Modular Assembly Rails for Electrical Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for assembling electrical cabinets face challenges due to access difficulties during on-site installation, leading to reduced use of bolts and nuts, compromising the structural integrity and safety, especially in high-voltage applications where internal arcs can occur, and requiring larger floor spaces.

Innovation Solution

A modular assembly system using sliding assembly rails formed by clipped rail elements that can be easily assembled without specialized tools, allowing for reduced bolt and nut usage, ensuring robustness, directing gases away from personnel, and minimizing floor space by allowing closer placement of cabinets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If bolts and nuts are used to assemble electrical cabinets, then structural integrity is improved, but assembly complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly system is segmented into modular components: fixing flanges attached to electrical cabinets, assembly rails with receiving slots, and connecting elements. This segmentation allows for simpler, tool-free assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed modular connection system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly rail acts as an intermediary component between fixing flanges on adjacent electrical cabinets. The receiving slots in the assembly rail accommodate connecting elements that join the flanges, providing a simplified mediation mechanism that eliminates the need for traditional bolts and nuts while ensuring robust connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If bolts and nuts are reduced for easier on-site assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The assembly system enables self-service installation without requiring specialized tools or skilled operators. The fixing flanges, assembly rails with receiving slots, and connecting elements are designed to be assembled directly by insertion and connection, allowing any installer to perform the assembly reliably without bolt tightening tools or expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The assembly rail serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures consistent and dependable connections between electrical cabinets. The receiving slots provide precise positioning and secure engagement for connecting elements, guaranteeing assembly reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If traditional assembly methods are used, then structural robustness is maintained, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural robustnessVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented modular design with fixing flanges, assembly rails, and connecting elements enables rapid assembly operations. Each component is pre-configured and can be quickly connected without the time-consuming processes of bolt insertion, alignment, and tightening required by traditional methods, while maintaining structural robustness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing flanges are pre-attached to the electrical cabinets during manufacturing, and the assembly rails are pre-configured with receiving slots. This preliminary preparation eliminates on-site preparation time and allows installers to proceed directly to quick connection operations, significantly increasing assembly speed while ensuring structural robustness through pre-engineered connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If larger floor space is allocated for panel assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but area occupied increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidfloor space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The self-service assembly system requires minimal clearance for installer access during connection operations. The simple insertion-based mechanism does not require the extensive maneuvering space needed for traditional bolt assembly tools and techniques, enabling efficient installation in confined spaces with reduced floor area requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3319188B1System for assembling electrical cabinets of an electrical switchboard
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3319188B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3319188B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3319188B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The main object of the invention is an assembly system (1) for electrical cabinets (2) of an electrical panel (10), characterized in that it comprises: a fixing rim (6) at the level of each of the two vertical edges of a rear face (5a) of each electrical cabinet (2), said fixing rim (6) extending vertically along said rear face (5a) of said electrical cabinet (2), and one or more assembly rails (4), each comprising an insertion opening (7) extending vertically along the assembly rail (4), each assembly rail (4) being able to be slid vertically along the assembly formed by the joining of two fixing rims (6) of two adjacent electrical cabinets (2), said two fixing rims (6) being located inside the insertion opening (7). Each assembly rail is formed by the vertical clip-together assembly of a plurality of rail elements.