Pivotable Claw Mounting Assembly for Electrical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening arrangements for electrical installation devices face challenges in achieving a maximum spread position with minimized space requirements, especially as modern devices incorporate more electronic components and have limited installation space.

Innovation Solution

The fastening arrangement allows the claw and nut to pivot independently, with a designed inclined surface mechanism that enables the claw to pivot from a compact position to a fully extended position, maintaining short leg lengths and minimizing installation space, while incorporating features like angled contact surfaces and latching devices for controlled pivoting and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the claw is designed with long legs to achieve a large spread angle, then the swing-out position is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespread angleVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The claw is designed to be pivotable relative to the base body, transitioning from a retracted position during transport to a spread position during installation. This dynamic configuration allows the claw to achieve a large spread angle when needed while maintaining a compact form factor during storage and transport, effectively resolving the contradiction between spread angle and installation space requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If the claw is kept short to minimize installation space, then the space requirement is reduced, but the maximum spread position is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidspread angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable claw mechanism allows short-legged claws to achieve effective long-reach positioning when spread out. The claw rotates on a pivot axis perpendicular to the base surface, enabling it to extend laterally beyond what would be possible with fixed long legs, thus achieving maximum spread position with minimized space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the claw is fully extended for maximum fastening capability, then the fastening performance is improved, but the transport safety is compromised due to protruding tips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening capabilityVSAvoidtransport injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The claw is designed in a retracted position during transport and assembly, with tips contained within the base body to eliminate injury risks. During installation, the claw is pivoted to its spread position where tips extend for effective fastening. This dynamic position change resolves the contradiction between fastening capability and transport safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A latching device is provided to fix the claw in its pivoted-in position before delivery, ensuring the claw remains retracted and safe during transport. The latching device automatically releases during assembly when the claw is swiveled out, providing preliminary safety action before the fastening operation begins

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables a high swing-out angle of the claw, optimizing space usage, ensuring safe transport and assembly by keeping the claw tips retractable during transport and allowing for easy installation, while maintaining a compact form factor.

Implementation Method 1

The application of force when screwing in the screw between the nut and the connecting web takes place via an inclined surface. As a result, when the screw is screwed into the nut, the claw is pivoted from the pivoted-in position into the expanded position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3910746A1Mounting assembly
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3910746A1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3910746A1 patent drawingFigure 7
  • EP3910746A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A fastening assembly for securing an electrical installation device comprises a base body with a base surface and a claw that can be pivoted into an expanding position by tightening a screw. The force applied between a nut and the connecting web of the claw is exerted via an inclined surface.