Modular Bus Bar Assembly with Engagement Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical distribution apparatuses are large, unwieldy, and require significant labor and special equipment for assembly and transportation, making them inefficient and costly to install and transport.
Innovation Solution
A modular electrical distribution apparatus featuring a bus bar assembly and a backplane with engagement features that couple securely, including hooks and stops, and displaceable members to inhibit disengagement, allowing for easier handling and installation, and a frame that supports the backplane and bus bar assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional electrical distribution apparatuses are used, then electrical distribution function is achieved, but assembly and installation require significant labor and special equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical distribution apparatus is divided into modular components including a backplane with receptacles and a separate bus bar assembly with engagement features. These modules can be manufactured independently and assembled together, reducing the complexity of manufacturing the entire apparatus as a single unit and enabling easier assembly at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar assembly integrates multiple functional elements including conductive bus bars, engagement features (hooks and stops), and insulation structures into a single modular unit. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts that need to be handled and assembled, thereby reducing labor requirements while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for proper electrical distribution.
2Quantity of substance
If large electrical distribution apparatuses are used, then electrical distribution capacity is sufficient, but transportation and handling become unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is segmented into smaller modular units (backplane module and bus bar assembly) that can be transported and handled separately. These modules can then be combined at the installation site to create the full electrical distribution system, making transportation and handling significantly easier while maintaining the required electrical distribution capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus bar assembly is designed to nest within or attach to the backplane structure, with engagement features that allow compact storage and transportation. The modular design enables the components to be stored in a space-efficient manner while allowing for easy separation and reassembly when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom-designed electrical distribution apparatuses are used, then specific enclosure requirements are met, but extra labor and equipment are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The modular backplane and bus bar assembly are designed with standardized engagement features that can be adapted to various wall-mounted enclosure types. The universal design allows the same basic modules to be installed in different enclosure configurations, reducing the need for custom-designed apparatuses for each specific application and thereby reducing installation labor and equipment requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical distribution apparatus (102,200,300,400,500,600) includes a bus bar assembly (106,202,308,402,502,602) including a first surface. The electrical distribution apparatus (102,200,300,400,500,600) also includes a backplane (108,204,306,404,504,604) including a second surface. The electrical distribution apparatus (102,200,300,400,500,600) further includes a plurality of engagement features (208) and a plurality of openings (210,214,216,310,414,416,508) for receiving the plurality of engagement features (208). The plurality of engagement features (208) couple the bus bar assembly (106,202,308,402,502,602) to the backplane (108,204,306,404,504,604). The plurality of engagement features (208) extend from at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The plurality of openings (210,214,216,310,414,416,508) are defined by at least one of the first surface and the second surface.