Pivoting Communication Support for Electrical Distribution Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for identifying and communicating information about electrical appliances in distribution cabinets are inadequate, as they either require removal of faceplates for maintenance or lack adaptability and space for information display, especially when device assignments change.

Innovation Solution

A communication support device with pivoting modules and a receptacle that can be adapted to include various communication means, allowing information display and exchange, and can be positioned to remain visible or hidden behind a faceplate, facilitating maintenance and modification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a label is written directly on the faceplate to identify devices, then identification is visible, but the labeling disappears when the faceplate is removed for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification informationVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is segmented into a separate removable label holder that can be detached from the faceplate. The label holder contains the identification label and can be independently removed or retained when the faceplate is taken off for maintenance, preventing loss of identification information while allowing faceplate removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate label holder structure is introduced between the faceplate and the identification label. This intermediary component allows the label to be preserved and accessed independently of the faceplate, serving as a mediator that maintains identification visibility while permitting maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a case with a label fixed directly to the row of devices is used, then identification is maintained, but the case must be removed to change devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification informationVSAvoiddevice replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is divided into separate modular components: a label holder, a mounting mechanism, and the faceplate. This segmentation allows the label holder to remain in place or be easily detached without requiring removal of the entire case or faceplate, enabling device replacement while preserving identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The label holder is designed with dynamic mounting capabilities, allowing it to be easily attached and detached from the faceplate or rail system. This dynamic design enables maintenance personnel to access devices for replacement without permanently fixing the identification system, facilitating ease of repair while maintaining identification continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If tracking system is placed directly on the devices, then space for information is reduced, but rewriting becomes difficult when assignment changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation assignment flexibilityVSAvoidrewriting difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The identification label is extracted from the device body and placed in a separate, removable label holder. This extraction allows the label to be independently replaced or rewritten without modifying the device itself, providing flexibility for assignment changes while simplifying the manufacturing and modification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The identification system uses removable labels with changeable parameters (text, barcodes, RFID tags) that can be easily updated without permanent attachment to the device. This allows flexible reassignment of devices to different functions or locations by simply changing the label content rather than rewriting on the device surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If communication means are integrated into the faceplate, then communication function is provided, but the faceplate must be removed for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication functionVSAvoidmaintenance access
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The communication means are segmented into a separate module that can be independently mounted on or near the faceplate without being permanently integrated into it. This allows the communication function to be maintained while enabling faceplate removal for maintenance, as the communication module can remain attached to the rail or cabinet structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2312696B1Communication support for electrical distribution cabinet
Publication Date: 2012.09.12 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP2312696B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2312696B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2312696B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The device has assembly modules (12), each having a bottom wall with an assembly unit adapted to an assembly rail (2) of a panel and a pivoting coupling unit. An intermediate part has branches (22) defining a direction secant to a direction defined by large sides of a receptacle (40). End part of each branch has another coupling unit pivoting complementary to the former unit. The intermediate part is secured to the modules by the coupling units pivoting between a position in which the receptacle and branches are parallel to the wall and another position orthogonal to the former position.