Rotatable Electrical Relay Mounting Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical relays, such as heavy-duty relays, often have fixed mounting bracket orientations that do not align optimally with panel layouts, leading to installation challenges and inefficiencies, particularly when pre-bored brackets are used or space is constrained.
Innovation Solution
A relay and mounting bracket combination featuring protruding nubs and constraint features that allow for multiple rotational orientations, enabling the relay to be securely mounted in various angular positions without requiring multiple bracket variants or increased bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed mounting bracket orientation is used, then the bracket structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the relay cannot be mounted in multiple orientations and does not align optimally with different panel layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates a rotational mechanism that allows it to dynamically change orientation from a fixed position to multiple angular positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°). This dynamic capability enables the bracket to adapt to different panel layouts while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of a pivot joint and positioning features.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be mounted in four different orientations to accommodate various panel layouts, and it maintains structural support functionality across all orientations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single bracket structure versatile enough to replace what would otherwise require multiple fixed-orientation brackets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bracket variants are produced to accommodate different orientations, then mounting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of producing multiple bracket variants for different orientations, the invention uses a single universal bracket design that can be mounted in four different orientations through its rotational mechanism. This significantly simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need to produce, inventory, and manage multiple bracket types, while still providing the flexibility to accommodate various panel layouts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates a rotational mechanism with positioning features that allow a single bracket to dynamically assume multiple orientations during installation. This dynamic capability replaces the need for multiple static bracket variants, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining mounting flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-bored brackets are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but installation flexibility and alignment with panel layouts are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket uses a rotational mechanism with positioning features that allow it to be installed in multiple orientations. The bracket includes pre-bored holes for straightforward manufacturing, but the rotational capability enables installers to align and mount the relay in four different orientations (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) to accommodate various panel layouts, thus maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and installation flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of electrical relays. In particular the invention relates to a bracket a relay and bracket combination which permits the relay to be mounted on a surface or panel in a plurality of angular rotational orientations. There is provided a relay and mounting bracket combination comprising a relay having a body with a terminal end portion provided with one or more electrical terminal connectors and a base end portion adapted for engagement with the bracket, wherein the bracket is provided with attachment features which facilitate the mounting of the bracket to an external object or surface when the bracket is engaged with the base end portion of the relay.