Insulated Adapter for Safe Emergency Power Busbar Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting an emergency power system to a local network station, such as lamella terminals, often result in bridging and arc risks due to compact busbar configurations, compromising occupational safety during maintenance or switching work.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with a low-voltage high-performance contact blade housed in an electrically insulating adapter housing, featuring cantilevered blades for secure insertion into terminal strips or isolators, and a cable lug connection to integrate phase connections safely, reducing bridging and arc risks while ensuring reliable power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laminated clamps are used to connect emergency power system to busbars, then connection is achieved, but bridging and arc risks occur due to compact busbar configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidbridging and arc risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the emergency power system cable and the busbar connection terminals. It provides isolated contact blades that insert into terminal slots without requiring direct access to compact busbar areas, thereby eliminating bridging risks while maintaining reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter housing contains multiple contact blades nested within its structure, with each blade independently insertable into terminal slots. This nested configuration allows the adapter to fit into compact terminal areas while keeping the contact blades electrically isolated from each other and from the external environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If individually modified metallic contact blades are used, then connection is achieved in compact areas, but occupational safety is impaired due to bridging risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoidoccupational safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter housing acts as an intermediary protective structure that encapsulates the contact blades. This eliminates direct exposure of metallic contact surfaces to the fitter, removing the source of occupational safety risks while maintaining ease of connection through simple insertion into terminal slots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter housing provides an insulating shell that encloses the contact blades, creating a safe interface between the operator and live electrical components. The housing design allows for tool-free installation while maintaining protective enclosure throughout the connection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If contact blades are exposed for connection, then direct connection to busbars is possible, but risk of bridging increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to compact busbar configurationsVSAvoidbridging risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter provides an intermediary connection mechanism where contact blades are enclosed within the housing and only the insertion tips are exposed. This allows adaptation to compact terminal configurations while the housing prevents bridging between adjacent phases or between phase and neutral.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter divides the connection function into separate isolated contact blades, each enclosed in its own protective section of the housing. This segmentation prevents electrical bridging between phases while maintaining the ability to connect to compact busbar terminal configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3389142B1Adapter for feeding in aggregate

Publication Date: 2019.06.26 WESTNETZ GMBH

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

Adapter for coupling an emergency power supply system intended for the low-voltage supply of a local network substation to the local network substation, - with an adapter housing (4) and - with a low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6), - wherein the adapter housing (4) comprises an electrically insulating material, - wherein the low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6) is at least partially enclosed by the adapter housing (4), - wherein the low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6) has a first blade contact (8) that extends freely from a first side (10) of the adapter housing, - wherein the low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6) has a second blade contact (12) that extends freely from a second side (14) of the adapter housing (4), - wherein the first side (10) of the adapter housing (4) faces away from the second side (14) of the adapter housing (4).- wherein the first blade contact (8) and the second blade contact (12) form opposite ends of the low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6) and - wherein the first blade contact (8) and the second blade contact (12) of the low-voltage high-performance contact blade (6) are designed for insertion into terminals (40) of a low-voltage high-performance terminal block (42) of the local substation (36) or for insertion into terminals of a three-pole low-voltage high-performance disconnector of the local substation.