Pivotable Terminal Block Support for Utility Pole Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and manipulating terminal blocks within the confined space of a utility pole's hand hole compartment for maintenance and repair is difficult due to the small space, making it cumbersome to connect and disconnect wires.
Innovation Solution
A terminal compartment with a pivotally attached terminal block support that can move between an operating and deployed position, allowing the terminal blocks to be fully contained within the pole or extended outside for easier access, along with a removable cover and a frame with a hinge mechanism for convenient manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If terminal blocks are contained within the confined hand hole compartment, then the device structure remains compact and secure, but access and manipulation of terminal blocks becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block support is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a stowed position (where terminal blocks are contained within the compartment) and a deployed position (where terminal blocks extend outward for access). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both compact containment and ease of access at different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block support is designed as a separate, movable component that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the terminal blocks to be isolated on the support structure and moved to an accessible location outside the main compartment, facilitating easier wire manipulation while maintaining the integrity of the confined space when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If terminal blocks are extended outside the pole for easier access, then wire connection operations become simpler, but the compact containment and security of terminal blocks are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable support structure allows terminal blocks to be dynamically positioned - contained within the secure compartment during normal operation and extended outward only when maintenance is required. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through containment while enabling ease of operation during wire manipulation tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block support acts as an intermediary mechanism between the confined compartment space and the external access requirement. It provides a stable platform for terminal blocks that can be positioned optimally for wire manipulation while still being connectable to the confined compartment structure, thus mediating between containment and accessibility requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed terminal block support is used, then the structure is simple and robust, but adaptability for different maintenance positions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support mechanism transitions from a fixed, non-adaptable structure to a pivotable, adaptable one. The ability to rotate and position the terminal block support at different angles provides versatility for various maintenance positions and wire routing configurations, while the pivot mechanism itself remains relatively simple in design.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal compartment for installation in the hand hole of a utility pole. The compartment comprises a frame, such as an oval weldment ring with a cover. A terminal block support is movably mounted in the compartment for movement between an operating position and a deployed position. In the operating position, a terminal block fixed to the terminal block support is contained entirely inside the internal space of the utility pole. In the deployed position, the terminal block extends through the access opening at least partially outside the pole. The terminal block support may be an elongate rigid strip mounted vertically inside the compartment with a bottom end hingedly attached to the frame. In this way, once the cover is removed, the terminal block can be folded down to a horizontal position extending out through the access opening and affording easy access for repair and maintenance.