Modular Switching Device Assembly System

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage switching devices, such as disconnectors, face challenges in accommodating design variations and ensuring mechanical stability across different configurations and environmental conditions, leading to increased complexity and costs in component selection and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that generates recommendations for assembling modular switching devices by analyzing geographical and operational data, optimizing component selection from a limited set, and using data analysis models like FEM to determine mechanical parameter variations, ensuring modularity and mechanical stability while maximizing re-usability and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional casted or welded rotary units are used in base frame, then mechanical stability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing effort increase significantly when accommodating design variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate design variationsVSAvoidcomplexity in component selection and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base frame is divided into modular components: standardized base frame structure, interchangeable rotary units, and configurable stiffeners. This segmentation allows different rotary units to be assembled into the same base frame without redesigning the entire structure, thereby accommodating design variations while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized base frame design serves multiple configurations and applications through universal mounting interfaces and standardized channel dimensions. A single base frame design can accommodate various rotary units and stiffener configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized base frame designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If additional stiffeners and elevator plates are added to base frame channels, then mechanical stability is improved, but device complexity and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffener configuration is made dynamic and configurable rather than fixed. Stiffeners and elevator plates can be selectively added or removed from base frame channels depending on the specific mechanical stability requirements of each application, allowing optimization without unnecessary complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Stiffeners and elevator plates are placed locally in base frame channels only where mechanical stability is needed, rather than uniformly across all channels. This localized approach provides necessary strength while minimizing the number of components and assembly effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular construction with interchangeable components is implemented, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but ensuring mechanical stability across all configurations becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different applicationsVSAvoidmechanical stability across configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses standardized parameters and dimensions for base frame channels, rotary units, and stiffeners that ensure mechanical stability across all configurations. By maintaining consistent critical parameters (channel dimensions, mounting hole patterns, material specifications), reliability is ensured while allowing adaptability through component interchangeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The base frame is designed with pre-configured standardized channels and mounting features that anticipate future component installations. This preliminary structuring ensures that when rotary units and stiffeners are assembled into the base frame, mechanical stability is automatically ensured through the pre-established standardized interfaces and load paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3836183A1Device assembly system, method and computer program product for assembling a modular switching device
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3836183A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3836183A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3836183A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A device assembly system (300), a method (200), and a computer program product for assembling a modular switching device are provided. The computer implemented method (200) employing the device assembly system (300) receives device installation data (501) comprising at least geographical data and an operational rating of the switching device, and generates (202), based on the device installation data (501), one or more recommendations (R_C1 - R_C5), wherein each recommendation (R_C1 - R_C5) comprises at least one configuration (C1-C5) of the switching device, and a plurality of components (106A, 106B, 107, 108, 109, 110) required for assembly of the at least one configuration (C1-C5) of the switching device from a component repository (302) .