Pre-positioning Device for Drywall Electrical Box Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current method of assembling drywall or false ceilings is inefficient due to the need for electricians to intervene multiple times, leading to difficulties in pre-wiring and testing electrical installations, with risks of cable loss and connection faults, especially due to the 67mm hole size making manual retrieval challenging and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A pre-positioning device comprising a strip with marks for fixing templates, a holding member for profiled uprights, and a template with a slot for flush-mounting boxes, allowing precise placement and attachment of cables and sheaths before plasterboard closure, enabling early wiring and functionality testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conduits and cables are pre-positioned using adhesive tape and makeshift methods, then electrical wiring can be prepared in advance, but the conduits and cables are easily displaced or lost due to dust and improper fixation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for electrical installationVSAvoidposition stability of conduits and cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing templates with pre-marked positions for conduits and cables before the partition assembly begins. These templates are fixed to the profiled studs in advance, establishing precise locations for electrical components before plasterboard installation, thereby preventing displacement and loss issues that occur with makeshift methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces templates as an intermediary device between the profiled studs and the conduits/cables. These templates serve as a stable intermediary structure that maintains precise positioning of electrical components throughout the assembly process, eliminating the need for unreliable adhesive tape fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a 67mm diameter hole is drilled in the plasterboard to access conduits and cables, then electrical fittings can be installed, but the hole size is too large to allow manual retrieval of conduits and cables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to conduits and cablesVSAvoiddifficulty in retrieving conduits and cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning conduits and cables within template-guided locations before plasterboard installation. This ensures that when the 67mm hole is drilled, the conduits and cables remain in their designated positions and can be easily accessed without requiring manual retrieval through the large hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If electricians intervene multiple times during partition assembly, then electrical wiring can be prepared and finalized, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming with repeated access required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical installation completenessVSAvoidcomplexity of installation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enabling electricians to complete conduit and cable positioning during the initial partition assembly phase using templates. This preliminary electrical work eliminates the need for multiple subsequent interventions, as all wiring准备工作 is completed before the partition is closed, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining installation completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If electrical functionality testing is performed at the very end of installation, then connection faults can be detected, but the complexity of troubleshooting increases and additional work may be required to access components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection accuracyVSAvoidtime for troubleshooting and repairs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by enabling electrical functionality testing to be performed during the initial assembly phase when templates and conduits are pre-positioned. This early testing allows connection faults to be detected and corrected before the partition is closed, significantly reducing troubleshooting complexity and time compared to end-of-installation testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4187732A1Device for pre-positioning a box embedded in a partition or false ceiling
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 SON SOMBONA
  • EP4187732A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4187732A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4187732A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pre-positioning device (1) for one or more recessed boxes (45) in a drywall partition (41) or a false ceiling, comprising at least one strip (3), at least one template (7) and a retaining member (13) intended to cooperate with a profiled stud (25, 63, 65) put in place for the assembly of the drywall partition (41) or a false ceiling, said strip (3) being provided with fixing marks (5) for said at least one template (7), said at least one template (7) comprising a light (10) configured to receive a recessed box (45) and comprising a fixing member (43) for said at least one strip (3).