Retractable Mounting Claw With Polymer Elastic Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expanding claw devices for concealed installation devices face challenges in durability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in maintaining functionality over time and ease of installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A Y-shaped leaf spring mechanism with stainless steel construction, featuring a base limb and two leaf spring limbs, a sliding section, and a leaf spring stop, which engages with a support ring and spreader screws to provide resilient fixation and easy assembly/disassembly, utilizing a U-shaped spreader with a central recess and adjustable nuts for secure mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional spring elements are used in expanding claw devices, then the device can be manufactured inexpensively, but the reliability deteriorates over time due to aging and loss of spring properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional spring steel to a polymer material with elastic memory properties. This polymer material maintains its elastic properties over time without the degradation that affects metal springs, thereby improving long-term reliability while keeping manufacturing costs low through injection molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a polymer material with elastic memory properties as a replacement for traditional metal spring elements. This composite material approach combines the advantages of polymer durability with elastic recovery properties, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and long-term functional reliability.
2Reliability
If the expanding claw device is designed for secure mounting, then the reliability improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic mounting system where the polymer elastic element allows the expanding claws to be firmly held in the expanded position during operation, but can be easily returned to the retracted position for removal. The adjustable tightening element provides dynamic control over the mounting force, enabling both secure installation and easy removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes a retractable mounting claw design where the claws are preliminarily positioned in a retracted state for easy installation, then automatically expand to the mounting position upon engagement with the support surface, providing secure mounting without requiring additional effort for removal.
3Ease of manufacture
If the spring element is positioned on the claw leg in a longitudinally displaceable manner, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the reliability worsens due to potential disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the polymer elastic element to be nested within the housing structure, with the element positioned in a receptacle that provides lateral confinement. This nesting arrangement simplifies assembly while preventing disengagement, as the element is captured within the housing rather than relying on external positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a receptacle structure as an intermediary component that retains the polymer elastic element. This receptacle mediates between the elastic element and the housing, providing secure retention while allowing the element to function properly, thus resolving the contradiction between easy manufacture and reliable retention.
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 solution results in a resistant, functionally reliable, and cost-effective expanding claw device that maintains performance over years, ensuring easy installation and removal with reduced aging and operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer elastic element (260) made of a polymer material with elastic properties for resiliently holding the spreading claws (230) in the spreading position
Implementation Method 2
with elastic memory properties for automatically returning the spreading claws (230) to the initial position after spreading
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A Y-shaped leaf spring (19) for resetting a spreading (13) is fastened to a carrying ring (3). The two legs (23,24) of the leaf spring are bent for attachment into the openings (10,11) of the carrying ring.