Rotatable Terminal Block Platform for Building Control Module Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall mountable back plates for building control systems lack ease of installation and flexibility in wiring options, making the process cumbersome and potentially unsafe due to hidden high-voltage wires.
Innovation Solution
A wall mountable back plate with a rotatable terminal block platform that can be easily accessed during installation, allowing for flexible positioning of field wires and secure connection to terminal blocks, while maintaining a clean and safe operational configuration by hiding wires from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal blocks are fixed in position on the back plate, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the wiring flexibility and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block platform is made rotatable relative to the back plate, transforming the static terminal block arrangement into a dynamic one. This allows the terminal blocks to be rotated into different positions during installation to accommodate various wiring configurations, and then secured in the desired position, thereby improving wiring flexibility and ease of installation without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block assembly is segmented into a separate rotatable platform that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the terminal blocks to be accessed and wired from different angles by rotating the platform, making installation easier while maintaining a clean operational appearance when the platform is secured in its operational position
2Reliability
If the field wires are exposed during operation, then the wiring accessibility is improved, but the safety is reduced due to high-voltage wire exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block platform is designed to be rotatable and securable at different positions. During installation, it can be rotated to expose the terminal blocks and field wires for easy access and wiring. During operation, it can be rotated to a closed position that hides and protects the field wires from view, thereby ensuring user safety while maintaining wiring accessibility during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable terminal block platform acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the visibility and accessibility of the field wires. It mediates between the need for wire exposure during installation and the need for wire concealment during operation, allowing the system to transition between these two states securely
3Ease of operation
If the terminal blocks are positioned for direct rear access, then the wiring ease is improved, but the clean operational appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block platform is designed to rotate between an open position that exposes the terminal blocks for easy wiring access and a closed operational position that presents a clean, finished appearance. This dynamic positioning allows the system to satisfy both requirements at different times in the product lifecycle
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block platform is pre-positioned in a way that allows installers to easily access and wire the terminal blocks before the final operational configuration is established. The platform can be temporarily positioned to facilitate wiring, and then secured in its final operational position to achieve the desired clean appearance
Data Source
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AI summary
A wall mountable back plate for securing a building control module to a wall. The wall mountable back plate may include a housing having a front side and a back side. The back side may be configured to be mountable toward a wall. The housing may define a field wire receiving aperture through the back side of the housing, where the field wire receiving aperture is configured to accommodate one or more field wires. A terminal block platform may be rotatably coupled to the housing, the terminal block platform may include one or more terminal blocks that are configured to connect one or more field wires to one or more terminal pins of a building control module.