Wall-Mounted Electrical Housing Flush Fit Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting electrical switchgear to a vertical surface, such as a wall, are cumbersome as they require opening the housing and screwing screws through the back, and do not allow for a flush fit without a backplate.

Innovation Solution

A housing design with a recessed retaining member that allows for mounting with or without a backplate, where the retaining member is coplanar with the mounting surface, enabling a flush fit and accommodating unevenness, and includes screw bosses with blind screw holes for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a backplate is used for mounting the housing to a wall, then the mounting process is eased and the housing can be securely attached, but the housing cannot achieve a flush fit against the wall due to the retaining member projecting beyond the mounting surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting processVSAvoidflush fit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member is extracted from the protruding position and repositioned within a recess in the housing back, allowing it to be substantially coplanar with the mounting surface. This extraction from its traditional protruding location resolves the conflict between ease of mounting and achieving a flush fit, as the retaining member no longer prevents the housing from sitting flush against the wall while still providing secure attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the retaining member is recessed in the housing to allow flush fit, then the housing can be mounted with or without a backplate, but the retaining member may not provide sufficient engagement with the wall when used without a backplate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidengagement strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is pre-formed in the housing back during manufacturing, creating a prepared receptacle for the retaining member that is substantially coplanar with the mounting surface. This preliminary preparation ensures that whether a backplate is used or not, the retaining member is optimally positioned to provide both flush fit capability and sufficient engagement strength, resolving the contradiction between versatility and mounting strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the retaining member projects beyond the mounting surface, then the retaining member can easily engage the backplate, but the housing cannot achieve a flush fit against the wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackplate engagementVSAvoidflush fit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member is moved from a protruding position (extending beyond the mounting surface in the outward direction) to a recessed position (within the housing back, substantially coplanar with the mounting surface). This dimensional repositioning allows the housing to achieve a flush fit while still providing adequate engagement with the backplate through the recessed configuration, resolving the contradiction between ease of engagement and flush fit appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3207606B1Wall-mounted electrical housing
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 ASPEN PUMPS LIMITED
  • EP3207606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3207606B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A housing for electrical switchgear is configured for mounting to a wall and comprises a housing body (1) defining a rear mounting surface (4) and retaining members (6) configured for engaging a backplate (2) mounted to a wall, in order to mount the housing body (1) on the wall. The retaining members 6 are provided in a recess defined in the housing body (1), such that a rearmost surface of the retaining members (6) extends rearwardly substantially no further than a plane defined by the rear mounting surface (4).The housing (1) has the advantage that it can fit flush against the wall even when a backplate (2) is provided.