Modular Patchboard Honeycomb Assembly for Flexible Conductor Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marshalling honeycombs lack flexibility and adaptability to accommodate varying numbers and sizes of electrical conductors, requiring fixed configurations and multiple honeycomb blocks for different applications.

Innovation Solution

The marshalling honeycomb system features honeycomb building blocks with varying dimensions and locking elements on all side surfaces, allowing for flexible connection and adaptation to different conductor sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for a rigid mounting frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If fixed assembly frames with defined chambers are used to arrange honeycomb components, then structural stability and standardized configuration are improved, but flexibility and adaptability to different conductor configurations are worsened

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

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into individual honeycomb components that can be independently selected and combined. Each component has standardized connection elements but can vary in dimensions and conductor configuration, allowing flexible assembly without rigid fixed frames while maintaining structural stability through the modular segmented approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If all honeycomb components have the same dimensions and number of conductor introduction openings, then manufacturing simplicity and assembly standardization are improved, but adaptability to different conductor cross-sections and configurations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The honeycomb components are designed with universal connection elements (resting elements and resting grooves) that enable standardized assembly, while simultaneously allowing variation in dimensions and conductor introduction openings to accommodate different conductor configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.

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

3Quantity of substance

If a larger number of individual honeycomb blocks are used to increase conductor capacity, then the number of connectable conductors is improved, but device complexity and space requirements are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of conductorsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Honeycomb components can be arranged in nested or compact configurations where smaller components fit within or alongside larger ones, optimizing space utilization. This allows increasing conductor capacity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity or space requirements, as the modular nested arrangement efficiently packs more functionality into limited space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3281254B1Patchboard
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3281254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3281254B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3281254B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a patchboard having a plurality of honeycomb components (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2'"', 2"''), wherein the individual honeycomb components (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2'"', 2"'') each have a box-shaped housing (3) having two faces (4a, 4b) and four side surfaces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) which extend between the faces (4a, 4b) and wherein the two faces (4a, 4b) of the honeycomb components (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") each have at least one connection region (6, 6', 6"). According to the invention, the patchboard (1) according to the invention thus has increased flexibility and adaptability to the individual needs of a user, in that at least two side surfaces of the honeycomb components (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") each have at least one latching element for connecting to another honeycomb component (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2""), at least two honeycomb components (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") have different cross-sections, wherein the width and/or the height of a honeycomb component (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") having a larger cross-section is a multiple of the width and/or of the height of a honeycomb component (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") having a smaller cross-section, and the number of latching elements of a side surface having a greater width or greater height of a honeycomb component (2, 2', 2", 2'", 2"", 2"") having a larger cross-section is a corresponding multiple of the number of latching elements of a side surface having a smaller width or smaller height of a honeycomb component (2) having a smaller cross-section.