Electrical Box Double Wall Support Plate Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical boxes with support plates of satisfactory mechanical strength face access limitations due to the height of their side walls, hindering installer access to the interior.

Innovation Solution

The electrical box design incorporates a support plate with a double wall equipped with ribs, reducing the side wall height while maintaining mechanical strength through a double wall structure and snap-mounting mechanisms, allowing easier access and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the side wall height of the support plate is increased to ensure satisfactory mechanical strength, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the access to the interior of the plate is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strength of support plateVSAvoidaccess to interior of plate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate transitions from a single-wall structure to a double-wall structure, adding a dimensional layer to enhance mechanical strength without increasing the external height of the side walls. This allows the plate to maintain structural integrity while preserving installer access to the interior.

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

2Ease of operation

If the side wall height is reduced to facilitate access to the interior, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical strength is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to interior of plateVSAvoidmechanical strength of support plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing a double-wall configuration, the patent adds structural complexity in the thickness dimension rather than the height dimension. This enables reduced side wall height for better access while the double-wall construction compensates for the lost mechanical strength through enhanced structural rigidity.

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

3Stability of the object's composition

If a double wall with ribs is implemented to reinforce the support plate, then the rigidity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity of support plateVSAvoidstructural complexity of support plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is segmented into two separate wall layers (double wall structure) with ribs connecting them. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute to the overall rigidity while the modular rib structure provides reinforcement without requiring a completely complex design, as the ribs are simple connecting elements between the two walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3840151B1Electrical box and associated electrical equipment
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP3840151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3840151B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3840151B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical box having a body comprising, on the one hand, a mounting plate (12) having a bottom wall (11) provided with means for attachment to a receiving support and a side wall (13) bordering said bottom wall, and, on the other hand, a frame comprising a side wall attached to said mounting plate such that the side wall of the frame extends in line with the side wall of the mounting plate to define with the latter a housing open at the front adapted to receive an electrical switchgear mechanism. According to the invention, the side wall of the mounting plate has, at least on a portion of its periphery, a double wall (100) comprising an inner wall (110) and an outer wall (120) connected to each other at specific points by ribs (115). The invention also relates to electrical switchgear.