Cabinet Backplane Interconnect for Legacy Wiring Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric power system substations, replacing obsolete components within limited space often requires exact matching of equipment and extensive rewiring, which is costly, time-consuming, and prone to errors, as the pin configurations of existing and new components may not be compatible.
Innovation Solution
A cabinet backplane interconnect system that includes a backplane component and a mechanical bracket component, allowing for the installation of new electrical components while mapping the pin configuration of existing cabling to the new components, thereby enabling the reuse of existing wiring and facilitating the replacement of legacy components with new ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If legacy electrical components are replaced with new components having different pin configurations, then component functionality is improved, but extensive rewiring is required which increases cost, time, and error potential
Solution Approach 1:
A backplane interconnect assembly serves as an intermediary between the existing wiring harness and the new electrical component. The assembly includes a backplane with first connectors that mate with the new component's connectors, and second connectors that interface with the existing wiring harness, thereby mediating the connection between incompatible interfaces without requiring rewiring of the existing harness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the existing wiring harness, the backplane interconnect assembly (which itself contains the backplane and adapter components), and the new electrical component. This segmentation allows each module to maintain its own interface standards while working together through standardized connection points, enabling component replacement without system-wide rewiring.
2Reliability
If legacy electrical components are replaced with new components having different pin configurations, then component functionality is improved, but extensive rewiring is required which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane interconnect assembly acts as a cost-effective intermediary that preserves the existing wiring harness investment. By providing adapter components with appropriate connector types, it enables new components to be integrated without the high costs associated with complete system rewiring, making component upgrades more economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables recovery of the existing wiring harness by maintaining its connectivity through adapter components. Instead of discarding the existing harness when upgrading components, the system recovers its value by using adapters to interface the harness with new components having different connector configurations, thereby avoiding the cost of replacing both components and wiring.
3Reliability
If legacy electrical components are replaced with new components having different pin configurations, then component functionality is improved, but the complexity of the replacement process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement process is simplified through segmentation of the interconnection system into modular components. The backplane interconnect assembly is pre-configured with appropriate connectors, allowing replacement to involve simply removing the legacy component and installing the new one with its matching connectors, rather than managing complex rewiring procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The backplane interconnect assembly serves as a pre-configured intermediary that handles the complexity of interface compatibility. This mediator absorbs the complexity of adapting between different connector types, presenting a simple replacement process to the user while managing the interface translation internally through its dual-connector design.
4Reliability
If exact matching of equipment is required for replacement, then compatibility is ensured, but adaptability to new component models is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backplane interconnect assembly provides universal adaptability by incorporating adapter components that can interface with multiple different connector types. This multi-functional design allows a single backplane assembly to support various new component models with different pin configurations, enabling versatile component interchangeability while maintaining reliable connections through appropriate adapter selection.
Data Source
AI summary
An interconnect for an installation environment adapted for housing at least one electrical component having a number of first connectors each having a first configuration, wherein the installation environment has pre-installed wiring having a number of second connectors each having a second configuration. The interconnect includes a backplane component including a number of third connectors adapted to connect with the number of first connectors, and a number of fourth connectors adapted to connect with the number of second connectors, wherein each of the number of fourth connectors is coupled to a respective one of the number of third connectors in a manner that maps the second configuration to the first configuration, and includes a mechanical bracket component adapted to allow for the installation of at least one electrical component such that the first connectors are connected to the third connectors.