Configurable Series Terminal Assembly for Medium-Voltage Switchgear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector assemblies for switchgears restrict connection variants, preventing independent interconnection of input-side and output-side connectors without simultaneously connecting both sets.
Innovation Solution
A series terminal assembly with configurable connectors that are not preconfigured or permanently interconnected via bus bars, allowing for separate and independent configuration of input-side and output-side connectors using a connecting kit, enabling flexible interconnection options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If input-side connectors and output-side connectors are preconfigured and permanently interconnected via bus bars, then connection stability is improved, but connection flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is divided into separate input-side connectors and output-side connectors that are not permanently interconnected. Each connector can be independently configured and connected via removable bus bars, allowing the system to maintain stable connections where needed while providing flexibility to reconfigure connections by adding or removing bus bars.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly transitions from a static, permanently interconnected design to a dynamic configuration where bus bars can be added or removed. This allows the connection topology to change over time based on operational requirements, enabling both stable permanent connections and flexible reconfigurable connections within the same system.
2Reliability
If input-side connectors are interconnected via bus bars, then electrical connectivity is improved, but configuration complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bus bars are extracted from the permanent structure and made as separate, removable components. This allows electrical connectivity to be established only where and when needed, rather than having all connectors permanently interconnected. The configuration complexity is reduced because users can start with a simple base configuration and add bus bars only for the connections required by the specific application.
3Ease of operation
If configurable connectors are made easily accessible from the outside, then ease of operation is improved, but structural compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The configurable connectors are arranged in a spatial configuration that provides external accessibility without significantly increasing the overall volume. By positioning connectors on the outer surfaces and arranging bus bars to connect them externally, the design achieves ease of operation while maintaining a compact internal structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a terminal assembly and in particular a series terminal assembly for medium-voltage switchgears. The assembly includes at least two input-side connectors and at least two output-side connectors in addition to a configuration location. The input-side connectors and the output-side connectors are not interconnected in a fixed pre-configured manner. Each of the configuration locations for each input-side connector location and for each output-side connector location has a configuration connector location.