Switchgear Cabinet Mounting Rail With Linear Clamping Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting elements for control cabinet housings suffer from shifting and limited tolerance accommodation due to the pivoting movement of clamping elements, complicating assembly and accommodating manufacturing tolerances.

Innovation Solution

A mounting element with a clamping element adjustable in the longitudinal direction via a drive mechanism, guided by a linear guide, allowing flexible adaptation to cabinet housing tolerances and preventing shifting during clamping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the clamping element pivots relative to the mounting rail according to the toggle lever principle, then the mounting element can be clamped in the control cabinet housing, but the mounting element shifts during clamping

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping reliabilityVSAvoidmounting element position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping element is made adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the mounting rail through a drive mechanism, allowing dynamic adaptation during clamping. This longitudinal adjustability compensates for manufacturing tolerances and prevents shifting by enabling the clamping element to move along the mounting rail's length rather than pivoting, thus maintaining position accuracy while achieving reliable clamping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping element pivots relative to the mounting rail, then the mounting element can accommodate the control cabinet housing, but it can only accommodate manufacturing tolerances to a very limited extent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance accommodationVSAvoiddistance between opposing contours
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism enables the clamping element to adjust longitudinally along the mounting rail, providing dynamic adaptability to manufacturing tolerances. This adjustment capability allows the mounting element to accommodate variations in the distance between opposing contours of the control cabinet housing while maintaining precise positioning, thereby significantly improving tolerance accommodation compared to the fixed pivot point in traditional toggle lever designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping element is adjustable in the longitudinal direction via a drive mechanism, then the mounting element can adapt to manufacturing tolerances, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelongitudinal adjustabilityVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism replaces the traditional toggle lever pivoting system with a linear adjustment system. This substitution eliminates the complex pivoting motion and associated tolerances while providing straightforward longitudinal adjustability. The drive mechanism can be implemented using simple threaded connections or linear guides, reducing overall device complexity compared to the pivoting mechanism while achieving the desired adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures process-reliable clamping within control cabinet housings, accommodating manufacturing tolerances without tilting or obstructing assembly, and enabling secure electrical contact through spring elements.

Implementation Method 1

The slide can have a spring constant or elasticity suitable for absorbing a clamping force. In one embodiment, the slide can have a rigid slide plate onto whose edge facing away from the mounting rail a spring element for absorbing the clamping force is mounted, the spring element having a suitable spring constant or elasticity for this purpose.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4184731B1Mounting element for the interior of a switchgear cabinet housing and a corresponding switchgear cabinet assembly
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4184731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4184731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4184731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting element (1) for the internal assembly of a control cabinet housing (100), wherein the mounting element (1) has a mounting rail (2) which has a clamping element (3) at a first of its opposite longitudinal ends (7) and a support element (4) at the second longitudinal end (8), characterized in that the clamping element (3) is adjustable in the longitudinal direction (x) of the mounting rail (2) with respect to the mounting rail (2) by means of a drive (5) acting between the mounting rail (2) and the clamping element (3). A corresponding arrangement is further described.