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the latch member is later inserted, the components align correctly without requiring complex positioning mechanisms during assembly, thus improving positioning precision while keeping the assembly process simple.
2Ease of manufacture
If the latch assembly is designed for easy assembly, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the reliability of latching may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the release member (with positioning features for easy assembly), the latch member (with engagement features for reliability), and the spring (for maintaining latched state). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the release member for ease of assembly and the latch member for reliable engagement with the DIN rail.
3Ease of manufacture
If the release member is fixed in initial assembly position, then the assembly process is simplified, but the freedom of movement in operative position is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The release member is designed with a dual-state capability: it has a fixed initial assembly position (static) that simplifies manufacturing, but also has the ability to move freely between latched and retracted positions (dynamic) when in operative mode. The positioning features guide the initial placement, while the operative movement is enabled by the spring bias and the interaction between the release member and latch member.
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
This solution simplifies the assembly process by ensuring precise positioning of latch components, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity, while allowing for secure and reliable latching and unlatching of the power supply base on a DIN rail.
Implementation Method 1
The latch assembly includes a release member, a latch member and a spring for biasing the assembly toward a latched position
Data Source
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AI summary
A base for mounting on a DIN rail includes a body and a latch assembly on the bottom of the body. The latch assembly has an elongate actuator extending to one side of the base and a latch member attached to the actuator for engaging the DIN rail. The release member is held on the base in an assembly position to facilitate mounting of the attachment member on the release member and the base, and is then shifted to an operative position.