Bus Bar Splice Assembly With Captive Front-Access Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bus section splice connections are difficult to access, especially for right-hand side splices, and require multiple torque connections, leading to restricted access and potential hardware loss.
Innovation Solution
A splice joint assembly that includes a carriage bolt for aligning and securing bus bar structures, along with a spacer structure for electrical isolation, and a rotating captive engagement assembly for easy connection and disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional splice connections are used, then electrical connection is achieved, but access to the splice is restricted and hardware can be accidentally dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The splice connection components (bus bar structures, splice hardware, and enclosure) are merged into a single integrated assembly where the hardware is captive within the enclosure. This integration ensures that all components remain contained during installation and operation, eliminating the risk of hardware being accidentally dropped while maintaining front accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure acts as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled environment for the splice connection. It contains the splice hardware and bus bar structures, ensuring they remain securely positioned during installation while allowing access from the front of the assembly.
2Reliability
If multiple torque connections are used for four phase splices, then electrical connection is secured, but the number of connections and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bus bar structures (four phase splices requiring eight torque connections) are merged into a single integrated splice assembly. The enclosure consolidates all necessary components and connections into one unit, reducing the number of separate torque operations required while maintaining secure electrical connections for all phases.
3Reliability
If right hand side splice connections are made, then electrical connection is achieved, but access becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing access to the splice connection from the traditional rear or side approaches, the design inverts the access approach by enabling front access. The enclosure and bus bar structures are configured to allow installation and connection from the front of the assembly, making previously difficult-to-reach splice connections easily accessible.
Data Source
AI summary
A splice joint assembly for joining bus bar structure ends to allow a splice connection at each bus bar structure of a plurality of bus bar structures can include a carriage bolt configured to pass through an opening in the plurality of bus bar structures to fix a position of the plurality of bus bar structures relative to each other and to align the plurality of bus bar structures. The carriage bolt can be electrically insulated or made of an electrically insulating material, for example. The splice joint assembly can include a spacer structure disposed between each bus bar structure and around the carriage bolt, the spacer structure configured to electrically isolate each bus bar structure from adjacent bus bar structures. The spacer structure can define an axial gap distance between bus bar structures. The spacer structure can define an elongated over-surface path to elongate an over-surface distance to maintain electrical isolation of adjacent bus bar structures.