Modular Control Apparatus With Movable Bus Element

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control apparatuses for technical installations require special designs for voltage supply module parts, leading to increased production costs and complexity in assembly for users.

Innovation Solution

A control apparatus with a single design of bus module part that includes a movable element to selectively provide either an electrical connection or insulation between bus connectors, allowing for the formation of different voltage groups without the need for multiple module part designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If special designs of bus module parts are provided for voltage supply module parts, then voltage group formation is enabled, but production costs increase and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage group formation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of bus module part designs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bus module part is designed with a movable element that can assume different positions to provide different functions: in a first position it provides an electrical connection between bus connectors for voltage supply, and in a second position it provides an insulation point for voltage group formation. This single universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized bus module part designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus module part incorporates a movable element that can be selectively positioned between a first position (providing electrical connection) and a second position (providing insulation). This dynamic configuration allows the same physical component to adapt its electrical topology based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for multiple static designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If special designs of bus module parts are provided for voltage supply module parts, then voltage group formation is enabled, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage group formation capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bus module part is designed with a movable element that can assume different positions to provide different functions: in a first position it provides an electrical connection between bus connectors for voltage supply, and in a second position it provides an insulation point for voltage group formation. This single universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized bus module part designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functionality of multiple specialized bus module part designs (connected bus and interrupted bus) is merged into a single design that uses one movable element to achieve both configurations. This consolidation reduces the number of unique components that need to be manufactured, stored, and assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If special designs of bus module parts are provided for voltage supply module parts, then voltage group formation is enabled, but assembly complexity for users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage group formation capabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bus module part is designed with a movable element that can assume different positions to provide different functions: in a first position it provides an electrical connection between bus connectors for voltage supply, and in a second position it provides an insulation point for voltage group formation. This single universal design replaces the need for multiple specialized bus module part designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus module part incorporates a movable element that can be selectively positioned between a first position (providing electrical connection) and a second position (providing insulation). This dynamic configuration allows the same physical component to adapt its electrical topology based on operational requirements, eliminating the need for multiple static designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9298664B2Modular control apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 PILZ GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A control apparatus has a number of modules arranged next to one another in a longitudinal direction. The modules each comprise at least one module part having a housing. Furthermore, the module part comprises a first electrical bus connector on a first side of the housing for electrical connection to a first neighboring module part adjacent in the longitudinal direction, and a second electrical bus connector on a second side, opposite the first side, of the housing for electrical connection to a second neighboring module part adjacent in the longitudinal direction. The module part further comprises at least one movable element, movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the movable element provides an electrical connection between the first bus connector and the second bus connector and, in the second position, provides an insulation point between the first bus connector and the second bus connector.