Translatable Wall-Mounted Switchgear With Pull-Out Plug Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical installations require multiple cables for connecting devices to the network, making the connection process cumbersome and prone to cable entanglement or snagging.

Innovation Solution

An electrical installation with a mounting element that allows a power strip to move translationally, featuring a retaining mechanism for electrical plugs that can be pulled out for easy access, reducing the need for separate network and telephone cables by integrating these plugs directly into the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple cables (power supply cable and network cable) are used to connect electrical devices to the network, then the connection functionality is complete, but the connection process becomes cumbersome and cables may become entangled or snagged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection processVSAvoidcable management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power supply cable and network cable into a single integrated cable assembly. The power strip housing contains both electrical sockets and network sockets, with corresponding power and network cables bundled together, eliminating the need for separate cable connections and simplifying the connection process while reducing cable entanglement risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power strip unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power outlets and network connectivity through integrated sockets. This multi-functional design allows users to connect both power and network cables through a single mounting element, reducing overall system complexity

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

2Ease of operation

If electrical plugs are integrated into the power strip mounted on the wall, then user accessibility to network and telephone plugs is enhanced, but the mounting element becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplug accessibilityVSAvoidmounting element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power strip is designed with translational mobility along the mounting element. The power strip can slide forward and backward on the mounting element, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position. This enables users to easily access the integrated electrical and network plugs by sliding the power strip forward, while maintaining a relatively simple mounting element structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the power strip is made movable in translation on the mounting element, then cable stress and entanglement risks are reduced, but the mounting system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable integrityVSAvoidmounting system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting element incorporates a guide structure that allows the power strip to move translationally along it. This dynamic positioning capability enables the power strip to be adjusted to reduce tension on cables during installation and use, minimizing cable stress and entanglement risks while maintaining a relatively simple guide-based mounting system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2456031B1Electric facility including switchgear translatably mounted in an opening made in a wall
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP2456031B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2456031B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2456031B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The installation (1) has a mounting element (50) comprising a retaining unit of an electric plug (70) provided at an end of removable cable. The unit is arranged for retaining the plug when electrical equipment (10) e.g. portable computer, is in retracted position and allowing the plug to be accessible when the equipment is in extended position so that the plug is grasped by user and drawn away from the equipment. The equipment has an extraction unit (20) of the plug for attaching the plug carried by the retaining unit and moving the equipment from retracted position to the extended position.