Lockable Rail-Mount Cover for Secure Auxiliary Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical rail mount devices, such as electricity meters, face challenges in compact design and secure access to auxiliary ports, which are often distributed and difficult to protect, compromising the device's security and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A compact, box-like cover with movable and lockable design that integrates auxiliary ports within its structure, allowing secure access while protecting power terminals, enabling easy installation and modification of auxiliary ports without unsealing the entire cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If auxiliary ports are distributed on the backside surface of the electricity meter, then communication and control functions are enabled, but the auxiliary ports become difficult to protect and access securely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple auxiliary ports and their fixing means into a single integrated cover assembly. The cover houses all auxiliary ports (data communication port, voltage output port, etc.) and their respective fixing means in one unified structure that can be collectively accessed and sealed, resolving the security issue of distributed ports while maintaining all communication functions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is sealed to protect power terminals, then security against manipulation is improved, but auxiliary ports become inaccessible for communication and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cover into functionally distinct regions: a sealed portion covering power terminals to prevent manipulation, and an accessible portion containing auxiliary ports that remain available for communication and control operations. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of security and operational accessibility.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is implemented, then space efficiency is improved, but auxiliary ports and their fixing means become difficult to access without unsealing the entire cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions auxiliary ports and their fixing means on the cover surface in a configuration that allows access from the exterior without requiring removal or unsealing of the entire cover. This spatial arrangement in another dimension enables compact design while maintaining operational accessibility of auxiliary functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a cover (20, 125) for an electrical rail mount device (10, 120). Further, the present invention provides an electrical rail mount device (10, 120) for mounting on a rail, comprising at least one input terminal (51, 52, 53, 121) configured to receive an input line, fixing means (61, 62, 63, 122) configured to fix the input line to the input terminal (51, 52, 53, 121) to establish an electrical connection, a lockable cover (20, 125) reversibly movable from an open state into a closed state, whereas the cover (20) is configured to cover the fixing means (61, 62, 63, 122) in the closed state, such that the fixing means can only be accessed by moving the cover (20) from the closed state into the open state, an electrical element (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 126) arranged in the cover (20) and configured to provide an electrical function to an active electronic element of the electrical rail mount device (10, 120), wherein an electrical connection is provided between the electrical element (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 126) and the active electronic element.