Mains-linked power supply unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply units for furniture drives require complex adaptations and high logistical efforts due to the need for different national plug standards and configurations, such as non-pluggable mains cables and specific transformer types, which increases assembly complexity and part variability.
Innovation Solution
A mains-connected power supply unit with a unified design for the power supply unit, mains cable, and mains disconnection, featuring a connection for a control line that allows operation with or without mains disconnection, using a single device plug connection and optionally differing mains plugs, enabling easy assembly and conversion by routing the mains and control lines together or as a combined plug connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different national plug standards and configurations are used to meet market and customer requirements, then customer-specific needs are satisfied, but assembly complexity and logistical effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit is designed with a universal device plug connection that can accommodate both pluggable and non-pluggable mains cable configurations. The unit includes a socket for the mains cable and an optional socket for a control line, allowing the same basic design to serve multiple market requirements without needing completely different configurations for each national standard or customer preference.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply unit is divided into modular components: a main power supply unit, an optional mains disconnection device, and separate socket connections. This segmentation allows customers to choose whether to include the mains disconnection device and how to configure the cable connection (pluggable or non-pluggable), while the core unit remains standardized and simplifies manufacturing and assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-pluggable mains cables are chosen for assembly reasons, then assembly is simplified, but adaptability to different customer requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit incorporates dynamic configurability through optional sockets and modular components. The device can be configured during assembly to accept either pluggable or non-pluggable cables, and can include or exclude the mains disconnection device based on customer requirements. This dynamic approach allows a single standardized unit to adapt to different assembly preferences and customer needs without sacrificing the simplicity of standardized manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transformer types (EI core, toroidal, switched-mode) are offered to meet customer preferences, then customer choice is enhanced, but the number of parts and logistical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different transformer types (EI core, toroidal, or switched-mode) within the same basic housing and connection framework. The standardized device plug connection and socket interfaces allow the same unit design to work with various transformer configurations, reducing the need for completely different product variants and minimizing the total number of unique parts required across the product range.
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 simplifies assembly and conversion, reduces the number of parts, and allows for uniform design across configurations, accommodating various legal and customer requirements without the need for multiple plug standards, thereby enhancing logistical efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer which is connected on the primary side through the plug connection to the mains and transforms the mains-side AC voltage into a secondary-side extra-low voltage
Data Source
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AI summary
A mains-connected power supply unit (10), in particular for a furniture drive, comprises a mains lead (12) which is connected to a mains plug (13), the mains lead (12) being connected to a mains unit (11) via a plug connection (14), and the power supply unit (11) has a transformer which can be connected to the mains supply line (12) on the primary side via the plug-in connection (14) and transforms the AC voltage on the mains side into an extra-low voltage on the secondary side for operating an electrical consumer, the power supply unit (11) having a connection for has a control line (16) to a mains cut-off (15), so that the power supply unit (10) can be operated either with a mains cut-off (15) or without a mains cut-off (15).