Marine Drive Unit Cable Cutter for Impact Disconnection
Solution Overview
Problem
Marine vessels face severe impacts from external obstacles, leading to potential damage and electrical hazards, necessitating a safe and efficient mechanism to disconnect the electrical drive system.
Innovation Solution
An electrical drive system for marine vessels featuring a cable cutter mechanism that separates the electric machine from the energy storage system upon impact, utilizing a mechanical switch and elongate housing to protect the motor and ensure safe disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric machine remains connected to the energy storage system via electric cables during impact, then the electrical system remains intact and functional, but the risk of electrical hazards and damage increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cable cutter is pre-positioned and pre-configured to automatically activate upon impact detection, cutting the electric cables before electrical hazards can develop. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effects by removing the connection between the electric machine and energy storage system at the critical moment of impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The impact force that causes damage is converted into a beneficial trigger mechanism that activates the cable cutter. The mechanical stress from the impact is transformed into the activation energy needed to sever the cables, turning the harmful impact into a protective action that eliminates electrical hazards.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the electric machine is separated from the energy storage system during impact, then electrical safety is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the cable cutter mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The cable cutter mechanism is extracted as a separate, dedicated safety component from the main electrical system. This extraction allows the safety function to be implemented with minimal integration into the core electrical architecture, reducing the overall system complexity while still providing effective electrical hazard protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable cutter acts as an intermediary element between the electric machine and the energy storage system. Rather than requiring complex control systems or active monitoring, the cable cutter serves as a passive mechanical mediator that automatically separates the two systems upon impact, simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Reliability
If a mechanical switch is used to activate the cable cutter, then the activation works even when electricity is deactivated, but the switch must be positioned in the distal end portion exposed to external pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical switch is positioned specifically in the distal end portion of the housing, which is the location most exposed to external pressure during impact. This localized positioning ensures that the switch receives the necessary activation force first, reliably triggering the cable cutter mechanism when and where it is most needed.
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 system effectively minimizes damage and prevents electrical accidents by mechanically disconnecting the electrical components, ensuring safety and reducing the risk of fire or further damage during severe impacts.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cable cutter arranged to cut the at least one electric cable in the event of impact
Implementation Method 2
The cable cutter may be activated by said mechanical switch upon impact
Implementation Method 3
the cable cutter comprises a spring-loaded part
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical drive system for a marine vessel is provided. The system comprises an electric machine arranged below a water level, an inboard electrical energy storage system, wherein the electric machine is connected to the inboard electrical energy storage system via at least one electric cable, and at least one cable cutter arranged to cut the at least one electric cable in the event of impact.