Projecting Terminal Power Supply With Keyed Cable Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security and automation systems face challenges in terminating wall wiring due to complex requirements and regulations, requiring skilled labor and often resulting in aesthetically undesirable and potentially hazardous exposed wiring, with compatibility issues between electronic devices and power supplies, particularly concerning current ratings.
Innovation Solution
A power supply assembly with a projecting terminal and a cable where the cable's housing portion surrounds the terminal, providing a secure and aesthetically pleasing connection, and includes a removable connector for easy attachment to electronic devices, with keying components to ensure compatibility with specific power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wall wiring is terminated in the power supply using traditional methods, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but installation complexity and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable end assembly with a contact surface that interfaces between the power supply's projecting terminal and the wall wiring. This intermediary component simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need for traditional wire termination techniques, allowing users to simply insert the cable end into the power supply without requiring electrician-level skills or specialized tools.
2Ease of operation
If traditional cable connections are used with projecting terminals, then electrical connection is established, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to exposed wires and terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The cable end assembly is designed to receive and conceal the power supply's projecting terminal within its housing structure. The contact surface makes electrical contact with the terminal while the housing covers it from view, creating a nested configuration that simultaneously achieves reliable connection and clean aesthetic appearance without exposed wires or terminals.
3Ease of operation
If universal cable ends are used for different power supplies, then ease of connection improves, but compatibility control decreases allowing incompatible connections
Solution Approach 1:
The cable end assembly incorporates an asymmetric keying feature that must align with a corresponding feature on the power supply's projecting terminal. This asymmetric design allows the cable end to be easily inserted when compatible while preventing connection to incompatible power supplies, thus maintaining both ease of operation and compatibility assurance through a simple mechanical interlock.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly, method, apparatus, and system for supplying power to security, life safety, information technology, and/or automation system components is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a power supply with a projecting terminal and a cable having a first end with an electrical contact surface for contacting a power transmitting surface of the projecting terminal to establish an electrical connection, so that a first end housing portion surrounds the electrical contact surface and at least partially covers the projecting terminal. The electrical contact surface may be adjustable using a spring, which may also assist in maintaining contact with the power transmitting surface located at the projecting terminal distal end. A cable second end may connect with an electronic device, and may be customizable according to the electronic device. Embodiments may also include keying features for ensuring connection with appropriate power supplies.