Connection Device With Segmented Fuse Holder For Branch Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical installations in tunnels and buildings face issues where a short circuit in a branch line can cause a loss of function in the through line, affecting connected consumers, due to insulation failure or fires, and existing solutions for protecting branch lines are not easily accessible or efficient for replacement.

Innovation Solution

A connection device that allows a multi-core branch line to be connected to a flat cable with penetration contacts that do not strip the insulation, featuring a fuse holder that forms an electrical separation point, allowing for easy replacement of fuse links without opening the connection device housing, and an insulating body designed to maintain electrical separation even in the event of a fire.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fuse link is protected within the connection device housing, then the through line is protected from short circuits, but the fuse link replacement becomes complex requiring opening the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from short circuitsVSAvoidfuse link replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection device housing is divided into two separable parts: a first housing part containing the penetration contacts and a second housing part containing the fuse holder. This segmentation allows the fuse holder to be accessed and opened independently from the main housing, enabling easy fuse link replacement while maintaining the protective enclosure for the electrical connection components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fuse holder is extracted as a separate accessible component from the main housing structure. The second housing part can be removed from the first housing part, allowing the fuse holder to be taken out and opened independently. This extraction principle enables maintenance personnel to replace fuse links without disassembling the entire connection device housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the branch line socket is integrated into the connection device housing, then the structure is compact, but the branch line and fuse link become inaccessible for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidbranch line accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The branch line socket is segmented from the main housing by providing a separate second housing part that can be removed. This segmentation maintains the compact integrated structure during normal operation while enabling independent access to the branch line socket and fuse holder for maintenance and replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure transitions from a static integrated form to a dynamic configurable form. The second housing part can be in a closed position during operation to maintain structural integrity and compactness, and can be opened and removed when branch line or fuse link replacement is needed, providing dynamic adaptability for both operational and maintenance states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If penetration contacts are used to contact the flat cable without stripping, then the insulation is preserved, but the electrical separation point becomes more complex to implement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation preservationVSAvoidelectrical separation implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical separation function is extracted and localized to the fuse holder component. By placing the fuse holder in the second housing part that can be separately accessed, the electrical separation point is clearly defined and isolated at the fuse holder location, making it easier to implement and maintain while preserving the insulation integrity provided by the penetration contacts in the first housing part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2928025B1Connection device, installation kit and electric installation
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 WOERTZ ENG
  • EP2928025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2928025B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2928025B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A connection device for connecting a multi-core branch cable to a flat cable has a connection device housing that allows the flat cable to pass through. Inside the connection device housing, penetration contacts are arranged for strip-free contacting of the flat cable. The connection device has a branch cable socket for the branch cable exiting the connection device, the branch cable socket being arranged on the connection device housing. The branch cable socket has a socket housing and a fuse holder arranged therein for at least one fuse link to protect an associated core of the branch cable.The fuse holder is electrically connected to the penetration contacts via a connecting wire and forms an electrical isolation point for the at least one fused conductor of the branch cable. This allows the conductor of the branch cable beyond the isolation point to be electrically disconnected from the flat cable by the activation of the fuse. The branch cable socket housing is openable, and the at least one fuse can be replaced by opening the branch cable socket housing without opening the terminal housing.