Installation Socket Connecting Sleeve with Rotational Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation boxes require precise alignment for connecting pieces to engage, limiting the flexibility in assembling multiple boxes without manufacturing different designs for various orientations.

Innovation Solution

The design features connecting pieces with complementary nozzle parts arranged 180 degrees apart, allowing for rotation to engage with identical pieces from other boxes, enabling connection without alignment and allowing single-piece designs for multiple configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connecting pieces are designed with different orientations and sizes for precise alignment, then connection stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing variety increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidconnecting piece design variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece is designed with asymmetric features including a conical outer surface with varying diameter and an offset longitudinal axis relative to the box body's longitudinal axis. This asymmetric design enables precise alignment and stable connection between installation boxes while maintaining a unified connecting piece design that can accommodate multiple orientations through rotational engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different connecting piece designs are manufactured for various orientations, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal connecting piece design is implemented that can engage with identical pieces from other installation boxes in multiple orientations. The conical surface and offset axis configuration allow the same connecting piece to be used across all orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), eliminating the need to manufacture different connecting piece variants for different configurations.

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

3Reliability

If connecting pieces require precise alignment for engagement, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting piece incorporates a conical outer surface with varying diameter that provides self-aligning curvature. This curved conical geometry guides the connecting pieces into proper alignment during the engagement process, reducing the precision requirement for manual alignment while maintaining reliable connection. The tapered surface allows for gradual engagement and automatic orientation correction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3561976B1Installation socket
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 OBO BETTERMANN HUNGARY KFT
  • EP3561976B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3561976B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3561976B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An installation box 1 for electrical/electronic installations with a box body 3 serving to accommodate an electrical and/or electronic component, having a surrounding wall 4 enclosing the installation cavity 2 provided by the box body 3, with at least one opening 12 for leading at least one cable into or out of the installation cavity, and with a connecting sleeve 9 enclosing this opening 12 for connecting this installation box 1 to another installation box carrying a complementary connecting sleeve, is equipped with locking means for mechanically connecting this installation box 1 to another installation box 1 carrying a complementary locking means.The complementarity of two connecting pieces 9 is ensured by the fact that at least one connecting piece 9 itself has complementary pieces, which complementary pieces are arranged on opposite sides with respect to a vertical plane 14 extending along the longitudinal axis L of the connecting piece 9. The connecting piece 9 comprises an inner piece 10 and at least one outer piece 11 arranged concentrically thereto, by which at least one outer piece 11, with its side facing the channel S enclosed by the connecting piece 9, provides a guide for the outside of the inner piece 10 of the connecting piece 9 of a second junction box 1.