Wall mountable connector with built in jumper functionality
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC controllers face challenges in flexible wiring configurations due to the need to independently power transformer input terminals in various equipment installations, lacking a straightforward method to easily connect or disconnect these terminals during installation.
Innovation Solution
A wall mountable connector with movable switches and wiring terminals allows for easy electrical connection or disconnection of field wires from heat, cool, and accessory transformers, enabling adaptable installations by selectively coupling terminals based on the presence of specific transformers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wall mounting methods are used for HVAC controllers, then the controller can be securely mounted to the wall, but the wiring configuration lacks flexibility and requires complex wire manipulation to connect or disconnect transformer terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The wall mountable connector is divided into separate functional components: a housing for wall mounting, multiple detachable wiring terminals (R, RC, U) for different transformer connections, and a conductive switch member with movable legs. This segmentation allows each terminal to be independently connected or disconnected from field wires, providing wiring flexibility without requiring complex wire manipulation throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive switch member incorporates movable legs (R leg, U leg) that can be selectively positioned to make or break electrical connections. The R leg can move between connecting the R terminal to RC, and the U leg can move between connecting the U terminal to RC. This dynamic capability allows the wiring configuration to be easily adapted during installation based on equipment requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transformer input terminals are provided for different HVAC equipment, then the controller can support various equipment configurations, but the installation process becomes more complex requiring precise wire connections
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive switch member with movable legs automatically provides the electrical connection path when positioned in the closed state. The R leg, when moved to connect R to RC, and the U leg, when moved to connect U to RC, create self-contained electrical pathways without requiring external wiring adjustments. This self-service mechanism simplifies installation by eliminating the need for precise wire manipulation between different terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive switch member acts as an intermediary between the wiring terminals and the field wires. Instead of directly connecting field wires to multiple terminals, the movable legs of the conductive switch member mediate the electrical connections, allowing installers to selectively enable or disable transformer input paths (R-RC, U-RC) based on equipment configuration without complex direct wiring.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector provides multiple wiring terminals for independent transformer connections, then different HVAC equipment can be supported, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing, multiple wiring terminals (R, RC, U), and conductive switch member are merged into a single integrated wall mountable connector unit. This consolidation provides multiple transformer connection capabilities (independent R, RC, and U terminals) while maintaining a unified structure that mounts to the wall as one component, avoiding the need for separate connectors or complex external wiring arrangements.
Data Source
AI summary
A wall mountable connector for securing a thermostat to a wall is disclosed. The wall mountable connector may include built in jumper functionality. In some cases, the wall mountable connector may include a plurality of wiring terminals as well as structure enabling an installer or other person to easily electrically connect (e.g. jumper) one or more of the wiring terminals in order to accommodate different equipment installations. For example, in some cases there may be a desire to electrically connect (e.g. jumper) or disconnect certain wiring terminals that correspond to transformer input terminals, which in some equipment installations are intended to be independently powered while in others they are not.