Mounting assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting assemblies for accessories on vertical structures, such as walls, often suffer from aesthetic issues due to exposed fasteners and lack of secure rotation prevention, especially when subjected to substantial twisting forces.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly with a mounting bracket, an elongate hollow member, and a cap, featuring complementary male-and-female mating formations like mortise and tenon joints, which inhibit rotation of the hollow member relative to the bracket, and a cover that conceals fasteners, ensuring secure and aesthetically pleasing installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mounting bracket is directly fastened to a wall with exposed fasteners, then the installation is simple, but the aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the cover is positioned over the mounting bracket, and the hollow member is inserted into the cover. This nesting arrangement allows the cover to conceal the exposed fasteners and mounting bracket, improving aesthetic quality while maintaining the simple fastening mechanism underneath. The hollow member further nests within the cover structure, creating a layered concealment system.
2Device complexity
If a single grub screw is used to secure the cover, then the structure is simple, but the resistance to rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetric features including an inclined surface on the projection and oppositely inclined surfaces on the cap. These asymmetric surfaces work with the set screws to create a mechanical locking action that resists rotation. The asymmetric geometry transforms the simple screw-fastening into a rotation-resistant connection without requiring multiple symmetric fasteners.
3Reliability
If two grub screws are used to prevent rotation, then the rotation resistance improves, but the aesthetic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the functional elements (set screws and inclined surfaces) from the visible aesthetic portion of the assembly. The set screws engage with inclined surfaces on the projection and cap, but these components are positioned such that they do not compromise the aesthetic quality of the cover's external appearance. The anti-rotation mechanism is effectively hidden or integrated into the structural portions of the assembly.
4Strength
If many machined parts and welded joints are used, then the structural strength improves, but the manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The mounting bracket combines the fastening function with the support structure. The hollow member integrates the structural support, rotation prevention (through mating formations), and positioning functions. The cap combines the closure function with the anti-rotation mechanism (through inclined surfaces). This merging reduces the number of separate machined parts and welded joints required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assembly into distinct functional modules: the mounting bracket for wall attachment, the hollow member for structural support and positioning, and the cap for closure and locking. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with optimized processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural integrity through the mating formations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting assembly (101, 201, 301, 401) for mounting an accessory (102, 202, 302, 402) is provided. The mounting assembly (101, 201, 301, 401) includes a mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) with an aperture arranged to receive a fastener for fastening the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) to a surface. A supporting structure is provided between the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) and the accessory (102, 202, 302, 402) with an elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) substantially surrounding the supporting structure. The elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) is releasably secured to the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) with the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403) and the elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) having complementary male-and-female mating formations which are arranged to inhibit rotation of the elongate hollow member (107, 207, 307, 407) relative to the mounting bracket (103, 203, 303, 403).