Monopiece Connector for Medium-Voltage Switchgear Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical coupling units for connecting medium-voltage switchgears face issues with high resistance due to bottlenecks created by central recesses, leading to potential voltage drops and increased temperature, and are difficult to assemble due to loosely fitted components.

Innovation Solution

A monopiece connector made of electrically conductive material with a tubular stiffening means and a flexible insulating sleeve, allowing for swiveling motion to accommodate level differences and easy assembly, reducing resistance and improving thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If central recesses are provided in conductive parts to allow swiveling motion, then adaptability to level differences is improved, but electrical resistance increases due to bottleneck effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to level differencesVSAvoidelectrical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is formed as a single monolithic piece from electrically conductive material, merging the connector body, conductive parts, and swiveling mechanisms into one integrated structure. This eliminates the bottleneck effect at interfaces between separate components, ensuring continuous electrical conduction paths without high-resistance joints, while maintaining the ability to accommodate level differences through the inherent flexibility of the monolithic design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conductive parts are loosely assembled in passages of the conductive ring, then swiveling motion is enabled, but assembly difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswiveling capabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The entire connector structure is manufactured as a single monolithic component, eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate parts. The swiveling capability is achieved through the geometric design of the monolithic structure itself, allowing relative motion between connector elements while maintaining electrical continuity, without requiring complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used in the connector, then flexibility for level compensation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelevel compensation flexibilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed as a monolithic structure that integrates multiple functions into a single component. The level compensation flexibility is achieved through the monolithic design that allows controlled relative motion between connector elements while maintaining structural integrity and electrical continuity, reducing the number of parts and simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution provides a low-resistance electrical coupling with improved thermal management and ease of assembly, capable of accommodating level differences between switchgears while maintaining reliable electrical contact.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible insulating sleeve having a through sleeve hole surrounding the first stiffening means, the connector and the second stiffening means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the first connector plug, the second connector plug and the connector ring are parts of a single piece of electrically conductive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

a tubular first stiffening means surrounding at least part of the first connector plug, a tubular second stiffening means surrounding at least part of the second connector plug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical stiffness:

Data Source

PatentEP3343711B1Electrical coupling unit for coupling of electrical switchgears

Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HET VEER

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AI summary

The present invention relates to an electrical coupling unit (1a; 1b; 1c) to connect external connecting devices (103; 104) of two medium-voltage electrical switchgears. The electrical coupling unit (1a; 1b; 1c) comprises a flexible insulating sleeve (2) and a connector (30) inserted within the sleeve (2). The connector (30) is made of one conductive piece and comprises two connector plugs (31; 32) joined by a central connector ring (35). Radial compression of the hole (26) of the sleeve (2) is avoided by stiffening means (41; 42) placed between the internal surface of the sleeve (2) and the connector plugs (31; 32) of the connector (30).