Modular Overvoltage Protection with Removable Ignition Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing overvoltage protection designs require the entire product to be replaced when the ignition circuit is damaged, and they are difficult to inspect, as the ignition circuit cannot be separated from the protection element, leading to unnecessary replacement of undamaged components.

Innovation Solution

A modular design featuring a base with protection elements and a removable module with a three-pole metallic contact system, allowing the ignition circuit to be replaced independently, with optical and remote signaling of the ignition circuit's operating state for easy identification and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the ignition circuit and protection element are connected in one construction unit, then the device is compact and simple to manufacture, but the entire product must be replaced when the ignition circuit is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate modules: a base unit containing the protection element and a removable module containing the ignition circuit. This segmentation allows the ignition circuit to be replaced independently without replacing the expensive protection element, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and repair economy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the ignition circuit and protection element are connected in one construction unit, then the device structure is simple, but the device is difficult to inspect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidinspection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The ignition circuit is extracted into a separate removable module that can be easily detached from the base. This allows inspectors to remove and examine the ignition circuit independently without disassembling the entire device, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and inspection accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If the protection element is separated into the base and ignition circuit into a removable module, then the ignition circuit can be replaced independently, but the connecting system must transfer great stress from pulse currents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent replaceabilityVSAvoidconnecting system durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The removable module with the ignition circuit is designed to nest into the base unit, with the connecting system positioned to handle high current stresses. The robust connecting system is integrated into the base structure to provide mechanical strength while allowing the removable module to be easily replaced, resolving the contradiction between replaceability and connecting system durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3192092B1Overvoltage protection in modular design
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 SALTEK SRO
  • EP3192092B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3192092B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3192092B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This overvoltage protection in a modular design features an electromechanical arrangement containing a base (4) with at least one protection element (3), at least one removable module (5) with an ignition circuit (6) and at least one main connecting system (7) of the ignition circuit (6), consisting of a multi-pole set of contacts (8) and the corresponding opposite contacts (9) of the ignition circuit (6), whereas the contacts (8), with the advantage being in the three-pole metallic arrangement, are situated on the bottom surface (18) of the removable module (5), whereas the corresponding opposite contacts (9), with the advantage being in the three-pole metallic design, are situated on the upper part (19) of the base (4), and at the same time, each protection element (3) is from its one pole connected to at least one first terminal clamp (1) associated with it, situated on one side of the base (4), and from its second pole it is connected to at least one second terminal clamp (2) associated with it, situated on the opposite side of the base (4).