Installation Box Assembly With Teethed Wire Grip and Airtight Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional installation boxes struggle to securely accommodate wires and conduits of different dimensions and angles, often requiring multiple adapters and lacking effective strain relief and protection against external particles and water.

Innovation Solution

The installation box assembly features a casing with radial grooves forming a teethed receptacle and an elastic cover member with ridges, providing a bi-material gripping feature that securely holds wires of various diameters and allows angular insertion, while maintaining an air-tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a circular gasket with a single diameter entry slot is used, then the installation box can provide strain relief for wires of a specific diameter, but it cannot effectively accommodate wires of different diameters and angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different wire diameters and anglesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single circular gasket is segmented into multiple radial grooves that form separate teethed receptacles. Each receptacle can independently accommodate wires of different diameters and angles, transforming a single-function component into a multi-functional one without requiring multiple separate gaskets or adapters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The teethed receptacle structure with multiple radial grooves creates a universal interface that can accommodate various wire diameters and insertion angles. The elastic cover member with corresponding ridges works with any of the radial grooves, making the installation box adaptable to different wiring configurations without requiring additional components.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adapters are used to accommodate different wire dimensions, then the installation box can securely hold various wire sizes, but the device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different wire dimensionsVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adapter functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The radial grooves forming teethed receptacles and the elastic cover member with ridges combine to create a unified mechanism that accommodates different wire dimensions, eliminating the need for separate adapters and reducing installation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The teethed receptacles are pre-formed during manufacturing with radial grooves and interlaced teeth structures. The elastic cover member is pre-configured with ridges that complement the groove profiles. This preliminary preparation allows wires of different dimensions to be accommodated without requiring additional assembly steps or adapters during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional strain relief mechanisms are used, then wires of a specific style can be secured, but they cannot provide effective gripping and retraction forces for different cable types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding and gripping capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different cable types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The strain relief mechanism combines rigid radial grooves in the casing with an elastic cover member. The rigid structure provides structural support and positioning, while the elastic material provides compliant gripping and retraction forces. This composite approach ensures reliable holding capability across different cable types and styles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the strain relief mechanism have different material properties optimized for specific functions. The radial grooves in the casing provide rigid geometric constraints, while the elastic cover member provides compliant contact surfaces. The interlaced teeth and ridges create localized gripping zones that adapt to different cable surfaces and dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the knock-out lid is removed for wire insertion, then wires can be inserted through the opening, but protection from external particles and water molecules is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire insertion capabilityVSAvoidexposure to external particles and water
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic cover member acts as a flexible sealing film that maintains protection while allowing wire insertion. The cover can be stretched or deformed to accommodate wires passing through the radial grooves, then returns to its original position to seal the opening, preventing entry of external particles and water molecules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic cover member serves as an intermediary between the need for wire insertion and the need for environmental protection. It provides a controlled passage for wires through the radial grooves while maintaining the protective barrier, eliminating the need to completely remove the protective lid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution effectively secures wires of different diameters, provides strain relief, and protects against external particles and water, enhancing installation efficiency and reliability by allowing quick and easy multi-directional cable and conduit entries.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic cover member disposed on said casing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4564624A1Installation box assembly to secure wires of different diameters
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4564624A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4564624A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4564624A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to an installation box assembly (100) configured to provide strain relief and secure wires and conduits of difference diameters. The installation box assembly (100) comprises a casing (102) having sets of radial grooves (108), and an elastic cover member (112) disposed on said casing (102). The radial grooves (108) are disposed in a spaced apart manner on a slanted side walls (106) of said casing (102). The radial grooves (108) of each set are interlaced at their proximal ends to form a teethed receptacle (110) to grip said wires. The elastic cover member (112) comprises plurality of lid portions (116) is provided with plurality of ridges (118) and disposed on each of said set of radial grooves (108) in an air-tight manner. Each tooth of said teethed receptacle (110) has an arcuate profile to facilitate insertion of said wire in an angular manner with respect to said slanted side walls of said casing (102).