Interlocking Device Sliding Shell Prevents Lever Breaking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interlocking devices for electrical apparatuses, such as circuit breakers, are prone to accidental breaking when manoeuvring elements are forced to alternate positions, posing risks to safety and system integrity.
Innovation Solution
An interlocking device with a slidably mounted covering shell that prevents manual access to manoeuvring levers, utilizing inhibition tabs and abutment elements to maintain levers in predetermined positions, and a modular design with box-shaped components for enhanced safety and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inhibition levers are rigidly coupled with manoeuvring elements to enable interlocking, then interlocking functionality is achieved, but the device becomes vulnerable to breaking when manoeuvring elements are forced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the manoeuvring element and inhibition lever is divided into two independent parts: a first portion rigidly coupled to the manoeuvring element, and a second portion rigidly coupled to the inhibition lever. These portions are connectable but not permanently fixed to each other, allowing the system to segment the force transmission path and prevent breaking when forcing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic conditional connection. The coupling elements can be connected to transmit interlocking forces during normal operation, but can be disconnected or fail safely when excessive forcing forces are applied, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical properties based on operating conditions.
2Ease of operation
If manoeuvring elements are made accessible for operation, then ease of operation is improved, but accidental forcing and breaking risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements act as intermediary components between the manoeuvring element and inhibition lever. They mediate the force transmission by being connectable but not permanently fixed, allowing normal operational forces to pass through while preventing the transmission of excessive forcing forces that could cause breaking.
3Reliability
If inhibition levers are locked in predetermined positions to ensure safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking functionality is merged with the existing interlocking mechanism. The coupling elements between the manoeuvring element and inhibition lever serve dual purposes: they enable the interlocking function and simultaneously provide the locking capability by being connectable in a locked configuration. This integration reduces the need for separate locking components.
Data Source
AI summary
An interlocking device (10) for interlocking a first and a second electrical apparatus (Sw_dx, Sw_sx) is described, said electrical apparatuses (Sw_dx, Sw_sx) respectively including a first and a second manoeuvring element (L_dx, L_sx) independently movable between a first and a second operating position (OFF, ON), and said device (10) comprising: - a support body (20) adapted to be operatively interposed between the first and the second electrical apparatus (Sw_dx, Sw_sx); and - a covering shell (30) coupled to the support body (20) and movable with respect to the support body (20) to alternatively assume a first and a second operating configuration. The interlocking device is characterised in that the covering shell (30) is slidably mounted to the support body (20) to translate along a sliding direction (X) so that in the first and second operating configuration it is adapted to cover the first and the second manoeuvring element (L_dx, L_sx), respectively.