Protective Cover Assembly With a Main Opening for Cable Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing safety electrical assemblies with protective covers face challenges in cable management, requiring time-consuming removal of pre-cut portions and necessitating multiple cover models for different cable configurations, which complicates installation and accessibility.

Innovation Solution

A safety electrical assembly with a single main opening that allows passage of multiple cables, oriented parallel or obliquely to connecting openings, enabling easy cable management without diameter limitations, and featuring a protective cover design that extends beyond the insulating housing for enhanced protection and simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If several dedicated pre-cut portions are provided in the protective cover for different cable sizes, then cable protection is improved, but cable management becomes difficult and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protectionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is segmented into a removable first part and a fixed second part. The first part can be detached to allow cable insertion, then reattached to provide protection. This segmentation enables easy cable management while maintaining protection, resolving the contradiction between cable protection and installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If several protective cover models are forecasted for different cable configurations, then adaptability to different cable sizes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to cable configurationsVSAvoidnumber of cover models
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is designed as a universal single model that can accommodate multiple cable configurations. The removable first part allows the same cover to adapt to different cable sizes and arrangements, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cover models and reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If pre-cut portions are removed to install cables, then cable access is improved, but protection of terminals is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidterminal protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover transitions from a static pre-cut design to a dynamic removable-cover design. The first part can be removed during installation to provide cable access, then reattached to restore terminal protection. This dynamic behavior allows the system to switch between ease of operation and reliability as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3852200B1Safety electrical assembly with a protective cover having a main opening
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 TYCO ELECTRONICS FRANCE
  • EP3852200B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3852200B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3852200B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Safety electrical assembly (1) comprising : an electrical apparatus (3) having a connecting zone (5) provided with terminals (7) configured to be respectively connected to corresponding cables, each terminal (7) presenting a corresponding connecting opening (9) formed within an insulating housing (11) of the electrical apparatus (3); a protective cover (13) configured for cooperating with the electrical apparatus (3) in a mounted position wherein the safety electrical assembly (1) presents a main opening (15) configured for the passage of cables connected to corresponding terminals (7) from an exterior area (17) to an interior area (19) of the safety electrical assembly (1), the interior area (19) being defined between the electrical apparatus (3) and the protective cover (13), the connecting openings (9) being located in the interior area (19) and the main opening (15) being arranged so that a direct trajectory (21) from any point of the main opening (15) oriented toward any point of any connecting opening (9) intersects an obstacle (23) of the safety electrical assembly (1).