Installation Box Retaining Element for Wood Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional installation boxes fail to securely fasten into wooden structures where the wall extends into the cavity, preventing the unfolding of spreading elements and thus failing to provide a stable mechanical tension for attachment.
Innovation Solution
The installation box features a retaining element with a cutting edge or tips that can be rotated and pivoted to penetrate the wood securely, combined with a sliding surface in the channel allowing continuous angle adjustment and enhanced interaction with the contact flange for secure fastening, and an optional separate holding device for conversion of existing cavity wall boxes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional spreading elements are used for fastening the installation box, then the attachment works for standard wall constructions, but the spreading elements cannot unfold when the wall extends into the cavity, preventing secure fastening
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed to rotate from a retracted position (first position) to an extended position (assembly position) through the channel. This dynamic transformation allows the fastening mechanism to adapt to different wall configurations - when the wall extends into the cavity, the retaining element can rotate outward to engage with the wooden structure, providing secure fastening in situations where conventional static spreading elements would fail to unfold.
2Device complexity
If the retaining element is kept retracted in the channel, then the device remains compact and simple, but it cannot penetrate and engage with the wooden structure for secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is divided into two distinct states: a compact retracted state where the retaining element remains within the channel (maintaining structural simplicity), and an active engagement state where the retaining element rotates outward to penetrate and engage with the wooden structure (providing attachment strength). This segmentation allows the device to maintain simplicity when not in use while providing strong attachment when needed.
3Reliability
If the holding element rotates outward to engage the wood, then secure fastening is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex requiring sliding surfaces and rotation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation and extension functions are merged into a single motion of the retaining element. As the retaining element rotates outward from the channel, it simultaneously achieves both the angular orientation needed to engage the wooden structure and the radial extension needed to penetrate it. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate complex mechanisms while achieving secure fastening.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure fastening of the installation box into wooden structures by allowing the retaining element to penetrate and engage with the wood securely, ensuring stable attachment and easy removal with the appropriate configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a sliding surface is also provided in the channel, against which the retaining element rests, the sliding surface running obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the screw in such a way that the free end of the retaining element can be moved by an axial movement of the nut
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical installation box (1) with an opening, a mounting flange (9) surrounding the edge of the opening, a side wall construction (10) that abuts the edge of the opening, and a bottom section that connects to the edge of the side wall construction (10) opposite the edge of the opening and closes off the installation box on the side opposite the opening. The installation box (1) has two channels (7) extending in the side wall construction and a screw arrangement (4, 5) with screws (5) guided longitudinally in the channels (7) and nuts (4) associated with them. Additionally, the installation box (1) is provided with retaining elements (3) associated with the screw arrangement (4, 5), which can be moved from the first position to a mounting position in which the retaining elements (3) protrude from the channels (7).The retaining elements (3) have a cutting edge and/or one or more cutting tips (301; 508, 509). The transition of the retaining elements (3) from the first position to the assembly position occurs such that the rotation angle of the retaining element (3) is continuously dependent on the position of the nut (4) in the longitudinal direction of the respective channel (7) over the entire path of movement of the nut (4).