Installation Box Soft Membrane Opening Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation boxes with soft plastic membranes become difficult to open when already installed, requiring significant time and effort, especially when electrical/electronic components are in place, making it challenging to connect additional boxes or modify wiring.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an opening handle molded onto the soft plastic membrane on the inside of the installation box, allowing for easy removal using a tool like a screwdriver, which can apply forces to tear the membrane away from the can body without disassembling the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a soft plastic membrane seals the installation opening to maintain airtightness, then airtightness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when the box is already installed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveairtightnessVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An opening handle is molded onto the soft plastic membrane during manufacturing, preparing the membrane for easy removal in advance. This preliminary action allows the membrane to be easily torn away later by applying force to the handle, resolving the contradiction between maintaining airtightness during installation and enabling easy opening after installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the installation box is sealed with a soft plastic membrane, then airtightness is improved, but time consumption increases when needing to access the installation opening after installation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveairtightnessVSAvoidtime to open
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The opening handle is integrated into the membrane structure during manufacturing, creating a built-in feature that facilitates quick membrane removal. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the time required to access the installation opening later, while the membrane remains intact and airtight during normal installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical/electronic components are installed in the box, then functionality is improved, but difficulty of operation increases when needing to open the membrane

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddifficulty to open membrane
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The opening handle is pre-formed as part of the membrane structure, providing a dedicated access point that can be used independently of the electrical components. This allows the membrane to be removed easily even when components are installed, as the handle provides leverage without requiring disassembly of electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane with its integrated handle creates a distinct functional segment for access purposes, separate from the electrical component installation area. This segmentation allows the membrane to be manipulated and removed independently without affecting the electrical components, resolving the contradiction between functionality and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3731358B1Installation box and installation box assembly with such an installation box
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 OBO BETTERMANN HUNGARY KFT
  • EP3731358B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3731358B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3731358B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An installation box 1 for electrical and/or electronic installations comprises a box body 2 for accommodating at least one electrical/electronic component, with a base 4, a surrounding wall 3, and a mounting opening 5. The box body 2 has at least one installation opening 14, closed by a soft plastic membrane 8, located in the wall 3 or, if present, in a transition surface between the wall 3 and the base 4. An opening handle 9 for opening or removing the soft plastic membrane 8 from inside the box is molded onto the side of the soft plastic membrane 8 facing the inside of the box. An installation box arrangement with such an installation box 1 is also described.