Universal Flange Component with Recessed Lug for Accessory Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flange components for wall openings in electrical installation systems require specific manufacturing and design for different closure types, limiting their universal use and secure attachment options.

Innovation Solution

A flange component with a recess and connecting element allows for a form-fitting connection with an accessory, enabling universal use and secure attachment, with the accessory being clamped between the flange component and the wall, and featuring a pivoting protective flap and safety cord device for flexible closure options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If flange components are designed with specific closure types (stopper or flap), then the closure function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and universal use is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal use of flange componentVSAvoidmanufacturing and design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange component is designed with a standardized recess structure that can accommodate different accessory types (plug, flap, or other closure devices) through a common mounting interface. The connecting element with lug and opening configuration allows the same flange component to serve multiple closure functions without requiring redesign for each specific closure type, thereby achieving universal use while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity

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

2Reliability

If accessory is securely connected to flange component, then attachment reliability is improved, but the connection structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure connection of accessoryVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is divided into separate functional elements: the recess in the flange component, the connecting element with lug, and the opening in the accessory. This segmentation allows each element to be manufactured independently and assembled through a simple plug-in operation, achieving secure connection through the form-fitting engagement of these separate parts without requiring a complex integrated connection structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3100327B1Assembly of an accessory element on a element with flange
Publication Date: 2017.09.27 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3100327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3100327B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3100327B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement of an accessory part (20) on a flange component (10), wherein the flange component (10) has a wall side (11) for fastening to a wall and an outer side (12), a recess (13) is provided in the edge region of the wall side (11), a connecting element (14) is arranged in the region of the recess (13), the accessory part (20) has a base plate (21), which has a wall side (22) and an outer side (23), and a tab (25) having an opening (24) is provided in the edge region of the base plate (21). According to the invention, the accessory part (20) is slid onto the wall side (11) of the flange component (10) in such a way that the connecting element (14) engages in the opening (24) of the tab (25) and the tab (25) engages in the recess (13) of the flange component (10) such that the flange component (10) and the accessory part (20) are arranged next to each other and are connected to each other in a form-closed manner such that the accessory part (20) can be clamped between the flange component (10) and a wall in the region of the tab (25) when the flange component (10) is fastened to the wall. In this way, an arrangement of an accessory part on a flange component is specified in which the flange component can be produced independently of the accessory component to be slid on and can be used universally and the accessory part can be securely connected to the flange component.