Removable Central Strut for Flameproof Housing Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional explosion-proof housings with multiple lids and integral struts are complex to manufacture, assemble, and use, and the integral strut can hinder access to the housing interior, making it difficult to install large electrical and electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

An explosion-proof housing design featuring a releasably mounted central strut that divides the housing opening into sections, allowing easy assembly and access, with separate lids that form flameproof gaps without direct fixation to the housing body, and an optional intermediate frame for precise gap formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an integral strut is firmly joined to the enclosure frame by welding and machined to form a flat gap surface, then flameproof protection is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and time-consuming to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflameproof protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The strut is separated from the enclosure frame into two independent components: a removable strut and a frame. This segmentation eliminates the need for welding and complex machining operations, allowing the strut to be simply inserted and positioned within the frame to achieve the same flameproof protection function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If an integral strut is firmly connected to the enclosure, then structural stability is improved, but access to the enclosure interior is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaccess to enclosure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The strut is designed to be removable and repositionable rather than permanently fixed. This dynamic design allows the strut to be taken out when access to the enclosure interior is needed, and reinstalled when flameproof protection is required, providing flexibility without compromising structural stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the circumferential enclosure gap surface and strut gap surface are machined together to a flat surface, then uniform gap dimensions are achieved, but multiple machining operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap uniformityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is pre-formed with a recess that defines the gap geometry, and the strut is pre-positioned within this recess during assembly. This preliminary preparation of the frame structure eliminates the need for multiple coordinated machining operations on both the frame and strut surfaces, achieving uniform gap dimensions through the pre-designed recess geometry rather than post-assembly machining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4264760B1Explosion proof housing with removable central beam
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 R STAHL SCHALTGERATE GMBH
  • EP4264760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4264760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4264760B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

An explosion-proof housing (1) according to the invention comprises: a housing body (2) which delimits an interior (3) and comprises a housing opening (9) that offers access to the interior (3); at least one central strut (14) which extends between portions of the housing body (2) and subdivides the housing opening (9) into at least two opening portions (9a, 9b), and at least two separate covers (32) which are designed and arranged, in the closed state, to each be secured to the housing body (2) and to the central strut (14) in such a way that, between the covers (32) and the housing body (2) as well as between the covers (32) and the central strut (14) invariably flameproof joints (41, 42, 52, 53) are formed. The central strut (14) is detachably mounted to the housing body (2) and, in the mounted state, is loosely mounted on the housing body (2) and movably supported such that the central strut is fixed directly to the housing body (2) without the use of fixing means. The central strut (14) can, as such, be removed individually from the housing body (2) relatively easily and quickly in order to create a barrier-free housing opening (9) of maximum size.