Distribution Cabinet Connector for Adjustable Rail Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distribution cabinets lack the flexibility to accommodate components and cable ducts of varying sizes and depths, limiting their adaptability to different housing dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The distribution cabinet features a connecting piece composed of a main part and an extension piece, allowing device support rails and cable ducts to be positioned at different distances from the rear wall, with the extension piece fitting into an undercut guide and secured by screws, enabling adjustable mounting and routing of components and cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-position support rails are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but positioning flexibility of components is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into a main part and an extension piece that can be connected or disconnected. This segmentation allows the device support rail to be positioned at different distances from the rear wall by selecting whether to attach the extension piece, thereby achieving positioning flexibility without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connector design enables dynamic adjustment of the device support rail position. By allowing the extension piece to be connected or disconnected from the main part, the system transitions from a fixed position to an adjustable position, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If cable ducts are positioned at fixed distances, then installation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different housing dimensions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to housing dimensionsVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector with its main part and extension piece serves multiple functions: it positions the device support rail at different distances and simultaneously provides attachment points for cable ducts at various positions. This multi-functionality allows a single connector design to adapt to different housing dimensions while maintaining relatively simple installation procedures.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If components of different sizes are accommodated, then versatility is improved, but positioning precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accommodationVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connector design provides different positioning options (with or without extension piece) that can be selected based on the specific component size and cable duct requirements. This local quality approach allows precise positioning to be achieved only where needed, rather than requiring high precision across all positions universally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2863497B1Distribution cabinet or electrical installation boxes of buildings
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 HAGER ELECTRO GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2863497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2863497B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2863497B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The cabinet or box has a support chassis arranged parallel to a cabinet or box rear wall (4). Main support rails (3) are arranged parallel to each other in a distance. A vertical equipment carrier rail (5) is covered by the cabinet or box rear wall. The vertical equipment carrier rail is connected at ends of the cabinet or box over a connector (6) and with one of the main support rails. A connection of the vertical equipment carrier rail is connected with the main support rail in different distances of the cabinet or box rear wall by using the connector.