Embedded Sensor High-Voltage Connector

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high-voltage T-format connectors face issues with sensor placement and interference, as external sensors complicate installation and lack manufacturer control, leading to potential errors and interactions with other elements.

Innovation Solution

Embedding sensors within the insulating body of the connector, such as coil-shaped current sensors and resistive or capacitive voltage sensors, allows for controlled placement and reduced interference, maintaining a compact design and ensuring proper sensor orientation during manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sensors are placed externally on the connector, then installation and measurement are simplified, but interference with other elements and lack of manufacturer control occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor installationVSAvoidinterference with other elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor with the connector body by embedding the sensor directly into the insulating material during the molding process. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor installation and prevents interference with external elements, as the sensor becomes an intrinsic part of the connector structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor is nested within the insulating body of the connector, with the insulating material molded around the sensor. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be positioned precisely within the connector structure while maintaining electrical insulation and mechanical protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Measurement precision

If sensors are embedded in the insulating body, then manufacturer control and measurement accuracy improve, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is positioned and prepared before the insulating material is molded. The connector manufacturer places the sensor in the desired position within the mold cavity, then proceeds with the molding process to encapsulate the sensor. This preliminary positioning ensures precise sensor placement and orientation while utilizing standard molding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material acts as an intermediary that both protects the sensor and provides structural integration. The molding process serves as the mechanism to embed the sensor securely within the insulating body, transforming a potentially complex assembly operation into a single integrated manufacturing step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If voltage sensor is placed in the second internal channel, then voltage measurement is enabled, but the channel cannot serve for connection to other elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage measurement capabilityVSAvoidconnection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage sensor is moved from occupying the internal channel space to being embedded within the insulating body. This dimensional relocation allows the internal channel to remain open and available for conductor connections while the sensor measures voltage through the insulating material, eliminating the trade-off between measurement capability and connection versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution provides a compact, interference-free high-voltage connector with embedded sensors, ensuring accurate measurements and reducing errors by allowing the connector manufacturer to control sensor placement and orientation, maintaining insulation and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

coil-shaped current sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

resistive or capacitive voltage sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP2658044B1High-voltage connector
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 ARTECHE LANTEGI ELKARTEA
  • EP2658044B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2658044B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The high-voltage connector comprises an insulating body (1, 2) with an initial internal channel (3) and a second internal channel (4), configured to receive a bushing or a fixed base of a high-voltage equipment. The connector comprises at least one sensor (5, 6, 7, 8) of an electric feature at least partially embedded inside the insulating body.