Elastic DIN Rail Claw for Variable Thickness Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIN rail installing structures for electrical appliances are unable to accommodate both thin and thick DIN rails without damaging the fixed claw portion when trying to install a thick rail, as the claw width does not adjust to accommodate different thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
The DIN rail installing portion structure features a claw portion with an erected wall, a cantilever-like pressing portion, a notch groove, and an inclined surface, allowing for elastic deformation and increased clamping width to accommodate varying DIN rail thicknesses, preventing damage during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed claw portion is designed for thin DIN rails, then it can securely clamp thin rails, but it cannot be inserted into or will be damaged when attempting to install thick DIN rails
Solution Approach 1:
The claw portion is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to dynamically adjust its width to accommodate different DIN rail thicknesses. The elastic deformation enables the claw to expand when encountering thick rails during installation, and then return to its original clamping position, providing both adaptability and secure clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The width of the claw portion is designed to be changeable through elastic deformation. When a thick DIN rail is inserted, the claw elastically deforms to increase its width, allowing the rail to pass through. After installation, the claw returns to its original dimensions to provide secure clamping, thus changing the parameter (width) based on installation needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the claw portion width is increased to accommodate thick DIN rails, then installation becomes possible, but the clamping force on thin DIN rails decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The claw portion utilizes elastic deformation to dynamically adjust its width only during the installation phase. Once the DIN rail is in place, the claw returns to its original dimensions, maintaining optimal clamping force. This dynamic adjustment ensures both compatibility with thick rails during installation and sufficient clamping force during operation.
3Device complexity
If a fixed claw portion is used, then the structure is simple, but it causes damage to the claw when forcefully inserting thick DIN rails
Solution Approach 1:
The claw portion is designed with elastic properties, allowing its width parameter to change during installation. This elastic flexibility enables the claw to accommodate thick DIN rails without damage, while maintaining structural simplicity by using a single integrated elastic component rather than complex adjustable mechanisms.
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 configuration enables secure and damage-free installation of electrical appliances on both thin and thick DIN rails by allowing the claw portion to elastically adjust and increase its clamping width, ensuring stable holding without damaging the claw.
Implementation Method 1
a claw portion 14 which clamps a first edge portion 41a of edge portions 41 protruding on both sides of the DIN rail 40 by the claw portion 14 to hold the socket 1 on the DIN rail 40, and elastically presses the first edge portion 41a of the edge portions 41 protruding on both sides of the DIN rail 40 in a thickness direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A DIN rail installing portion structure of an electrical appliance and a socket are provided. Aback cover (10) of a socket (1) includes: a fitting groove (13), which is fitted to a DIN rail (40); and a claw portion (14), which is formed on a first side surface portion (13a) of both side surface portions of the fitting groove (13). A first edge portion (41a) of the DIN rail (40) is clamped by the claw portion (14) to hold the socket 1 on the DIN rail (40). The claw portion (14) elastically presses a first edge portion (41a) of the DIN rail (40) in a thickness direction. On the first edge portion (41a) side of the DIN rail (40), there is no claw of which a width of clamping the first edge portion (41a) in the thickness direction does not change.