Encapsulated Electronics Cover for Fire Alarm Control Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hazard alarm systems face challenges in simplified assembly and reduced risk of damage to wiring and electronic components during commissioning and maintenance, with complex electronics exposure leading to potential damage from improper handling.

Innovation Solution

A hazard alarm center design featuring an electronics cover that encapsulates the main circuit board on all sides, providing space for cable routing and protecting components, along with a housing cover lifting contactor and adjustable wall lifting contactor for secure mounting and tamper detection, integrated KNX bus interface, web server, and SD card reader for simplified maintenance and updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the protective cap is removed for commissioning and maintenance, then the electronics become accessible for wiring and configuration, but the electronics are exposed to damage from improper handling and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of electronics for wiringVSAvoidprotection of electronics from damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a protective cap and a base plate that can be separated. The electronics are mounted on the base plate and remain protected even when the protective cap is removed for wiring operations. This segmentation allows the electronics to be accessible for connection while maintaining their protected status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connection terminals are provided on the base plate that allow electrical connections to be made without exposing the electronics directly. These terminals act as intermediaries between the external wiring and the protected electronics, enabling commissioning and maintenance while preserving protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the electronics are exposed for wiring connections, then cabling can be performed, but the wiring becomes complex and requires additional assembly instructions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabling of the alarm control panelVSAvoidcomplexity of wiring and assembly instructions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Connection terminals are provided on the base plate that simplify the wiring process. These terminals serve as intermediaries that make electrical connections straightforward without requiring exposure of complex electronic circuits, thereby reducing wiring complexity and the need for detailed assembly instructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the housing cover is made secure to prevent tampering, then security is improved, but the housing cover cannot be removed for maintenance and commissioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against tamperingVSAvoidremovability for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into a protective cap and base plate that can be easily separated. This segmentation allows the protective cap to provide security when attached while enabling simple removal for maintenance and commissioning activities, and can be reattached to restore security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2713348B1Danger warning centre with encapsulated electronics
Publication Date: 2015.05.20 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP2713348B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2713348B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2713348B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire alarm control panel with a housing cover (28), with a wall housing (1) which is designed with a base plate (2) intended for mounting on a wall, with an electronic unit (27) comprising a circuit board (56) which is attached to the base plate (2), wherein the electronic unit (27) has an electronic cover (40) which covers the circuit board (56) both on the front and on the back, and wherein the side of the electronic cover (40) facing the base plate (2) is spaced away from the base plate (2) so that a free space for routing cables between the base plate (2) and the electronic cover (40) is formed.