Ventilation Wall Box Cover With Guide Carriage for Blind Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall box cover devices are difficult to install, require skilled personnel, and are costly due to complex designs and high manufacturing costs, making them inefficient and inaccessible for easy manipulation, especially in hard-to-reach areas.

Innovation Solution

A wall box with a guide bar and slide mechanism that allows the cover device to be easily installed by sliding along a guide rail, eliminating the need for manual alignment and ensuring precise positioning without visual contact, using simple sheet metal components that can be manufactured without expensive tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cover device held by a rod or manually is used, then the ventilation pipe can be covered to prevent rainwater penetration, but the device becomes difficult to manipulate and shift into desired position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverainwater preventionVSAvoidmanipulation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide bar is introduced as an intermediary component fixed to the ventilation pipe, which facilitates the positioning and manipulation of the cover device. The guide bar provides a reference structure that enables precise alignment and easier installation of the cover device without requiring complex manual handling or rod-based mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wall box is installed in hard-to-reach areas, then the ventilation function is achieved, but manipulation and installation become significantly more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation location flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bar serves as a mediator that simplifies installation operations even in hard-to-reach areas. By providing a fixed reference structure on the ventilation pipe, it enables workers to easily align and install the cover device without requiring complex manipulation, thus maintaining ease of operation despite the challenging installation location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the installer has no visual view of the covering device during installation, then the device can be installed in hard-to-reach areas, but numerous attempts are necessary before completion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote installation capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bar acts as a visual and physical intermediary that provides tactile and visual feedback during installation. The installer can feel and see the guide bar's position, which automatically guides the cover device into the correct position, eliminating the need for multiple trial attempts and reducing installation time even without direct visual access to the cover device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If known cover devices are designed in a complex manner, then they can provide adequate coverage and protection, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct simple components: the ventilation pipe, the guide bar, and the cover device. Each component can be manufactured independently using simple processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining effective coverage and protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide bar is introduced as a simple intermediary component that enables the cover device to achieve proper positioning and effective coverage without requiring complex integrated designs. This separate, simple guide structure reduces manufacturing costs compared to complex monolithic cover devices while ensuring adequate coverage effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3412981B1Wall sleeve with a cover and method of installation
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 ZURECON AG
  • EP3412981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3412981B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3412981B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The wall box comprises a ventilation pipe (2) that can be inserted into a wall opening (90) that runs from the inside to the outside of a wall (9), and a covering device (1) that can be slid outwards through the ventilation pipe (2) and can be positioned in front of the ventilation pipe (2). According to the invention, the ventilation pipe (2) has a guide strip (21). In addition, a guide carriage (3) is provided, which has a guide part (31) held slidably by the guide bar (21) and a holding part (32) which is connected to the covering device (1) by a joint element (72). A method for installing a wall box is also proposed.