Locking Clip Holder for Secure Contacting Device Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holding devices for contacting devices in linear power distribution systems fail to provide a secure mounting, leading to potential detachment under tensile forces or weight, thereby disrupting electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
A locking element is introduced that engages behind the holding clips, preventing transverse movement and includes locking wings to secure the holding elements in position, with a release mechanism for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional holding devices are used to engage in the undercut of the support profile, then the contacting device can be mounted, but the holding device is not secure and may detach under tensile forces or weight
Solution Approach 1:
The holding device is divided into separate functional components: retaining clips for engagement and a locking element for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the retaining clips engage the undercut while the locking element prevents detachment, resolving the contradiction between mounting security and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be movable between open and locked positions, allowing preliminary engagement of the retaining clips followed by subsequent locking. This preliminary action sequence enables easy assembly while ensuring secure mounting, addressing both the reliability and complexity concerns.
2Reliability
If the holding clips are locked in position to prevent movement, then mounting security is improved, but assembly and disassembly becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed as a dynamic component that can transition between locked and unlocked states. During assembly, it moves to the unlocked position allowing easy insertion, then transitions to the locked position for secure mounting. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure mounting and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element incorporates a release mechanism that allows it to be moved between locked and unlocked positions without requiring special tools or complex operations. The system serves itself by providing intuitive, tool-free locking and unlocking, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring mounting security.
3Reliability
If the locking element is designed to latch behind a projection, then unwanted movement is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element combines multiple functions into a single component: it locks the retaining clips in position, latches behind the projection for stability, and provides the release mechanism. This merging reduces the overall device complexity compared to using separate components for each function, while maintaining position stability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A method for fastening a contacting device 1 in a support profile 14 and a contacting device 1 for use in a support profile 14, wherein the contacting device 1 has a holding device 12 with a number of retaining clips 16 that engage behind an undercut 24 of the support profile 14, are intended to provide a particularly secure mounting for contacting devices 1, which can be easily mounted and, if necessary, also dismounted. For this purpose, the holding device 12 includes a locking element 32, which is slidably arranged between an open and a locked position and wherein, in the locked position, the locking element 32 engages behind the retaining clips 16.