Terminal Block Stopper Cover Fixing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stoppers for terminal blocks in electrical cabinets fail to provide a stable and secure fixing mechanism for covers, especially those with central openings, leading to instability and reduced rigidity, which compromises protection and safety.
Innovation Solution
A stopper design featuring an insulating body with a separate attachment foot and clamping means, including an insert that blocks the cover between the insulating body and a portion of the attachment foot, along with guiding means to prevent rotation, and a cover fixing mechanism using elastic interlocking for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cover with a central opening is used to allow viewing of components, then accessibility and monitoring are improved, but the rigidity and stability of the cover are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into a main body and a separate central opening portion, allowing the central opening to be reinforced independently while maintaining viewing accessibility. The reinforcement element is inserted into the central opening to provide structural support without blocking the viewing function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cover is made from flexible plastic material, then ease of installation and cost are improved, but fixing stability and protection reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly becomes a composite structure combining the flexible plastic cover with a rigid reinforcement element. The plastic cover maintains ease of manufacture and installation, while the inserted reinforcement element provides the necessary structural stability and fixing reliability.
3Device complexity
If clamping means are received in a housing of the insulating body, then the insulating body structure is simplified, but the protection against unauthorized access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the clamping means. The cover provides protective coverage and can include security features such as tamper-evident designs or locking mechanisms, preventing unauthorized access while allowing the insulating body structure to remain simplified.
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
The solution provides a stable and solid fixing of the cover on the terminal block, enhancing protection and safety by ensuring secure attachment and preventing unauthorized removal or alteration.
Implementation Method 1
clamping means received in a housing of the insulating body
Implementation Method 2
the insert comprises at least a portion blocking the cover on the insulating body arranged to block the cover between the blocking portion and a part of the insulating body
Implementation Method 3
means for guiding the foot in translation with respect to the insulating body
Implementation Method 4
the cover fixing means comprise a portion of the insulating body arranged to achieve a fixing by form fit with the cover profile, ideally the cover is mounted directly over the entire contour of the stops by elastic interlocking around their insulating body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The stop (1) has a securing unit for securing an insulating body (2) on a rigid mounting foot (3), where the unit comprises a tightening unit e.g. fixation screw (11), received in a housing (8) of the insulating body. A fixing unit fixes a cover that totally or partially covers a terminal block formed of a set of electrical appliances. An insert (12) closes the housing, and comprises a cover blocking portion for blocking the cover between the blocking portion and a portion of the body when the insert is fixed in the housing.