Adjustable Modular Housing Rails for Electrical Component Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical component fixing frames in boxes do not efficiently manage internal space, adapt to component shapes, or facilitate easy mounting and handling of electrical components, often requiring inappropriate spacings or alternative boxes.

Innovation Solution

A box with a modular fixing frame comprising parallel fixed rails and transverse rails that can be adjusted in spacing and orientation, allowing for easy adaptation to various electrical component sizes through screwing or clipping mechanisms, and featuring channels and clips for secure mounting and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed spacing pads are used in the box bottom, then the box structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spacing is inappropriate for various sizes of printed circuits or fixing plates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different component sizesVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing frame is segmented into multiple adjustable transverse rails that can be independently positioned along the fixed rails. This segmentation allows each rail to be placed at optimal intervals to match different component sizes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse rails are designed to be adjustable and repositionable along the fixed rails, transforming the static fixed-spacing structure into a dynamic configurable structure. This allows the spacing to be adapted to different component sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall frame structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed spacing pads are provided in the box, then different spacings are offered, but this requires multiple boxes for different component sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility for different component sizesVSAvoidnumber of boxes required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing frame with adjustable transverse rails serves multiple functions: it can accommodate printed circuits of various sizes, fixing plates of different dimensions, and components with varying spacing requirements. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple specialized boxes, reducing the quantity of boxes required while maintaining versatility.

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

3Strength

If transverse rails are screwed to fixed uprights, then the structure is stable and strong, but the internal space is not efficiently managed and handling is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of handling and space management
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing frame uses segmented transverse rails that can be independently adjusted and positioned, allowing efficient utilization of internal space. The segmented structure also improves ease of handling compared to rigid welded structures, while maintaining structural strength through the screw connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse rails extend in the horizontal dimension between the fixed uprights, creating a modular grid structure that efficiently manages internal space. This dimensional arrangement allows components to be mounted at optimal positions while maintaining structural integrity through the upright-rail connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the box has fixed spacing pads, then manufacturing is simple, but adapting the chassis shape to component nature and shape is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to component shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse rails are designed to be adjustable in position along the fixed rails, transforming the static fixed-spacing structure into a dynamic configurable structure. This allows the chassis shape to be adapted to different component shapes and sizes without requiring complex custom manufacturing, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1876681B1Housing with rails for mounting an electrical device
Publication Date: 2016.03.09 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP1876681B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1876681B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1876681B1 patent drawingFigure 6~12

AI summary

The box (1) has identical fixed and transverse rails (20a, 20b, 21a, 21b) made of synthetic material. The fixed rails have a reception unit with channels for fixing the transverse rails, an electrical or electronic component e.g. printed circuit board, or an mounting plate. The transverse rails perpendicularly extends between the fixed rails from the unit for fixing of the component or the plate. A fixing frame has collar elements fixed on the rails by screwing. Each transverse rail has a stud (16) pressed on the base (10) of the box during assembly of the component or the plate.