Electrical Installation Device with Threaded Wall Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical installation devices face challenges when installed on uneven walls, requiring multiple spacer blocks of different thicknesses, which are cumbersome to store and manage, and do not allow for stepless adjustment.

Innovation Solution

The electrical installation device features threaded bores in its support frame for screwing in wall compensation elements with accessible tool engagement surfaces, enabling stepless adjustment and alignment without the need for separate storage of spacer blocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacer blocks of different thicknesses are manufactured and stored, then wall compensation for uneven surfaces is enabled, but storage effort and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall compensation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of spacer block variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spacer block function with the mounting element by integrating the adjustment mechanism directly into the single mounting element. This allows the mounting element to perform both mounting and wall compensation functions, eliminating the need for separate spacer blocks of different thicknesses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting element incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows dynamic adaptation to different wall unevenness. The element can be adjusted continuously or in steps to compensate for varying gap sizes, providing the adaptability of multiple spacer blocks while using a single versatile component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple spacer blocks of different thicknesses are manufactured and stored, then wall compensation for uneven surfaces is enabled, but storage space and time effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall compensation capabilityVSAvoidstorage and management time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple wall compensation scenarios. A single mounting element type can adjust to different gap thicknesses, making it multi-functional and eliminating the need to store multiple specialized spacer block variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting element includes an integrated adjustment mechanism that allows installers to adjust the compensation thickness directly at the installation site without needing to select from pre-manufactured spacer blocks. This self-adjusting capability eliminates the time-consuming process of storing and selecting appropriate spacer blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed thickness spacer blocks are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but stepless adjustment capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacer block productionVSAvoidadjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element incorporates an adjustable mechanism that enables dynamic adaptation to different wall unevenness. This allows continuous or stepped adjustment of the compensation thickness, providing precise adaptation to any gap size while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized mounting element design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting element allows changing the compensation parameter (thickness) through adjustment mechanisms such as threading, sliding, or rotating components. This enables the same mounting element to provide different compensation thicknesses as needed, achieving stepless or fine-stepped adjustment without manufacturing multiple fixed-thickness variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2312714B1Electric installation device with structure frame and wall levelling elements
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP2312714B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2312714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2312714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a box mountable basic unit that is connected with an operating or functional element over a support frame (3). Tapped holes are introduced in four corners from a front surface (6) to a rear surface of the support frame for screwing of wall leveling elements (16). The wall leveling elements comprise outer side threads (17) corresponding to the tapped holes and a tool engagement surface (18) accessible from the front surface for screwing and unscrewing the wall leveling elements.