Mounting Bar Assembly With Internal Cable Routing for Adjustable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting bar assemblies for materials handling vehicles do not allow for flexible positioning of electronic devices while maintaining secure cabling communication with the vehicle's control structure, limiting operator interaction and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bar assembly with a hollow interior portion that houses cabling, allowing the housing with electronic devices to be positioned along the length or horizontally on the mounting bar, with clamp members securing the housing and cabling, and optionally incorporating light structures for visibility and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing with electronic device is mounted to the mounting bar, then the electronic device can be positioned in multiple locations for operator interaction, but the cabling becomes exposed and disorganized outside the mounting bar
Solution Approach 1:
The cabling is nested within the hollow interior portion of the mounting bar, with cables routed through the internal cavity from the control structure to the housing. This nesting approach conceals the cabling within the mounting bar structure, providing a clean organized appearance while maintaining connectivity between electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow interior portion of the mounting bar serves as an intermediary pathway that mediates between the control structure and the housing. It provides a dedicated channel for cabling to pass through, isolating the cables from the external environment and preventing tangling or exposure while facilitating signal and power transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the housing is fixed at a specific position on the mounting bar, then the cabling route is simplified, but the operator cannot adjust the electronic device position for optimal interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism transitions from a fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. The housing can be moved along the mounting bar to different locations and secured at desired positions, allowing the operator to optimize the electronic device placement for ergonomic interaction while maintaining a secure attachment through the clamp member and fastening members.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into movable and fixed components. The housing is separable from fixed mounting points and can be repositioned along the mounting bar, while the fastening members provide secure attachment at selected positions. This segmentation enables flexibility without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable mounting system.
3Shape
If the mounting bar structure is simplified without internal cavity, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the cabling becomes exposed and aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bar incorporates a hollow interior portion that nests the cabling within its structure. This internal cavity is integrated into the mounting bar design, allowing cables to be routed through the bar itself rather than requiring separate conduit systems, thus achieving cable concealment while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bar serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for mounting the housing, acts as a conduit for cabling through its hollow interior, and offers a mounting surface for the clamp member. This multi-functionality consolidates several components into one, achieving cable concealment without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
4Reliability
If the clamp member is designed to securely hold the housing, then the housing stability is improved, but the clamp member may interfere with the aesthetic appearance of the mounting bar
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the housing and the mounting bar. It provides secure mechanical attachment while being positioned to minimize visual interference with the mounting bar's aesthetic appearance, and it also serves to cover the slot where cabling passes through, integrating the fastening function with cable protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting bar assembly mounted to a materials handling vehicle includes a mounting bar extending from a body portion of the materials handling vehicle, a housing mounted to the mounting bar and supporting at least one electronic device, and cabling that extends to the housing through a hollow interior portion defined within the mounting bar. The mounting bar assembly further includes cabling for providing communication between the at least one electronic device and control structure of the vehicle. The housing is mounted to the mounting bar such that the housing can be situated in a plurality of positions along at least a portion of the length of the mounting bar while the cabling is maintained within the hollow interior portion.