Terminal Block Receptacle for Mixed Accessory Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacle devices for terminal blocks face challenges in accommodating accessories with non-compatible cooperating elements, limiting their versatility and compatibility with various accessory sizes.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle device featuring multiple cooperating assemblies with symmetrical protrusions of different types, allowing it to receive and securely mount accessories of varying sizes, along with a common recess and access recess for easy installation and dismounting, enabling compatibility with multiple accessory types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single cooperating assembly is used in the receptacle device, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate accessories with non-compatible cooperating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle device is divided into multiple independent cooperating assemblies (first cooperating assembly with protrusions of first type, second cooperating assembly with protrusions of second type). Each assembly can independently receive different accessory types, allowing the receptacle device to accommodate various accessories with non-compatible cooperating elements without increasing overall structural complexity significantly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the receptacle device is designed to accommodate multiple accessory sizes, then versatility is improved, but constraints on geometry and size of accessories are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
Different cooperating assemblies are designed with different local geometries and protrusion configurations to match specific accessory types and sizes. The first cooperating assembly has protrusions of first type suitable for first sized cooperating elements, while the second cooperating assembly has protrusions of second type for second sized cooperating elements. This localized customization allows the receptacle device to accommodate a range of accessory sizes without imposing constraints on mounting and dismounting ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle device includes a first cooperating assembly configured to receive a first accessory having a plurality of first sized cooperating elements and a second cooperating assembly configured to receive a second accessory having a plurality of second sized cooperating elements. The first cooperating assembly has a pair of protrusions of a first type that are symmetrical with regard to a first central plane and that extend toward each other transversally to the first central plane. The second cooperating assembly has a pair of protrusions of a second type that are symmetrical with regard to a second central plane and that extend opposite to each other transversally to the second central plane. The first central plane is parallel to the second central plane.