Nested Transmission Shaft for Switchgear Signal Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation switching devices with transmission shafts often transmit multiple signals simultaneously, leading to false short-circuit messages when undervoltage or shunt releases trigger the switch, as they cannot differentiate between signal sources effectively.

Innovation Solution

The transmission shaft is designed with a first internal partial shaft and a second external partial shaft, allowing independent pivoting and separation of signals, where the first shaft handles forced releases and the second shaft handles short-circuit signaling, ensuring that short-circuit signaling switches do not trip due to forced releases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single transmission shaft is used to transmit multiple signals simultaneously, then the device structure is simple, but false short-circuit messages occur when undervoltage or shunt releases trigger the switch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission shaft structureVSAvoidsignal transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The single transmission shaft is divided into two independent partial shafts: a first partial shaft for receiving signals from undervoltage/shunt releases and a second partial shaft for receiving signals from the magnetic release. This segmentation allows separate signal transmission paths, preventing false short-circuit messages while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If multiple signals are transmitted through the same transmission shaft, then the device structure is compact, but signal differentiation between different sources is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission shaft structureVSAvoidsignal source identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission shaft is segmented into distinct partial shafts, each dedicated to specific signal sources. The first partial shaft handles forced release signals while the second partial shaft handles magnetic release signals, ensuring complete signal source identification without information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing block serves as an intermediary element that supports both partial shafts independently, allowing them to rotate separately while maintaining a compact integrated structure. This mediator enables signal differentiation without requiring separate housing spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the transmission shaft is designed with independent partial shafts for separate signal transmission, then signal accuracy is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission accuracyVSAvoidtransmission shaft structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second partial shafts are combined within a single bearing block, sharing common mounting points and spatial arrangement. This merging approach maintains structural compactness while preserving the functional independence needed for accurate signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first partial shaft is positioned concentrically within the space occupied by the second partial shaft, with both shafts nested within the bearing block. This nested arrangement maximizes space utilization and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining independent signal paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP2143123B1Transmission shaft for an installation switchgear
Publication Date: 2010.10.27 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP2143123B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2143123B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2143123B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission shaft for an installation switchgear comprising at least one contact point, a hammer armature system for opening the contact point in the event of a short-circuit and a switching lock with a release lever, wherein the hammer armature acts upon the switching lock in order to unlatch it, thereby opening permanently the contact point. The transmission shaft can be mounted into the installation switchgear so as to be pivotable between an idle position and a tripping position for ensuring the mechanical coupling of the hammer armature with the release lever and a short-circuit signaling unit and for ensuring the mechanical coupling of an auxiliary release with the release lever. The transmission shaft comprises a first, internally positioned partial shaft that is rotatably mounted in a second, externally positioned partial shaft in such a manner that the first partial shaft, independently from the second partial shaft, is pivotable between the idle position and the release position when the second partial shaft is in the idle position and that the second partial shaft entrains the first partial shaft into the release position during pivoting from its idle position to the release position.