Building Sensor Fitting With Dual Mounting and Adjustable Shielding

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building control sensors face challenges in adjusting the field of view and require multiple types of fittings for surface and hole mounting, leading to increased manufacturing complexity and installation inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A versatile fitting that can be configured for both surface and hole mounting, featuring removable spring retaining clips and a design that allows adaptation to specific installation sites, along with a shield attachment for adjusting the field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of fittings are used for surface and hole mounting, then both mounting methods can be supported, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single fitting that can serve both surface mounting and hole mounting functions. The fitting includes a mounting plate with mounting holes for surface mounting, and spring retaining clips that can be positioned to enable hole mounting, allowing one component to replace multiple specialized fittings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting is segmented into functional components: a mounting plate with mounting holes, and removable spring retaining clips. This segmentation allows the same base fitting to be configured for different mounting methods by simply adding or removing the spring retaining clips, rather than manufacturing entirely different fittings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If spring retaining clips are used for hole mounting, then easy installation is achieved, but the mounting holes cannot be used simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spring retaining clips are designed to be removable and repositionable, transforming the mounting system from a fixed configuration to a dynamic one. Installers can remove the spring retaining clips when hole mounting is not needed, thereby enabling the use of mounting holes for surface mounting, and vice versa.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring retaining clips can be extracted (removed) from the fitting when not needed, allowing the mounting holes to be used. This extraction principle enables the mounting system to adapt between different mounting methods by simply taking out the spring retaining clips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the field of view is adjusted using sticky labels or custom-cut shields, then field of view control is achieved, but manufacturing and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is pre-formed with a specific shape and size during manufacturing, rather than requiring custom cutting on-site. This preliminary action of pre-shaping the shield eliminates the need for complex custom manufacturing or fitting of shields at the installation location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shield appears to be a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach uses a simple, low-cost shield design rather than complex adjustable mechanisms, achieving field of view control through a straightforward, economical solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Reduces manufacturing complexity by using a single fitting type for both mounting methods and provides adjustable field of view, enhancing installation flexibility and aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a spring retaining clip (5) adapted to retain the fitting (2) within a hole formed in a surface in a hole-mounting configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4508358B1A fitting for mounting a building control sensor

Publication Date: 2026.03.04

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a fitting (2) for mounting a building control sensor (3) to a surface. The fitting (2) comprises a mounting hole (4) for screwing the fitting (2) to the surface. The fitting (2) also comprises a spring retaining clip (5) adapted to retain the fitting (2) within a hole formed in the surface. The fitting (2) can therefore be surface mounted, or hole mounted. The present disclosure also provides a shield attachment (29) for a building control sensor (3) having a housing (22) and a lens (23). The shield attachment (29) comprises a frame (30) attachable to the building control sensor (3) and a shield element (24) movably mounted to the frame (30) and movable relative to the lens (23) of the building control sensor (3) to adjust a field of view of the building control sensor (3). Accordingly, the field of view of the building control sensor (3) can be adjusted according to the specific installation site.