DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of solenoid devices. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a solenoid assembly that can be used in different modes, such as a Horizontal Cable Entry (HCE) mode and a Bottom Cable Entry (BCE) mode.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The conventional solenoid devices available in the market include different solenoid devices for different installations, such as different cable entry orientations. Typically, the available solenoid devices are specific for different cable entry orientations, thereby requiring separate solenoids for horizontal cable entry (HCE) application and bottom cable entry (BCE) application. Thus, if a user were to initially order a solenoid with an HCE configuration and, for various reasons during installation and commissioning, the requirement shifts to BCE, the solenoid with HCE orientation shall be unusable or may not be suitable for the requisite purpose. The conventional solenoid devices tailored for HCE cannot be repurposed for BCE, and therefore, the user of the solenoid is compelled to order an entirely new solenoid configured specifically for BCE orientation. This may directly impact project timelines and incur additional costs, impeding the smooth progress of installation and commissioning procedures.
[0003] In addition, the conventional solenoid devices also fail to offer flexibility in cable entry beyond HCE and BCE. There are no provisions for Top or Side Cable Entry supporting different orientations with different cable entry angles, restricting adaptability for different installations or requirements. Moreover, in the event of solenoid requiring replacement, the only available solution for the user is to replace the entire solenoid assembly by a similar solenoid. This inefficiency results in unnecessary expenses and extended downtimes, affecting operational continuity.
[0004] Furthermore, lack of visual indicators to detect the operational status of malfunctioning or short circuits of the entire solenoid device had been a critical drawback.
[0005] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art to overcome the above-mentioned problems by providing a more efficient solenoid assembly that can be used for different cable entry orientations depending on the requirement.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple, compact, and efficient solenoid assembly.
[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a single solenoid assembly capable of being arranged in either HCE mode or BCE mode.
[0008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid assembly capable of different orientations at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees in BCE mode.
[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid assembly that can be reconfigured between a HCE application and a BCE application by a user himself.
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a solenoid assembly that can be reconfigured between a HCE application and a BCE application without requirement of any specialized tools and equipment.
[0011] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an operational status indicator with the solenoid assembly that can be seen in any of the cable entry orientations.

SUMMARY
[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the technical field of solenoid devices. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to a solenoid assembly that can be reconfigured for different cable entry orientations.
[0013] According to an aspect, the proposed solenoid assembly includes a solenoid coil having an inner hollow, which defines a solenoid axis, and a junction box. The junction box is configured to accommodate a circuit to supply electric current to the solenoid coil. The junction box includes at least one cable entry port for a current carrying cable. The junction box further includes at least two coil coupling ports. Each of coil coupling ports is configured for coupling the solenoid coil to the junction box. At least two coil coupling ports are located relative to at least one cable entry port for selective coupling such that selectively coupling the solenoid coil to the junction box through the different coil coupling ports among at least two coil coupling ports allows the solenoid assembly to be used in any of a Horizontal Cable Entry mode and a Bottom Cable Entry mode.
[0014] In an embodiment, the at least two coil coupling ports may include a first coil coupling port that is located coaxial to at least one cable entry port, and a second coil coupling port that is located orthogonally to at least one cable entry port.
[0015] In an embodiment, coupling of the solenoid coil to the junction box through the first coil coupling port may allow the solenoid assembly to be used in the Horizontal Cable Entry mode.
[0016] In an embodiment, coupling of the solenoid coil to the junction box through the second coil coupling port may allow the solenoid assembly to be used in the Bottom Cable Entry mode.
[0017] In an embodiment, the second coil coupling port may be configured to allow coupling of the junction box and the coil such that the cable entry port is located at any of a 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees positions in the Bottom Cable Entry mode.
[0018] In an embodiment, the solenoid assembly may include an LED to indicate the operational status of the solenoid assembly. Each of the first coil coupling port and the second coil coupling port may be configured to be fitted with the LED. The LED may be fitted on the second port when the first port is used for coupling of the solenoid coil to the junction box, and the LED may be fitted on the first port when the second port is used for coupling of the solenoid coil to the junction box.
[0019] In an embodiment, the solenoid assembly may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The PCB may be located within the junction box. The PCB may be coupled to the LED and the current carrying cable.
[0020] In an embodiment, the PCB may include a safety fuse. The safety fuse may be configured to fail in the event of a short circuit.
[0021] In an embodiment, the junction box may include a housing and a cover detachably fixed to the housing. The detachable cover helps to enable coupling of the coil and the LED to the PCB during repurposing of the solenoid assembly between the Horizontal Cable Entry mode and the Bottom Cable Entry mode.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary perspective view of the proposed solenoid assembly in a Horizontal Cable Entry mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
[0025] FIGs. 1B to 1E illustrate exemplary perspective views of the proposed solenoid assembly in a Bottom Cable Entry mode in 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees orientations respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the proposed solenoid assembly showing coupling of the coil for a Horizontal Cable Entry application, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is disclosed.
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of the proposed solenoid assembly configured showing coupling of the coil for a Bottom Cable Entry application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the proposed solenoid assembly configured for a Horizontal Cable Entry application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the proposed solenoid assembly configured for a Bottom Cable Entry application, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] Embodiments explained herein relate to a solenoid assembly that can be repurposed, depending on requirement, for a Horizontal Cable Entry orientation or a Bottom Cable Entry orientation. In an aspect, the proposed solenoid assembly includes a solenoid coil (also simply referred to as coil, herein) and a junction box. The junction box includes at least two coil coupling ports and a cable entry port, The solenoid coil can be fitted to any of the at least two coil coupling ports to change the orientation of the cable entry port relative to the coil.
[0032] In an embodiment, the at least two coil coupling ports include a first coil coupling port and a second coil coupling port. The first coil coupling port is located coaxially to the cable entry port, and the second coil coupling port can be oriented orthogonally to the cable entry port. Thus, when the coil is coupled to the first coil coupling port, a HCE orientation is achieved, and when the coil is coupled to the second coil coupling port, a BCE orientation is achieved.
[0033] In an embodiment, the second coil coupling port can be configured such that the coil can be fitted thereto in different angular orientations. Thus, in the BCE configuration, the coil can be coupled to the coil coupling ports to achieve different angular positions of the cable entry port relative to the coil. In another embodiment, the first and the second cable entry ports can also be used to fit a LED to indicate operating status of the solenoid assembly.
[0034] In an embodiment, the junction box can accommodate a PCB having a current supply circuit for the coil. The coil, the LED and a current carrying cable coupled to the solenoid assembly through the cable entry port may be coupled to the PCB.
[0035] In an embodiment, the junction box can include a housing and a detachably fixed cover to facilitate coupling of the coil and the LED to the PCB while repurposing the solenoid assembly between different configurations/ modes/ orientations to meet different requirements.
[0036] Referring now to FIGs. 1A to 1E, in an aspect, the proposed solenoid assembly 100 can be configured for use in any of a HCE and BCE orientation, wherein the change in orientation of the cable entry port 106 is achieved by connecting a solenoid coil 102 (Also simply referred to as coil 102, herein) of the solenoid assembly 100 to different coil coupling ports of a junction box 104 of the solenoid assembly 100, such as a first coil coupling port 108 and a second coil coupling port 110 (refer to FIGs. 2 and 3). As can be seen from FIG 1A, 2 and 4, when the coil 102 is coupled to the junction box 104 through the first coil coupling port 108, the cable entry port 106 is oriented for a HCE orientation relative to a solenoid axis 126. On the other hand, as evident from FIGs. 1B-1E, 3 and 5, when the coil 102 is coupled to the junction box 104 through one of the second coil coupling port 110, the cable entry port 106 is oriented for a BCE orientation relative to the solenoid axis 126.
[0037] Further, FIGs. 1B-1E show the solenoid assembly 100 in BCE orientation with the cable entry port 106 in 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees orientations, respectively, which can achieved by fixing the coil 102 to the junction box 104 in different angular orientations. Specifically, the coil coupling ports 108 and 110 can include a square shaped projection and the coil can have a corresponding female feature, which allows the coil 102 to be assembled to the coil coupling ports 108 and 110, in different angular orientations at interval of 90 degrees. As can be understood other shapes such as hexagonal, octagonal etc. are also well within the scope of the present disclosure, which can allow a smaller interval between the angular orientations.
[0038] FIGs. 2 to 5 show further details of the disclosed solenoid assembly 100, wherein, as shown, the junction box 104 of the solenoid assembly 100 includes a housing 104-1 and a cover 118. The cover can be detachably fixed to the housing 104-1 by threads provided on the housing 104-1 and the cover 118. The housing 104-1 includes a cable entry port 106, a first coil coupling port 108 and a second coil coupling ports 110 (the first and second coil coupling ports collectively referred to as at least two coil coupling ports, herein). As can be seen, the first coil coupling port 108 is in axial alignment with the cable entry port 106 and the second coil coupling ports 110 is located orthogonally relative with the cable entry port 106.
[0039] The solenoid assembly 100 further includes at least one LED 112 that can be coupled to the housing 104-1 at any one of the first and the second coil coupling port, which is not used for coupling the coil 102.
[0040] The solenoid assembly 100 can further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 114 located within the housing 104-1, a safety fuse 116, a first snap ring or circular clip 120, a second snap ring or circular clip 122, and one or more screw or bolts 124.
[0041] In an embodiment, the solenoid coil 102 can be an encapsulated coil with an inner hollow for accommodating an actuator (not shown here). The inner hollow may define the axis of the solenoid (also referred to as solenoid axis, herein), along which the actuator shall linearly move when the coil is energized. The solenoid coil 102 may be configured to receive electric current from a current supplying circuit configured on the PCB 114 located within the junction box 104. The solenoid coil 102 can comprise an extended portion. The extended portion of the solenoid coil 102 can be coupled into the housing 104-1 through the first or the second coil coupling ports 108, 110 using one or more first snap ring or circular clip 120, in the Horizontal Cable Entry mode 200 or the Bottom Cable Entry mode 300, respectively. Access for fitting or removing the first snap ring or circular clip 120, such as during repurposing the solenoid assembly 100, can be enabled by removing the cover 118, by unscrewing the cover 118 using a screw driver. Likewise, a current carrying cable that enters the housing through the cable entry port 106, the LED 112 and the coil 102 can be coupled to the PCB 114 after removal of the cover 118.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the junction box 104 can comprise a cylindrical body. The cylindrical body can comprise one or more covers, such as the cover 118. The cover 118 can be detachably or removably coupled to the cylindrical body such that the open-ends can be covered by the cover to ensure safety of the circuit configured on the PCB 114 within the junction box 104. The detachably or removably coupling can be enabled through threads configured on both the junction box 104 and the cover 118. The cover 118 is to be unthreaded or opened to access the circuit within the junction box 104 and/or to arrange the solenoid assembly 100 either in the Horizontal Cable Entry mode 200 or the Bottom Cable Entry mode 300.
[0043] In an embodiment, the at least two coil coupling ports may be positioned relatively to the at least one cable entry port 106. The positioning may enable a selective coupling of the solenoid coil 102 to the junction box 104. The selective coupling is enabled through different coil coupling ports. The different coil ports can be among the at least two coil coupling ports. The selective coupling may allow the solenoid assembly 100 to be used in any of a Horizontal Cable Entry mode 200 or a Bottom Cable Entry mode 300. The at least one cable entry port 106 can allow the entry of one or more current-carrying cables.
[0044] In an embodiment, the LED 112 is coupled to the junction box 104 as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3. Each of the first and the second coil coupling ports 108 and 110 may be configured to be fitted with the LED 112. The LED 112 may be fitted on the second coil coupling port 110 when the first coil coupling port 108 is being used for coupling of the solenoid coil 102 to the junction box 104. The LED 112 may be fitted on the first coil coupling port 108 when the second coil coupling port 110 can be used for coupling of the solenoid coil 102 to the junction box 104.
[0045] The LED 112 may be configured to indicate the operational status of the solenoid assembly 100. A signal for the operational status can be from the circuit on the PCB 114 within the junction box 104. The LED 112 may illuminate to indicate that the solenoid assembly 100 is in an energized state. In an exemplary embodiment, the LED 112 may comprise LED housing. The LED housing may comprise an extending portion. The extending portion may be coupled to one of the two cable coupling ports 108, 110 on the housing 104-1 in the same manner as the coil 102. The coupling can be enabled one or more second snap ring or circular clip 122 in each of the Horizontal Cable Entry mode 200 or the Bottom Cable Entry mode 300. The cover 118 on the junction box 104 is to be unthreaded or opened to couple the LED housing to the junction box 104 in either of the modes.
[0046] In an embodiment, the PCB 114 within the junction box 104 of the solenoid assembly 100 as shown in FIG.2 and FIG.3. The PCB 114 may include a safety fuse 116. The safety fuse 116 may be removably positioned on a PCB 114. The safety fuse 116 may be configured to fail in the event of a short circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, the safety fuse 116 may be replaced upon failing in the event of short circuit. The panel can be manually removed upon opening the cover 118 on the junction box 104.
[0047] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0048] The present invention provides a simple, compact, and efficient solenoid assembly.
[0049] The present invention provides a single solenoid assembly capable of being arranged in either HCE mode or BCE mode.
[0050] The present invention provides a solenoid assembly capable of different orientations at 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees in BCE mode.
[0051] The present invention provides a solenoid assembly that can be reconfigured between a HCE application and a BCE application by a user himself.
[0052] The present invention provides a solenoid assembly that can be reconfigured between a HCE application and a BCE application without requirement of any specialized tools and equipment.
[0053] The present invention provides an operational status indicator (LED light) with the solenoid assembly that can be seen in any of the cable entry orientations.
,CLAIMS:1. A solenoid assembly (100) comprising:
a solenoid coil (102) having an inner hollow defining a solenoid axis;
a junction box (104) to accommodate a circuit to supply electric current to the solenoid coil (102), the junction box (104) comprising at least one cable entry port (106) for a current carrying cable and at least two coil coupling ports, each of the at least two coil coupling ports being configured for coupling the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104);
wherein the at least two coil coupling ports are located relative to the at least one cable entry port (106) such that selectively coupling of the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104) through different coil coupling ports among the at least two coil coupling ports, allows the solenoid assembly (100) to be used in any of a Horizontal Cable Entry mode (200) and a Bottom Cable Entry mode (300).
2. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two coil coupling ports comprise a first coil coupling port (108) located coaxial to the at least one cable entry port (106), and a second coil coupling port (110) located orthogonally to the at least one cable entry port (106).
3. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein coupling of the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104) through the first coil coupling port (108) allows the solenoid assembly (100) to be used in the Horizontal Cable Entry mode (200).
4. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein coupling of the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104) through the second coil coupling port (110) allows the solenoid assembly (100) to be used in the Bottom Cable Entry mode (300).
5. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second coil coupling port (110) is configured to allow coupling of the junction box (104) and the solenoid coil (102) such that the cable entry port (106) is located at any of a 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees and 270 degrees positions in the Bottom Cable Entry mode (300).
6. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the solenoid assembly (100) comprises a LED (112) to indicate operational status of the solenoid assembly (100), and wherein each of the first coil coupling port (108) and the second coil coupling port (110) is configured to be fitted with the LED (112) such that when the first port (108) is used for coupling of the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104), the second port (110) is used for fitting the LED (112), and when the second port (110) is used for coupling of the solenoid coil (102) to the junction box (104), the first port (108) is used for fitting the LED (112).
7. The solenoid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the solenoid assembly (100) comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) (114) located within the junction box (104) and coupled to the LED (112) and the current carrying cable.
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, the PCB (114) comprises a safety fuse (116) configured to fail in the event of a short circuit.