House Automation Control Interface with Removable Protective Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical control equipment for home automation systems, such as those managing light and heating, face issues during installation as the cover plate must be removed to avoid damage, exposing the electronic circuit and increasing the risk of damage and additional costs when reinstalling the equipment.

Innovation Solution

An electrical control device with a protective cover plate that allows for installation and operation without removing the control interface, featuring a removable and protective cover plate with actuating means and a display interface, enabling independent installation and protection of the electronic circuit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the cover plate is removed to install the equipment, then the equipment can be mounted, but the apparatus becomes inoperable and cannot manage connected devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation of equipmentVSAvoidoperability of control interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is separated from the dressing module with actuators. The control and display interface can be mounted and made operational independently, allowing the apparatus to be installed and used without requiring the dressing module to be in place, thus maintaining operability during installation phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control and display interface is designed to be mounted and made operational before the dressing and control module is installed. This preliminary action allows the system to be functional during construction work, eliminating the need to remove the cover plate for basic operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the cover plate is removed during construction work, then installation can proceed, but additional costs are generated due to damage risk and potential replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidrisk of damage to electronic circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the device into a control interface that can operate independently and a separate dressing module, the invention allows installation to proceed with the protective cover in place. This eliminates the need to remove and later reinstall the cover, reducing installation steps and minimizing the risk of damage while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is added to protect the control interface, then the electronic circuit is protected, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronic circuitVSAvoidstructure of control device

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover plate is designed to serve multiple functions: it protects the electronic control circuit from damage, maintains the aesthetic appearance of the device, and does not interfere with the operation of the control and display interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1791148B1Electric control apparatus for house automation

Publication Date: 2008.10.22 HAGER CONTROLS

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AI summary

The apparatus has a visualization and control interface protecting unit (9) interposed between a visualization and control interface (2) and a control and covering module (4). The interface is mounted on an electronic control circuit disposed in an apparatus case (3), and the module is fixed in a removable manner on the case. The module is constituted by a frame (5) and an actuating unit comprising an actuator (7). The protecting unit is in the form of a covering plate and is mounted in a fixed manner on the interface.