Switching Assembly Modular Attachment Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit arrangements require the entire housing to be opened for disassembly when combining with attachment devices, such as glass fiber cables, due to the need to loosen and lengthen fastening screws, which is inefficient and prone to damage.

Innovation Solution

A modular attachment device with a lower and upper part, where the lower part is screwed to the upper part, and features resilient latching elements that securely latch into the housing cover, allowing the upper part to be easily detached and removed without opening the housing, using shorter fastening screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the attachment device is integrated into the housing using the same fastening screws as the housing cover, then the attachment device can be securely fixed, but the entire housing must be opened for disassembly which complicates the disassembly process and increases the risk of damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDisassembly easeVSAvoidFastening system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is divided into two separate parts: a lower part that attaches to the housing cover, and an upper part that contains the electronic circuit board. This segmentation allows the lower part to be detached independently from the housing cover without requiring disassembly of the entire housing, thereby improving disassembly ease while maintaining secure fixation during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower part of the attachment device is extracted as a separate detachable component from the upper part. This extracted lower part contains the fastening interface with the housing cover, allowing it to be removed independently when disassembly is needed, while the upper part with sensitive electronics remains protected inside the housing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Strength

If fastening screws are used to secure the attachment device to the housing cover, then secure fixation is achieved, but the screws must be lengthened to accommodate the attachment device, increasing the risk of stripping threads and complicating reassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFixation strengthVSAvoidThread reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is segmented into a lower part that interfaces with the housing cover and an upper part that contains the electronics. This segmentation allows the use of short fastening screws only in the lower part, maintaining adequate fixation strength while avoiding the need to lengthen screws that would risk thread stripping in the housing cover

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is localized to the lower part of the attachment device, which is specifically designed to receive and secure the fastening screws from the housing cover. This local quality ensures that the screws engage only with the lower part's threaded holes, providing reliable fixation without compromising the housing cover's thread integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the attachment device is permanently fixed to the housing cover, then secure connection is maintained, but the device lacks flexibility for reconfiguration and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveConnection stabilityVSAvoidReconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device implements a dynamic fastening system where the lower part can be detached from and reattached to the housing cover. During normal operation, the connection remains stable and secure. When reconfiguration or maintenance is needed, the lower part can be easily removed and reattached in different positions or configurations, providing both stability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the attachment device into a detachable lower part and a fixed upper part, the design enables flexible reconfiguration. The lower part can be removed and reattached to different locations on the housing cover or to different attachment devices, while the upper part with electronics remains stable and protected

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

Enables easy disassembly of the attachment device from the housing cover without opening the housing, providing protection against shock, vibration, dust, and accidental contact, while maintaining secure connections for electronic and optical signal conversion.

Implementation Method 1

resilient latching elements protrude, which can be latched into associated latching holes formed in the housing cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the upper part of the attachment device is designed with locking elements assigned to the latching elements of the lower part, which protrude into the latching holes of the housing cover and the latching elements set immobile in the locking holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical constraint: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

the at least one electronic circuit board of the add-on device expediently has a connection device for at least one glass fiber cable and a circuit device for converting optical light signals into electrical signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2493276B1Switching assembly
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 SEMIKRON DANFOSS ELEKTRONIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2493276B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2493276B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2493276B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A circuit arrangement (10) comprising at least one power semiconductor module (12) and a driver unit (16) is described. The driver unit (16) includes a driver circuit board (20) within a housing (18). The housing (18) comprises a housing frame (22) and a housing cover (24). A mounting device (38) is provided on the housing cover (24), comprising a lower part (40) and an upper part (42) screwed to the lower part (40). The lower part (40) includes an electronic circuit board (50) and a base frame (58). Spring-loaded locking elements (60) extend from the lower part (40) and can be engaged in corresponding locking holes (62) formed in the housing cover (24). The upper part (42) is formed with locking elements (64) associated with the locking elements (60) of the lower part (40), which protrude into the locking holes (62) of the housing cover (24) and fix the locking elements (60) laterally immovably in the locking holes (62).