Removable Panel Fixing Device for Brewing Bay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patch bay panel fixing solutions are either cumbersome for assembly and disassembly, prone to material deterioration, or do not adequately support devices during maintenance, leading to potential damage from wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
A removable panel fixing device with hooks that move between spaced and close positions, utilizing elastic return and a tongue-notch mechanism for secure attachment and easy insertion/extraction, along with a base and gripping means for manual actuation, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws and nuts are used for fixing the panel to the vertical uprights, then the fixing is durable and secure, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing system is divided into separate components: a fixing device with hooks attached to the panel, and corresponding holes in the vertical uprights. The hooks can be independently inserted and engaged, allowing the panel to be fixed through modular attachment rather than requiring multiple screws and nuts to be assembled simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks are designed to be mobile, transitioning between a retracted position (for insertion through holes) and a deployed position (for locking against the uprights). This dynamic movement enables quick engagement and disengagement without requiring tools or complex manipulation, resolving the contradiction between secure fixing and rapid assembly.
2Ease of operation
If a drawer with sliding components is used to facilitate device access, then device accessibility is improved, but the volume allocated to devices is reduced due to bulky sliding components
Solution Approach 1:
The bulky sliding components are completely removed from the system. Instead of using a traditional drawer mechanism, the patent extracts only the essential function of device access by allowing devices to be directly mounted on the panel surface, eliminating the need for internal sliding drawers and maximizing the volume available for devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel itself acts as a flexible mounting surface that can accommodate devices directly on its front face, replacing the rigid drawer structure. This thin-panel approach provides device accessibility without the volumetric penalty of thick sliding mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If plastic material is used for the resilient teeth providing snap-on attachment, then easy insertion is achieved, but the material is prone to deterioration during successive insertions and over time
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device uses simple, replaceable hooks that can be easily manufactured and, if necessary, replaced. Rather than relying on the long-term durability of resilient plastic teeth that deteriorate with use, the system accepts that these simple components may need periodic replacement, trading material longevity for operational simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the fixing elements resilient and elastic (plastic teeth that bend and return), the invention inverts the approach by using rigid hooks that are moved mechanically between positions. The resilience is transferred to the movement mechanism rather than the fixing elements themselves, eliminating material deterioration issues.
4Ease of operation
If hooks are made mobile between retracted and deployed positions to facilitate panel removal, then assembly and disassembly is greatly facilitated, but the hooks require elastic return means adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile hook mechanism is merged with the fixing device body, where the hooks are integrated into a single movable component rather than being separate elements. This consolidation reduces the number of individual parts and simplifies the overall structure, enabling easy panel removal without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hooks automatically return to their deployed position after insertion through the elastic return mechanism, performing the locking action without requiring additional manual operations. This self-service feature facilitates easy panel removal while keeping the operation simple, as the user only needs to initiate the movement rather than manually position each hook.
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
Facilitates rapid and secure attachment/detachment of panels, reducing wear and ensuring device stability during maintenance, thus improving maintenance operations and extending the lifespan of the fixing mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the return from the close position to the separated position (or reciprocally vice versa) is carried out by elastic return means
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a removable panel fixing device°(3) for a patch panel, comprising a body°(4) provided on its rear face°(40) with removable fixing means having two hooks°(5) for cooperating in insertion and extraction within through holes°(11) provided within said panel°(1) and through openings°(20) provided through a stud°(2) of said bay; said hooks°(5) being mounted movably from a position away ensuring the insertion and extraction of said device°(3) relative to said stud°(2), to a position closer ensuring the fixing of said panel°(1) on said stud°(2); the return being effected by elastic return; said fixing means comprising retention means°(6) provided with at least one tab°(60), extending from the rear face°(40) to a distal end°(61) provided with at least one notch°(62) forming a stop against said upright°(2).