Electrical Box Hinge with Protrusion and Stop for Secure Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular telecontrol and measurement boxes face challenges in maintaining secure access levels, as the secondary door can be easily removed, compromising the security of electrical equipment, and existing solutions to prevent this often increase manufacturing costs and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A hinge system with a protrusion and stop mechanism limits the pivoting range of the security door, preventing disassembly, and an optional tilting support allows easy access to equipment while maintaining secure access levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple hinge with pin and eyelet is used for the secondary door, then ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the door can be easily removed compromising security

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge connection is segmented into two independent operations: attachment (via translation along the pivot axis) and pivoting (via rotation). The protrusion-stop mechanism controls the translation phase to prevent removal, while allowing legitimate assembly and disassembly by authorized personnel who can manipulate the door through the limited pivoting range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge transitions from a static connection to a dynamic one with controlled degrees of freedom. The door can translate along the pivot axis during assembly/disassembly, then pivots within a limited range during operation. The protrusion and stop create a dynamic constraint that prevents removal while allowing legitimate access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If complex hinges or special tools are used to prevent door removal, then security is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidhinge complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge system is self-regulating through its geometric design. The protrusion and stop automatically limit the door's pivoting range without requiring external controls, sensors, or complex mechanisms. The system protects itself against removal through its own structural features, eliminating the need for additional security devices or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the hinge connection. By positioning the protrusion and stop at specific locations, the design creates a limited pivoting range that prevents removal. The key parameter change is transforming the door's degrees of freedom from unlimited (removable) to constrained (secure but accessible).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the security door can pivot freely within a large range, then ease of operation is improved, but unauthorized removal becomes possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor operationVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion and stop are pre-positioned to counteract any attempt at excessive pivoting or removal. Before unauthorized removal can occur, the geometric constraints prevent the door from achieving the necessary degrees of freedom. The system proactively prevents harmful action rather than reacting to it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3641327B1Electrical box with secure access
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3641327B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3641327B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2A
  • EP3641327B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical box (10) comprising a chassis (11) and a security door (12) connected to the chassis by a hinge arranged so that the security door can be mounted and dismounted by a translational movement along an axis of pivot of the hinge. According to the invention, the box further comprises: ▪ means (13) for limiting the pivoting of the security door (12) within a reduced pivoting range (PPR), ▪ a protrusion (126) integral with the security door (12), and ▪ a stop (1105) integral with the frame and projecting in a direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis, the protrusion (126) and the stop (1105) being arranged to define a free translation range, in which the protrusion is clear of the stop, allowing translational movement of the security door (12), the free translation range being separate from the reduced pivoting range.