Expandable Installation Box Assembly With Side Extension Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation boxes require multiple sizes for varying electrical components and necessitate material removal for expansion, leading to waste and environmental issues due to difficulty in recycling the removed material.

Innovation Solution

The installation box features a box case with large side openings and connection means for side extension parts, allowing expansion of the mounting space without material removal, and can be made with recycled plastic for environmental friendliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single installation box is used for all electrical components, then the number of installation boxes needed is reduced, but the mounting space inside the box becomes insufficient for large volumes of electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of installation boxesVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The installation box is segmented into a box case and multiple detachable side extension parts. The box case provides a base mounting space, while side extension parts can be attached to expand the mounting space horizontally when needed. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different volume requirements without requiring multiple complete installation boxes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The installation box transitions from a static fixed-size structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The side extension parts can be detached and reattached based on the actual mounting space requirements, allowing the installation box to adapt its volume dynamically rather than being fixed at a single size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If side extension parts are made from recycled plastic material, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the mechanical properties become insufficient compared to the box case material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidmechanical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the installation box assembly have different material qualities appropriate to their functional requirements. The box case, which requires high mechanical strength and structural integrity, is made from durable plastic material. The side extension parts, which provide additional mounting space and can be detached, are made from recycled plastic material with lower mechanical properties. This local differentiation of material quality allows environmental benefits without compromising the overall structural requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4293843A1Installation box and installation box assembly
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4293843A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293843A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4293843A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An installation box comprising: a box case (2) comprising a top wall (11), a bottom wall (12) and at least one side wall (13, 14, 15, 16), the box case (2) has a plurality of side openings (24, 25, 26) in the at least one side wall (13, 14, 15, 16). On a plane perpendicular to a centre axis of each of the side openings (24, 25, 26), a surface area of a projection of the side opening (24, 25, 26) is larger than or equal to 50% of a surface area of a projection the at least one side wall (13, 14, 15, 16). The box case (2) comprises first connection means (31) adapted for connecting a plurality of side extension parts (61, 62, 63) to the box case (2), the first connection means (31) being located adjacent the plurality of side openings (24, 25,26).