Swing Mount Mechanism for Terminal Block Connector Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In motor control units, maintenance personnel face the challenge of needing to open an external wire-way along the side of the enclosure to access and connect or disconnect feed-through connectors, which is cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when space is limited inside the unit.
Innovation Solution
A swing mount mechanism with a pivotally mounted lever and connector support allows for quick connection or disconnection of a moveable plug connector to a stationary terminal block without opening the external wire-way, using a hinge and guide rail system to align and secure the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the external wire-way is opened to access feed-through connectors, then connection access is achieved, but maintenance time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is segmented into a stationary terminal block portion and a moveable plug connector portion. The moveable portion can be independently manipulated through the opening without accessing the external wire-way, allowing maintenance personnel to disconnect connectors by simply pulling the moveable portion through the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing mount mechanism acts as an intermediary device that bridges the interior and exterior of the enclosure. It provides a mechanical interface through the opening that enables connector manipulation from the interior side, eliminating the need to open the external wire-way while maintaining connection functionality.
2Productivity
If the swing mount mechanism is added, then connector connection/disconnection becomes faster, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The swing mount incorporates a moveable plug connector portion that can dynamically change position between connected and disconnected states. The lever mechanism provides dynamic actuation capability, allowing rapid transition between connection states without requiring complex control systems or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector interaction moves from a two-dimensional plane (external wire-way access) to a three-dimensional space (through the opening). The moveable plug connector can be manipulated from the interior side by passing it through the opening, utilizing the third dimension to simplify the interaction path and reduce the need for complex external access mechanisms.
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 efficient access and maintenance of control and test signals by allowing operators to connect or disconnect the feed-through connection within the electrical enclosure without opening the external wire-way, reducing maintenance time and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The swing mount is carried on a hinge on an interior wall of the electrical enclosure
Implementation Method 2
A lever is pivotally mounted on the hinge, for actuating the swing mount to move the moveable plug connector toward or away from the stationary terminal block
Implementation Method 3
The connector support may include a guide rail that slides through a slot in the guide to align the movable plug connector with the opening in the wall of the electrical cabinet
Data Source
AI summary
A swing mount 110 for a terminal block includes a hinge 122 mounted on a wall 105 of an electrical enclosure 100, located near an opening 115 in the wall, for passing a movable plug connector 112 from inside the enclosure to connect to a terminal block 114 outside the enclosure. A lever 124 is carried by the hinge, for moving the moveable connector. A guide 130 for directing movement of the movable connector is mounted on the wall near the opening. A connector support 126 is mounted on the lever, supporting the movable connector, the support including a pin 138 that slideably engages a longitudinal slot 140 in the lever to move the support toward or away from the terminal block when the lever is actuated. The support includes a guide rail 134 that slides through slot 136 in the guide to align the movable connector with the opening.