Insulating Boot With Hinged Cover for Live Conductor Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical equipment requires methods to prevent unintentional contact with live electrical conductors during maintenance while allowing easy access for periodic checks and maintenance of mechanical fasteners.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, nonconductive boot with a hinged cover that can be selectively opened for access to electrical connections, secured in the closed position, and attached to the conductor to prevent removal, featuring a cover hold-open mechanism for maintaining access during maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a boot encloses electrical conductors to prevent unintended contact, then safety is improved, but access to mechanical fasteners for maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidaccess to mechanical fasteners

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The boot is divided into a stationary base portion and a movable cover portion that can be independently opened and closed. This segmentation allows the cover to be accessed for maintenance while the base remains in place, resolving the contradiction between safety (enclosure) and accessibility (opening for maintenance).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is made movable relative to the base through a hinge connection, transforming the static enclosure into a dynamic structure. The cover can be opened when access is needed and closed when safety is the priority, allowing the system to adapt between safety and accessibility states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a cover is made movable for access, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended movement from closed to open position becomes a risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to electrical conductorsVSAvoidprevention of unintended contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A latch mechanism is implemented to preemptively prevent unintended opening of the cover. The latch actively engages to keep the cover closed and must be deliberately actuated to open, counteracting any accidental forces that might otherwise cause unintended contact with live conductors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The latch acts as an intermediary between the cover and the electrical conductors, providing an additional layer of control. It mediates the transition between closed and open states, ensuring that only intentional actions can result in cover opening, thus maintaining safety while allowing necessary access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the boot is made flexible for easy installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for installationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The boot is constructed from elastomeric material that combines flexibility with structural strength. This composite material approach allows the boot to be easily installed over conductors while maintaining sufficient strength to provide effective protection and support the hinge and latch mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12407150B2Electrically insulated boots preventing unintended contact with live electrical conductors

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA INC

AI summary

A boot for preventing unintended contact with live electrical components of a medium voltage control device. The boot having cover for accessing mechanical fasteners used to connect electrical conductors to control equipment when periodic maintenance is required.