Load Center Displaceable End Wall Plates for Post-Installation Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flush-mounted load centers in electrical distribution systems become difficult and costly to upgrade or modify after the finished wall is installed, as accessing the end walls and wall cavity requires disassembly and reassembly of the wall, which is time-consuming and expensive.

Innovation Solution

A load center design featuring removable end wall plates with interlocking flanges and screws allows for post-installation access to the wall cavity and exterior of the end walls, enabling easy installation of additional circuits and conductors without removing finished wall sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flush-mounted load center is installed, then the finished wall surface is approximately flush with the outside edge of the load center enclosure, but adding additional circuits requires removing portions of the finished wall which is difficult, time consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflush mounting appearanceVSAvoidaccessibility for adding circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The end wall of the load center enclosure is segmented into a fixed portion and a removable plate portion. The removable plate can be detached to provide access to the wall cavity and load center interior, allowing circuit additions without removing finished wall sections. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining the flush appearance when the plate is installed while enabling easy access when the plate is removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable plate is designed to be temporarily removed (discarded from its installed position) during circuit installation, then reinstalled (recovered) to restore the flush appearance. This allows the load center to transition between a closed aesthetic state and an open accessible state, resolving the contradiction between appearance and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of operation

If the removable plate is designed to be easily disassembled, then post-installation access is simplified, but the structural integrity and security of the end wall may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of plate removalVSAvoidend wall structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The removable plate incorporates pre-formed interlocking flanges and knockout openings that are prepared during manufacturing. These preliminary features enable easy attachment and detachment using simple fasteners while maintaining structural integrity during the installed state. The pre-prepared features resolve the contradiction by enabling easy removal without requiring complex disassembly that would compromise structural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Screws or other fasteners serve as intermediary elements that temporarily join the removable plate to the fixed portion during installation, then can be easily removed for access. These intermediaries provide the necessary connection strength when installed while allowing simple removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7706135B2Load center with displaceable wiring plates

Publication Date: 2010.04.27 SQUARE D CO

AI summary

A load center enclosure with displaceable end wall plates for easily accessing the wall cavity above and below the load center and adding additional electrical conductors in post installation applications.