Fuse Switch Disc Guide Element for Safe Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NH fuse switching devices face challenges in securely fixing the disc in its closed position and simplifying its displacement to the test position, with manual operation and risk of contact with live components during the transition.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a resiliently supported guide element with a spring force and a trough-shaped design that includes a fixing means and a U-shaped connecting section, allowing the disc to be moved using an operating tool through a dedicated hole, ensuring safe separation from live components and reliable locking in the test position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual operation is used to move the disc, then the device structure remains simple, but the disc cannot be securely fixed in the closed position and is difficult to displace to the test position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixing of the disc in closed positionVSAvoiddisplacement of the disc to test position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the operating tool and the disc. The guide element translates the rotational motion of the operating tool into linear displacement of the disc, enabling secure and controlled movement between closed and test positions while maintaining simple manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is designed with resilient support that allows it to dynamically adapt during operation. The resilient support enables the guide element to flex during disc displacement and automatically return to its original position, providing both secure fixing and easy displacement without complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the disc is manually moved without a guide mechanism, then the device complexity is low, but the risk of contact with live components increases during transition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact with live componentsVSAvoidstructure of the disc moving mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element serves as a protective intermediary that guides the operating tool along a predetermined safe path. This ensures the tool never contacts live components during disc displacement, while the guide element's integrated design keeps the overall device complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element extends in a direction perpendicular to the disc's movement plane, creating a third dimension for tool guidance. This spatial arrangement naturally prevents contact with live components by routing the tool through a safe operational envelope without requiring additional protective structures.

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

3Ease of operation

If a resiliently supported guide element is added, then the disc can be securely fixed and easily displaced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation of the discVSAvoidstructure of the guide element
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides mechanical guidance for the operating tool, resilient support for smooth operation, and positioning features for secure disc fixation. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the complexity added by the resilient mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is designed as a multi-functional component that performs guidance, support, and positioning functions simultaneously. The resilient support structure also serves as a spring mechanism for automatic return, eliminating the need for separate spring components and reducing overall device complexity despite enhanced operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design ensures secure fixing in the closed position and uncomplicated displacement to the test position, preventing contact with live components and providing a safe and reliable mechanism for testing, while optimizing production engineering with a plastic injection-molded component.

Implementation Method 1

the guide element being resiliently supported against the action of a spring force in a cover section of the device cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2790202B1Low voltage high power fuse
Publication Date: 2015.07.01 JEAN MULLER ELEKTROTECHN FAB
  • EP2790202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2790202B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2790202B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a low-voltage, high-performance fuse-switching device with a device cover (3) and a disc (6) slidably mounted in the device cover (3), wherein the disc (6) has a hole for access of a test tool to a live device element, wherein the disc (6) is movable at a distance from the device element over a recess in the device cover (3) between a defined closed position and a test position, wherein the hole is closed by the device cover (3) in the closed position of the disc (6) and is open above the device element in the test position of the disc (6).In such a safety switching device, according to the invention, the disc (6) has a further hole (10) for access of an actuating tool (12) to a guide element (11), wherein the guide element (11) is flexibly mounted in a cover section (18) of the device cover (3) against the action of a spring force and has a locking means (22) for locking the movable disc (6) in its closed position when the guide element (11) is not actuated by the actuating tool (12), wherein, when the guide element (11) is actuated by the actuating tool (12), the locking means (22) is disengaged from the disc (6), and the actuating tool (12) is guided through the guide element (11) when the disc (6) is moved by the actuating tool (12).