Pivotable Converter Cover With Segmented Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical devices lack effective safety measures to prevent incorrect operation, particularly when components such as display means, switches, and plug connectors are exposed, leading to potential hazards during transportation and installation.

Innovation Solution

The electrical device features a pivotably mounted cover part with a locking mechanism that includes a pin and guide grooves, allowing for secure attachment to the housing while enabling easy exchange of the locking means, which is designed to be elastic and reusable, thereby enhancing safety by preventing accidental opening or damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cover part is firmly fixed to the housing, then safety and protection of internal components are improved, but ease of maintenance and replacement of locking mechanism are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into separate components: the locking means (23, 24) and the housing part (14, 25) are designed as separable elements. The locking means can be detached from the housing part, allowing maintenance and replacement without replacing the entire cover assembly, thus maintaining safety while enabling easy repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking means (23, 24) are designed to be extractable from the housing part (14, 25). The screw connections allow the locking means to be completely removed from the housing, enabling easy replacement of defective locking components while preserving the housing structure and other functional parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the locking means is designed to be elastic and detachable, then ease of repair and replacement are improved, but connection strength and reliability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection parameters are designed to provide both ease of replacement and sufficient strength. The screw connections allow for controlled tightening torques that ensure strong connection during operation, while the same connection mechanism can be easily loosened and removed for replacement when needed, achieving both goals through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the cover part is pivotably mounted with locking means, then safety against incorrect operation is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivotable mounting and locking function are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The cover part (4, 63) is pivotably connected to the housing and simultaneously equipped with locking means (23, 24) that engage with the housing part (14, 25), combining movement and securing functions in one system to reduce overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover part assembly serves multiple functions: it protects internal components, provides a pivotable opening mechanism for access, and incorporates locking means to prevent accidental opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while enhancing safety.

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

4Ease of manufacture

If the locking means is clip-connected to the housing part, then ease of manufacture and assembly are improved, but connection strength is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The clip-connection design incorporates elastic deformation capability in the locking means (23, 24). The material and geometry are designed to allow controlled elastic deflection during assembly and operation, enabling the clip to flex into position and then maintain a strong, reliable connection under operational loads, thus achieving both ease of assembly and connection strength.

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 solution effectively prevents incorrect operation and damage by ensuring the cover part can be securely locked, protecting internal components and reducing the risk of injury during handling and installation, while allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of the locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

the locking means is designed to be elastically deformable, at least in sections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The projection is pressed into the recess by an elastically pretensioned area of the locking means. The advantage here is that the elastic force acting on the locking means fixes the locking means on the housing part.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3175685B1Electric device, in particular converter
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3175685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3175685B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3175685B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric device, in particular a converter (1), having a housing and a cover part (104), characterized in that the cover part is pivotably mounted on the housing, in particular wherein the cover part is detachably connected to the housing by the cover part having a pin which is received in a bearing section (31), in particular a depression, in the housing, wherein a locking means (101) is connected in a form-fitting manner to a housing part (125) of the housing, in particular clipped in, wherein the cover part can be locked on the housing by means of the locking means, in particular can be connected to the locking means by being clipped in.