Rotatable Terminal Block Structure for Compact Control Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices with terminal blocks require surface space for wiring routing, limiting the ability to downsize the panel housing the control device.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block with a main body, first, and second rotation mechanism units, allowing the main body to rotate about an imaginary line, with the wiring connection part positioned radially, enabling space-saving routing of wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the terminal block has a fixed structure with wiring connection part on the surface, then the wiring routing is simple, but the panel size cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block incorporates a rotation mechanism that allows the main body to rotate between a horizontal position (where wiring connection part faces outward for easy connection) and a vertical position (where wiring connection part faces upward for compact routing). This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the terminal block's orientation to different spatial requirements, enabling panel downsizing while maintaining wiring accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the wiring connection part from a two-dimensional surface arrangement to a three-dimensional spatial configuration through rotation. By utilizing the vertical dimension and allowing rotation about an imaginary straight line, the wiring connection part can be positioned in different orientations, enabling compact panel design while preserving wiring functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If the terminal block allows rotation for compact routing, then the panel can be downsized, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal block is divided into distinct functional segments: the main body, the rotation mechanism unit, and the wiring connection part. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rotation mechanism unit can be designed as a separate modular assembly that enables compact routing without complicating the main body structure, thus reducing overall device complexity while achieving panel downsizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism unit is integrated within the terminal block structure in a nested manner, where the rotation mechanism is housed within or alongside the main body. This nesting approach minimizes the additional space required for the rotation function, allowing compact routing capability to be added without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal block attachable to a control device includes a main body including a wiring connection part to which wiring is connected, a first rotation mechanism unit arranged at a first end in a first direction of the main body, and a second rotation mechanism unit arranged at a second end in the first direction of the main body. The first rotation mechanism unit and the second rotation mechanism unit are configured that the main body is rotatable about an imaginary straight line extending along the first direction with respect to the control device. The wiring connection part is arranged at an end of the main body in a radial direction with respect to the imaginary straight line.