Relay Housing With Mounting Flange for Tool-Free Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing relays require multiple accessories and specialized tools for mounting and electrical connection, making them complex, costly, and difficult to handle safely and efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A relay design featuring a base assembly, a relay mechanics module, and a housing element with a flange for secure attachment to a support, eliminating the need for additional accessories and incorporating screw terminals for easy electrical connectivity without specialized tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional relay mounting methods using separate brackets and covers are used, then the relay can be mounted to a support, but the device complexity increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling and mountingVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mounting bracket and cover into a single integrated housing element. This housing element includes a flange for mounting to a support and a body that covers the relay mechanics, eliminating the need for separate bracket and cover components. The integration reduces the total number of parts and simplifies handling during installation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If specialized crimping tools and termination sockets are used for electrical connection, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but the ease of operation decreases and specialized tools are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidspecialized tools required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates terminal elements directly into the base assembly that can accept standard wire connections without requiring specialized crimping tools. The terminal elements are designed to provide reliable electrical contact through simple screw or push-in connections, allowing end users to perform electrical connections themselves without needing specialized termination sockets or crimping equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used for relay assembly, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall reliability and safety decrease due to more connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety and protectionVSAvoidnumber of connection points
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the housing element to encompass the relay mechanics module, reducing the number of external connection points and interfaces. By combining the mounting function and covering function into a single integrated component, the patent minimizes the number of assembly points where failures could occur, thereby improving overall reliability and safety while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4443465A1relay
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP4443465A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4443465A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4443465A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a relay that comprises a base assembly (2), a relay mechanics module (4) supported by the base assembly, and a housing element (6) that houses the relay mechanics module and that is connected to the base assembly. The housing element comprises a flange (62) configured for attaching the relay to a support. The relay can be mounted via the housing element in a rack or another support. In this way, facilitated handling is enabled.