Foldable Low-Voltage Display Housing for Cabinet Space Limits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional low-voltage devices in electrical distribution and switchgear installations have limited display capabilities, unable to convey complex information due to space constraints and simple indicator elements, limiting their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A low-voltage device with a flexible, bendable and/or foldable display unit that conforms to the housing contour, allowing for a larger display area and enhanced information presentation without requiring additional installation space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a simple display unit with small screen is used, then the device fits within space constraints of control cabinet, but complex information cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoiddisplay area
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit is designed to be movable relative to the housing, transitioning between a retracted position (within housing contours) and an extended position (protruding from housing). This dynamic configuration allows the display area to expand when needed for complex information presentation while retracting to maintain compact installation space in control cabinets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit extends in a direction perpendicular to the housing front surface, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to increase display area without expanding the horizontal or vertical footprint. This allows the display to protrude outward to provide larger viewing area while maintaining the same installation envelope within the control cabinet.

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

2Loss of information

If the display unit is made movable to enlarge display area, then complex information can be displayed, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoiddisplay unit mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system is segmented into a movable display unit and a stationary housing, allowing the display function to be separated from the structural housing. This segmentation enables the display unit to be independently positioned - retracted for compact installation or extended for enhanced information display - without affecting the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display unit is nested within the housing contours when retracted, fitting inside the housing's external boundaries. When extended, it protrudes from the housing while maintaining a compact folded state within the housing volume, similar to a nested doll structure that expands and contracts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4434069B1A low voltage device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 FUTURE SYSTEMS BESITZ GMBH
  • EP4434069B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4434069B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP4434069B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a low-voltage device for electrical distributors and switch cabinet installations, having components which are contained in a housing of the low-voltage device, wherein the housing of the low-voltage device comprises: a mounting interface for mounting the housing on a corresponding counter interface of the electrical distributor or of the switch cabinet or on a component installed in the electrical distributor or in the switch cabinet; a display housing portion of the housing, which is provided for a display unit of the low-voltage device and has one or more flexible, bendable and foldable display units, wherein the flexible display unit is provided in bent form adapted to a contour of the display housing portion of the housing of the low-voltage device or is provided in folded form on the display housing portion of the housing of the low-voltage device and can be unfolded there for increasing a display area of the display unit.