Panel Mounting Bracket With Internal Tabs for Flexible Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket systems for mounting panels to carriers are limited in flexibility and positioning options, often requiring pre-positioning or additional space for installation, and are not easily movable once fixed.
Innovation Solution
A bracket design where outwardly protruding tabs engage with the carrier's inner surface, allowing the bracket to be installed at any position along the carrier, without needing to be screwed to the outside, and featuring slots for panel support and a rotatable element for adjustable panel alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the bracket is attached to the outside of the carrier using screws, then the bracket is securely fixed, but the installation position is limited and additional space around the carrier is required
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is positioned inside the carrier rather than on the outside, with the base resting on the carrier base and the flanges extending into the carrier's interior space. This nested arrangement allows the bracket to be installed at any position along the carrier without requiring external clearance space.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching the bracket to the outside of the carrier as in conventional designs, the bracket is inverted to be positioned inside the carrier. The outwardly protruding tabs engage with the inner surfaces of the carrier's side walls, reversing the traditional mounting approach to achieve greater flexibility.
2Reliability
If the bracket is screwed to the carrier, then the bracket is firmly secured, but the bracket cannot be easily moved or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket employs a dynamic fastening mechanism where the outwardly protruding tabs engage with the carrier's inner surfaces through elastic deformation. The resilient material allows the tabs to flex during installation and provide secure holding force, while enabling easy release and repositioning by overcoming the elastic force.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket utilizes changes in the physical state of the resilient material, specifically elastic deformation of the tabs. During installation, the tabs are forced inward to pass the carrier's side walls, then spring back to engage securely. This parameter change allows both secure fixation and easy repositioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the bracket is designed with fixed position holes for screwing, then the bracket is precisely positioned, but the installation location is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is segmented from the traditional screw-hole approach. Instead of relying on pre-drilled holes at specific locations, the bracket uses distributed outwardly protruding tabs along its length that can engage with the carrier at multiple positions, providing both precision and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket design achieves multi-functionality by combining the positioning and securing functions into the tab-carrier engagement mechanism. The same tabs that provide secure fixation also enable flexible positioning at various locations along the carrier, eliminating the need for dedicated positioning holes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
A bracket for mounting panels to a carrier, the bracket comprising a base and two flanges extending away from the base, the base being located between the two flanges, each flange having an inwardly-facing surface and an outwardly-facing surface bounded by two side edges and a distal end, and wherein each flange comprises at least one outwardly protruding tab for engaging the carrier and thereby securing the bracket to the carrier, and wherein each flange further comprises a pair of slots for receiving a panel, each slot of said pair of slots extending from a different side edge of the flange at a location further away from the base than the outwardly protruding tab. A carrier and bracket assembly and a carrier, bracket and panel assembly are also provided.