Ring main unit with safety mechanism
By introducing dual detection of voltage sensors and limit switches into the ring main unit, combined with a PLC controller, automatic safety protection of the plug-in head is realized, which solves the hidden danger of live plugging and unplugging in the existing ring main unit and improves safety and stability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-31
AI Technical Summary
The plugs and switches in the existing ring main unit lack live safety protection mechanisms and rely on manual subjective judgment of the live state, which poses a risk of electric shock due to misoperation or incorrect judgment.
By using voltage sensors and limit switches in conjunction with a PLC controller, the operation of the drive components is controlled by detecting the power-on status of the plug-in head and the open status of the cabinet door, so as to realize the automatic locking or unlocking of the protective plate and ensure that the plug-in operation is carried out in the power-off state.
This effectively avoids the risks of hot plugging and unplugging, improves operational safety and connection stability, reduces the risk of misoperation, and ensures the reliability of cable connections.
Smart Images

Figure CN121769665A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of ring main unit technology, and more specifically, to a ring main unit with a safety mechanism. Background Technology
[0002] Ring main units (RMMs) are critical equipment in power distribution networks, and their safety and operational efficiency directly impact the reliability of the power system. The external cables of the RMM, serving as the physical carrier of the ring network power supply system, transmit electrical energy from the power source to each distribution branch. To ensure operational safety, these external cables must be kept de-energized when connected to the RMM. Existing RMMs lack live-line safety protection mechanisms for their internal plugs, relying on manual judgment of the energized state, which poses a risk of electric shock due to misoperation or incorrect judgment. Therefore, we propose a RMM with a safety mechanism. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a ring main unit with a safety mechanism to solve the technical problem in the prior art that relies on manual subjective judgment of the energized state of electrical cabinet plugs and unplugs, which may lead to electric shock accidents due to misoperation or incorrect judgment.
[0004] This invention provides a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, including a main body, an adjusting plate slidably connected to the main body, and an output end of a drive component mounted on the main body fixedly connected to the adjusting plate. The protective component includes a protective plate, which is slidably connected to the fixed frame of the cabinet body via a guide frame. The guide frame is provided with a first limiting groove, a second limiting groove, and a reversing groove connecting the two. A lever assembly is inserted into the guide frame, and the end of the lever assembly is inserted into the adjustment plate; When the drive assembly moves the adjustment plate, the lever assembly slides along the adjustment groove of the adjustment plate and drives the protective plate away from or towards the plug-in head; the limiting post of the lever assembly can switch between inserting into the first limiting groove or the second limiting groove to control the lever assembly to disengage from or engage with the adjustment plate.
[0005] As a further description of the above technical solution, the lever assembly includes a support rod movably inserted into the guide frame, a limiting post fixedly installed on the support rod, and a support wheel installed at the end of the support rod, the support wheel being inserted into the adjustment groove.
[0006] As a further description of the above technical solution, a fixing block is fixedly installed on the support rod, and a number of limiting blocks for limiting the fixing block are fixedly installed on the cabinet body.
[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution, the centerline of the limiting post is perpendicular to the centerline of the fixing block.
[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution, a second slot is provided in the guide frame, and a first limiting slot and a second limiting slot are provided in the second slot, with the first limiting slot located at the bottom of the second slot.
[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution, the adjustment plate is equipped with several first elastic elements for pushing the guide frame toward the insertion head.
[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution, a second elastic element for pushing the support rod to move towards the protective plate is installed inside the guide frame.
[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution, the ring main unit also includes a voltage sensor electrically connected to the plug-in head for detecting the energized state of the plug-in head.
[0012] As a further description of the above technical solution, the ring main unit also includes a limit switch fixedly installed on the main body of the unit, used to detect the opening status of the main body's door.
[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, when the voltage sensor detects that the plug is energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the PLC controller stops the motor and keeps the plug hole blocked by the protective plate. When the voltage sensor detects that the plug is de-energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, and the limit switch detects that the cabinet door is open and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the motor enters the standby state and can be powered on. When the voltage sensor detects that the plug is de-energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, and the limit switch detects that the cabinet door is closed and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the PLC controller stops the motor. When the motor is in standby mode, it is started by controlling the switch button. The motor output drives the lead screw to rotate, which in turn drives the slider and adjusting plate to move through the threaded transmission. When the adjusting plate moves, the support wheel is raised and lowered by the adjusting groove, which in turn drives the support rod, guide frame and protective plate to slide on the adjusting plate. This causes the protective plate to move away from the axis of the plug hole, opening the plug hole. The cable connector passes through the plug hole and is inserted into the plug head to connect the cable. After the cable is connected, the motor output shaft rotates in the opposite direction, which controls the protective plate to move towards the center of the plug hole through the transmission. This causes the protective plate to engage with the back of the flange of the cable connector, limiting the position of the cable connector. When it is necessary to increase the number of cables connected, the support wheel corresponding to the already connected cable must first be disengaged from the adjustment groove. Specifically, press and rotate the support rod to move the limiting post from the second limiting groove through the reversing groove to the first limiting groove. At the same time, under the action of the second elastic element or by manually pulling the support rod, the support wheel disengages from the adjustment groove. Since the rotation of the support rod will drive the fixed block to rotate synchronously, and when the limiting post rotates into the first limiting groove, the fixed block rotates to a horizontal state. As the support rod moves towards the protective plate side, the fixed block moves to the side of the limiting block near the insertion hole and is limited by the limiting block, thereby realizing the limitation of the support rod, guide frame and protective plate. At this time, start the motor, and drive the protective plate corresponding to the plug head of the unconnected cable to rise and fall, so that the insertion hole opens and the cable is plugged in.
[0014] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention achieves an inherently safe design that requires "power off before operation" through dual detection by voltage sensors and limit switches, combined with PLC control logic. When the system detects that the plug is energized or the cabinet door is not open, it will forcibly lock the motor, fundamentally eliminating the risk of plugging and unplugging cables while they are energized.
[0015] 2. When the cable connector is not connected, the protective plate of the ring main unit of the present invention can provide safety protection for the plug-in head to avoid live connection operations. After the cable connector is inserted into the plug-in head, the protective plate can also be used to limit the cable connector, thereby reducing the risk of the cable connector coming loose after insertion and improving the stability of the connection.
[0016] 3. The ring main unit of the present invention can switch between two limiting slots by controlling the limiting column, so that the support wheel is disengaged from the adjusting slot, and the fixing block is limited by the limiting block, thereby keeping the corresponding protective plate connected to the cable in a locked state, while the corresponding protective plate not connected to the cable can be raised and lowered by the movement of the adjusting plate to open some plug-in heads. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the plug-in head of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive component connection structure of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation position of the limiting block of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the protective components of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the protective component and the lever component of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the insertion of a lever assembly of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the limiting groove in a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the reversing slot connection relationship of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a protective plate latch of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the lever assembly structure of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the position of the limiting post of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the fixing block of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the limiting block of a ring main unit with a safety mechanism limiting the position of a fixed block, as disclosed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] The following are the labeling instructions in the diagram: 1. Cabinet body; 11. Fixing frame; 12. Plug-in hole; 13. Fixing plate; 14. Plug-in head; 15. First guide rod; 16. Slide groove; 17. Limiting block; 2. Adjusting plate; 21. Adjusting groove; 3. Drive assembly; 31. Motor; 32. Lead screw; 33. Sliding block; 4. Protective assembly; 41. Protective plate; 42. Guide frame; 43. First slot; 44. Second slot; 45. First limiting groove; 46. Second limiting groove; 47. Reversing groove; 48. Second guide rod; 49. First elastic element; 5. Lever assembly; 51. Support rod; 52. Second elastic element; 53. Limiting post; 54. Support wheel; 55. Fixing block; 56. Handle. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0020] Reference Figures 1 to 14 This embodiment discloses a ring main unit with a safety mechanism, including a main body 1, a fixing frame 11 fixedly installed inside the main body 1, a plurality of insertion holes 12 opened on the fixing frame 11, a fixing plate 13 fixedly installed inside the main body 1, a plurality of plug-in heads 14 coaxial with the insertion holes 12 fixedly installed on the fixing plate 13, a plurality of first guide rods 15 fixedly installed inside the main body 1, a plurality of sliding grooves 16 opened on the fixing frame 11, the opening direction of the sliding grooves 16 being perpendicular to the axis of the insertion holes 12, and a plurality of limiting blocks 17 fixedly installed on the fixing frame 11, the limiting blocks 17 being located on one side of the sliding grooves 16.
[0021] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 The ring main unit also includes an adjusting plate 2 and a drive assembly 3. The adjusting plate 2 is slidably connected to the first guide rod 15. The adjusting plate 2 has several adjusting grooves 21, which are inclined. The drive assembly 3 includes a motor 31 fixedly mounted on a fixed frame 11 and a lead screw 32 rotatably connected to the fixed frame 11. The lead screw 32 is fixedly connected to the output end of the motor 31. A slider 33, which is fixedly connected to the adjusting plate 2, is threaded onto the lead screw 32 and slidably connected to the fixed frame 11. The output end of the motor 31 drives the lead screw 32 to rotate, and the screw drive drives the slider 33 to move, thereby enabling the adjusting plate 2 to slide on the first guide rod 15 of the main body 1.
[0022] Reference Figure 2 , Figures 5 to 10The ring main unit also includes several protective components 4. Each protective component 4 includes a protective plate 41, which prevents cable connectors from being inserted into the insertion hole 12. A guide frame 42 is fixedly installed on the protective plate 41. The guide frame 42 slides in conjunction with the sliding groove 16, allowing the guide frame 42 to slide on the fixed frame 11. The guide frame 42 has a first slot 43 and a second slot 44 that are interconnected. The second slot 44 has a first limiting groove 45 and a second limiting groove 46. The length of the first limiting groove 45 is greater than the length of the second limiting groove 46. In the circumferential direction of the two slots 44, the first limiting slot 45 and the second limiting slot 46 have a certain deflection angle, which can be 30-45°. The first limiting slot 45 and the second limiting slot 46 are connected through the reversing slot 47. A second guide rod 48 that is slidably connected to the adjusting plate 2 is fixedly installed on the guide frame 42. A first elastic element 49 is fitted on the second guide rod 48. One end of the first elastic element 49 is fixedly connected to the guide frame 42, and the other end is fixedly connected to the adjusting plate 2. It is used to push the guide frame 42 and the protective plate 41 to move towards the axis of the plug-in hole 12. After the cable connector passes through the plug-in hole 12 and is inserted into the plug-in head 14, the cable is electrically connected to the ring main unit. After the cable connector is connected to the plug-in head 14 of the ring main unit, the protective plate 41 is fastened to the flange of the cable connector to limit the cable connector, thereby reducing the risk of the cable connector and plug-in head 14 coming off and improving the stability of the cable connection.
[0023] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figures 11 to 14 A lever assembly 5 is installed on the guide frame 42. The lever assembly 5 includes a support rod 51, which is movably inserted into the second slot 44, meaning the support rod 51 can rotate or slide within the second slot 44. A second elastic element 52 is fitted onto the support rod 51, located within the first slot 43. One end of the second elastic element 52 is fixedly installed on the guide frame 42, and the other end abuts against the support rod 51. The second elastic element 52 is used to push the support rod 51, causing the support rod 51 to move towards one side of the protective plate 41. A limiting post 53 is fixedly installed on the rod 51. The limiting post 53 can slide within the first limiting groove 45, the second limiting groove 46, and the reversing groove 47. A support wheel 54 is installed at the end of the support rod 51. The support wheel 54 can be inserted into the adjusting groove 21. A fixing block 55 is fixedly installed on the support rod 51. The centerline of the limiting post 53 is perpendicular to the centerline of the fixing block 55. The angle between the centerline of the limiting post 53 and the vertical line is equal to the deflection angle between the first limiting groove 45 and the second limiting groove 46. The vertical line is perpendicular to the centerline of the first limiting groove 45. Figure 11 The middle limiting post 53 is the position when inserted into the second limiting groove 46, and the end of the support rod 51 is fixedly installed with a handle 56.
[0024] When the limiting post 53 moves from the first limiting groove 45 through the reversing groove 47 to the second limiting groove 46, the support wheel 54 inserts into the adjusting groove 21 of the adjusting plate 2. At this time, the second elastic element 52 is in a compressed state. When the adjusting plate 2 moves, it can act on the support wheel 54 through the adjusting groove 21, thereby driving the support rod 51, the guide frame 42, and the protective plate 41 to rise and fall, realizing the opening of the insertion hole 12. When the limiting post 53 moves from the second limiting groove 46 through the reversing groove 47 to the first limiting groove 45, at the same time, under the action of the second elastic element 52 or manual operation, the support wheel 54 moves towards the fixed frame 11 in a direction perpendicular to the adjusting plate 2. When the support rod 51 moves away from the adjustment groove 21, the fixed block 55 rotates synchronously as the support rod 51 rotates. The limiting post 53 rotates into the first limiting groove 45, and the fixed block 55 is in a horizontal state. As the support rod 51 moves towards the protective plate 41, the fixed block 55 is limited by the limiting block 17. This ensures that when the support wheel 54 is removed from the adjustment groove 21, the protective plate 41 can still be stably fastened to the cable connector, maintaining the stability of the connection. When the adjustment plate 2 moves, it can drive the protective plate 41 corresponding to the support wheel 54 that has not been removed from the connection to rise and fall, thereby realizing the lifting and lowering adjustment of the local protective plate 41, which can open part of the plug hole 12.
[0025] The ring main unit also includes a voltage sensor electrically connected to the plug-in head 14 and a limit switch fixedly installed on the cabinet body 1. The voltage sensor is used to detect whether the plug-in head 14 is energized, and the limit switch is used to detect whether the cabinet door of the cabinet body 1 is open. Through the detection of the voltage sensor and the limit switch, the live connection of the cable can be avoided, thereby improving the safety of workers.
[0026] Working principle: When the voltage sensor detects that the plug-in head 14 is energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the PLC controller stops the operation of the motor 31 and keeps the plug hole 12 blocked by the protective plate 41. When the voltage sensor detects that the plug-in head 14 is de-energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, and the limit switch detects that the cabinet door of the main body 1 is open and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the PLC controller sends an unlock command to the motor 31, allowing the motor 31 to respond to the operation button signal and perform energization operation. When the voltage sensor detects that the plug-in head 14 is de-energized and sends a signal to the PLC controller, and the limit switch detects that the cabinet door of the main body 1 is closed and sends a signal to the PLC controller, the PLC controller stops the operation of the motor 31.
[0027] When motor 31 is in standby mode, it is started by controlling the switch button. The output end of motor 31 drives lead screw 32 to rotate, which drives slider 33 and adjusting plate 2 to move through threaded transmission. When adjusting plate 2 moves, support wheel 54 is raised and lowered by adjusting groove 21, which drives support rod 51, guide frame 42 and protective plate 41 to slide on adjusting plate 2, so that protective plate 41 moves away from the axis of plug hole 12. Plug hole 12 opens, and cable connector passes through plug hole 12 and is inserted into plug head 14 to realize cable connection. After cable connection, output shaft of motor 31 rotates in the opposite direction, and through transmission control, protective plate 41 moves towards the center of plug hole 12, so that protective plate 41 is fastened to the back of flange of cable connector, limiting the cable connector.
[0028] When it is necessary to increase the number of cables connected, the support wheel 54 corresponding to the already connected cable must first be disengaged from the adjustment groove 21. Specifically, press and rotate the support rod 51 so that the limiting post 53 moves from the second limiting groove 46 through the reversing groove 47 to the first limiting groove 45. At the same time, under the action of the second elastic element 52 or by manually pulling the support rod 51, the support wheel 54 disengages from the adjustment groove 21. Since the rotation of the support rod 51 will drive the fixing block 55 to rotate synchronously, and when the limiting post 53 rotates into the first limiting groove 45, the fixing block 55 rotates to a horizontal state. As the support rod 51 moves towards the protective plate 41, the fixing block 55 moves to the side of the limiting block 17 near the insertion hole 12 and is limited by the limiting block 17, thereby realizing the limitation of the support rod 51, the guide frame 42 and the protective plate 41. At this time, the motor 31 is started, and the motor 31 drives the control of the lifting and lowering of the protective plate 41 corresponding to the plug-in head 14 of the unconnected cable, so that the insertion hole 12 is opened and the cable is plugged in.
[0029] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.
Claims
1. A ring main unit having a safety mechanism, characterized by: The cabinet body (1) is provided with an adjusting plate (2) connected thereto in a sliding manner, and an output end of a driving assembly (3) installed on the cabinet body (1) is fixedly connected to the adjusting plate (2); The protection assembly (4) comprises a protection plate (41) connected to a fixed frame (11) of the cabinet body (1) in a sliding manner through a guide frame (42), and the guide frame (42) is provided with a first limiting groove (45), a second limiting groove (46) and a reversing groove (47) communicating with the two limiting grooves; The guide frame (42) is provided with a lever assembly (5) inserted thereinto, and an end of the lever assembly (5) is inserted into the adjusting plate (2); When the driving assembly (3) drives the adjusting plate (2) to move, the lever assembly (5) slides along the adjusting groove (21) of the adjusting plate (2) and drives the protection plate (41) to move away from or close to the plug-in head (14); the limiting column (53) of the lever assembly (5) can be switched to be inserted into the first limiting groove (45) or the second limiting groove (46) to control the lever assembly (5) to be separated from or combined with the adjusting plate (2).
2. The ring main unit with safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lever assembly (5) comprises a supporting rod (51) movably inserted into the guide frame (42), and the limiting column (53) is fixedly installed on the supporting rod (51); an end of the supporting rod (51) is provided with a supporting wheel (54) inserted into the adjusting groove (21).
3. The ring main unit with safety mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The supporting rod (51) is fixedly provided with a fixed block (55), and the cabinet body (1) is fixedly provided with a plurality of limiting blocks (17) for limiting the fixed block (55).
4. The ring main unit having a safety mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The center line of the limiting column (53) is perpendicular to the center line of the fixed block (55).
5. The ring main unit having a safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide frame (42) is provided with a second slot hole (44), and the first limiting groove (45) and the second limiting groove (46) are formed in the second slot hole (44), and the first limiting groove (45) is located at the bottom of the second slot hole (44).
6. The ring main unit having a safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting plate (2) is provided with a plurality of first elastic members (49) for pushing the guide frame (42) to move towards the plug-in head (14).
7. The ring main unit having a safety mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide frame (42) is provided with a second elastic member (52) for pushing the supporting rod (51) to move towards one side of the protection plate (41).
8. The ring main unit with safety mechanism according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The ring main unit further comprises a voltage sensor electrically connected to the plug-in head (14) for detecting the power-on state of the plug-in head (14).
9. Ring main unit with safety mechanism according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The ring main unit further comprises a travel switch fixedly installed on the cabinet body (1) for detecting the opening state of a cabinet door of the cabinet body (1).