Device for attaching an electrical power and/or data supply assembly on a rail.
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power and data supply units lack flexibility and ease of arrangement, as they are typically fixed and not easily adaptable to different user preferences or locations, especially with the increasing mobility and variable usage of electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric power and data supply assembly with a fixing element that attaches to a raceway, featuring contact surfaces and a receiving portion with interlocking raised elements, pressure-applying means, and elastic coupling mechanisms to securely hold and easily position modular units on raceways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed strips are arranged in portable raceways, then electrical and data connections can be provided to mobile devices, but the arrangement becomes anchored and inflexible, preventing easy adaptation to different user preferences and locations
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element is divided into two separable portions that can be independently assembled onto the raceway. This segmentation allows the components to be easily attached and removed, providing flexibility in arrangement while maintaining secure fixation when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element incorporates elastic portions that can deform during assembly and then maintain a fixed position once assembled. This dynamic behavior enables easy installation through elastic deformation followed by stable positioning, resolving the contradiction between ease of arrangement and secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed strips are used in portable raceways, then power and data supply capacity is provided, but the units cannot be easily removed or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the fixing element into two portions that assemble together, the design enables both easy installation (separate components) and secure attachment (interlocked assembly), allowing units to be reliably fixed yet easily repositioned when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing element acts as an intermediary between the modular unit and the raceway, providing a mechanism that achieves both secure attachment through its interlocking portions and easy removal by separating the portions, thus mediating between reliability and adaptability requirements.
3Weight of moving object
If modular units are made lighter and smaller for mobility, then device portability increases, but the fixing mechanism must be simpler and easier to install
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented fixing element with two portions that assemble together provides a simple installation process suitable for lightweight modular units, avoiding complex fixed mounting mechanisms while ensuring secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portions in the fixing element enable easy installation through simple deformation and assembly actions, making the fixing mechanism appropriately simple for lightweight, portable modular units while maintaining reliable fixation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric power and/or data supply assembly for the arrangement of modular units (1) on raceways (3), comprising a fixing element (2) configured for arranging the modular unit (1) such that it is attached to the raceway (3); contact surfaces (5) for the fixing element (2) to establish contact on the raceway (3); a receiving portion configured for arranging the modular unit (1) such that it is coupled in the fixing element (2); at least one raised element (12) for interlocking in the raceway (3), the at least one raised element (12) being arranged in projection in correspondence with one of the contact surfaces (5). A position of the modular unit (1) on the raceway (3) can therefore be fixed by means of the fixing element (2).