Support Plate Assembly With Snap-In Zones for Modular Electrical Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical device assemblies are complex, inconvenient, and costly, with limited flexibility in mounting additional functional components like label holders and covering plates.
Innovation Solution
A support plate with snap-fastening zones on both sides, allowing secure attachment of a covering plate and additional functional members like label holders, using guide and latching members that snap into these zones, enabling flexible and economical mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional support plates with limited snap-in areas are used, then mounting of covering plates is possible, but mounting of additional functional members is not possible or requires complex modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed with multiple identical snap-in zones distributed on its surface, allowing the same plate structure to accommodate different combinations of covering plates and additional functional members without modification. Each snap-in zone can receive various types of components, making the support plate universally adaptable to different mounting configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple identical snap-in zones are provided on the support plate, then both covering plates and additional functional members can be mounted, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is segmented into multiple identical snap-in zones, each capable of independently mounting a component. This segmentation allows standardized mass production of the support plate with repetitive features, reducing per-unit manufacturing costs despite the increased versatility. The modular snap-in zone design enables efficient manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If the label holder ends extend behind the mounting frame projections, then secure mounting is achieved, but mounting from the rear face is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-in zones are positioned and designed to receive components from the front face of the support plate, changing the mounting dimension from rear-face insertion to front-face attachment. This dimensional change allows the label holder and other components to be securely mounted without interfering with rear face accessibility, as the securing action occurs at the front while the rear remains clear for mounting to the wall or support structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly formed by a support plate (2) and a covering plate (6) and an additional functional member (8) configured to be mechanically secured to the support plate which has a rear face (11), a front face (12), a plurality of snap-fastening zones provided on the front face, and which is fixed by its rear face to any support and to support on its front face an electrical apparatus (4), the covering plate has a window (42) and a plurality of first guide and snap-fastening members mechanically secured in some of the respective snap-fastening zones of the support plate, and the additional functional member is arranged opposite the window (42) of the covering plate and has a plurality of second guide and snap-fastening members distinct from the first members and mechanically secured in certain other of the respective snap-fastening zones of the support plate.