Integrated Busbar for Modular Electrical Device Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular electrical protection products face challenges in efficiently distributing electrical potential between input and output terminals of multiple devices within a limited volume, leading to mechanical instability and increased space requirements, especially when dealing with complex products like circuit breakers and differential switches.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical and electrical connection system that connects separate insulating boxes with modular electrical devices, ensuring a pressing force perpendicular to their parallel faces, allowing for secure assembly and potential distribution within the defined volume, thus maintaining mechanical integrity and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid conductors are used to distribute electrical potential between devices, then electrical connection is achieved, but the conductors extend outside the devices increasing the overall volume and compromising mechanical unity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function and mechanical support function into a single integrated component. The busbar structure serves both as an electrical conductor for potential distribution and as a mechanical element that extends into devices to provide support and maintain unity, eliminating the need for separate external conductors and support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The busbar is nested within the assembly volume by extending into the internal space of the devices. The conductor is positioned inside the housing volume rather than extending externally, allowing the electrical connection to be made within the boundaries of the assembled devices, thus reducing the overall volume occupied by the assembly.
2Volume of stationary object
If devices are truncated to accommodate removable blocks for potential distribution, then space is saved for the distribution block, but the full space of standard modular units cannot be utilized and mechanical unity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the potential distribution function with the mechanical support function into a single integrated busbar structure. This eliminates the need for separate removable blocks and truncated devices, allowing standard modular devices to be used in their complete form while maintaining both electrical connection and mechanical unity through the unified busbar design.
3Reliability
If conductors with different potentials are passed through the assembly, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but specific clearance is required between live parts increasing the space needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing electrical insulation specifically where different potentials meet. The busbar is equipped with insulating elements or coatings at specific locations where conductors with different potentials are in close proximity, allowing minimal clearance to be maintained while ensuring electrical safety. This targeted insulation approach reduces the overall space required compared to providing uniform clearance throughout the assembly.
4Reliability
If a removable block is individually connected to each truncated device, then potential distribution is achieved, but the mechanical unity of the assembly is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual connections into a single integrated busbar structure that simultaneously connects to multiple devices. Instead of having separate removable blocks individually connected to each device, the unified busbar provides both electrical connection and mechanical support to all devices in the assembly, ensuring mechanical unity while maintaining potential distribution 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
The solution ensures a mechanically stable assembly of modular devices, allowing for efficient distribution of electrical potential while minimizing external volume usage, facilitating easier installation and handling by integrating both potential distribution and fixing functions within the same system.
Implementation Method 1
said system mechanically linking said housings together by also exerting a pressing force, substantially perpendicular to the two large parallel faces on two housings of the row
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assembly including a row of at least two separate insulating casings (1, 2, 2', 2") that each have two large parallel surfaces (F1, F2) and each comprise at least one modular electrical device, for example a circuit breaker, switch, or differential unit, each of said electrical devices including at least one electrical connection terminal. Said assembly is characterized in that it includes at least one mechanical and electrical linking system mechanically interconnecting said casings and also exerting a pressure force, substantially perpendicularly to the two large parallel surfaces (F1, F2), on two casings of the row. Said assembly is also characterized in that said system electrically connects the or one of the terminal(s) of at least one electrical device to the or one of the terminal(s) of another electrical device so as to distribute an electrical potential therebetween. Said assembly is moreover characterized in that said system is at least partially contained in the volume defined by the casings.