DIN Rail Latching Arrangement with Spring-Loaded Lug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching arrangements for DIN rail-mounted electrical and electronic devices are expensive, prone to unintended disengagement, and complex, requiring multiple moving parts and frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A latching arrangement featuring a support member, guiding slot, engaging lug, and urging element, such as a spring or cam-follower mechanism, that securely mounts devices to the DIN rail while allowing easy intentional removal, reducing the number of moving parts and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex latching arrangements with multiple moving parts are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but device complexity increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching arrangement is divided into distinct functional components: a support member for receiving the DIN rail, an engaging lug for latching, and an urging element for providing engagement force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simple geometry, reducing overall complexity while maintaining secure mounting through coordinated action of the parts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential latching function from complex multi-component systems and implements it through a minimal set of components. By taking out only the necessary elements (support member, engaging lug, urging element) and eliminating redundant moving parts, the design achieves secure mounting with reduced complexity and maintenance needs
2Ease of operation
If conventional latching arrangements are used, then mounting functionality is provided, but unintended disengagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The urging element (spring or cam-follower) continuously applies a pre-loaded force to keep the engaging lug pressed against the DIN rail, creating preliminary anti-action against any disengaging forces. This continuous active engagement prevents unintended disengagement while maintaining simple mounting operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cam-follower urging element utilizes curved surface geometry to transform rotational motion into linear engagement force. The cam profile ensures continuous contact and consistent engagement force between the engaging lug and DIN rail, preventing unintended disengagement through geometric constraint rather than complex locking mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If multiple moving parts are used in latching arrangements, then engagement capability is improved, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The urging element (particularly the spring) is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating, requiring no external adjustment or maintenance. The spring automatically maintains engagement force throughout its service life, and the simple geometry of all components allows for easy inspection and replacement if needed, significantly reducing maintenance requirements compared to complex multi-part latching systems
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
The solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance latching mechanism that prevents unintended disengagement, simplifies engagement and disengagement, and ensures secure mounting with enhanced service life, suitable for various applications including control rooms with stringent vibration requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The urging element is a spring element which is in a normal non-compressed configuration, the spring element urging the engagement lug towards the support member
Implementation Method 2
The urging element utilizes a cam and follower arrangement and is connectable to a lever member that facilitates rotation of the cam of the cam and follower arrangement for actuating the urging element
Data Source
AI summary
A latching arrangement for detachably mounting a device on a DIN rail. A support member configured to be mounted on the DIN rail. A guiding slot configured on a same side of the device on which the support member is configured. An engaging lug received in the guiding slot and adapted to move between an engaging, extended configuration and a retracted, disengaging configuration. An urging element cooperating with the engaging lug and the device, the urging element adapted to be configured between a first operative configuration in which the urging element urges the engagement lug towards the support member and a second operative configuration in which said urging element is moved to facilitate moving of the engaging lug away from said support member.