Electrical Box With Movable Peripheral Belt And Fixed Latching Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical boxes for hollow partitions face challenges in installation, particularly in maneuvering screws to engage latching tabs with plaster panels of varying thicknesses, and are difficult to remove due to the design of latching tabs which can be cumbersome and require force to bend inward.
Innovation Solution
The electrical box features immobile latching tabs relative to the side wall, allowing screws to function as a lever for bending tabs inward for easy removal, and a flexible peripheral belt that can stretch or compress to accommodate different plaster panel thicknesses, ensuring secure attachment and easy extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If movable latching tabs are used to accommodate varying plasterboard thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but installation complexity increases due to the need to maneuver screws to engage the tabs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the latching tabs movable to engage with the plasterboard, the patent inverts the approach by making the peripheral curb movable relative to the box body. The peripheral curb can slide along the side walls of the box, allowing it to adapt to different plasterboard thicknesses while maintaining simple, straightforward screw engagement for the latching tabs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the electrical box into two main segments: a fixed box body containing the latching tabs, and a movable peripheral curb that can slide along the side walls. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific function - the box body provides stable mounting points while the peripheral curb adapts to varying thicknesses.
2Ease of operation
If snap-on mounting brackets are used for easier installation, then ease of operation is improved, but removal difficulty increases due to the need to apply force to flex locking tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the peripheral curb as an intermediary element between the box body and the plasterboard. This curb can be easily installed by sliding into place and provides a mechanical advantage for removal, as the screws used to secure it can serve as leverage points to flex the latching tabs outward for easy extraction.
3Reliability
If latching tabs are positioned close to the box edge for secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but gaps may form between tabs and box body during installation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the latching tabs on the movable peripheral curb, the patent places them on the fixed box body. This ensures that the tabs remain stationary relative to the box body during installation, eliminating gaps while maintaining secure attachment to the plasterboard through the movable peripheral curb.
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
This design simplifies installation on various thicknesses of plaster panels and facilitates easy removal by using screws as a lever, enhancing electrical safety and waterproofing while accommodating different panel thicknesses with ease.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible peripheral belt that can stretch or compress to accommodate different plaster panel thicknesses
Implementation Method 2
the screws screwed into these screw holes, which are initially designed to allow the fixing of an electrical equipment support, can also have a lever function. When an individual wishes to remove the electrical box from the wall, they can use these screws as a lever to flex the snap tabs inwards
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical box (1) to be inserted through a cavity made in a wall, comprising: - a rear body (10) centered on a central axis (A1), - at least one snap-on tab (20) comprising, on the one hand, a flexing strip (21) which is attached to the rear body by an end edge and which is flexible enough to pivot between a deployed position and a retracted position towards the central axis, and, on the other hand, a hooking flange (22) adapted to hook onto the wall, which is carried by the flexing strip and whose distance from said end edge is substantially invariable, and - at least one screw hole (30) which is adapted to receive the threaded rod of a screw for fixing a switchgear mechanism. According to the invention, the screw hole is fixed to the snap-on tab.