Rail Support Plate with Movable Lock for Robust Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray support systems lack robust mechanical performance while maintaining simplicity and convenience in use, particularly due to the elastic flexibility of snap-fastening mechanisms which compromises robustness.
Innovation Solution
A carrier rail support system featuring a plate with a movable, rigid lock that automatically assumes an immobilization configuration when the rail is inserted, using a protruding tab that moves into a bottom opening and is guided by inclined surfaces, providing robust fixation without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastic flexible tongues are used for snap-fastening the rail to the plate, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is designed to move dynamically between a retraction position (during installation) and a locking position (during use). The lock translates along an inclined path guided by ramps on the plate body, automatically transitioning from a non-intrusive state that allows easy rail insertion to a secure locked state that provides robust mechanical fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-locking through the interaction between the lock's protruding tab and the rail's opening, combined with the inclined guide ramps that automatically guide the lock into the correct position. The weight of the lock itself provides the driving force for engagement, eliminating the need for additional actuation mechanisms or tools.
2Strength
If a rigid lock with automatic immobilization is used, then mechanical robustness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides the protruding tab for engagement with the rail opening, incorporates the guide surfaces for automatic positioning, and uses the inclined ramps for both guidance and locking action. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining robust mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined guide ramps act as an intermediary mechanism between the lock and the rail. These ramps mediate the interaction by guiding the lock's movement and translating the simple insertion motion into the complex sequence of retraction and locking, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If the lock is movable and guided by inclined surfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional zones: the retraction phase (where the lock moves outward), the transition phase (where the lock passes over the rail opening), and the locking phase (where the tab engages with the opening). The inclined ramps are correspondingly segmented to provide guidance at each stage, allowing tolerances to be distributed across multiple surfaces rather than concentrated in a single critical interface.
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
The system offers enhanced mechanical performance with robust fixation and ease of use, as the weight of the lock ensures automatic immobilization of the rail, providing a secure and convenient attachment method.
Implementation Method 1
said lock being guided relative to the body of the plate in a direction inclined upwards and towards the outside of the housing when the plate is in the nominal orientation so that when the end section of the rail is driven into the housing while the plate is in the nominal orientation, the external section remite drives the lock upwards and outwards from the housing at least until the reversing position, then a displacement of the lock and the rail towards each other inserts the tab in the said opening of the bottom
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The system comprises a carrier rail (11) and a plate (12) configured to be attached to a support and for immobilising an end section of the rail arranged standing, said plate comprising a cavity for receiving said section allowing an immobilisation configuration in which a rigid tab projecting from a face of a lock (29) delimiting the cavity is inserted in an opening (20) of the base (14) of the rail, which lock can move with respect to a body (28) of the plate, between a locking position in which said cavity is in the immobilisation configuration and a doubled back position intended so that the tab is more towards the outside of the cavity than the outer face of the base (14), said lock being guided in a direction inclined upwards and towards the outside of the cavity, said cavity automatically taking said immobilisation configuration when said section is pressed down there, then tends to extract therefrom.