Adapter Center Plate Layout for Modular Wiring Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wiring device installation practices lack modularity and customization, leading to increased development time, high design and development costs, and difficulties in replacing or upgrading components, as they are typically non-interchangeable and non-customizable.
Innovation Solution
A modular wiring device installation arrangement featuring an adapter center plate with profiled edges for removably engaging adjacent center plates and a fixing frame with engagement teeth for modular attachment, allowing for interchangeable and customizable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pre-configured fixed configuration assemblies are used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but flexibility and customization capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The installation system is divided into separate modular components: fixing frames, adapter center plates, and cover frames. Each component can be independently manufactured and then assembled in different configurations to meet specific installation requirements, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter center plate is designed with universal features that allow it to function with different types of fixing frames and cover frames. The standardized interface and modular design enable a single adapter center plate to accommodate various wiring device arrangements, providing multi-functionality and adaptability across different installation scenarios.
2Reliability
If entire assemblies are replaced instead of individual components, then reliability is maintained, but cost and time for replacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into replaceable modules (fixing frame, adapter center plate, cover frame), allowing individual components to be replaced without affecting the entire assembly. This maintains system reliability by enabling quick replacement of only the faulty component while preserving the functionality of other parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows damaged or worn components to be discarded and replaced with new ones, while functional components are recovered and reused. This reduces replacement costs and time compared to replacing entire assemblies, while maintaining system reliability through the use of new replacement parts.
3Device complexity
If non-modular fixed configurations are used, then design complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different layouts and requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The design is segmented into standardized modular components with simple individual designs, but high collective adaptability. Each component maintains simple geometry and manufacturing requirements, while the modular combination of these components enables flexible adaptation to different wall box configurations and wiring device arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic configurability through the adapter center plate, which can be adjusted and reconfigured to accommodate different numbers and types of wiring devices. This allows the installation to adapt to changing requirements without redesigning the entire system, maintaining simple component designs while achieving layout flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular components with docking fixtures are used, then adaptability and customization are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components use simple segmentation with standardized interfaces rather than complex docking mechanisms. The adapter center plate, fixing frame, and cover frame are divided into basic geometric shapes with complementary edges that provide sufficient adaptability without requiring sophisticated docking fixtures, thereby limiting structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal features that perform multiple functions. The adapter center plate serves as both a structural support and a configuration interface, while the fixing frame provides both mounting functionality and alignment features. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, limiting overall device complexity while maintaining modular configurability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a wiring device installation arrangement (100,200,300,400) for modular installation of an electrical wiring device. The said wiring device installation arrangement (100,200,300,400) comprises a mounting box (102), a fixing frame (104,204,304,404), insert assembly (106,306), an adapter center plate (108, 208, 308, 408) and a cover frame (110, 210, 310, 410). The insert assembly (106,306) removably attached with said fixing frame (104,204,304,404) and housed within said mounting box (102). The adapter center plate (108) comprises a cavity (112 having plurality of profiled attachment portions (114) to receive said electrical wiring device. The wiring device installation arrangement (100,200,300,400) comprises plurality of docking fixtures (116, 216,316,416), whereby said adapter center plate (108, 208, 308, 408) engages with at least one adjacent adapter center plate (108-1) by means of said docking fixtures (116, 216,316,416), for modularity.