Composite Cover Plate with Floating Compensating Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite cover plates for modular electrical apparatuses often suffer from misalignment with the installation wall, leading to gaps that compromise both appearance and functionality by allowing dust, dirt, and germ infiltration.
Innovation Solution
A composite cover plate design featuring a compensating frame and elastic system that allows the cover plate to float, addressing misalignments by adjusting to fit perfectly around the installation wall, thereby eliminating gaps and ensuring a secure, aesthetically pleasing installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a fixed cover plate is used for wall mounting, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but misalignment with the installation wall creates gaps that compromise appearance and allow dust infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The inclination adjustment mechanism allows the cover plate to change its angle relative to the installation wall, enabling perfect alignment even when wall imperfections exist. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing alignment precision without requiring complex manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate's inclination angle is made variable through the adjustment mechanism. By changing the angular parameter of the cover plate rather than relying on precise manufacturing dimensions, the system achieves perfect alignment. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction between alignment precision and manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cover plate is made rigid and fixed, then the structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to wall imperfections and misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate incorporates an adjustment mechanism that transforms it from a static rigid component to a dynamic one capable of adapting to various wall conditions. The ability to adjust the inclination angle provides adaptability to wall imperfections while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate system is divided into adjustable segments or components that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured with standard tolerances while the assembled system achieves high adaptability through the adjustment mechanism, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the cover plate is fixed at a standard angle, then manufacturing and installation are simple, but gaps appear due to misalignment with the installation wall
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is pre-built into the cover plate structure, allowing installers to simply operate the adjustment device rather than perform complex alignment procedures. This preliminary preparation of the adjustment capability maintains installation simplicity while achieving high alignment accuracy through the adjustment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover plate's adjustment mechanism enables self-alignment during installation. The installer can easily adjust the cover plate to the correct angle without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures, resolving the contradiction between installation simplicity and alignment accuracy through self-service adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively seals gaps, enhances the appearance of installations, and prevents dust and dirt accumulation, improving both functional and aesthetic aspects of modular electrical apparatus mounting systems.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic system (501) operatively interposed between the compensating frame (500) and the base body (100) adapted and configured to allow the compensating frame (500) to float with respect to the base body (100)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A composite cover plate (1) for wall-mounting modular electrical apparatuses (3), comprising: - a base body (100) shaped as a frame, which extends around a through opening (101) having an opening axis (A); - a compensating frame (500), which surrounds the base body (100); - an elastic system (501) operatively interposed between the compensating frame and the base body (100) adapted and configured to allow the compensating frame (500) to float with respect to the base body (100).