Reinforcement Structure for Electric Device Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric or electronic devices, such as sockets and switches, face failure due to high stress concentrations on plastic parts caused by fixing claws, leading to deformation and breakage, especially when made of thermoplastic materials, resulting in unreliable mounting and potential device dislodgment during use.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcement structure with U-shaped features and metal components that are removably connected to the housing, supported by a wall frame, to distribute and neutralize mechanical stress concentrations, preventing deformation and breakage by absorbing claw forces without transmitting them to the plastic housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixing claws are used to clamp the device into the mounting box, then the device can be securely mounted, but high stress concentrations occur on the plastic housing causing deformation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the plastic housing containing the electronics, and a separate wall frame with metal reinforcement structure. The fixing claws are attached to the wall frame rather than the plastic housing, segmenting the mounting function from the housing structure to prevent stress transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall frame combines metal reinforcement elements with the plastic housing structure. The metal components (fixing claws, reinforcement bars) are attached to the plastic housing to create a composite structure that leverages the high strength of metal for mounting while maintaining the electrical insulation and cost advantages of plastic housing.
2Force
If screws are tightened to activate fixing claws, then the claws clamp into the mounting box, but excessive force causes stress concentrations that lead to device failure
Solution Approach 1:
The wall frame acts as an intermediary structure between the fixing claws and the plastic housing. The metal reinforcement elements in the wall frame absorb and distribute the clamping forces generated by the screws, preventing these forces from being directly transmitted to the plastic housing and preventing device failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcement structure is pre-installed in the wall frame before the fixing claws are activated. This reinforcement structure serves as a cushioning element that absorbs excess stress and prevents force transmission to the plastic housing when the fixing claws are tightened into the mounting box.
3Strength
If the reinforcement structure is made of metal, then mechanical stress is better distributed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire housing structure metal, the reinforcement structure applies metal elements only locally where mounting forces are applied - specifically in the wall frame at the fixing claw attachment points. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary strength while minimizing the increase in device complexity and cost.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3b
Figure 3c~5b
AI summary
The present invention provides an electric or electronic device (10) comprising a housing (11), a wall frame (12) for fixing the electric or electronic device (10) to a wall, ceiling or in a floor, and two fixing claws (14) for fixing the electric or electronic device (10) in a mounting box in the wall, ceiling or floor. The electric or electronic device (10) furthermore comprises a reinforcement structure (13) that is supported by a support structure (15) on the wall frame (12) and that is connected to the housing (11), and wherein the fixing claws (14) are removably connected to the reinforcement structure (13). The reinforcement structure (13) is formed by two braces (13) provided at opposite sides of the housing (11). Each brace (13) comprises a connection part (16) for connecting the reinforcement structure (13) to the housing (11) and a U-shaped feature (17) with two legs (17a, 17b) fixedly connected to the connection part (16) and extending away from that connection part (16) in a direction substantially perpendicular to that connection part (16).