Modular Marshalling Honeycomb With Side Latching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marshalling honeycombs lack flexibility and adaptability to user-specific requirements, particularly in confined spaces, as they require a rigid mounting frame and are difficult to modify when the number of conductors needs to change.

Innovation Solution

The marshalling honeycomb modules are designed with locking elements on their side surfaces, allowing for direct connection and reconfiguration, and terminating elements that can be pivoted and attached to honeycomb modules, enabling flexible adaptation of the matrix size and configuration without a fixed mounting frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid mounting frame with fixed chambers is used to arrange honeycomb modules, then the structural stability and ease of installation are improved, but the adaptability to user-specific requirements and flexibility in modifying the number of conductors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to user requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame is divided into individual chambers that can independently accommodate honeycomb modules. Each chamber is a separate unit that can be filled or emptied independently, allowing the system to be segmented and reconfigured based on the number of conductors needed while maintaining overall structural stability through the rigid frame framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic one where honeycomb modules can be added or removed from chambers. The mounting frame provides stable support while the arrangement of functional units within it becomes adaptable, allowing the marshalling honeycomb to be modified according to changing conductor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the number of honeycomb modules is increased to accommodate more conductors, then the conductor connection capacity is improved, but the device size and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor connection capacityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines chamber locations, and enables modular assembly. The honeycomb modules themselves are universal units that can be used in any chamber, allowing the system to scale conductor capacity by simply adding identical modular units rather than redesigning the entire device.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The honeycomb modules are nested within the mounting frame structure, with each module fitting into its own chamber. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional units to be compactly organized within the overall device structure, increasing conductor capacity while maintaining a manageable form factor through hierarchical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed mounting frame is used, then the ease of installation is improved, but the ease of modification when conductor requirements change deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidease of modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independent chambers and removable honeycomb modules. During installation, modules can be placed into pre-defined chambers for straightforward assembly. For modification, individual modules can be removed or added without affecting other parts of the system, enabling easy adaptation to changing conductor requirements while maintaining simple installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows honeycomb modules to be easily removed (discarded from their positions) when conductor requirements change, and new modules can be inserted (recovered) to meet updated needs. This facilitates straightforward modification while the rigid mounting frame continues to provide stable support throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3281253B1Patchboard
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3281253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281253B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3281253B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention illustrates and describes a patchboard comprising a plurality of socket blocks (2), wherein the individual socket blocks (2) each have a box-like housing (3) with two end faces (4a, 4b) and four side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which extend between the end faces (4a, 4b), and wherein the two end faces (4a, 4b) of the socket blocks (2) each have at least one connection region (6). The patchboard (1) according to the invention has an increased degree of flexibility and ability to adapt to individual requests of a user as a result of at least two side faces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) of the socket blocks (2) each having at least one latching element for connection to another socket block (2), and by at least one termination element (11) being arranged on at least one side of the patchboard (1), wherein the termination element (11) has a mating latching element on at least one side face (12a, 12b), the termination element (11) being connected to an adjacent socket block (2) by means of said mating latching element.