Non-Freestanding Accessory Support System for Electrical Cabinets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing local power supply systems require non-freestanding accessories to be permanently attached to primary equipment due to instability when unsupported, limiting flexibility and maintenance options.

Innovation Solution

An accessory unit support system that includes coupling brackets and fasteners allows the non-freestanding accessory units, such as external battery or maintenance bypass cabinets, to be structurally supported by either a primary or secondary electrical unit, enabling detachment and reattachment for flexible configuration and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If non-freestanding accessories are permanently attached to primary equipment, then structural stability is improved, but flexibility and maintenance options deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflexibility and maintenance options

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory unit is designed as a separable module that can be detached from the primary equipment. The support system includes detachable coupling mechanisms (brackets and fasteners) that allow the accessory to be divided into independent installable components rather than a permanent integrated unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support system transitions from a static permanent attachment to a dynamic configurable connection. The accessory unit can be coupled to different primary or secondary electrical units based on operational needs, allowing the system configuration to change over time while maintaining stability during each configured state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If non-freestanding accessories are permanently integrated into primary equipment, then ease of installation is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidease of repair and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory unit can be completely removed from the primary equipment while leaving the support system infrastructure in place. This extraction capability allows maintenance personnel to access, repair, or replace the accessory without disturbing the primary electrical unit, reversing the traditional constraint where removing an integrated accessory would require disassembling the primary equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If non-freestanding accessories are permanently attached to primary equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for different configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability for different configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support system is designed with universal coupling characteristics that allow the same accessory unit to be attached to different types of electrical units (primary or secondary). The standardized brackets and fasteners create a universal interface that simplifies the device complexity while enabling multiple configuration options across different system architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2926632B1Electrical power supply systems including non-freestanding accessories and methods for using same

Publication Date: 2017.04.12 EATON CORP

AI summary

An electrical power supply system includes a freestanding primary electrical unit, a non-freestanding accessory unit, and an accessory unit support system. The primary electrical unit includes a freestanding cabinet containing a primary electrical component. The accessory unit includes a non-freestanding accessory cabinet containing an accessory electrical component. The accessory unit support system is configured to couple the accessory cabinet to the primary cabinet such that the accessory unit is thereby structurally supported by the primary electrical unit. The accessory cabinet can be selectively decoupled from the primary cabinet and alternatively structurally supported using the accessory support system.