Mounting Device for Lamp Rails

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complex and error-prone installation of mounting rails on suspended ceilings and walls, requiring precise alignment and spacing, which increases working time and often results in incorrect assembly, making it difficult for drywall builders to mount lights efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device with a rigid frame and adjustable mounts that hold mounting rails parallel and at a defined distance, allowing for easy alignment and secure attachment, featuring detachable and flexible guide profiles for precise positioning and easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mounting rails are installed with precise parallel alignment and defined spacing manually, then lights can be installed without problems, but working time increases and errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an assembly device as an intermediary tool that holds multiple mounting rails in predetermined parallel positions with defined spacing. This device mediates between the installer and the mounting rails, automatically ensuring correct alignment and spacing without requiring manual precision work, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly device is configured with mounting rails pre-positioned in correct parallel alignment and defined spacing before installation. This preliminary preparation of the rails in the proper configuration allows for quick installation without time-consuming alignment work on-site, resolving the contradiction between achieving high alignment accuracy and reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If mounting rails are installed manually without assistance, then flexibility is maintained, but precision and speed decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidassembly device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly device is designed as a segmented, modular structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The device includes separate components for holding mounting rails at defined positions, allowing it to be set up quickly and used repeatedly. This segmentation maintains operational simplicity while enabling high installation speed, resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If drywall builders install lights directly in cut-outs, then thermal separation is achieved, but the process becomes complex and crack-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contactVSAvoidinstallation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the thermal separation function from the direct mounting process by introducing mounting rails that create a physical distance between the light housing and the suspended ceiling or wall. The rails are mounted in cut-outs and extend outward, providing thermal isolation while maintaining structural support. This separates the thermal protection function from the mounting function, reducing complexity and crack risk while achieving thermal separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3234450B1Mounting device for mounting holding rails for lamps
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3234450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3234450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3234450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting device (1) for mounting holding rails (4a, 4b) for lamp housings to cut-outs (3) of suspended walls or ceilings, comprising a substantially rigid frame (15) and, connected thereto, a first holder (2a) for retaining a first holding rail (4a) and a second holder (2b) for retaining a second holding rail (4b), wherein the holders (2a, 2b) are designed to hold the holding rails (4a, 4b) parallel to and at a defined distance from each other. The invention further relates to a mounting system, comprising a mounting device (1) according to the invention and at least two holding rails (4a, 4b).