Residual Current Socket Multi-Part Housing Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing residual current protected sockets have complex designs that vary by country due to different legal regulations, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced internal space for components.

Innovation Solution

A compact residual current protected socket design with a multi-part housing where the front housing part serves as a socket support, eliminating the need for a plate-shaped support body, allowing for easier assembly and increased internal space for components without altering the external installation depth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a plate-shaped supporting body is used to hold modular units inside the socket housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the plate-shaped supporting body from the socket housing structure. Instead of using a separate supporting plate to hold modular units, the housing itself is designed with integrated mounting features and structured interiors that directly accommodate and secure the modular units (residual current circuit breaker, sockets, connection terminals) without requiring an additional supporting component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The functional support role previously separated into a distinct plate-shaped component is merged into the housing structure itself. The housing now performs both protective enclosure and structural support functions through its integrated design, eliminating the need for a separate supporting body while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a plate-shaped supporting body is used to hold modular units, then the modular units can be securely mounted, but the internal space available for components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinternal space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-shaped supporting body is completely removed from the design. The housing structure is redesigned to provide direct mounting surfaces and secure attachment points for modular units through integrated features such as recesses, clips, or threaded connections built into the housing walls and floor, eliminating the space consumed by the supporting plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the socket support is designed with multiple separate depressions for different components, then the component arrangement flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is designed with distinct, segmented zones or depressions for different component types (e.g., separate areas for the residual current circuit breaker, sockets, and connection terminals). These segmented regions are formed as integral parts of the housing structure through molding or machining operations, allowing flexible component arrangement while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized housing production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2725664B1Residual current protected socket
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2725664B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2725664B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2725664B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The socket has a multipart housing (10) for carrying an installation device and retaining an earth-leakage circuit breaker (50) and receptacles (30) for a power consumer and terminals (40) of a line. A portion of the housing forming a front surface (80) of the socket is formed as a socket carrier (11). The socket carrier has a structured assembly side (60) lying inside of the housing, where the earth-leakage circuit breaker and the receptacles are held in the assembly side.