Rack System Support Bracket with Locking Plunger for Secure Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rack systems lack a secure and easy-to-use mechanism for attaching and detaching support brackets from support rails, leading to potential unintentional detachment or attachment issues.
Innovation Solution
A rack system with axially extending bracket arresting slots and corresponding locking locations, featuring a support bracket with axially disposed engaging hooks and a locking mechanism comprising a locking plunger that can be actuated to engage with locking locations on the support rail, preventing unintentional detachment or attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism with locking plunger is added to prevent unintentional detachment, then the reliability of bracket attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking plunger is spring-loaded to automatically engage with the locking location when the bracket is installed, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms. The spring bias ensures the plunger projects into the locking location by default, creating a passive safety feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plunger is designed to be movable between a retracted position (for installation/removal) and a projected locked position (for secure attachment). This dynamic element allows the system to transition between states of freedom and constraint, providing both ease of installation and secure operation.
2Ease of operation
If engaging hooks are used to attach brackets to support rails, then the ease of operation for mounting and demounting is improved, but the risk of unintentional sliding displacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is divided into two independent components: engaging hooks for easy mounting/demounting operations, and a locking plunger with locking location for preventing unintentional detachment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking plunger is pre-positioned in a projected state that engages with the locking location immediately upon bracket installation, providing automatic protection against unintentional detachment before any operational forces are applied to the bracket.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns rack systems comprising at least one support rail configured with a plurality of axially extending bracket arresting slots and a plurality of corresponding locking locations, and at least one support bracket comprising at least two axially disposed engaging hooks readily detachably attachable with any two or more of the bracket arresting slots of the support rail, said support bracket further comprising a locking mechanism comprising a locking plunger configured for engaging with a locking location at the support rail.