Interchangeable Insert Tray for Enclosure Fastener Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastener inserts in enclosures, such as underground enclosures, are difficult to replace or resize once installed, requiring new enclosures to be purchased when a different size or damaged nut is needed, limiting flexibility and increasing inventory requirements.

Innovation Solution

An interchangeable insert system comprising a tray and an insert body with a compartmental design that allows for secure containment of different-sized nuts, featuring a tray opening for bolt access and a side opening for tray insertion, enabling easy switching of nuts without removing the insert body from the enclosure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If inserts are molded into the enclosure to house fasteners, then the enclosure structure is simplified and fasteners are securely contained, but the inserts cannot be easily replaced or resized once installed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure structureVSAvoidinsert replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insert is divided into two functional parts: a stationary insert body that remains molded in the enclosure and provides structural support, and a removable tray that contains the fasteners. This segmentation allows the tray to be exchanged while the insert body stays fixed, resolving the contradiction between structural integration and replaceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is designed to nest within the insert body compartment. The tray fits into the cavity of the insert body, creating a nested structure where the removable tray is contained within the permanent insert body. This allows easy removal and replacement of the tray while maintaining the overall enclosure structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If new enclosures are purchased to change the nut size, then the correct fastener size is obtained, but inventory costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener size matchingVSAvoidinventory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The insert body is designed with a universal compartment structure that can accommodate different sizes of trays and fasteners. The standardized compartment dimensions allow various nut sizes to be used within the same insert body by simply changing the tray, eliminating the need for multiple enclosure types and reducing inventory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a side opening is added to the insert body for tray insertion, then tray replacement becomes easy, but the insert body structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray replacementVSAvoidinsert body structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tray insertion function is extracted from the main insert body structure by creating a separate side opening. This opening is a simple geometric feature that provides access to the compartment without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling easy tray replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10683886B2Interchangeable insert

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 OLDCASTLE INFRASTRUCTURE INC

AI summary

Interchangeable inserts are disclosed for use in enclosures, such as underground enclosures. The interchangeable inserts include insert bodies that are configured to house stand-alone nuts and nuts contained within removable trays.