controller

Abstract

This application relates to a controller comprising a mounting backplate and a controller body detachably mounted on the mounting backplate. The controller body has circuit components housed within a cavity defined by the controller body. The mounting backplate has terminals with wire harness connection portions and insertion holes. The controller body has a battery compartment and a terminal receiving compartment on the side facing the mounting backplate. A battery for powering the controller can be installed in the battery compartment, and pins are provided in the terminal receiving compartment. When the controller body is mounted on the mounting backplate, the pins of the controller body can be inserted into the insertion holes of the terminals, thereby electrically connecting the wire harness, which is conductively connected to the wire harness connection portion, to the circuit components. This prevents interference with the wire harness during battery replacement and avoids exposing the circuit components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a controller, and more particularly to a controller for controlling household appliances. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, independent controllers are often used to control home appliances such as smart light switches, air conditioners, and electric heating systems. Some controllers are battery-powered and mounted on walls or other installation locations. After a period of use, the batteries need to be replaced. Current solutions mostly involve removing the controller from the wall or other installation location to replace the batteries. However, these controllers are typically also electrically connected to the home appliances they control via wiring harnesses. Therefore, the length of the wiring harness can affect operation when removing the controller from the wall or other installation location. If the wiring harness is too short, it will be difficult to replace the battery, and the harness may even detach from the controller, requiring rewiring. Furthermore, there is a risk of accidental contact with the wiring harness by the operator, and if high voltage is present, it poses a safety hazard. Some controllers even require opening the casing to replace the battery, which can expose circuit boards and other electrical components inside the controller, potentially damaging the product. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this application is to solve or at least alleviate some of the problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] A first aspect of this application is to provide a controller comprising: a mounting backplate; and a controller body detachably mounted on the mounting backplate, wherein the controller body has circuit components mounted in an inner cavity defined by the controller body, characterized in that the mounting backplate has terminals having wire harness connection portions and insertion holes, the controller body having a battery compartment and a terminal receiving compartment on a side facing the mounting backplate, wherein a battery for powering the controller can be installed in the battery compartment, and a pin is provided in the terminal receiving compartment, wherein, when the controller body is mounted on the mounting backplate, the pin of the controller body can be inserted into the insertion hole of the terminal, thereby electrically connecting the wire harness conductively connected to the wire harness connection portion to the circuit components.

[0005] Since the wiring terminals are no longer mounted on the controller body but on a separate mounting backplate, when the controller body is removed from the mounting backplate, the pins of the controller body are simultaneously pulled out of the wiring terminal sockets. This disconnects the conductive connection between the controller body and the wiring harness, eliminating the presence of high voltage on the controller body and preventing electric shock to the operator when replacing the battery. Furthermore, since the wiring harness is no longer connected to the controller body, its length does not affect battery replacement, and it is unlikely to detach during controller body removal, thus avoiding the need for rewiring. Because the battery compartment is located on the side of the controller body facing the mounting backplate rather than within the cavity defined by the controller body, it is not necessary to open the controller body casing when replacing the battery, preventing the circuit boards and other internal components from being exposed.

[0006] Optionally, the wiring terminal is installed on the side of the mounting backplate facing the controller body, such that the wiring harness connection portion and the plug hole of the wiring terminal are both located on the side of the mounting backplate facing the controller body.

[0007] Optionally, the terminal block is equipped with a protective cover that covers the wire harness connection portion of the terminal block.

[0008] Therefore, after the conductive connection between the wiring harness and the terminal block is completed, the protective cover can be used to cover the wiring harness connection and the wiring harness together. In this state, even if the controller body is removed from the mounting backplate, the operator cannot access the wiring harness connection and the exposed wiring portion of the wiring harness, thereby further improving safety.

[0009] Optionally, the mounting backplate has a wire hole through which the wire harness can pass from the side of the mounting backplate away from the controller body through the wire hole to the side of the mounting backplate facing the controller body, thereby making a conductive connection with the wire harness connection portion of the terminal block, wherein the protective cover covers the wire hole.

[0010] Therefore, with the protective cover installed, the wiring harness and the wire hole can be well hidden, making the mounting backplate not only more aesthetically pleasing, but also eliminating the possibility of the operator coming into contact with the wiring harness.

[0011] Optionally, the shape of the protective cover is adapted to the shape of the terminal receiving compartment, so that during the process of installing the controller body onto the mounting backplate, the protective cover acts as a mounting guide, allowing the pins of the controller body to be aligned and inserted into the plug holes of the wiring terminals.

[0012] Because both the pins and the sockets are very small, it is difficult to align the pins with the sockets when mounting the controller body onto the mounting backplate. By configuring the shape of the protective cover to fit the shape of the terminal receiving compartment, the protective cover also functions as a mounting guide when installing the controller body. Therefore, when the protective cover is inserted into the terminal receiving compartment, the cooperation between the protective cover and the terminal receiving compartment allows the pins of the controller body to automatically align with the sockets of the wiring terminals, thereby simplifying the installation of the controller body. Furthermore, inserting the pins of the controller body into the sockets of the wiring terminals not only achieves a conductive connection between the wire harness connected to the wiring harness connection portion and the circuit components inside the controller body, but also secures the controller body to the mounting backplate. Therefore, even without additional securing measures, the controller body can be reliably mounted on the mounting backplate.

[0013] Optionally, the mounting backplate has a terminal mounting portion, and the wiring terminal is mounted on the terminal mounting portion, wherein one of the wiring terminal and the terminal mounting portion has a first snap and the other of the wiring terminal and the terminal mounting portion has a first snap hole, so that the wiring terminal can be detachably mounted to the terminal mounting portion.

[0014] Alternatively, the terminal block can be fixed to the terminal mounting portion with adhesive. This eliminates the need for additional first clips and first locking holes for the terminal block and terminal mounting portion, thus simplifying the structure of the mounting backplate and the terminal block.

[0015] Optionally, the mounting backplate has terminal mounting holes, and the wiring terminals are mounted on the mounting backplate through the terminal mounting holes, such that the wire harness connection portion of the wiring terminals is located on the side of the mounting backplate facing away from the controller body, while the insertion hole of the wiring terminals is located on the side of the mounting backplate facing the controller body.

[0016] Therefore, the wiring harness is electrically connected to the wiring harness connection portion of the terminal block before the mounting backplate is installed. Then, the mounting backplate is installed, for example, on a wall or other mounting location. In this case, the mounting backplate completely covers the wiring harness connection portion of the terminal block along with the wiring harness. Therefore, even without the protective cover, the operator cannot access the wiring harness connection portion of the terminal block or the wiring harness. This further simplifies the structure of the controller and reduces its cost.

[0017] Optionally, the pins and the connector holes are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mounting backplate. In this case, the controller body can be mounted onto the mounting backplate by moving it perpendicular to the plane of the mounting backplate.

[0018] Alternatively, the pins and the insertion holes are oriented parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate. In this case, the controller body can be mounted onto the mounting backplate by moving it parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate.

[0019] Optionally, in the installed state, the pins are oriented vertically downwards parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate. This reduces the lateral shear force on the pins, and even without additional securing measures, the controller body can be reliably fixed to the mounting backplate, reliably preventing it from detaching.

[0020] Optionally, one of the controller body and the mounting backplate has a second snap-fit, and the other has a second locking hole, allowing the controller body to be detachably mounted on the mounting backplate. By providing additional second snap-fits and second locking holes to the controller body and the mounting backplate, the lateral shear force borne by the pin can be reduced, while the controller body can be more reliably fixed to the mounting backplate, preventing the controller body from detaching from the mounting backplate. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. The accompanying drawings show: Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a controller according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the mounting backplate of a controller according to one embodiment of this application with the wiring terminals removed; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a mounting backplate with terminals installed on a controller according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a mounting backplate for a controller connected to a wiring harness according to one embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a mounting backplate with a protective cover installed on a controller according to one embodiment of this application; and Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the controller body of a controller according to one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of a controller 10 according to one embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 1 As can be seen, the controller 10 includes a mounting backplate 20 and a controller body 40, the controller body 40 being detachably mounted on the mounting backplate 20. The controller body 40 has a control panel 41 located on a side facing away from the mounting backplate 20 and circuit components (not visible in the figure) mounted within a cavity defined by the controller body 40. The control panel 41 is used, for example, to control or operate corresponding household appliances. Therefore, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the control panel 41 has a display screen 42 and a control knob 43. However, this is merely exemplary. In some embodiments, the control panel 41 may only have a display screen 42, which may be, for example, a touchscreen, allowing the operator to perform control by operating the touchscreen. In some embodiments, the control panel 41 may only have a control knob 43, which may be used, for example, to adjust the brightness of a light or the volume of a player. In some embodiments, the control panel 41 may have control buttons in place of or as a supplement to the control knob 43. In some embodiments, the control panel 41 may have not only the display screen 42 and the control knob 43, but may also have the control buttons. However, the operating elements of the control panel 41 are not limited to the display screen 42, the control knob 43, and / or the control buttons, but may be formed by any other known operating elements in the prior art.

[0023] Figure 2 A perspective view of the mounting backplate 20 of a controller 10 according to one embodiment of this application, with the wiring terminals 30 removed, is shown. Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates that the terminal block 30 has a wire harness connection portion 31 and a plug hole 32. Here, the wire harness 25, used for conductive connection with a controlled object such as a household appliance, can be conductively connected to the wire harness connection portion 31, while the plug hole 32 allows the insertion of a pin 48 of the controller body 40. Figure 2 Not shown in the text, but will be combined in the following text. Figure 6 (To be described in detail). Accordingly, the mounting backplate 20 has a terminal mounting portion 23, at which the wiring terminal 30 can be mounted. Therefore, in Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal block 30 has a first snap-fit ​​33 and the terminal mounting portion 23 has a first snap-fit ​​hole 27. By snapping the first snap-fit ​​33 of the terminal block 30 into the first snap-fit ​​hole 27 of the terminal mounting portion 23, the terminal block 30 can be detachably mounted to the terminal mounting portion 23. However, in some embodiments not shown, the positions of the first snap-fit ​​33 and the first snap-fit ​​hole 27 can be interchanged. That is, the terminal block 30 can have the first snap-fit ​​hole 27, while the terminal mounting portion 23 has the first snap-fit ​​33. In this way, the terminal block 30 can also be detachably mounted to the terminal mounting portion 23. In some embodiments, instead of the first snap-fit ​​33 and the first snap-fit ​​hole 27, the terminal block 30 can be fixed to the terminal mounting portion 23 with an adhesive. This eliminates the need for additional first snap-fit ​​33 and first snap-fit ​​hole 27 for the terminal block 30 and the terminal mounting portion 23, thereby simplifying the structure of the mounting backplate 20 and the terminal block 30. Figures 2 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal block 30 is mounted on the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40, such that the wire harness connection portion 31 and the insertion hole 32 of the terminal block 30 are both located on the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40. This is to allow the wire harness 25 (in...) Figure 4 (Schematic shown) The wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 is electrically connected. The mounting back plate 20 has a wire hole 21, so that the wiring harness 25 can pass through the wire hole 21 from the side of the mounting back plate 20 away from the controller body 40 to the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40, thereby electrically connecting with the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30.

[0024] To secure the mounting backplate 20 to a wall or other mounting location, the mounting backplate 20 is provided with mounting holes 22. Figures 2 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting backplate 20 has a fixing hole 22 on each of the left and right sides of the terminal mounting portion 23, thereby allowing fasteners 26 (in) to be used, for example, to fix the terminal mounting portion 23. Figure 5 (As can be clearly seen in the image) the mounting backplate 20 is securely fixed to the wall or other mounting location. However, Figures 2 to 5 The positions and number of mounting holes 22 shown are merely illustrative. Depending on the needs, different numbers of mounting holes 22 can be provided at different positions on the mounting backplate 20. In the simplest case, only one mounting hole 22 can be provided on the mounting backplate 20.

[0025] Furthermore, in order to mount the controller body 40 onto the mounting back plate 20, the mounting back plate 20 is provided with a second latch 24. Figures 2 to 5In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting backplate 20 has a total of four second latches 24, that is, two second latches 24 are provided at each of the upper and lower edges of the mounting backplate 20. The second latches 24 of the mounting backplate 20 can engage with the second latches 46 on the controller body 40 (in... Figure 6 (As can be clearly seen in the image) the interaction allows the controller body 40 to be detachably mounted on the mounting backplate 20.

[0026] However, alternatively, in some embodiments not shown, the positions of the second latch 24 and the second latch hole 46 can be interchanged. That is, the mounting back plate 20 can have the second latch hole 46, while the controller body 40 can have the second latch 24, thereby allowing the controller body 40 to be detachably mounted on the mounting back plate 20.

[0027] It should be noted that, in Figures 2 to 5 In this embodiment, the position and number of the second latches 24 are merely illustrative. Depending on the needs, different numbers of second latches 24 can be provided at different positions on the mounting backplate 20. In this case, only the position and number of the second latches 46 on the controller body 40 need to be adjusted accordingly.

[0028] Figure 3 The mounting backplate 20 with the terminal blocks 30 installed is shown in perspective view. From Figure 3 As can be seen, the first latch 33 of the terminal block 30 has been engaged in the first latch hole 27 of the terminal mounting part 23, thereby realizing the detachable installation of the terminal block 30 on the mounting back plate 20.

[0029] Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows the mounting backplate 20 where the controller 10 is connected to the wiring harness 25. From Figure 4 As can be clearly seen, the wiring harness 25 passes through the wire hole 21 from the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing away from the controller body 40 and is guided to the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40, thereby making a conductive connection with the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30. After completing the conductive connection between the wiring harness 25 and the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30, the mounting back plate 20 can be fixed to a wall or other mounting location using fasteners 26. However, alternatively, after passing the wiring harness 25 through the wire hole 21, the mounting back plate 20 can be fixed to a wall or other mounting location first, and then the wiring harness 25 can be made conductively connected to the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30.

[0030] Figure 5 The schematic diagram shows the mounting backplate 20 of the controller 10 with a protective cover 34 installed. Figure 5 In this configuration, the protective cover 34 completely covers the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 along with the wiring harness 25 connected to it, preventing the operator from accessing the wiring harness connection portion 31 and the wiring harness 25 connected to it. Furthermore, in Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the protective cover 34 also covers the wiring hole 21 of the mounting back plate 20.

[0031] Figure 6 The controller body 40 of a controller 10 according to one embodiment of the present application is illustrated schematically. Figure 6 The side of the controller body 40 facing the mounting backplate 20 is shown. From Figure 6 As can be clearly seen, the controller body 40 has a battery compartment 44 and a terminal receiving compartment 47 on the side facing the mounting back plate 20. A battery 45 for powering the controller 10 can be installed in the battery compartment 44, and a pin 48 is provided in the terminal receiving compartment 47. When the controller body 40 is mounted on the mounting back plate 20, the pin 48 of the controller body 40 can be inserted into the insertion hole 32 of the terminal block 30, thereby electrically connecting the wire harness 25, which is electrically connected to the wire harness connection part 31, to the circuit components within the controller body 40. Correspondingly, when the controller body 40 is removed from the mounting back plate 20, the pin 48 of the controller body 40 is pulled out from the insertion hole 32 of the terminal block 30, thereby disconnecting the conductive connection between the circuit components within the controller body 40 and the wire harness 25. This allows the operator to replace the battery 45 in the battery compartment 44 of the controller body 40 without the risk of electric shock.

[0032] contrast Figure 5 The protective cover 34 shown is Figure 6As shown in the terminal receiving compartment 47, the shape of the protective cover 34 is adapted to the shape of the terminal receiving compartment 47. Therefore, during the installation of the controller body 40 onto the mounting backplate 20, the protective cover 34 acts as a mounting guide, allowing the pins 48 of the controller body 40 to be aligned and inserted into the insertion holes 32 of the terminal blocks 30. Because both the pins 48 and the insertion holes 32 are very small structures, it is difficult to align the pins 48 with the insertion holes 32 when installing the controller body 40 onto the mounting backplate 20. By configuring the shape of the protective cover 34 to match the shape of the terminal receiving compartment 47, the protective cover 34 also functions as an installation guide when installing the controller body 40. Therefore, when the protective cover 34 is inserted into the terminal receiving compartment 47, the cooperation between the protective cover 34 and the terminal receiving compartment 47 causes the pins 48 of the controller body 40 to automatically align with the insertion holes 32 of the wiring terminal 30, thereby simplifying the installation of the controller body 40.

[0033] Back Figure 6 It can be seen that the pin 48 is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mounting backplate 20. At this time, as... Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the insertion hole 32 is also oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mounting back plate 20. In this case, the controller body 40 can be mounted onto the mounting back plate 20 by moving it perpendicular to the plane of the mounting back plate 20.

[0034] In some embodiments not shown, the pin 48 and the insertion hole 32 are oriented parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate 20. In this case, the controller body 40 can be mounted onto the mounting backplate 20 by moving it parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate 20. In some embodiments not shown, in the installed state, the pin 48 is oriented vertically downwards parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate 20. This reduces the lateral shear force on the pin 48, and even without additional securing measures, the controller body 40 can be reliably fixed to the mounting backplate 20, and detachment from the mounting backplate 20 can be reliably prevented.

[0035] In addition, it can be seen from Figure 6 As can be seen, the controller body 40 has a second latching hole 46 corresponding to the second latch 24 of the mounting back plate 20. Using the second latching hole 46 of the controller body 40 and the second latch 24 of the mounting back plate 20, the controller body 40 can be reliably fixed to the mounting back plate 20. This also reduces the lateral shearing force acting on the pin 48, especially when the pin 48 is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mounting back plate 20.

[0036] exist Figures 2 to 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal block 30 is mounted on the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40, such that the wiring harness connection portion 31 and the insertion hole 32 of the terminal block 30 are both located on the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40. However, in some embodiments not shown, the mounting back plate 20 has terminal mounting holes through which the terminal block 30 can be mounted on the mounting back plate 20, such that the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 is located on the side of the mounting back plate 20 away from the controller body 40, while the insertion hole 32 of the terminal block 30 is located on the side of the mounting back plate 20 facing the controller body 40. Therefore, the wiring harness 25 is electrically connected to the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 before the mounting backplate 20 is installed. Then, the mounting backplate 20 is installed, for example, on a wall or other mounting location. In this case, the mounting backplate 20 completely covers the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 along with the wiring harness 25. Therefore, even without the protective cover 34, the operator cannot access the wiring harness connection portion 31 of the terminal block 30 and the wiring harness 25. This further simplifies the structure of the controller 10 and reduces its cost.

[0037] The above descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of this application. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the above embodiments, and all technical solutions falling within the concept of this application are within the scope of protection of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of this application should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A controller (10), the controller (10) comprising: Install back panel (20); as well as The controller body (40) is detachably mounted on the mounting backplate (20). The controller body (40) has circuit components installed in the cavity defined by the controller body (40). Its features are, The mounting backplate (20) has a wiring terminal (30), which has a wire harness connection part (31) and a plug hole (32). The controller body (40) has a battery compartment (44) and a terminal receiving compartment (47) on the side facing the mounting back plate (20), in which a battery (45) for powering the controller (10) can be installed, and in the terminal receiving compartment (47) a pin (48) is provided. When the controller body (40) is mounted on the mounting back plate (20), the pins (48) of the controller body (40) can be inserted into the plug holes (32) of the wiring terminal (30), thereby electrically connecting the wire harness (25) which is electrically connected to the wire harness connection part (31) to the circuit component.

2. The controller (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The wiring terminal (30) is installed on the side of the mounting back plate (20) facing the controller body (40), such that the wiring harness connection part (31) and the plug hole (32) of the wiring terminal (30) are both located on the side of the mounting back plate (20) facing the controller body (40).

3. The controller (10) according to claim 2. Its features are, The terminal block (30) is equipped with a protective cover (34) covering the wire harness connection portion (31) of the terminal block (30).

4. The controller (10) according to claim 3. Its features are, The mounting backplate (20) has a wire hole (21) through which the wire harness (25) can pass through the wire hole (21) from the side of the mounting backplate (20) facing away from the controller body (40) to the side of the mounting backplate (20) facing the controller body (40), thereby making a conductive connection with the wire harness connection portion (31) of the terminal block (30), wherein the protective cover (34) covers the wire hole (21).

5. The controller (10) according to claim 3. Its features are, The shape of the protective cover (34) is adapted to the shape of the terminal receiving compartment (47), so that during the process of installing the controller body (40) onto the mounting back plate (20), the protective cover (34) acts as a mounting guide, so that the pins (48) of the controller body (40) can be aligned and inserted into the plug holes (32) of the terminal block (30).

6. The controller (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The mounting backplate (20) has a terminal mounting portion (23), and the wiring terminal (30) is mounted on the terminal mounting portion (23), wherein: One of the terminal block (30) and the terminal mounting portion (23) has a first snap (33), and the other of the terminal block (30) and the terminal mounting portion (23) has a first snap hole (27), such that the terminal block (30) can be detachably mounted to the terminal mounting portion (23); or The terminal block (30) is fixed to the terminal mounting part (23) by an adhesive.

7. The controller (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The mounting backplate (20) has terminal mounting holes, and the wiring terminal (30) is mounted on the mounting backplate (20) through the terminal mounting holes, such that the wire harness connection part (31) of the wiring terminal (30) is located on the side of the mounting backplate (20) facing away from the controller body (40), while the plug hole (32) of the wiring terminal (30) is located on the side of the mounting backplate (20) facing the controller body (40).

8. The controller (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, The pin (48) and the insertion hole (32) are oriented perpendicular to the plane of the mounting back plate (20); or The pin (48) and the insertion hole (32) are oriented parallel to the plane of the mounting backplate (20).

9. The controller (10) according to claim 8. Its features are, In the installed state, the pin (48) is oriented vertically downwards parallel to the plane of the mounting back plate (20).

10. The controller (10) according to claim 1. Its features are, One of the controller body (40) and the mounting back plate (20) has a second snap (24) and the other of the controller body (40) and the mounting back plate (20) has a second snap hole (46), so that the controller body (40) can be detachably mounted on the mounting back plate (20).

Images