Interlink Arrangement for Independent Grounding Switch Stroke

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wind power generation systems, wind turbines often fail to detect ground faults, leading to uncontrolled voltage increases due to the lack of independent stroke adjustment between circuit breakers and grounding switches, resulting in increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A switching device with a pole assembly featuring an interlink arrangement that allows independent stroke adjustment of a circuit breaker and a grounding switch using a drive connection rod and spacer plates or a rotatable stroke adjusting member, ensuring that the stroke of the grounding switch can be set independently without affecting the circuit breaker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single drive connection rod is used to control both circuit breaker and grounding switch, then the device complexity is reduced, but independent stroke adjustment becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidindependent stroke adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drive connection rod is segmented into multiple independent adjustment mechanisms: a first stroke adjusting mechanism for the circuit breaker and a second stroke adjusting mechanism for the grounding switch. Each mechanism can independently adjust the stroke of its respective interrupter unit without affecting the other, thus maintaining simple overall structure while enabling independent adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Stroke adjusting members are introduced as intermediary elements between the drive connection rod and the interrupter units. These members include adjustable linkages,偏心 (eccentric) mechanisms, or threaded adjustment components that mediate the motion transmission, allowing independent stroke control for each interrupter unit while using a single drive connection rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate drive connection rods are used for circuit breaker and grounding switch, then independent stroke adjustment is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent stroke adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the drive control of circuit breaker and grounding switch into a single drive connection rod, reducing the number of drive components. However, it combines this unified drive with segmented stroke adjustment mechanisms that allow independent control, thus achieving independent adjustment without the complexity of completely separate drive systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single drive connection rod is designed to serve multiple functions: controlling both the circuit breaker and grounding switch. Through the incorporation of adjustable linkages or偏心 mechanisms, this universal drive component can independently adjust the stroke of each interrupter unit, eliminating the need for separate drive rods while maintaining adjustment independence.

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

3Ease of operation

If stroke adjustment is made through drive connection rod, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability for independent adjustment of both interrupters is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke adjustment easeVSAvoidindependent stroke adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The stroke adjustment mechanism incorporates dynamic, adjustable elements such as threaded rods with lock nuts,偏心 eccentrics, or telescopic linkages with pins. These dynamic components allow the stroke of each interrupter unit to be adjusted independently during installation or maintenance while maintaining ease of operation through simple manual adjustment without requiring complex disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3886133B1Interlink arrangement for a switching device
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3886133B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3886133B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3886133B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A pole assembly (200) of a switching device (106) and a method of operating the switching device (106) are provided. The pole assembly (200) including a first interrupter unit (202) providing a path for current flow therethrough in a closed state and interrupting the current flow in an open state, a second interrupter unit (203) operably connected to the first interrupter unit (202) allowing the current flow through the first interrupter unit (202) in an open state and grounding the switching device (106) in a closed state, and an interlink arrangement (201) operably connected to a moveable member (202A) of the first interrupter unit (202) and a moveable member (203A) of the second interrupter unit (203) for setting stroke of the second interrupter unit (203) independent of the stroke of the first interrupter unit (202) .