Terminal Block Housing Anti-Slip Flank Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of electric meters faces challenges with multi-strand cables, where stripped strands can slip into sensitive areas, causing short circuits due to their small diameter and inability to be visually monitored, leading to potential short circuits in 'high-entry' meters and being trapped in 'low-entry' meters.
Innovation Solution
A terminal block design with a housing featuring a non-smooth texture on its flanks to prevent strand slippage, using ridges or graining to limit strand movement and prevent access to sensitive areas, eliminating the need for bulky baffles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If baffles are attached to the base and/or cover of the meter to prevent strand penetration, then the risk of strand intrusion is reduced, but the device becomes bulky and installation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-slip face is integrated directly into the terminal block housing structure, merging the strand containment function with the existing housing rather than adding separate baffle components. This eliminates the need for additional parts while maintaining strand containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal block housing's own structure is modified to provide the anti-slip function through its non-smooth textured surface, allowing the housing to serve both its original purpose and the strand containment function without external assistance.
2Reliability
If a non-smooth textured side is added to the housing to limit strand movement, then strand penetration is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surface texture is created by modifying the physical parameters of the housing surface during molding, changing from a smooth surface to a non-smooth textured surface. This is achieved through standard molding techniques rather than post-processing, maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-slip face is designed as a distinct surface feature with specific geometric characteristics (ridges, grooves, or granular texture), segmenting the housing surface into functional zones with different properties while maintaining integration with the overall structure.
3Ease of operation
If the terminal block is located at the top of the meter for top-entry configuration, then cable access is improved, but detached strands can enter the meter and cause short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The non-smooth textured anti-slip face acts as an intermediary barrier between the cable strands and the internal meter components. It provides a physical interface that allows cable insertion while preventing strand penetration into sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-slip surface texture is positioned to counteract the gravitational force that causes detached strands to slide into the meter. The textured surface creates friction and mechanical interlocking that opposes the downward movement of strands before they can reach sensitive components.
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
Effectively prevents strand penetration into sensitive areas, reducing the risk of short circuits while maintaining a compact and simple installation process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one face of the side facing the inside of the housing being provided with asperities to limit a risk of slippage of at least one strand detached from the end of the cable through a space between the side and the rest of the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a housing comprising a terminal block intended to receive at least one end of a multi-strand cable and therefore comprising at least one recess (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for receiving the end of the cable, the recess being provided with a wall (8) in which an opening (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) is arranged and through which the end of the cable extends during use, and a flank (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) arranged opposite the wall with the opening, at least one surface of the flank facing the inside of the recess being rough in order to limit the risk of at least one strand detached from the end of the cable sliding through a space between the flank and the rest of the housing.