Modular Floor Box with Adjustable Attachment and Hinged Cable Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor box systems face challenges such as fixed heights requiring precise installation, increased dimensions due to cable openings, and complexity in storage and production due to various types and configurations, leading to installation errors and logistical issues.

Innovation Solution

A modular floor box system with adjustable attachment means, allowing the same floor box to be configured for different heights and types of floor trunking, featuring multiple attachment positions and tool-free mounting, enabling flexibility and cost-effective production with interchangeable components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of floor box systems are provided for different heights and configurations, then adaptability to various installation scenarios is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to various installation scenariosVSAvoidcomplexity in storage and production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor box system employs a universal bottom plate design with multiple attachment means that can be positioned at different locations. This single bottom plate can accommodate various cover assemblies at different heights and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized floor box types. The attachment means include adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the same floor box to adapt to different installation scenarios.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The floor box system is divided into separate modular components: a bottom plate, attachment means, and cover assemblies. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and stored, then assembled in different configurations as needed. The attachment means act as interchangeable connectors that link the bottom plate to various cover types, reducing the need to store complete pre-assembled units for every scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the cable opening is part of the fixed structure, then cable accessibility is improved, but the overall dimensions of the floor box system increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessibilityVSAvoidoverall dimensions of the floor box system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable opening is integrated into the hinged cover rather than being fixed in the bottom plate. When the cover is opened, the cable opening moves with it, providing continuous cable accessibility throughout the opening motion. This dynamic positioning allows the cable opening to remain accessible without requiring additional fixed space in the bottom plate structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable opening is nested within the hinged cover structure itself, utilizing the cover's movement to provide cable access. This nesting eliminates the need for a separate fixed cable opening in the bottom plate, thereby reducing the overall footprint of the floor box system while maintaining cable accessibility during cover operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If the floor box system is designed with fixed height, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different floor heights deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed height configurationVSAvoidadaptability to different floor heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment means are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing them to be mounted at different heights on the bottom plate. This dynamic adjustability enables the floor box system to adapt to various floor foundation heights while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances for each attachment position. The same bottom plate can serve multiple height configurations through repositioning the attachment means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in the height parameter by repositioning the attachment means to different locations on the bottom plate. Each attachment position corresponds to a specific height configuration, enabling the floor box to adapt to different installation scenarios without requiring multiple pre-manufactured variants. This parameter adjustment is achieved through the modular attachment design rather than manufacturing different fixed-height units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2924832B1Floor box system
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 VERGOKAN
  • EP2924832B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2924832B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2924832B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a floor box system for mounting on a floor foundation. A floor box is configured to be positioned on the floor foundation and a cover assembly is arranged to be provided on the floor box. The cover assembly is one of multiple types of cover assemblies. The system has attachment means for attaching a cover assembly to the floor box wherein the floor box comprises multiple positions for positioning the attachment means to the floor box. The floor box system has a cover structure. The cover structure has a cover frame and a hinged cover pivotally mounted in the cover frame. A first cable opening member is attached to the cover frame and a second cable opening member is attached to the hinged cover such that the first and second cable opening members form an opening for cables when said hinged cover is in the closed position.