Busbar Adapter with Reversible Foot Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing busbar adapters face challenges with complex designs, irreversible adaptation, and cumbersome work steps for adjusting the free space to accommodate busbars of varying thicknesses, lacking reversible and simple adjustment solutions.

Innovation Solution

A busbar adapter with a detachable foot part featuring two support surfaces and an off-centre fastening mechanism, allowing reversible adjustment by rotating the foot part to select the appropriate support surface for delimiting the free space, and incorporating an electrically conductive contact rail for reliable busbar engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the foot part is made as a separate component with detachable fastening means, then the adaptability to different busbar thicknesses is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different busbar thicknessesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foot part is divided into a separate component from the busbar adapter body, connected via detachable fastening means. This segmentation allows the foot part to be independently adjusted or replaced to accommodate different busbar thicknesses, improving adaptability while keeping the overall device structure modular and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foot part is designed to be selectively orientable and repositionable along the hook part, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the foot part to adapt to various busbar thicknesses by selecting appropriate support surfaces and fastening positions, while the detachable connection simplifies the adjustment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the foot part has two support surfaces at different distances from the fastening means, then the adaptability to different busbar thicknesses is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different busbar thicknessesVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The foot part features two support surfaces positioned asymmetrically at different distances from the fastening means. This asymmetric design allows the foot part to accommodate different busbar thicknesses by selecting the appropriate support surface, while the asymmetry is intentionally designed within manufacturing tolerances to ensure proper function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the foot part (the two support surfaces) are designed with different local properties - specifically different distances from the fastening means. This local quality differentiation allows each support surface to be optimized for specific busbar thickness ranges, improving overall adaptability while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements for each individual surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If retaining shoulders are inserted into the free space to adapt to busbar thickness, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome insertion and removal steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to busbar thicknessVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foot part is designed as a dynamic, repositionable component that can be selectively oriented and fastened at different positions along the hook part. This dynamic design allows users to easily adjust the foot part's position and orientation to accommodate different busbar thicknesses, replacing the cumbersome process of inserting and removing retaining shoulders with a simpler fastening mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The foot part is pre-designed with two support surfaces at predetermined distances from the fastening means, allowing users to directly select the appropriate configuration based on busbar thickness without requiring intermediate steps of inserting or assembling additional components. The detachable fastening means enables direct attachment in the desired position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2538507B1Busbar adapter
Publication Date: 2016.03.02 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2538507B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2538507B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2538507B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The adapter has a hook element (1) that is engaged behind a busbar. A clearance gap (2) is formed along the spatial direction of the busbar and foot portion (3) is provided with supporting surfaces (4,5). The foot portion is optionally aligned in the spatial direction of supporting surfaces to form clearance gap. The supporting surfaces are arranged parallel to each other in vertical direction. The foot portion is connected to main portion through an attaching unit (6).