Feed-in Strip Transverse Busbar Connection Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional busbar systems require high installation effort and are prone to faulty connections, with inadequate protection against accidental contact, making the connection of low-voltage networks to busbar systems inefficient and unsafe.

Innovation Solution

A feeder strip with an elongate base body that can be mounted transversely on parallel busbars, featuring contact rails connected directly or via intermediate pieces to connecting rails, with protective covers and detachable connecting elements for easy installation and enhanced safety, utilizing electrically conductive materials with low power loss and designed for high current capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional connection terminals are used to feed current phases into the busbar system, then the electrical connection can be established, but the installation effort is relatively high and faulty connections can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation effortVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into modular components: the feed strip with contact rails for busbar connection, and separate connection terminals with protective covers. This segmentation allows for easier installation while maintaining reliability through standardized interfaces and protective elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feed strip acts as an intermediary component between the busbar system and the connection terminals. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies installation while ensuring reliable electrical connection through its contact rails designed to engage with the busbars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional connection terminals are used, then electrical connection can be made, but protection against accidental contact is inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental contactVSAvoidadditional protection components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is merged with the connection terminal assembly, forming an integrated unit that provides both electrical connection and protection against accidental contact. This eliminates the need for separate protection components while enhancing safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is designed as a removable shell that encloses the connection terminals. This flexible protective element provides adequate protection against accidental contact while allowing access when needed, without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of energy

If direct connection between busbar system and low-voltage network is implemented, then power loss is reduced, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower lossVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed strip is pre-configured with contact rails positioned for direct engagement with the busbars. This preliminary arrangement of connection elements enables direct connection that reduces power loss while simplifying installation, as the geometry is optimized in advance rather than requiring complex on-site assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2980932B1Feed-in strip
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 WOHNER GMBH & CO KG ELEKTROTECHNISCHE SYST
  • EP2980932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2980932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2980932B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Feed-in strip (1) for feeding current phases (L1, L2, L3) of a low-voltage network into a busbar system or for tapping current phases (L1, L2, L3) from the busbar system, comprising an elongated base body (2) which can be mounted transversely on several parallel busbars and includes contact rails (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) which, in the mounted state of the feed-in strip (1), contact the busbars for feeding in or tapping the current phases (L1, L2, L3) carried on the busbars, wherein the contact rails (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) are each directly connected to associated connection rails (11-1, 11-2, 11-3) which have a connection on an end face of the elongated base body (2) for electrical connection to the low-voltage network.