Fire Protection Box Assembly for Large Cable Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical distribution and fire protection boxes face challenges in safely and easily handling cables with large cross-sections, as they are difficult to insert and provide inadequate sealing during a fire.

Innovation Solution

The design features a base plate with corner regions, longitudinal and transverse side structures, and a cover plate structure, utilizing threaded rods and mineral fiber layers for easy assembly and disassembly, allowing cables to be inserted between layers for secure and fireproof passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If prefabricated entry holes are used in conventional electrical distribution boxes, then cable installation is simplified, but fire sealing becomes inadequate and large cross-section cables cannot be properly inserted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installationVSAvoidfire sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The box is divided into modular components (base plate, side structures, cover plate) that can be assembled and disassembled. The transverse side structures are segmented into multiple mineral fiber layers with cavities, allowing cables to be inserted between layers rather than through dense material, resolving the contradiction between ease of cable installation and fire sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing cable entry through the wall surface (2D penetration), the invention creates a 3D pathway by forming cavities between mineral fiber layers. Cables are inserted into these cavities and secured with clamps, transforming the cable entry from a surface penetration problem to a volumetric space utilization solution, thereby maintaining fire sealing while facilitating large cable installation.

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

2Reliability

If mineral fiber material is used for fire protection, then fire resistance is improved, but cable insertion becomes difficult especially for functional integrity cables with large cross-sections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire resistanceVSAvoidcable insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse side structures are divided into multiple mineral fiber layers with cavities formed between them. This segmentation allows cables to be routed through the cavity space rather than penetrating the dense mineral fiber material itself, maintaining fire resistance while enabling easy cable insertion for functional integrity cables with large cross-sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cables are nested within the cavities formed between mineral fiber layers, and further nested within the overall box structure. The clamps secure cables within these nested cavities, creating a hierarchical arrangement that preserves fire protection integrity while providing accessible pathways for cable installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a fire-resistant cable entry system with multiple layers is used, then fire protection is enhanced, but assembly complexity and difficulty of cable installation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fire protection system is segmented into modular transverse side structures that can be pre-assembled and then integrated into the box. Each transverse side structure is a self-contained module with integrated mineral fiber layers and cavities, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining enhanced fire protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse side structures are pre-assembled with their mineral fiber layers and cavity formations completed before installation into the box. This preliminary preparation of fire protection components simplifies the final assembly process and makes cable installation easier, as the fire protection structure is already in place with ready-made cable pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 configuration enables easy handling and secure sealing of cables, ensuring fireproof integrity and flexibility in cable assembly, even for larger cross-section cables, while maintaining structural stability and insulating properties.

Implementation Method 1

The transverse side structures (12) each have at least two mineral fiber layers (121, 122) arranged one above the other... in the event of a fire, fire cannot penetrate the cable penetration point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

The cover plate structure (5) is screwed to the frame structure (4) by means of the threaded rods (3) and associated nuts (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

A frame structure (4) is placed on the upper sides of the longitudinal side structures (11) and the transverse side structures (12)... the frame structure being composed of a circumferential base frame (41) placed on the threaded rods (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4109690B1Electric distribution and / or fire protection box and kit therefor
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 MULLER OTTO JENS
  • EP4109690B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4109690B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4109690B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical distribution and/or fire protection box comprising a base plate with four corner areas, two opposing longitudinal side structures, two opposing transverse side structures, and a cover plate structure. The invention further relates to a kit for such an electrical distribution and/or fire protection box.According to the invention, at least one threaded rod oriented perpendicular to an inner surface of the base plate is inserted into each of the corner regions of the base plate; two threaded rod receiving sleeves, each associated with a specific threaded rod, are inserted into each of the longitudinal side structures; each of the transverse side structures has at least two layers of mineral fiber arranged one above the other; a frame structure is placed on the upper surfaces of the longitudinal side structures and the transverse side structures, the frame structure being composed of a circumferential base frame placed on the threaded rods and two opposing reinforcing layers, each placed on one of the transverse side structures; and the cover plate structure is screwed to the frame structure by means of the threaded rods and associated nuts.