One-Piece Fastening Device for Electrical Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical cabinet attachment systems complicate pre-wiring and wall fixation processes, often requiring cumbersome manipulation of the base and cover elements, leading to mechanical stress on electrical cords and poor ergonomics during installation.

Innovation Solution

A one-piece fastening device with symmetrical clipping and unlocking mechanisms allows for easy attachment and detachment from a removable rail, enabling independent wall fixation of the base element and facilitating pre-wiring without the need for complex cord connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base element and cover element are fixed together using fixing screws and O-ring compression, then the tightness and mechanical connection are ensured, but the complexity of assembly and disassembly increases, and access to modular protection devices requires complete removal of the cover element

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is divided into a first portion (base element interface) and a second portion (cover element interface), connected by a detachable mechanical connection. This segmentation allows the cover element to be accessed independently without complete disassembly, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tightness and reducing assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection between the first and second portions is designed to be dynamically adjustable - securely locked during operation to ensure tightness, but easily detachable when access is needed. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to transition between secure and accessible states, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the cover element is completely removed to access modular protection devices, then full access is achieved, but the mechanical connection and tightness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to devicesVSAvoidmechanical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is segmented into two portions that can be independently manipulated. The second portion remains connected to the cover element while the first portion interfaces with the base element, allowing access to modular protection devices while maintaining the mechanical connection through the hinge link.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge link acts as an intermediary mechanical connection between the first and second portions of the attachment device. It allows the cover element to be opened for access while maintaining a controlled mechanical link, preventing complete separation and preserving tightness through the O-ring compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If electrical cords are used to connect industrial sockets to modular protection devices, then electrical connections are established, but mechanical stress (traction, torsion) is applied to the cords

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidmechanical stress on cords
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge link provides a dynamic mechanical connection that moves with the cover element opening and closing. This dynamic movement absorbs mechanical stresses (traction, torsion) that would otherwise be transmitted to the electrical cords, protecting them from damage while maintaining reliable electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the base element is fixed to the wall with the cover element attached, then wall fixation is achieved, but the weight of the entire assembly must be handled, degrading ergonomics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewall fixationVSAvoidergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is segmented into two portions that can be independently manipulated during installation. The first portion can be fixed to the base element and mounted on the wall separately, while the second portion with the cover element is attached afterward. This segmentation allows wall fixation to be achieved without handling the entire heavy assembly, improving ergonomics during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution simplifies the pre-wiring process by allowing the base element to be fixed to the wall without the cover element, reducing mechanical stress on cords and improving ergonomics during installation, while maintaining secure connections between modular protection devices and industrial sockets.

Implementation Method 1

said unlocking means being elastically deformable to unclip the clipping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3220498B1One-piece fastening device for electrical cabinet
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP3220498B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3220498B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3220498B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a one-piece fastening device (400) for an electrical cabinet, characterized in that it comprises: - a first portion (420) and a second portion (440) substantially forming a first plane (P1), - the first portion (420) comprising first clipping means (482) and the second portion (440) comprising second clipping means (484), the first and second clipping means (482, 484) being symmetrical with respect to each other along a plane perpendicular to the first plane (P1), and - at least two unlocking means (460, 470), a first unlocking means (460) comprising the second clipping means (484) and a second unlocking means (470) comprising the first clipping means (482), said unlocking means (460, 470) being elastically deformable to unclip the clipping means (482, 484).and in that it further comprises at least one fastening means (410) arranged so as to be able to be fixed to a rail. The present invention also relates to an electrical box (10) employing at least two of these one-piece fastening devices (400), the latter facilitating wiring between industrial sockets (1000) included in the cover element (600) and modular protective devices (1200) arranged on a removable rail (200) integral with the one-piece fastening devices (400).