Mounting Bracket Recess for Unstable Ceiling Panel Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting brackets for electronic devices, such as cameras, face challenges when attached to unstable support surfaces like ceiling panels, as pushing actions can cause the panels to swing or lift, making installation cumbersome and increasing the risk of dirty finger marks.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket with a recess at its peripheral edge allows for one-hand grip and counterforce application, facilitating attachment regardless of the locking mechanism, minimizing finger contact and visibility, and accommodating unstable surfaces without additional tooling or material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pushing action is applied to attach the electronic device to the mounting bracket, then the device can be secured to the bracket, but the support surface (e.g., ceiling panel) may swing or lift causing installation difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pushing the device toward the mounting bracket, the operator pulls the mounting bracket toward themselves by inserting a finger into the recess and applying a pulling force. This inverts the direction of the mounting force, preventing the support surface from swinging or lifting while still achieving secure attachment through the locking arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary grip feature that enables the operator to apply counterforce during device attachment. By providing a finger insertion point, the recess serves as a mediator between the operator's hand and the mounting bracket, allowing controlled application of force without direct pushing on the support surface.
2Ease of operation
If a pushing action is used to mount the device, then the device can be attached to the bracket, but dirty finger marks are left on the ceiling panel
Solution Approach 1:
The recess extracts the necessary finger contact point from the support surface and relocates it to the mounting bracket itself. By moving the grip feature to the bracket, finger marks are transferred from the ceiling panel to the bracket, eliminating the harmful effect of visible dirt on the finished installation.
3Ease of operation
If the mounting bracket is designed with additional features to facilitate attachment, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is a localized feature formed only at the specific position where finger engagement is needed, rather than redesigning the entire mounting bracket structure. This local modification adds minimal complexity while providing the necessary functional improvement for easy one-handed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is segmented into functional zones: the mounting plate for attachment to the support surface, the device attachment portion for securing the electronic device, and the recess for operator engagement. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently with minimal overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting bracket for the mounting of an electronic device, such as a camera, on a support surface is provided. The mounting bracket comprises a mounting plate configured to attach the mounting bracket to the support surface, and a device attachment portion configured to receive the electronic device. The mounting plate comprises a recess which is formed at a peripheral edge portion of the mounting bracket. In a condition when the mounting bracket is attached to the support surface, the recess allows insertion of a user's finger in an interspace being formed between the mounting plate and the support surface.