Modular Industrial Remote Control Housing Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote control devices for industrial applications, such as cranes, require individual production measures due to varied technical configurations and lack of modularity, making them costly and inflexible for customization and protection of control elements.

Innovation Solution

A modular design using standard profile components and adjustable holding elements with recesses and rods allows for customizable configurations, enhancing mechanical stability and ease of adaptation with additional functionality, protecting control elements and allowing for 'off-the-shelf' individualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual production measures are used for each technical configuration, then customization and protection of control elements are achieved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into modular components (wall part, end parts, cover) that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows different technical configurations to be achieved by combining standard modules rather than producing entirely custom housings, thus maintaining customization while reducing production complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wall part and end parts are designed as universal components with standardized connection interfaces that can serve multiple configurations. The same basic modules can be used across different technical configurations, enabling mass production of standard components while still allowing customization through selective assembly.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If standard profile components are used, then manufacturing costs and production simplicity are reduced, but mechanical stability and structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple standard profile components are merged through the retaining element connection system to create a unified structural assembly. The combination of wall part, end parts, and cover working together provides enhanced mechanical stability that compensates for the individual simplicity of each standard component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining elements are designed with predetermined connection geometries (recesses, protrusions, threading) that ensure proper alignment and load distribution before assembly. This preliminary design of connection interfaces guarantees mechanical stability is achieved through correct assembly of standard components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If control elements are exposed for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but protection from external influences and damage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidprotection from external influences
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control elements are nested within the housing structure formed by the wall part, end parts, and cover. This nesting provides protection from external influences while maintaining accessibility through strategically positioned openings and access points in the housing that allow operators to reach controls without exposing them to the environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2092814B1Control device, particularly remote control for industrial appliances
Publication Date: 2013.12.18 HAUG THOMAS
  • EP2092814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2092814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2092814B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a control device, particularly a remote control for industrial appliances, comprising a housing for accommodating the control electronics and at least one control element. The housing (10) is formed by a wall part (11) and holding elements (13, 14) which close the two faces of the wall part (11) and can be interconnected by means of bars (17, 18, 19). Preferably, the holding elements are molded plastic parts while the wall part (11) and/or the bars (17, 18, 19) are profiled metal parts. The housing can thus be assembled from simple components, i.e. a wall part and holding elements that close the faces, as basic modules which can be expanded in many different ways, allowing an individually configured control device to be designed like a module or kit. Various requirement levels regarding mechanical stability, durability, service life, production costs, etc. can be met by adequately selecting the materials.