Terminal Block Cover Segmentation for Multi-Direction Wiring Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional terminal blocks that allow load lines to be attached in multiple directions often suffer from accidental contact between fingers, conductive parts, and terminal portions, leading to potential damage to the terminal cover and the load lines.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design featuring a conductive plate with multiple connection portions, a terminal cover with a receding surface to circumvent erected portions, and engagement portions that facilitate easy attachment and detachment, reducing the likelihood of accidental contact and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a plate-like terminal cover is used to cover terminal portions, then fingers are prevented from accidentally touching the terminal portions, but the load lines can come into contact with the terminal cover causing damage or detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal cover is divided into multiple detachable covers, each capable of independently covering different terminal portions. This segmentation allows the covers to be selectively attached only to terminal portions without load lines, preventing accidental contact while avoiding interference with load lines that need to access their terminal portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the terminal cover are designed with different properties - some areas are made detachable or transparent to allow load line access, while other areas provide protective coverage. This local differentiation ensures that protection is provided only where needed without interfering with functional connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal cover is made detachable to allow load line access, then load lines can be connected, but fingers can accidentally touch the terminal portions when the cover is detached
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal covers are pre-positioned or snap-fitted onto the terminal portions before load lines are connected. This preliminary protective action ensures that terminal portions are covered during assembly, and the covers can be selectively removed only when load line connection is required, minimizing the window of exposure to accidental contact.
3Reliability
If insertion pins with arrowhead shape are used, then the terminal cover is difficult to detach, but this makes replacement and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism between terminal covers and terminal portions is designed to be dynamically adjustable - providing strong engagement during normal operation to prevent accidental detachment, while allowing intentional detachment through specific actions such as pressing release buttons or applying force in specific directions. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between security and ease of repair.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a terminal block to which load lines can be attached in multiple directions and which includes a terminal cover that makes terminal portions difficult for fingers to touch and is less likely to damage the load lines. The terminal block includes: a conductive plate including a first-direction connection portion that extends in a first direction and is capable of being connected with at least one wire, and a second-direction connection portion that is in electrical conduction with the first-direction connection portion, extends in a second direction different from the first direction, and is capable of being connected with at least one wire.