Modular Mounting Platform for Utility Meters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical energy distribution devices require complex installations and replacements due to intricate screw connections, making extensions or additions, such as adding additional meters, cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A distributor device featuring at least two mounting rails connected by a mounting plate, with a contact plate and a counter plate that allows for easy attachment and detachment of meter components, enabling simpler assembly and extension of meter components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional screw connections are used to attach meter components to mounting frames, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation and replacement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate functional elements: mounting rails, mounting plate, contact plates, and counter plate. Each component can be independently attached and detached, allowing meter components to be installed or replaced by simply removing the mounting plate rather than undoing multiple screw connections throughout the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate is designed to be detachably connectable to the mounting rails, transforming the static fixed connection into a dynamic removable connection. This allows the system to switch between a secured state (when the mounting plate is attached) and an accessible state (when the mounting plate is removed), simplifying installation and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If traditional mounting frames with individual components are used, then meter components can be securely mounted, but replacement and extension efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidreplacement efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the mounting infrastructure (rails and plate) from the meter components. The mounting plate serves as a removable carrier that holds contact plates and counter plates, which in turn secure the meter components. This segmentation allows the mounting infrastructure to remain in place while only the lightweight mounting plate and its attachments need to be removed for component replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate, contact plates, and counter plates are pre-configured as an integrated attachment system. This preliminary arrangement of fastening elements allows meter components to be quickly secured or released by simply attaching or detaching the mounting plate, eliminating the need to individually manipulate multiple screws or fasteners during replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional mounting frames are used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability for extensions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidextension capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting rails and mounting plate form a universal mounting infrastructure that can accommodate different types of meter components and configurations. The standardized interface allows the same mounting structure to be used for various meter devices, contact arrangements, and counter types, enabling easy extensions and modifications without requiring custom mounting solutions for each component type.

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

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the mounting infrastructure from the specific meter components, the system allows flexible reconfiguration. Additional meter components can be added by simply adding more contact plates and counter plates to the existing mounting rails, or by replacing the mounting plate with another compatible one, without affecting the structural stability of the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1804065B1Mounting platform for utility meter
Publication Date: 2016.04.13 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP1804065B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1804065B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1804065B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Distribution device for transmitting and/or distributing electrical energy and/or electrical current with at least one metering component (2) and at least two mounting rails (1) on which the at least one metering component (2) is attached, wherein the two mounting rails (1) are connected in the area of ​​the at least one metering component by a mounting plate (3), on which mounting plate (3) at least one contact plate (4) is attached, on which the at least one metering component is attached.