Flush-Mounted Device Support Reducing Assembly Thickness

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for mounting electrical equipment in walls result in significant thickness due to the need for a thick device support collar to withstand screw tightening, leading to an unsightly extra thickness on the wall.

Innovation Solution

A device support with a flange featuring through openings for mounting elements and a housing with a recessed bottom, allowing the plate to slide and adjust the angle, reducing the overall assembly thickness by allowing the screw head to rest on the wafer without protruding from the flange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a thick device support collar is used to withstand screw tightening pressure, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a recessed bottom in the housing that creates a third dimension (depth) to accommodate the screw head. This allows the screw head to be positioned within the housing depth rather than requiring increased collar thickness, thereby maintaining structural integrity while reducing assembly thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The screw head is nested within the housing structure by recessing the bottom surface. This nesting approach allows the screw head to be contained within the existing housing boundaries, eliminating the need for a thicker collar while maintaining the necessary clamping pressure for structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of stationary object

If the screw head rests on the wafer, then assembly thickness is reduced, but positioning precision must be improved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly thicknessVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plate's ability to slide within the housing allows the assembly to self-adjust during installation. The plate can move to accommodate minor positioning variations and automatically finds its correct position when the screw is tightened, eliminating the need for high manufacturing precision while maintaining thin assembly dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The plate is designed with sliding capability, transforming a static positioning system into a dynamic one. This allows the plate to adjust its position during assembly, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and ensuring proper alignment without requiring extremely precise manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2966741B1apparatus support to be mounted in a flush mounted box and electrical apparatus having such a support.

Publication Date: 2016.09.28 LEGRAND FRANCE SA

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
Figure 9~14

AI summary

The invention relates to a device support (120) to be mounted in a flush-mounting box (200) and comprising a collar (126) having a through opening (128) intended to cooperate with a bearing surface (230) of the flush-mounting box (200), a housing (130; 140) with a bottom (132; 142) extending in retreat from the collar (126) and a plate (150; 160) delimiting at least partially a hollowed part (155; 165) and comprising at least a part (152; 162) in contact with the bottom (132; 142) of the housing (130; 140). The plate (150; 160) is mounted in the housing (130; 140) with a possibility of movement in the housing (130; 140) by sliding on the bottom (132; 142) of the housing (130; 140), while maintaining the hollow part (155; 165) opposite the through opening (128).