Adjustable Floor Box with Helical Mechanism for Trunking Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor boxes have issues with fixed heights, leading to installation errors, inadequate support under high load conditions, and the need for multiple types to accommodate different floor trunking heights, which results in inefficiencies and potential recesses or protrusions in the floor.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable floor box with rotating adjusting parts and inclined helical surfaces allows the top plate to be quickly positioned at two predetermined heights matching common floor trunking standards, ensuring proper alignment and support without tilting, thus accommodating various trunking heights with a single floor box type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed height floor box is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the floor box cannot adapt to different floor trunking heights, leading to installation errors and recesses or protrusions in the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different floor trunking heightsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor box incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows the covering part to be positioned at different heights relative to the bottom plate. The rotating adjusting parts with inclined helical surfaces enable dynamic adjustment between a first position (for lower floor trunking) and a second position (for higher floor trunking), making the structure adaptable to different installation conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the height parameter of the floor box by providing adjusting means with at least two predetermined positions. The rotating adjusting parts allow the covering part to be positioned at different vertical distances from the bottom plate, corresponding to different floor trunking heights, thereby adapting the floor box to various installation scenarios without requiring multiple different floor box types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple types of floor boxes with different fixed heights are provided, then each type can be optimized for specific floor trunking heights, but it increases device complexity and requires inventory management of multiple variants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision for specific floor trunking heightVSAvoidversatility across different floor trunking heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The floor box is designed as a universal type that can accommodate multiple floor trunking heights through its adjustable height mechanism. Instead of requiring separate floor box types for different heights, this single design with rotating adjusting parts can be used for both lower and higher floor trunking, eliminating the need to manage multiple variants while maintaining precise alignment for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the covering part is not supported by the floor box but suspended by supporting edges, then the floor box can be simpler in structure, but it provides inadequate support under high load conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidsupport capacity under load
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable height mechanism with rotating adjusting parts and inclined helical surfaces provides dynamic support to the covering part. When the adjusting parts are rotated to the appropriate position, they engage with the covering part to provide stable support, preventing excessive deflection under load while maintaining structural simplicity. The mechanical engagement through the adjusting mechanism ensures the covering part is properly supported without requiring complex additional support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The adjustable floor box simplifies installation by allowing quick adjustment to match different floor trunking heights, providing stable support and preventing recesses or protrusions, while allowing for easy operation and compact design to accommodate cables.

Implementation Method 1

Each adjusting part (6) comprises a bottom part (7) and a top part (8), which are rotatable with respect to each other around a common axis for moving each of the at least one adjusting part (6) between the at least two predetermined positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 2

The adjusting parts (6) are provided with inclined helical surfaces (10) having at least two support positions (11) in which the legs (9) are positioned in the at least two predetermined positions of the adjusting means (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical surface mechanism: Helix

Data Source

PatentEP2924831B1Adjustable floor box for floor trunk systems.
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 VERGOKAN
  • EP2924831B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2924831B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2924831B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention provides an adjustable floor box for types of floor trunking having a different height. The adjustable floor box comprises a bottom plate having side walls configured to provide openings for the floor trunking, a top plate for at least partially covering the bottom plate, and adjusting means for positioning the top plate at a distance from the bottom plate. The adjusting means comprises predetermined positions, wherein each predetermined position positions the top plate at a distance from the bottom plate corresponding to the height of a different type of floor trunking.