Flush-Mounted Box With Slot Openings For Plumbing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing kits for fastening sanitary components to an installation wall with water-carrying connection lines are complex and difficult to assemble, especially when the connection lines are not laid in a suitable grid, due to the limited alignment leeway and cumbersome connection process.

Innovation Solution

The through-openings in the flush-mounted box are designed as slots with oblong holes to accommodate the fittings support body, allowing for easier alignment and assembly, with non-rotatable covers and adjustable retaining elements that provide alignment flexibility and stabilization, and a preassembled flushing insert with a screw connection for easy detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fittings support body is inserted into the flush-mounted box with traditional through-openings, then the connection to wall-side connection lines can be established, but the assembly becomes complex and difficult when connection lines are not laid in a suitable grid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The through-openings are designed as slots instead of fixed circular openings, allowing the fittings support body to be inserted at various angles and positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables assembly even when connection lines are not laid in a suitable grid, significantly improving ease of operation while reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The geometry of the through-openings is changed from fixed circular to elongated slot shapes, allowing for parameter variation in insertion angle and position. This design change provides alignment flexibility and accommodates different connection line arrangements, simplifying the overall assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the fittings support body has a transverse extent smaller than the distance between flat surfaces of the outer wall, then it can be held by sleeve-shaped holding elements, but there is no leeway for aligning the parts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidalignment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slot design in the through-openings introduces dynamic alignment capability, allowing the fittings support body to be positioned and rotated to achieve proper alignment with connection lines. This maintains reliable fixing while providing necessary leeway for alignment during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are designed to engage with the arms of the fittings support body through the slot openings, creating a segmented connection system that allows for adjustment and alignment while maintaining secure fixing. The separation of the holding function from the insertion path enables independent optimization of both reliability and alignment flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the through-openings are designed as slots extending in the circumferential direction, then alignment flexibility is provided, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment flexibilityVSAvoidthrough-opening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slot openings are designed as simple elongated shapes rather than complex variable geometry, maintaining structural simplicity while providing alignment flexibility. The segmentation of the opening into basic slot forms avoids unnecessary structural complexity while achieving the desired adaptability for different installation configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2358947B1Kit for the installation of plumbing components
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 IDEAL STANDARD INT
  • EP2358947B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2358947B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2358947B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A flush-mounted box for attaching plumbing components to an installation strip having water-carrying connecting lines, the flush-mounted box that can be connected to the installation wall having a bottom plate and an exterior wall connected thereto, and a cross-shaped fitting-carrying body being insertable into the flush-mounted box from the open side and securable in the interior of the flush-mounted box, and through-passages to receive holding elements affixing the fitting-carrying body in the exterior wall being formed in the exterior wall of the flush-mounted box, is characterized in that the through-passages formed in the exterior wall (12) of the flush-mounted box (10) in the manner of an elongated hole (14) extending in the circumferential direction are configured for pushing through the fitting-carrying body (15), which is configured with a transverse extension designed to be greater than the inside dimensions of the flush-mounted box (10), and the holding elements (18) can be pushed onto the ends of the arms (16), protruding through the elongated holes (14), belonging to the fitting-carrying body (15) inserted into the flush-mounted box (10) and can be affixed in the elongated holes (14), and the flush-mounted box (10) can be locked by means of a lid (20), which is positively affixed nonrotationally to the exterior wall (12), after insertion of the fitting-carrying body (15).