GB2585425A

GB2585425A - Bracket for supporting electrical module, electrical assembly and electrical device

Info

Publication number: GB2585425A
Application number: GB2004017.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shang Pei
Original assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Schneider Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-20
Filing date: 2020-03-19
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-19
Also published as: GB202004017D0; MY206841A; GB2585425B; CN209434474U

Abstract

A bracket 10 suitable for supporting an electrical module 20, the bracket comprises: a bracket body 11 adapted to be coupled to a surface and comprising a first 111 (Figure 4) and a second 112 mounting surfaces which are arranged opposite to each other; and a supporting member 12 arranged asymmetrically between the first and second mounting surfaces, the supporting member comprising a first coupling portion 121; wherein the first coupling portion is configured to be coupled to a second coupling portion 21 on the electrical module 20 (see Figure 6) such that a mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the first surface is different from mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the second mounting surface. The supporting member may be an upstanding wall. The bracket may comprise mounting holes 113 to allow the bracket to be screwed into a surface. The mounting portions may be blocks and bayonets. A panel 200 (Figure 9) may be included which may be a moulded material or a real material.

Description

BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING ELECTRICAL MODULE,

ELECTRICAL ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRICAL DEVICE

FIELD

100011 Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to electrical devices, and more specifically to a bracket for supporting an electrical module, an electrical assembly and an electrical device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, electrical devices, such as switches, sockets, USB adapters, network interfaces mounted on walls, etc., include an electrical assembly and a panel. The electrical assembly is adapted to be mounted on a surface supporting structure such as a wall, a floor, a table, etc., and then covered with a panel to protect the electrical assembly and beautify the appearance of the electrical device.

[0003] Generally, the thinner the panel, the better the appearance, and vice versa. However, some materials such as wooden materials, stone materials, glass, etc., due to the limitations of the properties of the materials per se, cannot be made as thin as plastic and hardware metal materials.

SUMMARY

100041 Currently, most electrical devices can only be equipped with one type of panel. If replacement of the panel with another having a different thickness is required, the panel together with the bracket or even the electrical module, has to be replaced, which increases the replacement cost of the electrical device.

[0005] In order to at least partially solve the problem of low adaptability of the bracket of the electrical device and other potential problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bracket for supporting an electrical module, an electrical assembly and an electrical device.

[0006] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a bracket for supporting an electrical module is provided. The bracket comprises a bracket body adapted to be coupled to a surface supporting structure and comprising a first and a second mounting surfaces which are arranged opposite to each other; and a supporting member arranged asymmetrically at the bracket body with respect to a center plane between the first and second mounting surfaces, the supporting member comprising a first coupling portion disposed at a side of the second mounting surface; wherein the first coupling portion is configured to be coupled to a second coupling portion of the electrical module, such that a mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the first surface is different from the mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the second mounting surface.

[0007] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, since the mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the first surface is different from the mounting height of the electrical module when installed towards the second mounting surface, the electric device is suitable for the panels with a variety of thicknesses by selecting the installation orientation of the electrical module. In this way, when a panel with a different thickness is changed for the electrical device, there no need for the bracket and electrical module to be replaced simultaneously, such that the replacement cost of the electrical device can be reduced.

[0008] In some embodiments, the supporting member comprises an upstanding wall protruding from the second mounting surface, the first coupling portion being disposed on the upstanding wall. In such an embodiment, the first coupling portion may be further offset from the first mounting surface. Accordingly, when the electrical module is changed from being mounted towards the first mounting surface to being mounted towards the second mounting surface, the difference in the mounting height of the electrical module can be made larger, such that the electrical device can be suitable for a panel with a larger thickness.

[0009] In some embodiments, the bracket body comprises a mounting hole adapted to allow a screw to pass through, the upstanding wall being provided with a notch at a position adjacent to the mounting hole to avoid interference with an installation of a screw. It is difficult to arrange the mounting holes of the screw far away from the upstanding wall due to the limitation of the size the bracket body. In such an embodiment, the upstanding wall is provided with the notch at a position adjacent to the mounting hole to avoid interference with the installation of the screw, thereby facilitating the installation of the electrical device.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical assembly is provided. The electrical assembly comprises: the bracket of any one of the preceding embodiments; and an electrical module adapted to be disposed on the bracket and comprising a second coupling portion adapted to be coupled to the first coupling portion.

[0011] According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical assembly has the above-mentioned effects for similar reasons.

[00121 In some embodiments, the first coupling portion comprises one of a block and a bayonet, and the second coupling portion comprises the other of the block and the bayonet. In such an embodiment, the block and the bayonet are simple in structure and convenient in engaging/disengaging, thereby simplifying the structure of the bracket and the electrical module, and improving the mounting efficiency of the electrical module.

[00131 In some embodiments, the electrical module comprises a locating portion, and the bracket comprises a supporting portion engaging with the locating portion and adapted to support the electrical module. In such an embodiment, the locating portion of the electrical module engages with the supporting portion of the bracket, so that the electrical module can be positioned on the bracket more accurately and can be mounted more reliably.

[0014] In some embodiments, the supporting portion comprises a limiting groove disposed on the first mounting surface and a limiting surface disposed on the second mounting surface. In such an embodiment, the first and second mounting surfaces of the bracket are both provided with a limiting structure, so that the electrical module can be positioned reliably when mounted towards the first mounting surface or towards the second mounting surface.

In addition, both the limiting groove and the limiting surface are simple in structure, so that the structure of the bracket can also be simplified.

[00151 In a third aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical device is provided. The electrical device comprises: the electrical assembly of any one of the preceding embodiments; and a panel adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly to at least partially cover the electrical assembly [0016] According to this embodiment of the present disclosure, the electric device has the above-mentioned effects for similar reasons.

[00171 In some embodiments, the panel comprises: a molded panel adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly with the electrical module being at a lower mounting height; or a real-material panel adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly with the electrical module being at a greater mounting height. In such an embodiment, only by adjusting the mounting height of the electrical module on the bracket, the electrical module can adapt to different types of panels, so that the appearance of the electrical device can be changed easily.

[0018] In some embodiments, the electrical device further comprises a plastic bracket for the real-material panel, the plastic bracket being adapted to be disposed between the real-material panel and the electrical assembly. In such an embodiment, a plastic bracket is provided between the real-material panel and the electrical assembly, so that the real-material panel can be coupled to the electrical assembly by means of the plastic bracket, thereby simplifying the structure of the real-material panel and reducing the processing difficulty of the real-material panel.

[0019] It is to be appreciated that according to the bracket for supporting the electrical module, the electrical assembly and the electrical device described herein, the electrical module can be mounted at different heights by selectively mounting the electrical module towards the first mounting surface of the bracket or the second mounting surface of the bracket. In this way, when a panel with a different thickness is changed for the electrical device, there is no need to replace the bracket and the electrical module simultaneously, so that the replacement cost of the electrical device can be reduced.

[0020] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of example embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily appreciated through the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail with reference to the figures, where the same reference numerals generally denote the same components in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a conventional electrical device; [0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of another conventional electrical device; [0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the

present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0027] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an electrical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an assembling manner of an electrical assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 100301 FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an assembling process of the panel shown in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an assembling result of the panel shown in FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of another assembling manner of an electrical assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [0033] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of another panel according to an embodiment

of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an assembling process of the panel shown in FIG. 12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [0035] FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an assembling result of the panel shown in FIG. 12 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] The same or similar reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar elements throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to several example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and to thereby implement the present disclosure, and are not intended to suggest any limitation to the scope of the solutions

of the present disclosure.

[0038] As used herein, the term "including" and variations thereof will be interpreted as an open-ended term meaning "including, but not limited to". The term "based on" will be read as "at least partially based on". The terms "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or identical objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below. Unless otherwise specified in the context, the definitions of terms are consistent throughout the specification.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional electrical device 1000' includes an electrical assembly 100' and a panel 200'. The electrical assembly 100' includes a bracket 10' and an electrical module 20'.

[0040] A shown in FIG. 2, another conventional electrical device 100" includes an electrical assembly 100" and a panel 200".

[0041] The above conventional electrical assemblies 100' and 100" can only protrude by a certain height, and thus can only cooperate with the specific panels 200' and 200", for example, only cooperate with panels made of a material such as plastic or hardware metal. If the user wants to change the type of panel 200' or panel 200" to for example the panel of a real-material such as a wooden material, a stone material, glass, etc., the user has to replace the panel together with the electrical assembly 100' or the electrical assembly 100" because the panel of the wooden material, stone material or glass cannot be made as thin as the panel of a plastic material or hardware metal material. This brings about a high replacement cost of the electrical device 1000' and the electrical device 1000".

[0042] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides an electrical device 1000. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical device 1000 includes an electrical assembly 100 and a panel 200. The panel 200 is adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly 100 to at least partially cover the electrical assembly 100.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical assembly 100 includes a bracket 10 and an electrical module 20. The electric module 20 is arranged on the bracket 10 and supported by the bracket 10.

[0044] Although the electrical module 20 in FIG. 3 is shown as a socket module, it is to be appreciated that, in some example embodiments, the electrical module 20 may also be other strong electrical modules such as a switch module. In other example embodiments, the electrical module 20 may also be a weak electrical module such as a USB module or a network interface module.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket 10 includes a bracket body 11 and a supporting member 12. The bracket body 11 is adapted to be coupled to a surface supporting structure. In some example embodiments, the surface supporting structure may be a planar structure such as a wall, a floor, a table surface, a partition structure, or the like. The bracket body 11 includes a first and a second mounting surfaces 111, 112 which are arranged opposite to each other. The supporting member 12 is arranged asymmetrically at the bracket body 11 with respect to a center plane between the first and second mounting surfaces 111, 112. The supporting member 12 includes a first coupling portion 121 disposed on a side of the second mounting surface 112. The first coupling portion 121 may be coupled to the second coupling portion 21 of the electrical module 20, so that the mounting height of the electrical module 20 when installed towards the first mounting surface 111 is different from the mounting height of the electrical module 20 when installed towards the second mounting surface 112, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11.

[0046] For the user, in such an embodiment, since the mounting height of the electrical module 20 when installed towards the first mounting surface 111 is different from the mounting height of the electrical module 20 when installed towards the second mounting surface 112, the electric device 1000 can be suitable for the panels 200 with a variety of thicknesses by selecting the installation orientation of the electrical module 20. Therefore, when a different thickness of the panel 200 is changed for the electrical device 1000, the bracket 10 and electrical module 20 need not be replaced simultaneously, so that the replacement cost of the electrical device 1000 can be reduced.

[0047] For a factory, in such an embodiment, the factory only needs to produce the same bracket 10 and electrical module 20 for panels 200 with different thicknesses, which facilities management and control and can reduce the product cost.

[0048] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the supporting member 12 may include an upstanding wall 120 protruding from the second mounting surface 112. The first coupling portion 121 may be disposed on the upstanding wall 120.

[0049] In such an embodiment, the first coupling portion 121 may be offset from the first mounting surface 111 by a greater distance. Accordingly, when the electrical module 20 is changed from being mounted towards the first mounting surface 111 to being mounted towards the second mounting surface 112, the difference in the mounting height of the electrical module 20 can be made larger, such that the electrical device 1000 can be suitable for the panel 200 with a larger thickness.

[0050] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the bracket body 11 may include a mounting hole 113 adapted to allow a screw (not shown in the figure) to pass through. The upstanding wall 120 may be provided with a notch 122 at a position adjacent to the mounting hole 113 to avoid interference with the installation of the screw.

[0051] In such an embodiment, owing to the limitation of the size the bracket body 11, it is difficult to arrange the mounting holes 113 of the screw far away from the upstanding wall 120 The upstanding wall 120 may be provided with the notch 122 at a position adjacent to the mounting hole 113 to avoid interference with the installation of the screw, thereby facilitating the installation of the electrical device 1000.

[0052] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the first coupling portion 121 may include a bayonet. As shown in FIG. 6, the second coupling portion 21 may include a block. However, it is to be appreciated that the positions of the bayonet and the block are interchangeable. Moreover, it is to be understood that the coupling form of the first coupling portion 121 and the second coupling portion 21 is not limited to the bayonet and the block, and may also be other coupling mechanisms such as a magnet.

[0053] In such an embodiment, the block and the bayonet are simple in structure and convenient in engaging/disengaging, thereby simplifying the structure of the bracket 10 and the electrical module 20, and improving the mounting efficiency of the electrical module 20.

[0054] It is to be understood that, as shown in FIG. 5, the opposing surfaces of the bayonet for contacting the block can be coupled to the engaging surfaces of the block. Therefore, when the electrical module 20 is mounted either towards the first mounting surface 111 or towards the second mounting surface 112, the block can be engaged within the same bayonet.

[0055] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, the electrical module 20 may include a locating portion 22. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bracket 10 may include a supporting portion 123. The support portion 123 may be engaged with the locating portion 22 and is used to support the electrical module 20.

[0056] In such an embodiment, the locating portion 22 of the electrical module 20 engages with the supporting portion 123 of the bracket 10, so that the electrical module 20 can be positioned on the bracket 10 more accurately and can be mounted more reliably.

[0057] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the supporting portion 123 may include a limiting groove 1231 disposed on the first mounting surface 111. As shown in FIG. 5, the supporting portion 123 may include a limiting surface 1232 disposed on the second mounting surface 112. Therefore, when the electric module 20 is installed towards the first mounting surface 111, the locating portion 22 may be engaged with the limiting groove 1231; when the electrical module 20 is installed towards the second mounting surface 112, the locating portion 22 may be engaged with the limiting surface 1232.

[0058] In such an embodiment, the first and second mounting surfaces 111, 112 of the bracket 10 are both provided with a limiting structure, so that the electrical module 20 can be positioned reliably when mounted towards the first mounting surface 111 or towards the second mounting surface 112. In addition, both the limiting groove 1231 and the limiting surface 1232 are limiting structures with simple structures, so that the structure of the bracket 10 can also be simplified.

[0059] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the panel 200 may include a molded panel 201. The molded panel 201 is adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly 100 with the electrical module 20 being at a lower mounting height. As shown in FIG. 13, the panel 200 may further include a real-material panel 202. The real-material panel 202 is adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly 100 with the electrical module 20 being at a greater mounting height.

[0060] In such an embodiment, only by adjusting the mounting height of the electrical module 20 on the bracket 10, the electrical module 20 can adapt to different types of panels 200, so that the appearance of the electrical device 1000 can be changed easily [0061] In some example embodiments, the molded panel 201 may be injection molded from plastic or stamped from a hardware metal material. The molded panel 201 is generally thin, and is suitable for the electrical assembly 100 with the electrical module 20 mounted at a lower height, as shown in FIG. 9. The effect after the panel 201 is assembled with the electrical assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 10.

[0062] In other example embodiments, the real-material panel 202 may be processed from real materials such as a wooden material, a stone material, or glass. The real-material panel 202 cannot be made as thin as the molded panel 201 due to the limitations of the properties of the material such as the wooden material, stone material or glass. Hence, the real-material panel 202 can only be suitable for the electrical assembly 100 with the electrical module 20 at a greater mounting height, as shown in FIG. 13. The effect of the real-material panel 202 assembled with the electrical assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 14.

[0063] In some embodiments, the electrical device 1000 may further include a plastic bracket 2022 for the real-material panel 202. The plastic bracket 2022 may be disposed between the real-material panel 202 and the electrical assembly 100.

[0064] In such an embodiment, the plastic bracket 2022 is provided between the real-material panel 202 and the electrical assembly 100, so that the real-material panel 202 can be coupled onto the electrical assembly 100 by means of the plastic bracket 2022, thereby simplifying the structure of the real-material panel 202 and reducing the processing difficulty of the real-material panel 202.

[0065] In some example embodiments, the plastic bracket 2022 may also be replaced with a bracket made of other materials, such as a rubber material.

[0066] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the bracket 10 of the electrical assembly 100 may be provided with a slot 114. As shown in FIG. 8, a snap 2011 may be provided on the molded panel 201. As shown in FIG. 12, the plastic bracket 2022 may be provided with a snap 2021, and then the plastic bracket 2022 may be coupled to the real-material panel 202 in a manner, for example, by bonding. Both the snaps 2011 and 2021 can be snap-fitted with the slot 114 to mount the molded panel 201 and the real-material panel 202 on the electrical assembly 100.

[0067] However, it is to be appreciated that the structure for coupling the molded panel 201 and the real-material panel 202 to the electrical assembly 100 is not limited to the snap 2011, the snap 2021 and the slot 114. Rather, they may be coupled in other manners such as mutual attraction of magnets.

[0068] Although the number of the slots 114, the snaps 2011 and 2021 in FIGS. 7, 8, 11 and 12 are all four, it is to be understood that the number of the slots 114, the snaps 2011 and 2021 may further be other numbers, such as three, five or six.

[0069] It is to be understood that all the numbers used in this disclosure are exemplary and may be adjusted according to specific application requirements.

[0070] It is to be understood that the above detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for the purpose of illustrating or explaining the principles of the present disclosure, rather than limiting the present disclosure. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included in the protection scope of the present utility model. In addition, the claims appended to this disclosure are intended to cover all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1/We Claim: 1. A bracket (10) for supporting an electrical module (20), characterized in that the bracket comprises: a bracket body (11) adapted to be coupled to a surface supporting structure and comprising a first and a second mounting surfaces (111, 112) which are arranged opposite to each other; and a supporting member (12) arranged asymmetrically at the bracket body (11) with respect to a center plane between the first and second mounting surfaces (111, 112), the supporting member (12) comprising a first coupling portion (121) disposed at a side of the second mounting surface (112); wherein the first coupling portion (121) is configured to be coupled to a second coupling portion (21) of the electrical module (20), such that a mounting height of the electrical module (20) when installed towards the first surface (111) is different from the mounting height of the electrical module (20) when installed towards the second mounting surface (112).

2 The bracket (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the supporting member (12) comprises an upstanding wall (120) protruding from the second mounting surface (112), the first coupling portion (121) being disposed on the upstanding wall (120).

3. The bracket (10) of claim 2, characterized in that the bracket body (11) comprises a mounting hole (113) adapted to allow a screw to pass through, the upstanding wall (120) being provided with a notch (122) at a position adjacent to the mounting hole (113) to avoid interference with an installation of a screw.

4. An electrical assembly (100), comprising: the bracket (10) of any of claims 1-3; and the electrical module (20) adapted to be disposed on the bracket (10) and comprising the second coupling portion (21) adapted to be coupled to the first coupling portion (121).

5. The electrical assembly (100) of claim 4, characterized in that the first coupling portion (121) comprises one of a block and a bayonet, and the second coupling portion (21) comprises the other of the block and the bayonet.

6. The electrical assembly (100) of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the electrical module (20) comprises a locating portion (22), and the bracket (10) comprises a supporting portion (123) engaging with the locating portion (22) and adapted to support the electrical module (20).

7. The electrical assembly (100) of claim 6, characterized in that the supporting portion (123) comprises a limiting groove (1231) disposed on the first mounting surface (111) and a limiting surface (1232) disposed on the second mounting surface (112).

8. An electrical device (1000), comprising: the electrical assembly (100) of any of claims 4-7; and a panel (200) adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly (100) to at least partially cover the electrical assembly (100).

9. The electrical device (1000) of claim 8, characterized in that the panel (200) comprises: a molded panel (201) adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly (100) of the electrical module (20) with a smaller mounting height; or a real-material panel (202) adapted to be coupled to the electrical assembly (100) of the electrical module (20) with a greater mounting height.

10. The electrical device (1000) of claim 9, characterized in that the electrical device (1000) further comprises a plastic bracket (2022) for the real-material panel (202), the plastic bracket (2022) being adapted to be disposed between the real-material panel (202) and the electrical assembly (100).