Electrical Installation Box Insert With Integrated Circuit Board

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical installation boxes for surface mounting lack the ability to be retrofitted with additional functions like data interfaces or lighting without requiring new cover frames, leading to compatibility issues and cost disadvantages during installation or replacement of functional inserts.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a printed circuit board with electrical components, such as LEDs or data interfaces, that can be connected to existing inserts, allowing for the reuse of existing mechanical interfaces and enabling the addition of lighting or data transmission capabilities without replacing the cover frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If functional inserts are replaced in an electrical installation box, then the installation box can be updated with new functionality, but the cover frame must be removed and may need to be replaced, increasing cost and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to retrofit additional functionsVSAvoidcompatibility issues between cover frame and insert
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is designed with a universal mechanical interface that is independent of the cover frame, allowing the same insert to be used with different cover frames. The insert contains all necessary functional components (printed circuit board, electrical components, cable connections) so that it can be replaced without affecting the cover frame, enabling universal compatibility across different functional configurations.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If functional inserts are replaced in an electrical installation box, then new functionality can be added, but purchasing a new cover frame entails cost disadvantages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretrofitting capabilityVSAvoidcost of new cover frame
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical installation box is segmented into three independent components: the cover frame, the insert, and the housing. The insert is designed as a self-contained module with its own mechanical interface to the housing that does not involve the cover frame. This segmentation allows the insert to be replaced independently without affecting the cover frame, eliminating the need to purchase new cover frames when upgrading functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If functional inserts are replaced, then the installation box can accommodate different functions, but the cover frame must be removed, increasing installation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsert replacement capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is designed as a self-contained module with its own mechanical interface to the housing that does not involve the cover frame. This segmentation allows the insert to be replaced independently without affecting the cover frame, eliminating the need to purchase new cover frames when upgrading functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4142080B1Electrical installation box for surface installation with an opening closed by a removable insert
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 GIRA GIERSIEPEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4142080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4142080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4142080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical installation box (1) for surface mounting, wherein an installation space (2) of the electrical installation box (1) is bounded by a base (3) and a wall (4) projecting from the base (3), wherein the wall (4) has at least one opening (6) closed by a removable insert (5), characterized in that the insert (5) has a circuit board (7) with an electrical component or a directly wired electrical component, wherein at least one electrical conductor (9) is led from the circuit board (7) or from the directly wired electrical component into the installation space (2).