Rail Mounting Clip With Sliding Guide And Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rail connectors for electrical devices are unstable with larger, heavier devices, often requiring screws for mounting which negates quick connect/disconnect functionality and face issues with inadequate grounding, and are costly due to complex designs with many parts and materials.
Innovation Solution
A rail mounting apparatus featuring a base with tabs and a guide clip, a sliding mounting clip with rail engaging members, and a connector that securely attaches to the rail using a threaded connection, allowing for adjustable engagement and grounding without compromising quick connect/disconnect capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to mount the device to the back panel, then stability is improved, but quick connect/disconnect functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting clip is designed with a sliding body that can dynamically adjust its position along the rail. The connector allows the mounting clip to slide into engagement with the rail's edge flange, providing stable mounting while maintaining the ability to quickly disconnect by simply releasing the connector. This dynamic sliding mechanism resolves the contradiction between stable mounting and quick operation.
2Reliability
If complex arrangements with bendable or spring-tensioned clips are used, then grounding and stability are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for separate grounding hardware and complex spring-tensioned clips. The mounting clip itself is designed to provide both mechanical support and grounding functionality through its direct engagement with the conductive rail. By integrating these functions into a single simple component, the design reduces part count and material complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting clip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support by engaging the rail's edge flange, ensures grounding through contact with the conductive rail, and enables quick connect/disconnect operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate grounding hardware and complex spring mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Device complexity
If minimal parts and material are used, then cost is reduced, but stability and grounding are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of mounting support and grounding into a single mounting clip component. The clip's body engages the rail's edge flange for mechanical support while simultaneously providing grounding contact through its conductive material. This consolidation maintains stability and grounding effectiveness while minimizing the number of parts and material usage, achieving cost reduction without compromising performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Rail mounting apparatus including a base having a mount surface including at least one tab for mounting a first edge of the rail relative to the mount surface, a side surface including a guide clip, and a connector guide slot extending from the side surface; a mounting clip including: a body slidingly mounted in the guide clip, a rail engaging member at a first end of the body for engaging a second edge of the rail, a connector mount at a second end of the body; and a connector extending through the guide slot and received in the connector mount of the mounting clip, wherein coupling of the connector to the connector mount slidingly moves the mounting clip in the guide clip to engage the rail engaging member with the second edge of the rail and hold the second edge of the rail relative to the mount surface of the base.