DIN Rail Retention Mechanism With Coupled Slider-Lever Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment mechanisms for technical equipment units to mounting rails are often complex and prone to damage or malfunction, while simpler mechanisms lack functionality, particularly in attachment and detachment processes.
Innovation Solution
A retention mechanism comprising a slider and a lever with mechanical coupling, allowing translational and pivotal movements to securely attach and detach technical equipment units from mounting rails, utilizing a minimal number of components and ensuring static and dynamic retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex attachment mechanisms with multiple components are used, then functionality and retention security are improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the slider and lever into a single integrated component where the lever is mechanically coupled to the slider. This merging reduces the total number of components while maintaining the functional benefits of both translational and pivotal movements for secure attachment and detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated slider-lever mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides both translational movement for engagement and pivotal movement for locking, while also incorporating electrical contact points for grounding. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function.
2Device complexity
If simple attachment mechanisms with minimal components are used, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality and attachment capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates two distinct movement types within a single mechanism: translational movement of the slider along the mounting rail and pivotal movement of the lever about its axis. This dynamic design enables the simple mechanism to perform multiple attachment functions including engagement, locking, and electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever is mechanically nested within or coupled to the slider structure, allowing the pivotal movement of the lever to occur within the translational framework of the slider. This nesting enables complex functionality within a compact, simple structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional attachment mechanisms are used, then attachment capability is achieved, but susceptibility to damage and malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the slider and lever into one integrated component, the patent eliminates potential failure points at interfaces between separate parts. The unified structure reduces susceptibility to damage from misalignment, wear at connection points, and malfunction from component interaction issues.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a retention mechanism (1) for attaching a technical equipment unit (4), such as a PCB module (92) or a circuit breaker, to a mounting rail (6) e.g., a DIN rail. The retention mechanism (1) comprises a slider (8), which is movable in a translational manner along a sliding direction (12), and a lever (10), which is pivotable about a pivoting axis (22). The lever (10) is mechanically coupled with the slider (8). The slider (8) comprises a first retention section (16) and the lever (10) comprises a second retention section (26) aligned with the first retention section (16) in the sliding direction (12). A reception area (32) for receiving the mounting rail (6) is defined between the first retention section (16) and the second retention section (26). The inventive retention mechanism (1) combines two components (8, 10) with different movement characteristics, namely a translational and a pivotal movement and thus exhibits a broad dynamic behaviour, while having a simple structure. Due to the mechanical coupling, the first retention section (16) and the second retention section (26) are configured to grip or release the mounting rail (6) synchronously and thus improve the functionality of the retention mechanism (1). Further, the present invention relates to a technical equipment unit (4) with such a retention mechanism (1).