Data Cable Junction Box With Front-Access Sliding Clamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection boxes, particularly flush-mounted or cavity wall boxes, face challenges in handling and inserting data cables due to limited space and the complexity of clamping mechanisms, which require manual manipulation from behind, making the process laborious and difficult.

Innovation Solution

A connection box design featuring a clamping device that is displaceable along the central axis via a rail guide, allowing for linear movement without tilting, and a clamping screw actuated from the front, enabling easier cable insertion and clamping without the need for manual manipulation from behind, along with a rail guide that secures the clamping device in place, ensuring stability and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a clamping device is provided on the lower housing part base to clamp the data cable, then the cable can be securely fixed, but the installation becomes complex and laborious due to limited space and the need for manual manipulation from behind

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable fixation securityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is made displaceable along the central axis instead of being fixed, allowing it to be moved into position from the front rather than requiring manipulation from behind. The displaceable clamping device can be positioned at different locations along the central axis to facilitate easier cable insertion and clamping from the accessible front side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is designed to be displaceable along the central axis of the housing rather than being statically fixed. This dynamic positioning capability allows the clamping device to be moved to optimal positions for cable clamping, improving both accessibility during installation and adaptability to different cable configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If the clamping device is fixed on the lower housing part base, then the structure is simple, but the available space for inserting the data cable is very limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping device structureVSAvoidcable insertion space
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping device is designed with displacability along the central axis, transforming it from a fixed component to a movable one. This allows the clamping device to be repositioned to create adequate insertion space, resolving the conflict between structural simplicity and available insertion area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping device is separated from the fixed base structure and made independently displaceable along the central axis. This segmentation allows the clamping function to be decoupled from the housing structure, enabling movement to optimize insertion space without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If manual manipulation from behind is required to operate the clamping means, then the clamping can be secure, but the operation becomes difficult in confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping securityVSAvoidaccessibility in confined spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring manipulation from behind the housing, the clamping device is made accessible from the front by allowing it to be displaced along the central axis. This inversion of the operation direction enables secure clamping to be achieved through front-side access, which is much more accessible in confined installation spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The displaceable clamping device acts as an intermediary between the cable and the fixed housing structure. It can be moved into position from the front to perform the clamping function, serving as a mediator that enables secure fixation without requiring direct manipulation from behind the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4391235B1Connection box for at least one data cable
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 METZ CONNECT TECH GMBH
  • EP4391235B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4391235B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4391235B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a junction box (1), in particular a flush-mounted or cavity wall junction box, for at least one data cable (60) of a data and/or communication network, comprising a housing (10) with an inner side (11), an outer side (12), a housing base (20) and a housing top (50), wherein the housing top (50) can be placed on the housing base (20) in a housing center axis (A), wherein a housing base opening (23) and a clamping device (30) and a clamping means are provided on a housing base bottom (24) of the housing base (20), wherein the clamping device (30) is arranged on an outer side (12) of the housing base bottom (24) and is provided by the clamping means for clamping the at least one data cable (60) between two support surfaces (21, 31, 22, 32).wherein the at least one data cable (60) can project through the lower housing opening (23) and into the housing (10) through the lower housing base (24), wherein a circuit board (52) is arranged in the housing (10) on which at least one socket (54) for receiving a connector is arranged, wherein the clamping device (30) is displaceable by means of at least one rail guide (25) along the central axis (A) of the housing.