Junction Box Integrated DIN Guide and Stacking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional junction boxes lack the ability to easily accommodate various electrical and electronic apparatuses with standardized connectors, facilitate reliable wiring, and allow for efficient coupling and stacking, while ensuring safety and economic competitiveness.

Innovation Solution

A junction box with an integrated DIN-style guide at the bottom for standardized apparatus installation, modular terminal strips for compact wiring, and stacking and joining mechanisms for series coupling and space management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional junction boxes use simple plastic construction without integrated guides, then manufacturing cost is low and structure is simple, but the ability to accommodate standardized electrical and electronic apparatuses is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate standardized electrical and electronic apparatusesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the DIN guide directly into the bottom of the junction box casing, merging two previously separate components (box and guide) into a single integrated structure. This allows standardized electrical and electronic apparatuses to be accommodated while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated DIN guide provides a universal mounting interface that can accommodate various types of electrical and electronic apparatuses with standardized connectors, making the junction box versatile and adaptable to different device types without requiring custom modifications.

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

2Ease of operation

If conventional junction boxes lack integrated guiding mechanisms, then installation of various apparatuses requires adapters and is time-consuming, but adding such mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installation of electrical apparatusesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DIN guide is pre-integrated into the junction box bottom during manufacturing, so that the guiding and mounting functionality is already prepared in advance. This eliminates the need for installers to add adapters or perform complex alignment operations during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional junction boxes do not have integrated wiring support structures, then terminal strip installation is difficult and wiring reliability is reduced, but adding such structures increases manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal strip support structure is integrated into the junction box bottom along with the DIN guide, combining multiple support functions into a single manufacturing process. This ensures reliable wiring support while avoiding the need for separate assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If conventional junction boxes lack series coupling mechanisms, then coupling boxes in series is difficult and space management during transport is inefficient, but adding such mechanisms increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of series coupling and stackingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The junction box is designed with separate, distinct coupling mechanisms: stacking means (recesses and protrusions) for vertical stacking during transport, and joining means (connecting members with engagement features) for horizontal series coupling. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The box provides both vertical stacking capability (through bottom recesses and top protrusions) and horizontal joining capability (through side connecting members), utilizing different spatial dimensions for different coupling purposes, thereby improving productivity in both transport and installation phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2187493B2Junction box for electrical systems and the like
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 GEWISS SPA
  • EP2187493B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2187493B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2187493B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A junction box for electrical systems and the like, has a casing that is open at one end and is constituted by side walls and by a bottom; an integrated guide, of a standardized type, is formed monolithically with the casing and is adapted to support apparatuses provided with a standardized connector. The integrated guide of the standardized type is a guide for fixing electrical and electronic apparatuses. The box according to the invention is preset to accommodate a means for facilitating internal wiring, joining means for joining multiple boxes in series and also means for facilitating the stacking of several boxes.