Under-floor Device Socket Hinge with Removable Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underfloor device boxes for electrical installations lack easy accessibility and secure cover management, leading to difficulties during installation, maintenance, and the risk of uncontrolled cover closure.
Innovation Solution
A design featuring a hinge with two spaced, parallel pivot axes and a hinge member that can be displaced between engaged and release positions, allowing the cover to be completely removed for easy access and secure handling, utilizing identical components for simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and incorporating compression springs and guide pins for stability and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cover is hinged to the housing, then the cover remains securely attached and prevents uncontrolled closure, but the cover cannot be completely removed for easy accessibility during installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member is divided into two separable components: a first component attached to the housing and a second component attached to the cover. These components can be disassembled from each other, allowing the cover to be completely removed when needed while maintaining attachment during normal operation. This segmentation enables the hinge to function both as a secure connector and as a removable linkage.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge transition from a static, permanently attached connection to a dynamic,可拆卸 connection. The hinge member can be in an engaged state (providing secure attachment) or a disengaged state (allowing complete cover removal). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its connectivity based on operational needs.
2Reliability
If the hinge uses spring-loaded pivot pins for secure engagement, then the cover remains reliably attached, but the hinge mechanism becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member incorporates spring-loaded pivot pins that automatically engage with corresponding openings in the housing and cover components. The springs provide automatic biasing force that ensures reliable engagement without requiring additional manual intervention or complex assembly procedures. This self-service mechanism maintains reliability while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If the hinge member is made detachable for easy cover removal, then accessibility is improved, but the risk of uncontrolled cover closure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge member includes a latch mechanism that proactively prevents uncontrolled cover closure. When the cover is removed and later reattached, the latch ensures proper alignment and secure engagement before the cover can close. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the potential harmful effect of uncontrolled closure that would otherwise result from the detachable hinge design.
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
Facilitates easy and secure removal of the cover for complete accessibility during installation and maintenance, preventing uncontrolled closure and ensuring safe use, while maintaining a cost-effective and structurally robust design.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot pin being spring-loaded biased to its outer position
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The underfloor mounting container (10) comprises a housing (12), a cover (14) connected through a hinge (24) defining a pivot axis, a hinge pin, and a bearing. The pivot pin is connected to the bearing bracket in parallel to the pivot axis, such that the pivot pin is displaceable between an engagement position and a release position with respect to the bearing. The relatively displaceable components (26,28) of the hinge are formed identical to each other and are provided with the pivot pins or bearing.