Stud-Mount Insert With Pawl Engagement for Stronger Wire Tray Retention

Solution Overview

Problem

Wire tray assemblies formed of a single, relatively inexpensive polymeric material often lack sufficient stud-mount retention strength, which can lead to instability and inadequate retention of components.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates removable stud-mount inserts made of a stronger material, such as polyamide (NYLON), with a flange and body design that includes pawls and locking tabs to securely engage with mounting studs, allowing for adjustable positioning and enhanced retention force transfer to the wire tray.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If wire tray assemblies are formed of a single inexpensive polymeric material, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but stud-mount retention strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidstud-mount retention strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the inexpensive polymeric wire tray body with stronger polyamide (NYLON) stud-mount inserts. The inserts are molded into the wire tray body, creating a composite structure where each material contributes its superior properties: the polymeric body provides cost-effectiveness and electrical insulation, while the polyamide inserts provide enhanced mechanical strength and retention for stud-mount fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by reinforcing only the specific areas where stud-mount fasteners will be attached, rather than making the entire wire tray from expensive strong material. The stronger polyamide inserts are placed locally at mounting locations, providing enhanced retention strength precisely where needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness in the rest of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If stronger material is used for the entire wire tray assembly, then stud-mount retention strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestud-mount retention strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining the inexpensive polymeric wire tray body with stronger polyamide (NYLON) stud-mount inserts. The inserts are molded into the wire tray body, creating a composite structure where each material contributes its superior properties: the polymeric body provides cost-effectiveness and electrical insulation, while the polyamide inserts provide enhanced mechanical strength and retention for stud-mount fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by reinforcing only the specific areas where stud-mount fasteners will be attached, rather than making the entire wire tray from expensive strong material. The stronger polyamide inserts are placed locally at mounting locations, providing enhanced retention strength precisely where needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness in the rest of the structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If stud-mount inserts with complex engagement mechanisms are used, then retention strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention strengthVSAvoidinsert structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the retention mechanism directly into the insert structure itself, rather than using separate components. The pawls and locking tabs are molded as integral parts of the polyamide insert body, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or assembly steps while providing robust retention through the stud-mount engagement features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3859924B1System comprising a stud-mount insert

Publication Date: 2024.10.23 HELLERMANNTYTON CORP

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AI summary

The application pertains to a stud-mount insert configured to be releasably retained by a mounting tab having an aperture defined therethrough. The stud-mount insert comprises a body comprising a bottom end opposite an upper end. The bottom end is configured for insertion into the aperture and the upper end comprises a flange configured to engage a top surface of the mounting tab proximate a perimeter of the aperture and prevent the upper end from passing through the aperture. The body is configured to accept a tool that rotates the body about a longitudinal axis of a mounting stud such that the mounting stud extends through the aperture and into the body. The body is further configured to align with the longitudinal axis of the mounting stud and defines a cavity including a plurality of pawls that are configured to releasably engage threads of the mounting stud.