Switchgear Mounting Plate With Elastic Return for Quiet Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical equipment supports are difficult to mount on receiving elements due to the need for precise alignment of fixing screws and generate noise during handling, leading to a lower-quality appearance.

Innovation Solution

An electrical equipment support with elastic return mechanisms that hold plates in a rest position until mounted, allowing for quiet handling and easy alignment with the receiving element, featuring snap-fit mounting and elastic return systems to facilitate secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the plates are made mobile to facilitate alignment during mounting, then the ease of operation is improved, but noise is generated during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wafer is designed to be mobile during handling to facilitate alignment, but the elastic return means provide a restoring force that returns the wafer to its initial position after mounting, creating a dynamic system that adapts to operational needs while controlling noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic return means convert the potentially harmful noise from mobile plates into a beneficial automatic positioning feature, where the elastic force returns the wafer to its initial position, transforming the noise-generating movement into a self-correcting positioning mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Manufacturing precision

If the plates are made captive and mobile to maintain fixed position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but noise is generated during handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static captive plate to a dynamic mobile plate with elastic return, allowing the plate to move freely during handling for easy alignment while automatically returning to a precise fixed position after mounting, eliminating noise while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple through openings are aligned simultaneously for mounting, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidmounting difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting process is segmented into independent steps: first aligning the body with the receiving element, then separately positioning each wafer using the elastic return means to maintain precise alignment, breaking down the complex simultaneous alignment into manageable individual actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The support reduces noise during handling and simplifies mounting by allowing plates to move under force, ensuring precise alignment and secure fixation to the receiving element, enhancing ease of installation and quality appearance.

Implementation Method 1

the support (100) comprises means elastic return (160) intervening between each wafer (150) and said body (110) to return each wafer (150) to a predetermined rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3503323B1Electrical switchgear mounting receiving a sliding plate
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP3503323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3503323B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3503323B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical equipment support (100) comprising a body (110) equipped with sliding means (130) and a movable plate (150) received by said sliding means, having a through opening (120) for attaching said electrical equipment support to a receiving element. According to the invention, the body includes a housing (140) receiving said movable plate, in which are provided said sliding means allowing the plate mounted inside the housing to slide, and said electrical equipment support further includes elastic return means (160) acting between the plate and the body to return said plate to a predetermined rest position. The invention also relates to electrical equipment comprising such an electrical equipment support and an electrical equipment mechanism mounted on said electrical equipment support.