Switch Adapter Protective Cover for Fast Terminal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electric switch assembly requires separation of the adapter from the electric switch to access terminal screws, increasing connection and disconnection time and risking adapter loss or improper reinstallation, while also violating safety regulations due to uncovered terminal members.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a protective cover that can move between protection and installation positions, allowing access to terminal members without separating from the electric switch, using a slidable connection that prevents accidental movement and maintains safety compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the adapter is separated from the electric switch to access terminal screws, then terminal members become accessible, but connection and disconnection time increases and adapter loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is segmented from the adapter body, allowing it to move independently between protection and installation positions. This segmentation enables terminal members to be accessed without separating the entire adapter from the electric switch, thus reducing connection and disconnection time while maintaining safety when in protection position.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover transitions from a static blocking structure to a dynamic component that can move between protection and installation positions. This dynamic capability allows the terminal members to be accessed by moving the cover, eliminating the need to separate the adapter, and reduces both time and risk associated with adapter removal and reinstallation.
2Loss of time
If the protective cover is made movable to enable terminal access, then connection time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed as a separate, movable segment from the adapter body. This simple segmentation adds minimal complexity while enabling the cover to move between protection and installation positions, providing terminal access without requiring complex mechanisms or separating the entire adapter.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover incorporates simple movable functionality with defined positions (protection and installation). This dynamic design adds only minimal complexity compared to a fully static structure, while significantly reducing connection and disconnection time by allowing direct access to terminal members when needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective cover remains in protection position, then safety compliance is maintained, but terminal members are not accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to be movable between protection and installation positions, allowing it to dynamically respond to operational needs. When in protection position, safety compliance is maintained by covering terminal members; when moved to installation position, terminal members become accessible for connection operations, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover functions as an independent, movable segment that can be positioned to either protect or expose terminal members as needed. This segmented design allows safety compliance to be maintained when the cover is in protection position, while enabling easy access to terminal members when moved to installation position, without requiring permanent exposure or complex access mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for an electric switch assembly, the adapter having an adapter body adapted to be immovably connected to an electric switch including a first set of terminals, wherein each of the terminals includes a terminal member adapted for releasing a connection between the terminal and the corresponding electric wire. The adapter includes a protective cover movably connected to the adapter body such that the protective cover has a protection position and a first installation position, wherein in the protection position the protective cover is adapted to prevent use of the terminal members of the electric switch, and in the first installation position the protective cover is adapted to enable use of terminal members of the first set of terminals, wherein said use of a terminal member includes releasing a connection between the terminal and the corresponding electric wire.