DIN-Rail Mount Lock Member Storage Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIN-rail mount type devices have lock members that protrude from the housing, causing safety hazards, packaging difficulties, potential damage during conveyance, and require wasteful installation space when not mounted, due to the protruding lock member.
Innovation Solution
A DIN-rail mount type device with a lock member that can be stored within the housing by sliding along a slider groove, using a spring mechanism to engage with different recesses for unlock, lock, and storage positions, ensuring the lock member does not protrude when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock member protrudes out of the housing to enable easy operation for mounting and removing, then the ease of operation is improved, but safety hazards and packaging difficulties arise
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed to dynamically change its position between protruding (for operation) and retracted (for safety). The spring mechanism enables automatic movement between these states based on operational needs, transforming a static protruding structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful protruding function is extracted and separated from the operational function. The lock member is taken out of the housing only when needed for operation, while being stored inside during non-operational states. This separation allows the device to have both ease of operation when needed and safety when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If the lock member protrudes out of the housing, then the ease of operation is improved, but packaging and conveyance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member transitions from a static protruding state to a dynamic structure that can be retracted into the housing. The spring mechanism enables automatic retraction during packaging and conveyance, eliminating the packaging difficulties caused by permanent protrusion while maintaining operational ease when deployed.
3Ease of operation
If the lock member protrudes out of the housing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device cannot be horizontally placed with lock member side facing downward
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is transformed from a permanently protruding static structure to a dynamic component that can be retracted into the housing. This allows the device to be placed in any orientation (horizontal, vertical, inverted) without the protruding lock member interfering, thereby improving placement flexibility while maintaining operational ease.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixing mechanism such as a spring is included to enable lock member movement, then the lock member can be stored, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is designed to be self-operating, automatically moving the lock member between protruded and retracted states based on gravitational force and spring tension. This eliminates the need for additional motors, sensors, or control systems, achieving lock member storage functionality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If the lock member can move to storage position only when rail is not fitted, then the lock member does not protrude when mounted, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock member is designed with dynamic positioning capability that allows it to be operated in both protruded and retracted states. The spring mechanism enables easy manual operation to move the lock member between positions, maintaining ease of operation while preventing unwanted protrusion when the device is mounted on the rail.
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
Prevents operator injury, simplifies packaging and conveyance, allows horizontal placement, and minimizes installation space by keeping the lock member stored when not in use, while maintaining easy operability for mounting and removing the device.
Implementation Method 1
a spring portion (154) provided for the lock member (150)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
[Problem to be Solved] To be able to store a lock member not to protrude out of a housing. [Solution] A DIN-rail mount type device (100) includes a housing (110), a rail groove (112) capable of fitting with a DIN rail (200), a slider groove (113), and a lock member (150). The lock member (150) is configured to be able to move to a lock position where an engagement-side end (151) protrudes from the slider groove (113) into the rail groove (112), and an operation-side end (152) protrudes out of the housing (110) and a storage position where the engagement-side end (151) protrudes from the slider groove (113) into the rail groove (112) and the operation-side end (152) is stored in the slider groove (113), configured to be able to retain a fitting state between the rail groove (112) and the DIN rail (110) by engaging the engagement-side end (151) with an engagement portion (201D) at a lower side of a DIN rail (200) at the lock position, and to be able to move to the storage position only when the DIN rail (110) is not fitted into the rail groove (112).