05-EDP-321
ROTATING DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING WIRING HARNESS RETENTION
MEMBER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates generally to an electrical apparatus and, more
particularly, to a display device for receiving and displaying a value from an electrical
apparatus. The invention also relates to a retention member that secures a wiring
harness that is disposed within a display device.
Background Information
[0002] Displaying operating parameters (e.g., without limitation, voltage; electrical
current; frequency) provides one way for a user to ensure that an electrical apparatus
is operating properly. Accordingly, electrical apparatus including, for example,
electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit switching devices and circuit
interrupters (e.g., without limitation, circuit breakers, contactors, motor starters, motor
controllers and other load controllers), often include a connector for outputting a
value. The value outputted on the connector is typically indicative of one or more
operating parameters. Circuit breakers, such as the low voltage circuit breaker 2,
shown in FIG. 1, exemplify one type of electrical apparatus that may include such a
connector 4.
[0003] However, electrical apparatus, including circuit breakers, are often mounted
or disposed in a wide variety of orientations with the position of the display device
display being dictated by such orientation and the corresponding orientation of the
connector on the electrical apparatus. The varying orientations of the electrical
apparatus make it difficult to read the value displayed on the display when the
electrical apparatus is disposed in any orientation other than a vertical one. For
example, circuit breakers can often be mounted sideways or in an inverted orientation,
thereby requiring the display device's display to be oriented in a corresponding
sideways or inverted orientation. This results in the displayed value being displayed
in an improper orientation, thereby making it difficult to be accurately read or
interpreted by a user.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] These needs and others are met by embodiments of the invention, which
provide a rotating display device for viewing a value in a variable viewing orientation.
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a retention member is for use
with a rotating display device. The rotating display device includes a rotating member
disposed therein. The rotating member has a first groove and a second groove that are
structured to slideably receive the retention member. The retention member includes:
a first flange and a second flange, each of the first and second flanges has a first
surface and a second surface, the first flange being structured to be slideably received
into the first groove and the second flange being structured to be slideably received
into the second groove; and a first web and a second web, the first web extends from
the first surface of the first flange to the first surface of the second flange, the second
web extends from the second surface of the first flange to the second surface of the
second flange.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a rotating display device
includes: a housing having a first half and a second half; a display for displaying the
value, the display being disposed within the first half; a rotating member disposed
within the second half; a retention member slideably received into the rotating
member; and a wiring harness secured to the rotating member by the retention
member.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an electrical apparatus
includes: an enclosure having a surface; a port disposed on the surface of the
enclosure, the port being structured to output a value; and a rotating display device
coupled to the port. The rotating display device is structured to receive the value and
display the value in a variable viewing orientation, the rotating display device
includes: a housing having a first half and a second half; a display structured to
display the value, the display being disposed within the first half; a rotating member
disposed within the second half; a retention member, the retention member is
slideably received into the rotating member; and a wiring harness secured to the
rotating member by the retention member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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[0008] A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following
description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a low voltage circuit breaker;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a rotating display device including a display in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the connector side of the rotating display
device of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIGS. 4A and 4B are isometric views of one embodiment of the retention
member of FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the rotating display device of FIG. 2;
and
[0014] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the second half of the rotating display device
of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The invention is described in association with a display device for a low
voltage circuit breaker, although the invention is applicable to a wide range of
electrical apparatus, such as, for example, electrical switching apparatus.
[0016] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, upper, lower, left,
right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, above, beneath, clockwise, counterclockwise
and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings
and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.
[0017] As employed herein, the phrase "slideably receives" or variations thereof
shall mean that a part is adapted to receive another part which slides into it.
[0018] As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are "coupled"
together means that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one
or more intermediate parts.
[0019] As employed herein, the term "number" means one or an integer greater than
one (i.e., a plurality).
[0020] As employed herein, the term "wiring harness" or variations thereof shall
mean a number ports or connectors that are electrically connected by a number of
conductors.
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[0021] As employed herein, the term "lip" or variations thereof shall mean a
projecting edge.
[0022] As employed herein, the term "groove" or variations thereof shall mean a
channel or depression.
[0023] As employed herein, the term "mechanical fastener" or variations thereof
shall refer to any suitable fastening, connecting or tightening mechanism including,
but not limited to, screws, bolts, and the combination of bolts and nuts.
[0024] As employed herein, the term "variable viewing orientation" shall refer to the
ability of the display for a rotating display device to be rotated, for example, to a
variety of viewing orientations, in order to permit a user to accurately view and
interpret the value displayed thereon even when the connector of the electrical
apparatus to which it is coupled is disposed in a different or non-standard orientation.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a rotating display device 6 that receives and displays a value
(e.g., without limitation, operational parameter; setpoint; served value) of an electrical
apparatus. As will be discussed in further detail below, the rotating display device 6
is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the electrical apparatus by the
connector 4 (FIG. 1) that is located on the electrical apparatus. The rotating display
device 6 includes a housing 8 having a first side 10 and a second side 12. The
rotating display device 6 further includes a first half 14 and a second half 16. Located
on the first side 10 of the housing 8 is a first aperture 18 in which a display 20 is
disposed. The display 20 displays (outputs) the value that is received from the
electrical apparatus. In one embodiment, the display 20 displays the value in a digital
format. However, this is not meant to be limiting since any suitable alternative
display format including, but not limited to, an analog display may also be employed.
[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the first side 10 of the housing 8 further includes
a first control button 22 and a second control button 24. The first control button 22
extends through a second aperture 26 while the second control button 24 extends
through a third aperture 28. The control buttons 22,24 are an optional feature
designed to permit the user to control the display 20. For example, the control buttons
22,24 may permit the user to switch the value being displayed (e.g. current; voltage)
or to change the units in which the value is displayed (e.g., amps; milliamps). The
housing 8 may also include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) 30 that indicates, for
example, whether the rotating display device 6 is electrically connected to the
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electrical apparatus. The LED 30 is positioned within a fourth aperture 31 that is
located on the first side 10 of the housing 8. The display 20, control buttons 22,24,
and LED 30 are disposed and electrically connected to a printed circuit board 32
(shown in FIG. 5) that is located between the first and second housing halves 14,16.
As will be discussed in further detail below, the printed circuit board 32 is electrically
connected to the electrical apparatus by a wiring harness 34 (shown in FIG. 5) having
first and second connectors 36,38 (shown in FIG. 5) that are electrically connected by
a number of conductors 40 (shown in FIG. 5). Specifically, the printed circuit board
32 is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the second connector 38 of
the wiring harness 34.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the second side 12 of the housing 8 includes an aperture
42 in which a rotating member 44 is disposed. The rotating member 44 has an
aperture 46 that is structured to receive the first connector 36 of the wiring harness 34.
As shown, the first connector 36 extends from the second side 12 of the housing 8
when the first connector 36 is positioned within the aperture 46 of the rotating
member 44. The first connector 36 is structured to be mechanically coupled and
electrically connected to the connector 4 (FIG. 1) that is located on the electrical
apparatus thereby electrically connecting the printed circuit board 32 to the electrical
apparatus. The second side 12 of the housing 8 further includes a number of apertures
50 that are structured to receive mechanical fasteners 52 which secure the second
housing half 16 to the first housing half 14.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 5, in order to ensure that the conductors 40 of the wiring
harness 34 do not interfere with the various internal components of the rotating
display device 6 and that the first connector 36 does not dislodged from the rotating
member 44 when the rotating display device 6 is coupled to the electrical apparatus, a
retention member 54 (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, and 6) is structured to be slideably
received into the rotating member 44. The retention member 54 not only acts as a
strain relief and a guide for the conductors 40 of the wiring harness 34, but also
secures the first connector 36 to the rotating member 44.
[0029] As can be seen from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the retention member 54 includes a
first flange 56 and a second flange 58. Each of the first and second flanges 56,58 has
corresponding first, second, and third surfaces 60,62,64, as best shown with the first
flange 56. Extending from the first surface 60 of the first flange 56 to the first surface
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60 of the second flange is a first web 66. The first web 66 includes an aperture 68 that
is located, for example, at about the center of the first web 66. Extending from the
second surface 62 of the first flange 56 to the second surface 62 of the second flange
58 is a second web 70. The first web 66 is connected to the second web's inner
surface 71. In the example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second
web 70 is substantially arcuate in shape and includes a substantially arcuate lip 72.
The first web 66 extends from the first flange 56 to the second flange 58 in a direction
substantially perpendicular to an axis 82 (FIG. 5) of the rotating member 44 (see FIG.
5). Each of the first and second flanges 56,58 also includes a protrusion 74 extending
therefrom. It should be noted, however, that despite FIGS. 4A and 4B showing only
one protrusion 74 extending from each of the first and second flanges 56,58, a first
and second flange 56,58 having two or more protrusions 74 extending therefrom falls
within the scope of this invention. The protrusions 74 are structured to securely
couple the retention member 54 to the rotating member 44 when the retention member
54 is slideably received into the rotating member 44.
[0030] As can be seen from FIG. 5, the printed circuit board 32, the wiring harness
34, and the rotating member 44 are all disposed between the first and second halves
14,16 of the housing 8. The display 20 is inserted through the first aperture 18 that is
located on the first side 10 of the housing 8 while the first control button 22 and the
second control button 24 as well as the LED 30 are inserted through the respective
second, third, and fourth apertures 26,28,31, which are also located on the first
housing side 10. As employed, the circuitry (not shown) of the printed circuit board
32 receives the value from a connector 76 that is located on the surface of the printed
circuit board 32 that is adjacent to the rotating member 44. The connector 76 is
mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the second connector 38 of the
wiring harness 34 which, as stated above, is electrically connected to the first
connector 36.
[0031] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, the first connector 36 of the wiring harness 34
is structured to be received into the aperture 46 that is located on the rotating member
44. When positioned within the aperture 46 of the rotating member 44, the first
connector 36 of the wiring harness 34 is secured to the rotating member 44 by the
retention member 54 that is slideably received into the rotating member 44.
Specifically, the first and second flanges 56,58 of the retention member 54 are
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structured to be slideably received into a first groove 78 and a second groove 80 that
are located on the rotating member 44, respectively. The first and second grooves
78,80 extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis 82 of the rotating
member 44. As stated above, each of the first and second flanges 56,58 of the
retention member 54 includes a number of protrusions 74 that secure the retention
member 54 to the rotating member 44. The combination of the rotating member 44,
the retention member 54 and the first connector 36 of the wiring harness 34, is
received into the aperture 42 that is located on the second half 16 of the housing 8.
The second housing half 16 is secured to the first housing half 14 by a number of
mechanical fasteners 52 (see FIG. 3) that are inserted through the apertures 50 that are
located on the second side 12 of the housing 8. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the
printed circuit board 32 is secured between the first and second housing halves 14,16
by the mechanical fasteners 52 (FIG. 3). By securing the printed circuit board 32 to
the first and second housing halves 14,16, the display 20 rotates with the housing 8
thereby permitting a user to view the display 20 in a variety of viewing orientations.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows the second housing half 16 having disposed therein the rotating
member 44. As can be seen, the rotating member 44 includes the first connector 36 of
the wiring harness 34 which is secured to the rotating member 44 by the retention
member 54. The rotating member 44 has a lip 84 (as best shown in FIG. 5) that
extends along a portion of the perimeter of the rotating member 44. When the
retention member 54 is secured to the rotating member 44, the lip 72 of the second
web 70 of the retention member 54 in addition to the lip 84 of the rotating member 44
form a complete lip 86 that extends along substantially the entire perimeter of the
rotating member 44. The complete lip 86 has a first surface 88 (see FIG. 5) that is
positioned adjacent to an edge 90 (see FIG. 5) of the rotating member 44 which
secures the rotating member 44 to the second housing half 16 when the second
housing half and the printed circuit board 32 are secured to the first housing half 14.
[0033] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and
alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be
illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given
the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
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What is claimed is:
1. A retention member (54) for use with a rotating display device (6) , said
rotating display device (6) having a rotating member (44) disposed therein, said
rotating member (44) having a first groove (78) and a second groove (80) that are
structured to slideably receive said retention member (54), said retention member (54)
comprising:
a first flange (56) and a second flange (58), each of said first and second
flanges (56, 58) has a first surface (60) and a second surface (62), said first flange (56)
being structured to be slideably received into said first groove (78) and said second
flange (58) being structured to be slideably received into said second groove (80); and
a first web (66) and a second web (70), said first web (66) extends from said
first surface (60) of said first flange (56) to said first surface (60) of said second
flange (58), said second web (70) extends from said second surface (62) of said first
flange (56) to said second surface (62) of said second flange (58).
2. The retention member (54) according to claim 1, wherein each of said first
and second flanges (56, 58) has a number of protrusions (74) extending therefrom,
said protrusions (74) being structured to secure said retention member (54) to said
rotating member (44).
3. The retention member (54) according to claim 1, wherein said second web
(70) is substantially arcuate.
4. The retention member (54) according to claim 3, wherein said second web
(70) further comprises an inner surface (71) and said first web (66) is connected to
said inner surface (71).
5. A rotating display device (6) for displaying a value in a variable viewing
orientation, said rotating display device (6) comprising:
a housing (8) having a first half and a second half (14,16);
a display (20) for displaying said value, said display (20) being disposed
within said first half (14);
a rotating member (44) disposed within said second half (16);
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a retention member (54) slideably received into said rotating member (44);
and
a wiring harness (34) secured to said rotating member (44) by said retention
member (54).
6. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 5, wherein said wiring
harness (34) comprises a first connector (36) and a second connector (38) that are
electrically connected by a number of conductors (40).
7. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 6, wherein said first
connector (36) of said wiring harness (34) is structured to engage a port (4) disposed
on a surface of an electrical apparatus, said port (4) outputting said value; and wherein
said second connector (38) of said wiring harness (34) is structured to engage and
communicate said value to said display (20).
8. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 6, wherein said first half
(14) of said housing (8) has an aperture (18) that receives said display (20); wherein
said display (20) is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to a printed
circuit board (32) which is disposed between said first half (14) and said second half
(16) of said housing (8); and wherein said printed circuit board (32) is electrically
connected to said second connector (38).
9. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 6, wherein said rotating
member (44) comprises a first groove (78) and a second groove (80); and wherein
said retention member (44) comprises a first flange (56) and a second flange (58),
each of said first and second flanges (56, 58) has a first surface (60) and a second
surface (62), said first flange (56) being slideably received into said first groove (78)
and said second flange (58) being slideably received into said second groove (80), and
a first web (66) and a second web (70), said first web (66) extends from said first
surface (60) of said first flange (56) to said first surface (60) of said second flange
(58), said second web (70) extends from said second surface (62) of said first flange
(56) to said second surface (62) of said second flange (58).
10. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 9, wherein each of said first
and second flanges (56, 58) has a number of protrusions (74) extending therefrom,
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said protrusions (74) securing said retention member (54) to said rotating member
(44).
11. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 9, wherein said rotating
member (44) has an axis (82); and wherein said first web (66) extends from said first
flange (56) to said second flange (58) in a direction substantially perpendicular to said
axis (82) of said rotating member (44).
12. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 9, wherein said rotating
member (44) has an aperture (42) that receives said first connector (36) of said wiring
harness (34).
13. The rotating display device (6) according to claim 12, wherein each of said
first and second flanges (56, 58) has a third surface (64); and wherein said first
connector (36) of said wiring harness (34) is positioned within said aperture (42) and
substantially adjacent to said third surface (64) of each of said first and second flanges
(56,58).
14. An electrical apparatus comprising:
an enclosure including a surface;
a port (4) disposed on said surface of said enclosure, said port being structured
to output a value; and
a rotating display device (6) coupled to said port (4), said rotating display
device (6) structured to receive said value and display said value in a variable viewing
orientation, said rotating display device (6) comprising:
a housing (8) having a first half (14) and a second half (16);
a display (20) structured to display said value, said display (20) being
disposed within said first half (14);
a rotating member (44) disposed within said second half (16);
a retention member (54), said retention member (54) is slideably
received into said rotating member (44); and
a wiring harness (34) secured to said rotating member (44) by said
retention member (54).
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15. The electrical apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said wiring harness
(34) comprises a first connector (36) and a second connector (38) that are electrically
connected by a number of conductors (40).
16. The electrical apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said first connector
(36) of said wiring harness (34) engages said port (4) disposed on said surface of said
enclosure; and wherein said second connector (38) of said wiring harness (34)
engages and communicates with said display (20).
17. The electrical apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said rotating member
(44) further comprises a first groove (78) and a second groove (80); and wherein said
retention member (54) comprises a first flange (56) and a second flange (58), each of
said first and second flanges (56, 58) has a first surface (60) and a second surface
(62), said first flange (56) slideably received into said first groove (78) and said
second flange (58) slideably received into said second groove (78), and a first web
(66) and a second web (70), said first web (66) extends from said first surface (60) of
said first flange (56) to said first surface (60) of said second flange (58), said second
web (70) extends from said second surface (62) of said first flange (56) to said second
surface (62) of said second flange (58).
18. The electrical apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said rotating member
(44) has an aperture (46) that receives said first connector (36) of said wiring harness
(34).
19. The electrical apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of said first and
second flanges (56, 58) has a third surface (64); and wherein said first connector (36)
of said wiring harness (34) is positioned within said aperture (46) and substantially
adjacent to said third surface (64) of each of said first and second flanges (56, 58).
20. The electrical apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of said first and
second flanges (56, 58) has a number of protrusions (74) extending therefrom, said
protrusions (74) securing said retention member (54) to said rotating member (44).

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A rotating display device (6) enables a user to view, in a variety of viewing
orientations, a value of an electrical apparatus to which the rotating display device (6)
is electrically and mechanically connected. The rotating display device (6) includes a
housing having a first half (14) and a second half (16), a display (20) for displaying
the value, a rotating member (44) disposed within the second half (16), a retention
member (54) slideably received into the rotating member (44), and a wiring harness
(34) secured to the rotating member (44) by the retention member (54).