Switchgear Frame Profile with Composite Hollow Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing frame profiles for switch cabinets lack efficient material savings while maintaining rigidity and load-bearing capacity, particularly for suspension chassis, and do not offer versatile functionality for cable protection and assembly options.

Innovation Solution

A frame profile with a continuous hollow chamber, where the outer part profile is made of a material more resistant to corrosion and has greater strength than the inner part profile, which is folded to form profile attachments with perforations, allowing for various fillings like foam for damping or cable routing, and enabling assembly from both sides with adjustable properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a complex profile structure is used to maintain rigidity and load-bearing capacity, then structural strength is improved, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity and load-bearing capacityVSAvoidmaterial consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The frame profile combines an outer profile (first material) and an inner profile (second material) to form a composite structure. The outer profile provides corrosion resistance while the inner profile provides structural strength, achieving both durability and load-bearing capacity with optimized material usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the frame profile have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The outer profile uses corrosion-resistant material for environmental protection, while the inner profile uses high-strength material for structural support, optimizing material distribution according to local requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If the inner profile material thickness is reduced to save material, then material consumption decreases, but the thickness available for attachments is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial thicknessVSAvoidattachment feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The inner profile is folded to form profile attachments that extend from the hollow chamber. This folding creates additional dimensional space and surface area for attachments, providing sufficient effective thickness for self-tapping screws and other fasteners while using less base material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner profile is segmented into different functional zones: the main wall sections provide structural integrity with reduced thickness, while the folded profile attachments provide extended surfaces for secure mounting of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If a solid profile structure is used to maintain strength, then structural integrity is improved, but versatility for cable routing and damping is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcable protection and damping functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow chamber provides void space that can be filled with foam materials (open-pored or closed-pored) to provide damping properties and cable protection, while the outer and inner profiles maintain structural integrity. The hollow structure allows for versatile functionality without compromising strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

4Reliability

If the outer profile material is made more corrosion-resistant to improve durability, then corrosion resistance is improved, but material cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer profile specifically uses corrosion-resistant material to protect against environmental degradation, while the inner profile uses cost-effective high-strength material for structural support. This localized material selection optimizes both durability and cost efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3103169B1Frame profile for an electrical cabinet frame
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3103169B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3103169B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3103169B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a frame section for a framework of a switchgear cabinet, consisting of: an outer partial profile (20), which is made of a first material, the outer partial profile (20) forming at least one first wall (22) of the frame profile (10), which partially delimits a hollow chamber (40); and an inner partial profile (30), which is made of a second material and which is different from the first material with regard to at least one property, the inner partial profile (30) forming at least one further wall (32, 34, 36) of the hollow chamber (40).