Protective Shell Clip Structure for Low-Force Electrical Accessory Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixed electrical accessories with protective shells face challenges in installation and disassembly due to high friction, which can lead to damage and safety hazards, as the current designs often require significant force and may damage the clip or locking slot during disassembly.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates multiple L-shaped clip units on the cover plate and corresponding locking slots on the middle frame, with grooves on the cover plate to facilitate disassembly by allowing the cover plate to deform and reduce friction between the clips and locking slots, making installation easier and more reliable while minimizing the force required for disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single clip and locking slot are used to fasten the cover plate to the middle frame, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of installation and disassembly deteriorates due to high friction and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The single clip structure is segmented into multiple clips (at least two) distributed along the fastening direction. Each clip independently engages with the locking slot, distributing the friction load across multiple contact points. This segmentation reduces the friction force each individual clip must overcome during installation and disassembly, preventing clip breakage or locking slot damage while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If wider clip is used to prevent breakage during disassembly, then the reliability is improved, but the force required for installation and disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single wider clip that requires greater force, the fastening function is segmented into multiple narrower clips. The total friction force is distributed across these multiple clips, so each clip experiences less individual friction load. This allows disassembly with reduced force while maintaining reliability, as the cumulative fastening strength of multiple clips compensates for the narrower individual clip dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If multiple clips are used to reduce friction during installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is segmented along its fastening direction to incorporate multiple clips at different positions. This segmentation enables the distribution of friction forces during installation, making the installation process easier as each clip encounters less resistance. The clips are integrated into the cover plate structure, so the increase in component quantity does not proportionally increase overall device complexity.
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 reduces the friction force needed during installation and disassembly, enhancing the reliability of both processes and preventing damage to the clip and locking slot, thereby improving safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
During the installation process, it is necessary to overcome a large amount of friction to install the cover plate in place, and during the disassembly process, it is also necessary to overcome a large amount of friction to remove the cover plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a fixed electrical accessory with protective shell, which includes an electrical accessory body, a middle frame for connecting the electrical accessory body and a cover plate for protecting the electrical accessory body. The middle frame is detachably connected to the cover plate. A plurality of clip units is provided at a lateral side of the cover plate, and a plurality of locking slots corresponding to the plurality of clip units is provided at a lateral side of the middle frame, wherein the plurality of clip units cooperate with the plurality of locking slots respectively to achieve fastening. At least one groove is provided at the lateral side of the cover plate for facilitating disassembly of the middle frame and the cover plate.