Modular Bus Assembly with Offset Lateral Member

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical distribution loadcenter bus assemblies require multiple types of lateral bus members and spacers, increasing manufacturing costs and labor, and necessitate complex configurations for coupling to primary buses.

Innovation Solution

A modular bus assembly with a single configuration of lateral bus member featuring offset portions that can be coupled to any primary bus without a spacer, utilizing a coupling device like a threaded fastener for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of lateral bus members are used to couple to different primary buses, then the bus assembly can be coupled to various primary bus configurations, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling capability to different primary busesVSAvoidnumber of lateral bus member types

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral bus member is designed with a universal coupling mechanism that can interface with different primary bus configurations through offset portions. The offset portions allow the same lateral bus member design to couple to primary buses at different positions (left, center, right) without requiring multiple specialized designs, thus achieving multi-functionality with a single component type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral bus member incorporates asymmetric offset portions that can be positioned at different locations relative to the main body. This asymmetric design with selectable offset positions enables a single universal component to adapt to different coupling scenarios (different primary bus positions) without requiring symmetric or multiple specialized designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Manufacturing precision

If spacers are used to couple the lateral bus member to the primary bus, then proper spacing and alignment are achieved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment between lateral bus member and primary busVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer function (providing spacing and alignment) is merged directly into the lateral bus member structure through the offset portions. Instead of being separate components, the spacing and alignment features are integrated into the lateral bus member itself, eliminating the need for separate spacer components and simplifying the overall assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing and alignment function is extracted from the separate spacer component and incorporated directly into the lateral bus member design. The offset portions of the lateral bus member perform the spacing and alignment functions that were previously handled by separate spacer components, thereby eliminating unnecessary components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If three different types of lateral bus members are manufactured for three primary buses, then each can be optimally configured for its specific position, but the manufacturing cost and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimal configuration for each positionVSAvoidmanufacturing and sorting labor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal lateral bus member design with offset portions can serve all three primary bus positions (left, center, right). This universal design maintains optimal configuration for each position through the offset portions while eliminating the need to manufacture, inventory, and sort multiple specialized component types, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and labor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7520759B2Modular bus assembly for a loadcenter

Publication Date: 2009.04.21 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A modular bus assembly for a loadcenter is provided. The loadcenter includes a non-conductive bus support assembly having a planar member with an upper side, a plurality of upper sidewalls, and at least one opening through the planar member. The plurality of upper sidewalls defining at least one upper channel. At least one lateral bus member having an elongated body with a first end terminal, a first lateral portion, an offset, central portion, an offset second lateral portion, and a second end terminal is disposed with the channel. The first end terminal, the first lateral portion, and the second end terminal are in, generally, a first plane. The offset, central portion is offset in a first direction from the first plane and the offset, second lateral portion is offset in a second direction from the first plane. In this configuration the lateral bus member is reversible so that either the offset central portion or the offset, second lateral portion is disposed within the planar member opening.