Door-Mounted Rotary Handle with Cam Interlock for Busway Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical systems, such as busway systems with tap-off devices, require many moving parts and internal components, and lack integration of door operation with interlock securement, posing challenges in operating safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A two-shaft actuating mechanism is employed, where a cam assembly on the door connects to an interlock mechanism, allowing the operating handle to rotate the electrical device on and off while simultaneously engaging or disengaging the interlock device with a busway structure, simplifying the system by reducing the number of moving parts and integrating door operation with interlock securement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate handle mechanisms are used for door operation and interlock securement, then door access and interlock functions can be independently controlled, but the system requires many moving parts and internal components increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidnumber of moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the door operation mechanism and interlock securement mechanism into a single integrated handle system. The handle assembly includes a door operation mechanism with first and second shafts, and an interlock mechanism with a cam assembly that interacts with these shafts. When the handle is rotated to open the door, the cam assembly simultaneously actuates the interlock device to disengage from the busway structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate moving parts and internal components while maintaining operational safety through coordinated control of both door access and interlock functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate handle mechanisms are used for door operation and interlock securement, then independent control is possible, but the system lacks integration of door operation with interlock securement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of functionsVSAvoidnumber of internal components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it operates the door through the door operation mechanism and actuates the interlock device through the cam assembly. The interlock device itself is designed to perform dual functions: preventing door operation when engaged and preventing removal of the electrical system from the busway structure when engaged. This multi-functionality approach integrates door operation with interlock securement in a coordinated manner, allowing a single handle manipulation to control both functions while reducing the need for separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a simplified handle system is used, then the number of moving parts is reduced, but the system must still provide both door operation and interlock securement functions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent countVSAvoidfunctional integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the door operation mechanism and interlock securement mechanism into a single integrated handle system. The handle assembly includes a door operation mechanism with first and second shafts, and an interlock mechanism with a cam assembly that interacts with these shafts. When the handle is rotated to open the door, the cam assembly simultaneously actuates the interlock device to disengage from the busway structure. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate moving parts and internal components while maintaining operational safety through coordinated control of both door access and interlock functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it operates the door through the door operation mechanism and actuates the interlock device through the cam assembly. The interlock device itself is designed to perform dual functions: preventing door operation when engaged and preventing removal of the electrical system from the busway structure when engaged. This multi-functionality approach integrates door operation with interlock securement in a coordinated manner, allowing a single handle manipulation to control both functions while reducing the need for separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11551893B2Electrical apparatus with door mounted rotary handle for operating an electrical device and an interlock mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

An electrical system includes an enclosure for housing an electrical device. The enclosure includes a door with an operating handle connected to a first shaft that turns the electrical device on or off when the door is closed. The operating handle is further operable to simultaneously rotate a cam assembly, which in turn rotates a second shaft which displaces an interlock mechanism for engagement or disengagement to a busway structure.