Separate Connecting Element for Installation Housing Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing arrangements for connecting installation housings, such as wall boxes, are limited in their ability to accommodate various spatial conditions and directional connections, often requiring major modifications and being unsuitable for vertical connections.

Innovation Solution

A separate connecting element that can be arranged on the top or bottom of installation housings to form vertical or horizontal channels, allowing flexible connection in multiple directions without altering the housings significantly, using identical half-shell parts that can be easily assembled and locked together, with an adapter part for strain relief and compatibility with different housings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If installation housings are connected using only lateral projections as in prior art, then horizontal connections are possible, but vertical connections cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection directionVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting channel is divided into two separate components: the housing body and a separate connecting element. This segmentation allows the connecting element to be added without modifying the housing structure, enabling vertical connections while maintaining the original horizontal connection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A separate connecting element acts as an intermediary component between installation housings. This mediator provides the vertical connection capability without requiring modifications to the housing bodies themselves, thus maintaining structural simplicity while expanding connection versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If installation housings are modified to enable vertical connections, then multi-directional connectivity is achieved, but the housing structure requires major modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial configurationVSAvoidhousing production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the connection functionality into an independent connecting element, the housing production process remains unchanged. The connecting element can be manufactured separately and attached to enable vertical connections, avoiding the need to modify housing production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element serves multiple functions: it enables vertical connections, provides structural support, and maintains compatibility with existing horizontal connection systems. This multi-functionality achieves spatial flexibility without requiring different housing designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If separate connecting elements are used for vertical and horizontal channels, then precise spatial positioning is achieved, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel positioningVSAvoidnumber of elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The same connecting element design is used for both vertical and horizontal connecting channels. This universal element can be oriented in different directions to create channels in any spatial orientation, achieving precise positioning without requiring different component designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Identical connecting elements are used throughout the system for both vertical and horizontal connections. This homogeneity reduces the variety of components needed, simplifies inventory management, and maintains manufacturing precision across all connection types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentEP3499663B1Arrangement comprising installation housing
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3499663B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3499663B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3499663B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement comprising at least two installation housings (1a-c), each installation housing (1a-c) having a base body (2a-c) with an interior space, and wherein the base bodies (2a-c) and/or the interior spaces are connected to each other by at least one connecting channel (3, 4). The connecting channel (3, 4) is designed as an element (5) separate from the base bodies (2a-c) or is at least partially formed by a separate element (5).