Modular Housing With Intermediary Functional Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing housing systems for electrical or electronic functional modules lack flexibility and adaptability, making it difficult to accommodate various functions and environments, particularly in industrial installations where modular and versatile designs are required.

Innovation Solution

A modular housing system comprising identical housing elements connected via connecting sections and intermediate elements with functional devices, allowing for additional functions such as mounting, fastening, and strain relief, enabling flexible assembly and adaptation to specific uses without requiring additional assembly steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a housing system uses fixed connecting sections for assembling housing elements, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different functions and environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different functions

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediate elements as mediators between the fixed connecting sections and the functional requirements. These intermediate elements can be selectively inserted into the connecting sections to provide different functions (mounting, fastening, strain relief) while the underlying housing element structure remains stable and unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing system is segmented into three distinct components: housing elements (providing structural stability), connecting sections (providing connection functionality), and intermediate elements (providing additional functions). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing elements maintain structural integrity while the interchangeable intermediate elements provide adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional functional devices are integrated into the housing elements themselves, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of housing functionsVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting sections are designed with universal functionality to accommodate multiple types of intermediate elements. The same connecting section structure can host different intermediate elements (mounting devices, fastening devices, strain relief devices) depending on the application requirements, making the connecting section a multi-functional component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of integrating functional devices directly into the housing elements, the patent uses intermediate elements as mediators that bridge the gap between the structural housing elements and the desired functional outcomes. This keeps the housing element design simple while still achieving versatility through the selectable intermediate elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a housing system is designed for specific industrial applications, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication-specific functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing elements and connecting sections are designed as universal components that can be used across multiple applications. The same basic housing element and connecting section designs serve different industrial applications by simply changing the intermediate elements, avoiding the need to manufacture entirely different housing systems for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing entirely different housing systems for different applications, the patent applies local quality changes through intermediate elements that provide application-specific functions only where needed. The core housing structure remains standardized for cost-effective manufacturing, while local functional requirements are met through selective intermediate element insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11419227B2Housing for receiving an electrical or electronic functional assembly

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A housing for receiving an electrical or electronic functional module includes: a first housing element having a first surface section and at least one first connecting section arranged on the first surface section; a second housing element having a second surface section and at least one second connecting section arranged on the second surface section, the first housing element and the second housing element being connectable to each other via the at least one first connecting section and the at least one second connecting section; and an intermediate element arrangeable between the at least one first connecting section and the at least one second connecting section in order to connect the first housing element and the second housing element, the intermediate element having at least one functional device for providing an additional function independent of the connection of the at least one first connecting section.