Housing Closure Flap Nesting in DIN Rail Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular installation devices with built-in connectors face issues of secure closure and protection when not in use, as existing closure flaps are often lost or prone to breaking due to protrusion beyond specified dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A housing design featuring a pivotable closure flap with a hinge joint and a recess that securely accommodates at least half of the flap, ensuring dust-tight closure and easy stowage, utilizing pins for the hinge joint and a seal to maintain dust-tightness even when open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure flap is provided to cover the built-in connector, then protection against dust and accidental contact is improved, but the closure flap is prone to being lost or broken when it protrudes beyond specified dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The closure flap is nested within a recess in the housing when in the open position. The recess is designed to accommodate the closure flap in its open state, preventing it from protruding beyond the housing dimensions. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction by providing protection when closed while preventing loss and breakage when open by keeping the flap within the housing boundaries.
2Ease of operation
If the closure flap is made to protrude beyond the housing to allow easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but the closure flap becomes prone to being lost or broken
Solution Approach 1:
The recess in the housing provides a designated space for the closure flap to nest in when open, allowing easy access to the connector while keeping the flap within the housing dimensions to prevent loss and breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the closure flap to protrude in the external direction, the solution moves the flap into an internal dimension (the recess) when open. This dimensional repositioning maintains ease of operation while eliminating the risk of the flap being lost or broken due to excessive protrusion.
3Reliability
If the closure flap is completely enclosed in the housing, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and access to the connector is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The recess provides partial enclosure for the closure flap when open, maintaining reliability by preventing loss and breakage while still allowing the flap to be accessed and operated. The hinge joint enables smooth movement between closed and open positions, balancing retention with operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint introduces dynamic movement capability to the closure flap, allowing it to transition between a fully enclosed state (when closed for protection) and a partially accessible state (when open in the recess for operation). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between complete enclosure and ease of operation.
4Ease of operation
If a hinge joint is provided for the closure flap, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge joint enables dynamic movement of the closure flap between closed and open positions, significantly improving ease of operation. While this adds some complexity, the hinge is a simple mechanical component that provides reliable pivoting motion essential for the flap's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element that works in conjunction with the hinge joint. It maintains the dust-tight closure when the flap is closed while accommodating the movement provided by the hinge. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve both ease of operation through pivoting and protection through sealing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A housing for an electrical assembly for mounting on a DIN rail is disclosed. The housing (1) has a side facing the DIN rail – mounting side (3) – and a front side (4). The housing (1) also has at least one opening (24) through which a panel-mount connector (15) of the electrical assembly is accessible for inserting a corresponding connector. A locking flap (12) is arranged at the opening (24), which closes the opening (24) in a first position. The locking flap (12) is pivotable about a pivot axis to a second position to release the panel-mount connector (15), wherein the locking flap (12) is at least half-engaged in a recess (14) in one of the walls of the housing (1) in the second position. A DIN rail mounting device is also disclosed, which is formed by a corresponding housing and an electrical assembly arranged therein.