Sliding Rail Mounting Clip for Stable Screwless Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rail connectors for electrical devices are unstable with larger, heavier devices, often requiring screws to secure them, which negates quick connect/disconnect functionality and can lead to inadequate grounding, and are often costly due to complex designs with many parts and materials.
Innovation Solution
A rail mounting apparatus featuring a base with tabs and a guide clip, combined with a sliding mounting clip and connector system that allows for secure engagement of the rail without screws, enabling quick connection and disconnection while providing adequate grounding using a sheet metal construction that minimizes costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If screws are used to mount the device to the back panel, then stability is improved, but quick connect/disconnect functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a base that provides structural support and stability, and a separate mounting clip that enables quick connect/disconnect operations. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting clip acts as an intermediary component between the base and the rail. It provides the quick-connect mechanism while the base provides stable mounting, allowing the system to achieve both quick operation and stability through the mediating clip.
2Reliability
If complex arrangements with bendable or spring-tensioned clips are used, then grounding and stability are improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting clip uses simple stamped sheet metal construction rather than expensive bendable or spring-tensioned clips. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness and simplicity while maintaining adequate functionality for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from complex spring-tensioned or bendable clips to a simpler stamped metal clip with threaded engagement. This parameter change in the mounting mechanism reduces part complexity and cost while achieving the necessary grounding and stability through the threaded connector and sheet metal construction.
3Device complexity
If minimal parts and material are used, then cost is reduced, but mounting stability and grounding are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The base and mounting clip are merged into an integrated system where the base provides structural stability and the clip provides mounting functionality. This merging allows minimal parts to achieve both cost-effectiveness and mounting stability through coordinated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite construction combining the base (providing structural support) with the mounting clip made of stamped sheet metal (providing quick-connect and grounding). This composite approach achieves adequate stability and grounding with minimal, cost-effective parts.
Data Source
AI summary
Rail mounting apparatus including a base having a mount surface including at least one tab for mounting a first edge of the rail relative to the mount surface, a side surface including a guide clip, and a connector guide slot extending from the side surface; a mounting clip including: a body slidingly mounted in the guide clip, a rail engaging member at a first end of the body for engaging a second edge of the rail, a connector mount at a second end of the body; and a connector extending through the guide slot and received in the connector mount of the mounting clip, wherein coupling of the connector to the connector mount slidingly moves the mounting clip in the guide clip to engage the rail engaging member with the second edge of the rail and hold the second edge of the rail relative to the mount surface of the base.