Angled Bus Bars with Dielectric Insulators for Centerline Device Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bus systems lack flexibility in design and fabrication, and do not efficiently allow for the attachment of devices while maintaining the main bus on the same centerline, which limits their adaptability and efficiency in electrical power distribution.

Innovation Solution

The electrical distribution bus system incorporates angled bus bars with dielectric insulators and fasteners, allowing for a break in the main bus while keeping it on the same centerline, enabling efficient attachment of devices and reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If bus bars are completely surrounded with insulation, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but design flexibility and fabrication adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bus bar system is segmented into modular components with standardized elbow angles (e.g., 45°, 90°, 135°) that can be combined in various configurations. This segmentation allows the bus bar to adapt to different spatial arrangements and device attachment requirements while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for each module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized elbow portions and connection configurations serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable various routing configurations, facilitate device attachment at different angles, and maintain electrical continuity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for custom-designed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If bus bars are designed with fixed configurations, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to attach devices while maintaining centerline alignment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabrication simplicityVSAvoiddevice attachment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bus bar system incorporates standardized elbow portions that can be oriented in multiple standard angles (45°, 90°, 135°), allowing the configuration to be dynamically adjusted during assembly to accommodate different device positions and routing requirements while maintaining centerline alignment, without requiring custom fabrication for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If bus bars use traditional connection methods, then structural integrity is maintained, but heat dissipation efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The bus bar cross-section utilizes curved or rounded contours instead of sharp corners, which improves stress distribution and structural integrity while also enhancing heat dissipation by reducing stress concentration points and improving surface area utilization for thermal radiation and convection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces material costs, and improves heat transfer efficiency while allowing for flexible device attachment in electrical power distribution systems.

Implementation Method 1

The dielectric insulator has a length and a width. The length extends perpendicularly between the elbow portions. The fastener couples the dielectric insulator between the bus bars, the dielectric insulator electrically insulating the first and second bus bar from one another.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS9006571B2Bus system connecting bus bars and a method of connecting bus bars
Publication Date: 2015.04.14 SAI ADVANCED POWER SOLUTIONS
  • US9006571B2 patent drawing
  • US9006571B2 patent drawing
  • US9006571B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an electrical distribution bus system that includes first and second bus bars, a dielectric insulator, and at least one fastener coupling the bus bars and dielectric insulator. Each of the bus bars includes an elbow portion from which a pair of straight portions extends at elbow angles, the straight portions being disposed at right angles to each other. The dielectric insulator has a length and a width, the width being no greater than twice the length, the length extending perpendicularly between the elbow portions. The fastener couples the dielectric insulator between the bus bars, the dielectric insulator electrically insulating the first and second bus bar from one another.