Insulating Plate for Electrical Device Short Circuit Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical devices face challenges in suppressing short circuits between the housing and the circuit board, which hinders size reduction and compliance with size restrictions of electronic components.

Innovation Solution

The electrical device incorporates a metallic main housing with an insulating plate and cover, which provides efficient insulation between the circuit board and the housing, allowing for a reduction in the gap necessary for insulation and enabling size reduction or compliance with size restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the gap between the circuit board and metallic housing is increased to suppress short circuits, then electrical insulation is improved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

An insulating plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the circuit board and the metallic housing. This insulating plate provides the necessary electrical insulation while allowing the gap between the circuit board and housing to be minimized, thus resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation reliability and compact device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the gap between the circuit board and metallic housing is increased to suppress short circuits, then short circuit suppression is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort circuit suppressionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating plate is merged with the housing structure, where the insulating plate serves as both an electrical insulator and a structural component of the housing. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining effective short circuit suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If larger electronic components are used to accommodate increased insulation gaps, then electrical insulation is improved, but compliance with size restrictions is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidcomponent size compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The insulating plate acts as a mediator that provides the required electrical insulation distance without requiring larger electronic components. By placing the insulating plate between the circuit board and housing, the insulation gap is achieved within the original component dimensions, maintaining compliance with size restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively suppresses short circuits, allows for a smaller device size, and complies with intrinsically safe explosion-proof structural standards by reducing the insulation gap and ensuring reliable electrical insulation.

Implementation Method 1

an insulating plate 6 having insulating properties is fixed to an inner surface of the main wall 12

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

fixed to an inner surface of the main wall via an adhesive member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3749071B1Electrical device and component for electrical device
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3749071B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3749071B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3749071B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are an electrical device and a component for an electrical device that can efficiently suppress the occurrence of a short circuit between a housing and a circuit board. The electrical device includes a housing and a circuit board housed inside the housing. The housing includes a metallic main housing to be attached to an installation section and a sub-housing attached to the main housing. The main housing includes a main wall, extending along the circuit board with a gap between the main wall and the circuit board, and a board attachment portion having the circuit board attached thereto. An insulating plate having insulating properties is fixed to an inner surface of the main wall.