Wall And Ceiling Access Point With Magnetic Tool-Free Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access points for walls and ceilings lack mechanisms for quick and easy installation, servicing, and removal, often requiring additional tools and compromising structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
The access point incorporates a plurality of magnets for initial attraction, a locating key for rotational orientation, a plurality of locking tabs, and retention spring arms, allowing for easy installation and removal without additional tools, while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical fasteners or adhesives are used to secure the cover or grille, then structural integrity and resistance to tampering is improved, but installation and removal require additional tools and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fasteners (screws, clips, adhesives) with a magnetic retention system. Magnets embedded in the housing attract and hold the cover or grille without requiring mechanical attachment, allowing tool-free installation and removal while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic retention system allows the cover or grille to be installed and removed by simply bringing it near the housing, where magnetic attraction automatically secures it. No additional tools, fasteners, or assembly steps are required, enabling user-friendly servicing.
2Reliability
If multiple securing mechanisms are added to prevent tampering and ensure secure retention, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple retention functions into a single magnetic retention system. The magnets provide both the securing force and the alignment function, eliminating the need for separate mechanical fasteners, alignment features, and locking mechanisms that would increase complexity.
3Reliability
If heavy-duty fastening mechanisms are used to resist air movement and tampering, then structural integrity is improved, but weight of the access point increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical fastening mechanisms with lightweight magnets that provide sufficient holding force through magnetic attraction. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight of the access point while maintaining secure retention and resistance to air movement and tampering.
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
The solution enables quick and easy installation and removal of the access point, providing secure retention and resisting tampering and air movement, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing weight through the use of polymers.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnets that provide attraction to an outer cover
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in an access point through a wall or ceiling for gaining access through the wall or ceiling using only one side of the wall or ceiling. After cutting a home the housing or frame for can then be pushed into the opening for installation and the installer can compress one-way retaining arms to secure the frame without requiring the use of any additional tools or requiring access to the back of the wall, ceiling or floor. The frame has locating key(s) ensures that the cover or electronics is installed in the preferred rotational orientation. One or plurality of locating keys that ensures the internal electronics can be installed in one or more than one orientation to minimize confusion regarding an acceptable orientation. The rotation positions can also be used to ensure that a logo or internal feature or cover is properly oriented.