Contact Field Adapter Assembly for Pre-Tested Cabinet Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing connection devices for electronic and electromechanical components in control cabinets and systems require extensive assembly and testing time, as individual components must be mounted and wired separately, and functional testing can only be done when fully assembled, leading to inefficiencies and increased time consumption.

Innovation Solution

A connection device with a contact field and an adapter that allows for pre-assembly and testing of electronic devices and electromechanical components outside the control cabinet, using a plastic adapter without electrically conductive elements for mechanical fastening, enabling flexible arrangement and reducing assembly time by allowing components to be pre-assembled and tested before installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual electromechanical components are mounted separately from the contact field and wired to corresponding electronic devices, then the connection device can be individually equipped with electronic devices, but the assembly effort and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual equipment configurationVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter merges the mounting function for electromechanical components with the contact field structure, allowing both electronic devices and electromechanical components to be integrated on a single platform. This combination eliminates the need for separate mounting operations and wiring processes, directly reducing assembly effort while maintaining individual equipment configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter enables preliminary mounting and wiring of electromechanical components before final assembly with the contact field. By preparing components in advance on the adapter, the actual assembly process is accelerated, reducing on-site assembly effort and time while preserving the ability to configure individual equipment according to specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If electronic devices and electromechanical components are fully assembled before functional testing, then complete system integration is achieved, but testing can only be carried out after full assembly which increases time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional testing completenessVSAvoidtesting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter enables preliminary functional testing of electromechanical components before they are integrated with the contact field and electronic devices. This preliminary testing identifies potential issues early, ensuring reliable system integration while reducing the time required for final system testing, as components have already been validated individually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional separate mounting and wiring processes are used, then individual component installation is possible, but cable lengths must be longer to accommodate separate component positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent installation flexibilityVSAvoidcable length
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the mounting locations of electronic devices and electromechanical components onto the same contact field platform via the adapter, the physical distance between connected components is reduced. This spatial consolidation allows for shorter cable lengths while maintaining installation flexibility, as components are positioned adjacently rather than separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3876355B1Connection device and electromechanical assembly
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3876355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3876355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection device (200) with a contact field (300) for mounting and connecting electronic devices (400), wherein the contact field (300) has at least one busbar (310), wherein the busbar (310) is received in a plastic housing (320) of the contact field (300), wherein the plastic housing (320) has a plurality of first through-openings (321) and second through-openings (322), wherein the first through-openings (321) are configured to allow contacts of electronic devices (400) to pass through in order to electrically connect the electronic devices (400) to the busbar (310) in a state mounted on the contact field (300), and wherein the second through-openings (322) are configured to receive fastening elements of electronic devices (400) in order to detachably connect the electronic devices (400) to the contact field (300).wherein an adapter (500) for receiving electromechanical components (600) is attached to the contact field (300).