Electrical Cabinet Lockout Latch for Dual Switch Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The absence of a lever on the front of an electrical cabinet prevents electrical lockout, necessary for technician safety during interventions, due to the need for a more complex and versatile protection unit.
Innovation Solution
A protection unit with a power switching device, electro-actuator, electronic control unit, auxiliary switching device, and lockout system, allowing for electronic control of power switching and ensuring simultaneous lockout of both mechanical and auxiliary switching devices, preventing unintended conduction configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lever is provided on the front of the electrical cabinet for manual control, then electrical lockout can be performed for technician safety, but the protection unit lacks versatility and electronic control capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional manual lever control system with an electronic control system that uses an electro-actuator to operate the mechanical switch. The control interface is replaced by a programmable electronic control unit that can be controlled remotely or automatically, eliminating the need for a physical lever on the cabinet front while maintaining safety through electronic lockout capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single protection unit: power switching, electronic control, auxiliary switching for control units, and lockout capability. The electronic control unit can perform various control tasks including remote control, automatic control based on sensor inputs, and coordination with the lockout system, making the device versatile while maintaining safety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic control is implemented without a mechanical lever, then versatility and electronic control capability are improved, but electrical lockout capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic control system with the mechanical lockout system by integrating the lockout latch mechanism with the electro-actuator that controls the mechanical switch. The electronic control unit coordinates both the electronic switching and the mechanical locking actions, combining multiple functions into a unified system that maintains both versatility and lockout capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lockout latch as an intermediary mechanical element that physically connects the electronic control system to the power switching mechanism. This latch serves as a mediator that ensures the mechanical switch remains in the isolated position when lockout is activated, providing a tangible link between electronic control and mechanical safety.
3Device complexity
If only mechanical switching is used, then simple lockout mechanism is available, but electronic control and customization capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into distinct functional modules: a mechanical switch for power switching, an electro-actuator for actuation, an auxiliary switching device for control unit power, and an electronic control unit for coordination. This segmentation allows the lockout mechanism to remain relatively simple while enabling extensive electronic control customization through the programmable control unit.
4Reliability
If auxiliary switching device is added for control unit power, then complete power isolation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the auxiliary switching device with the main mechanical switch through common actuation by the electro-actuator. Both the power switching device and the auxiliary switching device are controlled by the same electro-actuator mechanism, ensuring they operate simultaneously. This merging approach achieves complete power isolation without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the control mechanism is shared.
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
Ensures reliable and easy lockout configuration, enhancing safety by preventing unintended power supply to control units or loads during interventions, while allowing versatile and customizable electronic control.
Implementation Method 1
at least one power switching device comprises: a power input, configured to be electrically connected to the power supply; a power output, intended to be electrically connected to the control units; and a mechanical switch, which evolves between a conduction configuration, where the mechanical switch electrically connects the power output to the power input, and an isolation configuration, where the mechanical switch electrically isolates the power output from the power input According to the invention, said at least one power switching apparatus comprises an electro-actuator, which is configured to actuate the mechanical switch between the conduction configuration and the isolation configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A protection unit comprising a power switching device (20) with a mechanical switch (23). To improve the versatility of the power switching while making lockout/tagout more reliable and easier, the power switching device (20) is provided to include an electro-actuator (28) that actuates the mechanical switch (23) and is controlled by an electronic control unit (30), itself powered via an auxiliary switching device (40). A lockout/tagout system with a latch (50) is provided, which, in a lockout configuration, mechanically holds the mechanical switch (23) and the auxiliary switching device (40) in an isolation configuration, and, in an operating configuration, allows the mechanical switch and the auxiliary switching device to move between the conduction and isolation configurations.