Remote Control Housing for Electrical Module Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for remotely controlling electric water heaters require professional intervention for installation and are not flexible enough for consumer use, as they need to be adapted to the distribution board and are not easily transferable between boards.
Innovation Solution
A backup device with a housing, mechanical actuator, motor, communication part, and control unit that can be easily attached to an electrical module in a distribution board, allowing remote control via a user terminal and manual override, with a visual indicator and push-button interface for position confirmation and adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If professional intervention is required to adapt the distribution board for remote control systems, then the system can be installed, but the installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to be self-installing on the electrical module without requiring professional intervention. The user simply attaches the housing to the module, and the system automatically establishes communication and control capabilities, eliminating the need for expert installation services.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate modular components: the housing that attaches to the module, the module itself that remains in the distribution board, and the remote control interface. This segmentation allows the housing to be independently installed and removed without affecting the entire system or requiring professional reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If the distribution board is adapted for new remote control systems, then remote control capability is achieved, but the system loses flexibility for moving between distribution boards
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a universal component that can be attached to any standard electrical module in any distribution board. The mechanical attachment system and communication interface are standardized to work across different modules and boards, providing flexibility for the consumer to move the device between locations without requiring custom adaptation.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical actuator is added to enable remote handle movement, then remote control functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical linkages with a motor-driven mechanical actuator that can be controlled remotely via communication signals. The actuator uses electromagnetic conversion to transform electrical control signals into mechanical motion, simplifying the control architecture while enabling remote operation of the handle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to remotely control electric water heaters without professional intervention, is easily installable and transferable, and provides flexibility in operation, ensuring safety and convenience while maintaining compatibility with various electrical modules.
Implementation Method 1
a motor powered by the battery and able to activate the mechanical actuator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to an auxiliary device (5) comprising: - a housing (27) including a compartment adapted to receive at least one battery (23), - a mechanical actuator (19) attached to the housing (27), - a motor (21) powered by the battery and adapted to activate the mechanical actuator, - a communication part (29) adapted to receive a wireless control signal, - a control unit (25) arranged to control the motor according to a control signal received by the communication part from a user terminal (7), the housing being further arranged to be attached to electrically inert parts (13) of an electrical module (3) installed in an electrically operational manner in a distribution board, said module including a contactor (9) and a lever (11) whose position corresponds to an operating mode of the contactor, the device being further arranged such that, once the housing is attached to the module,Activating the device's mechanical actuator causes the lever to move from one position to another.