Rack Fastener Clip Structure for Front-Access Equipment Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fasteners for securing equipment to racks are inconvenient, time-consuming, and pose risks of injury or equipment damage due to limited access, especially when the rack is populated, and require specialist tools or are not reusable.
Innovation Solution
A rack fastener with a first and second stud extending through apertures from the back to the front, connected by a clipping portion that engages with a third aperture, allowing secure mounting and dismounting from the front without specialist tools, using a glass fibre reinforced plastic material for durability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bolt and nut fasteners are used, then secure fastening is achieved, but installation time increases and access from the front becomes difficult when rack is populated
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into two separate components: a stud component that is permanently retained to the rack structure, and a separate fastening component (nut or bolt) that is inserted and secured. This segmentation allows the stud to be pre-installed from the front while the fastening component is secured from the rear, resolving the access problem while maintaining secure fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The stud component is pre-installed and retained to the rack structure before the actual equipment mounting operation. This preliminary action allows the stud to be in position and ready, so that when equipment needs to be mounted, only the fastening component needs to be inserted and secured, significantly reducing installation time.
2Reliability
If access to fasteners is restricted when rack is populated, then equipment security is maintained, but installation and removal convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening operation is distributed across two different dimensions of access: the stud component is accessed from the front of the rack (first dimension), while the fastening component is accessed from the rear of the rack (second dimension). This dimensional separation allows both operations to be performed independently without interfering with rack population density.
Solution Approach 2:
The stud component acts as an intermediary element that bridges the front and rear access points. It is permanently retained to the rack structure and provides a ready interface for the fastening component, enabling secure fastening without requiring direct access to both sides simultaneously.
3Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used to secure equipment, then fastening reliability improves, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stud components are merged into a single integrated fastening system where all studs are permanently retained to the rack structure. This allows multiple fastening points to be established simultaneously, reducing the overall complexity of the fastening assembly while maintaining reliability through multiple connection points.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a rack fastener to engage and retain a first member and hold a second member to the first member. The fastener has two coextensive studs, each having base portions, to install from a back surface of the first member each into separate apertures thereof, such that the studs extend through the separate apertures from a front surface of the first member. A connecting portion connects the two base portions. There is also, a clipping portion extending, directly or indirectly, from one of the base portions, the clipping portion having at least one engagement face to engage a region of another aperture of the first member so that the fastener is substantially prevented from being separated from the first member. The two studs can pass through respective apertures of the second member, and thereafter fasteners can engage each stud to secure the second member to the first member.