DIN Rail Housing with Offset Connection Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic device housings face challenges in accommodating electronic assemblies with connections on different edges, requiring flexible electrical line connections while maintaining compatibility with standard control cabinet dimensions and allowing stacking without gaps.

Innovation Solution

The housing is functionally divided into a receiving chamber for the electronic assembly and a connection chamber for flexible electrical line connections, with the connection chamber offset along the longitudinal direction, enabling access to connections on different sides of the assembly and allowing for stacking without obstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the housing accommodates electronic assemblies with connections on different edges, then flexibility in electrical line connection is improved, but the ability to stack housings without gaps deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in electrical line connectionVSAvoidstacking compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into two distinct chambers: a receiving chamber for the electronic assembly and a connecting chamber for electrical line connections. This segmentation allows the connection chamber to be offset from the receiving chamber, enabling flexible access to connections on different sides of the electronic assembly while maintaining a standardized external shape for stacking compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If connections are accessible from different sides of the housing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of electrical connectionsVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection chamber is offset from the receiving chamber along the longitudinal direction of the housing. This dimensional offset allows electrical connections to be accessed from different sides of the housing without requiring complex internal routing structures, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple housing construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3200573B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.12.02 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3200573B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3200573B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C
  • EP3200573B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A housing (1) that can be attached to a mounting rail (7) comprises a housing top (2) which has two side walls (250, 251) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal direction (X) and spaced apart from each other along a transverse direction (Y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), and a receiving chamber (20) formed between the side walls (250, 251) for receiving an electronic assembly (4). At least one of the side walls (250, 251) has a first opening (200, 201) through which a first electrical line (8) can be connected to a first terminal (410, 411, 415) of the electronic assembly (4).The housing upper part (2) is provided to have a connection chamber (21) formed between the side walls (250, 251) and offset along the longitudinal direction (X) to the receiving chamber (20). This connection chamber (21) is open towards the receiving chamber (20) in such a way that a second electrical conductor (8) can be connected via the connection chamber (21) to a second electrical terminal (412-414) of the electronic assembly (4). In this way, a housing that can be mounted on a DIN rail is provided, enabling flexible connection of electrical conductors to an electronic assembly and allowing it to be combined with other housings on a DIN rail.