Busbar Contact Device with Adjustable Gap and Displaceable Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contact devices for busbars fail to maintain a defined contact when the busbars tilt relative to each other, particularly when they have different widths or angular tolerances, leading to poor electrical connectivity.

Innovation Solution

A contact device with a clamping unit and a contact unit that are spaced apart to accommodate busbars of varying widths, featuring a displaceable contact element and a connecting element that can adjust to compensate for angular errors and unevenness, ensuring reliable electrical contact through a gap that can be adjusted to fit different busbar widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed contact device is used to contact busbars, then the structure is simple, but it cannot compensate for angular errors and unevenness when busbars tilt relative to each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact reliabilityVSAvoidcontact device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element is designed to be displaceable relative to the contact jaw, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to accommodate angular errors and unevenness in busbar alignment. This dynamic capability ensures reliable electrical contact while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the contact device is designed for fixed busbar width, then the structure is simplified, but it cannot accommodate busbars of different widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebusbar width adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gap between the clamping unit and contact unit is designed to be adjustable, enabling the device to adapt to busbars of different widths. The displaceable contact element further enhances this adaptability by allowing fine-tuning of the contact position within the gap.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the contact element is fixed on the contact jaw, then the structure is simple, but it cannot compensate for angular tolerances and unevenness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoidcontact element mounting
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact element is designed to be displaceable relative to the contact jaw, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to accommodate angular errors and unevenness in busbar alignment. This dynamic capability ensures reliable electrical contact while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the clamping unit and contact unit are positioned close together, then the device size is reduced, but the gap is insufficient to accommodate busbars of varying widths

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebusbar width rangeVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable gap between the clamping unit and contact unit provides the necessary space to accommodate busbars of varying widths. The displaceable contact element allows the effective contact position to be optimized within this gap, maintaining compact device dimensions while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The device provides consistent and reliable electrical contact for busbars of different widths and with angular tolerances, ensuring good connectivity even when covered with insulating materials, by allowing for precise adjustment of the gap between the clamping and contact units.

Implementation Method 1

the pin in said hole is loaded with a spring, the spring pushing the pin towards the surface as seen from the hole. The spring force acts in the direction of the gap.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2957002B1Device for contacting a busbar
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 STAUBLI ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AG
  • EP2957002B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2957002B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2957002B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a contact device (1) for contacting a bus bar (2) having at least two contact surfaces (3, 4) extending parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, comprising a clamping unit (5) for applying a clamping force to the first of said contact surfaces (4) and a contact unit (6) for electrically contacting a second of said contact surfaces (3), wherein the clamping unit (5) lies at a distance from the contact unit (6), such that there is an intermediate space (7) between the clamping unit (5) and the contact unit (6), which intermediate space is used to accommodate said bus bar (2). The clamping unit (5) comprises a clamping element (8) that acts on said contact surface (4), in particular a lever (8), which can be moved onto the contact surface (4) in relation to the intermediate space (7). The contact unit (6) comprises a contact jaw (9) having a surface (10) facing the intermediate space (7), at least one contact element (11) that can be moved in relation to the surface (10) and that protrudes into the intermediate space (7), and a connection element (12) connected to the contact element (11) in an electrically conductive manner.