Displaceable Mounting Plate for Panel Thickness Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for installing command and signaling devices, such as pushbuttons, on front panels lack flexibility in accommodating varying panel thicknesses, requiring laborious adjustments and multiple adapters for different devices.
Innovation Solution
A holding adapter with a housing and a displaceable mounting plate that adjusts axially to compensate for panel thickness, allowing for quick installation and variable bearing points, along with a spring element for secure locking and an optional anti-twist lug for added stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed holding adapter is used for mounting command devices, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying front panel thicknesses and requires multiple adapters for different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate is made displaceable relative to the housing along the axial direction, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one. This allows the mounting plate to adjust its position automatically according to different front panel thicknesses, enabling a single holding adapter to accommodate multiple panel thicknesses without requiring multiple fixed adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding adapter is divided into separate components: a housing and a displaceable mounting plate. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to move independently relative to the housing, providing adjustment capability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and modular.
2Productivity
If traditional fixed holding adapters are used, then manufacturing is simple, but installation time increases due to laborious adjustments for panel thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The displaceable mounting plate automatically adjusts its position based on the front panel thickness when the command device is mounted. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment operations, allowing installers to simply mount the device without time-consuming adjustments for different panel thicknesses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple holding adapters are used for different command devices, then each device can be optimized, but the quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding adapter is designed as a universal mounting solution with a displaceable mounting plate that can accommodate various command devices and front panel thicknesses. This multi-functional design allows a single type of holding adapter to replace multiple specialized adapters, reducing the quantity of different adapter types needed in the system.
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
Enables flexible and efficient installation of command and signaling devices on front panels of varying thicknesses without the need for multiple adapters, reducing installation time and ensuring secure attachment.
Implementation Method 1
spring element for secure locking
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a holding adapter (9) for fixing control and signalling devices (2), in particular pushbuttons, on a front plate (3), the holding adapter having - a housing (11) with a first recess (14), and - a mounting plate (12) which is mounted in the housing (11) and has a second recess (15); wherein -- the second recess (15) is arranged in alignment with the first recess (14), so that a control or signalling device (2) can be guided through the two recesses (14, 15) in an axial direction (R), and -- the mounting plate (12) can be moved relative to the housing (11) in the axial direction (R) between a first end position (P1) and a second end position (P2), so that, when a control or signalling device (2) is fixed to the front plate (3), vertical compensation can be achieved depending on a thickness (23) of the front plate (3). The invention also relates to an arrangement (1).