Integral Meter Jaw Riser Mounting for Watt-Hour Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing construction of meter jaw assemblies in meter sockets requires additional components to accommodate different ampere ratings, increasing material and labor costs and reducing stability due to the use of separate mounting bridges.
Innovation Solution
The integration of risers directly formed with the back wall of the meter socket enclosure, eliminating the need for separate components by forming mounting holes and structures during the enclosure's manufacture, enhancing stability and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate mounting bridges are used to raise meter jaw assemblies to correct height, then the required mounting height for different ampere ratings is achieved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting bridge function directly into the enclosure back wall by forming integral risers during enclosure manufacture. This eliminates the separate mounting bridge component while maintaining the height adjustment capability, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure back wall is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates the necessary mounting height through integral risers, and offers mounting surfaces for jaw assemblies. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mounting bridges, reducing component count while maintaining adaptability
2Manufacturing precision
If separate mounting bridges are used to provide proper spacing, then correct jaw assembly positioning is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The risers are formed during the initial enclosure manufacture process rather than being added as separate components. This preliminary action integrates the positioning function into the base structure, reducing both manufacturing cost and assembly labor while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning function previously requiring separate mounting bridges is merged into the enclosure back wall itself. The integral risers provide the necessary spacing and positioning directly, eliminating the need for additional components and reducing overall manufacturing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate mounting bridges are used, then height adjustment is achieved, but mounting stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the mounting support function into the enclosure back wall itself, the patent creates a more stable mounting structure. The integral risers are rigidly connected to the back wall, providing superior stability compared to separate mounting bridges while maintaining the necessary height adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The back wall is segmented into functional zones including integral risers that provide both height adjustment and structural support. This segmentation allows the mounting structure to maintain stability while achieving the required adaptability for different mounting heights
Data Source
AI summary
An integral riser structure for a watt-hour meter enclosure to provide a mounting structure for a pair of meter jaw assemblies includes a pair of laterally spaced riser walls formed integrally with a back wall of the enclosure and positioned in forwardly spaced relation to the back wall. The riser walls are separated by a recessed wall positioned in a recessed plane located between the plane of the riser walls and the plane of the back wall. The riser walls include holes to receive fasteners to secure the meter jaw assemblies to the riser walls.