Deformable Installation Box for Electrical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Installation of electrical or electronic devices in cavity wall constructions is challenging due to the need for secure anchoring and effective heat dissipation while minimizing the size of recesses in the wall, which affects the appearance and mechanical integrity.

Innovation Solution

An installation box design featuring a box housing with movable bulges made of deformable plastic that can change shape to accommodate devices, providing improved heat dissipation and secure anchoring through a bellows structure and flexible framework, allowing easy insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid installation boxes are used to protect devices and provide structural stability, then device protection and structural integrity are improved, but insertion into wall recesses becomes difficult and damage to surrounding wall material may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The installation box incorporates a deformable section made of elastomeric material that can dynamically change shape during insertion to conform to the wall recess, then maintain structural integrity when installed. This dynamic property resolves the contradiction between rigidity for strength and flexibility for ease of insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The material properties of the installation box are changed by using an elastomeric material with specific durometer range (40-70 Shore A) that allows the box to be soft enough for easy insertion yet firm enough to provide structural stability and protect devices when installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Volume of moving object

If large recesses are created in walls for installation box insertion, then device accommodation is improved, but wall appearance and mechanical integrity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accommodation spaceVSAvoidwall mechanical integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The installation box uses a flexible elastomeric shell that can be compressed to fit through small wall recesses, then expands to provide adequate device accommodation space. This flexible shell design allows the box to adapt to the available recess size without requiring large openings that would compromise wall integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The installation box can be compressed into a compact form for insertion through the wall recess, then expanded to its full functional size once installed, effectively nesting the device accommodation space within the wall structure without requiring excessive recess dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Shape

If electrical devices are installed close to wall surfaces for aesthetic purposes, then appearance is improved, but heat dissipation becomes insufficient leading to reduced device service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation proximity to wall surfaceVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The installation box incorporates thermally conductive material specifically in the regions that contact the wall surface, creating a localized heat dissipation pathway. This allows the device to be mounted close to the wall for aesthetic purposes while the thermally conductive sections efficiently transfer heat from the device to the wall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If installation boxes are designed for secure anchoring in wall recesses, then device fixation is improved, but removal and repositioning becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice fixation securityVSAvoidremoval and repositioning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric material of the installation box provides dynamic friction-based anchoring that secures the device firmly during normal use, but allows the box to be removed by applying sufficient force to overcome the friction. This dynamic friction characteristic enables both secure fixation and ease of removal without permanent damage to the wall or the box itself.

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

Enhances the service life of electrical devices by improving heat dissipation and system security, while simplifying the installation and removal process without compromising the structural integrity of the wall.

Implementation Method 1

movable bulges (20, 30) arranged on the can wall (11)... each having a deformation area (22, 32) configured to deform outwards under application of radial force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The deformation area (22, 32) has a bellows (23, 33)... enhancing heat dissipation and system security

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3179586B1Installation box for electrical or electronic devices
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 AGRO INC
  • EP3179586B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3179586B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3179586B1 patent drawingFigure 8~11

AI summary

In an installation box for electrical or electronic devices comprising a box housing (10) including a box wall (11) with an adjoining box base (14), wherein the box wall (11) and the box base (14) surround a first installation space (17) accessible via a mounting opening (18) for at least partially receiving an electrical or electronic device (50), wherein a first protrusion (20) and a second protrusion (30) are arranged on the box wall (11), it is provided according to the invention that the respective protrusions are movable between a first inner position and a second outer position, in which the first and/or the second protrusion (20, 30) is laterally outwards with reference to the first inner position.