Laminated Busbar Insulation Housing With Resilient Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laminated multi-phase busbars require effective electrical insulation of unused connecting portions to prevent electrical shocks or sparking, which existing solutions fail to address efficiently and cost-effectively.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising an elongated housing with pivotally connected insulating sections and a resilient bracket that clamps over the connecting portion, providing reliable and cost-efficient electrical insulation without requiring adjustments for varying busbar thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing insulation solutions are used for connecting portions, then electrical insulation is provided, but the cost increases and reliability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulation reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate housing sections that can be assembled around the connecting portion. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of each section and simplifies the assembly process, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining insulation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient bracket acts as an intermediary component that applies clamping force to secure the housing sections around the connecting portion. This mediator ensures reliable electrical insulation through consistent clamping pressure without requiring complex fastening mechanisms, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid clamping mechanisms are used to maintain clamping force, then clamping stability is improved, but the device complexity increases and temperature adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping force stabilityVSAvoidclamping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient bracket utilizes elastic deformation as a key parameter, allowing it to maintain consistent clamping force through material elasticity rather than mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This approach maintains clamping stability while avoiding complex adjustable components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient bracket automatically adjusts its clamping force in response to temperature variations and busbar thickness changes through elastic recovery. The material's inherent elasticity provides self-regulating clamping pressure without requiring external control mechanisms, reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable clamping mechanisms are used to accommodate varying busbar thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases and assembly time increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient bracket functions as a flexible clamping element that can deform to accommodate different busbar thicknesses. This flexibility provides adaptability to varying dimensions while maintaining simple assembly through elastic deformation rather than mechanical adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping mechanism transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic resilient system that adapts to different busbar thicknesses through elastic deformation. This dynamic response allows the housing sections to securely clamp various thicknesses without requiring manual adjustment, improving ease of operation

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 apparatus ensures reliable electrical insulation of busbar connecting portions, is easy to assemble, and maintains clamping force despite temperature variations, while being cost-effective and adaptable for use with busbars of varying thicknesses.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient bracket (10) which comprises a first and a second leg (10a, 10b) and an opening (10c) that is arranged between the first and second leg (10a, 10b). The first and second legs (10a, 10b) are adapted to be positioned over the peripheral surface of the first and second housing section (2a, 2b)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4097812B1Apparatus for electrically insulating a lateral connecting portion of a laminated multi-phase busbar
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4097812B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4097812B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4097812B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

An apparatus (1) for electrically insulating a lateral connecting portion (106) of a laminated multi-phase busbar (100) comprises an elongated housing (2) having a first and a second housing section (2a, 2b) made of an electrically insulating material which are pivotally connected to each other along a hinge section (4) extending in a longitudinal direction of said housing (2) and an opening (6) arranged opposite to said longitudinal hinge section (4) for receiving a connecting portion (106) of a laminated multi-phase busbar (100), wherein said first housing section (2a) comprises a plurality of first engagement (20) means and said second housing section (2b) comprises a plurality of second complementary engagement means (30) which are adapted to engage with said first engagement means (20) when pivoting said first and second housing section (2a, 2b) towards each other from a first assembling position to a second clamping position. The apparatus (1) further comprises a resilient bracket (10) having a first and a second leg (10a, 10b) and an opening (10c) arranged between said first and second leg (10a, 10b), said first and second leg (10a, 10b) and said opening (10c) of said bracket (10) being adapted to be positioned over the peripheral surface of said first and second housing section (2a, 2b) in said second engaging position for urging said first and second housing (2a, 2b) section towards each other.