Rigidly Linked NH Fuse Switch Covers for Safer Disconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

NH fuse switch strips require complex handling to move switching covers between operating and disconnection positions, as each cover must be individually actuated, making the process cumbersome and prone to accidental movements.

Innovation Solution

The switching covers are rigidly connected, allowing them to be moved together into operating or disconnection positions with the actuation of only one cover, using connecting means like rods or strips with fastening elements, and a single movement device, simplifying handling and ensuring alignment and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each switch cover is individually actuated, then each cover can be positioned independently, but the handling becomes complex and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidactuation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple switch covers are rigidly connected to form a single integrated unit. The connecting elements (rods or strips) merge the individual covers into one assembly that moves as a single entity, eliminating the need to actuate each cover separately and significantly simplifying the handling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple switch covers are moved independently, then each cover can be positioned precisely, but accidental movements and misalignment may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoperation safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connection through connecting elements ensures that all switch covers maintain fixed relative positions to each other. When one cover is actuated, all connected covers move simultaneously and uniformly, preventing accidental movements and ensuring precise alignment without requiring separate control of each cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of controlling each switch cover independently to achieve alignment, the invention inverts the approach by pre-establishing fixed geometric relationships through rigid connections. The alignment is built into the structure itself, and operation becomes a matter of moving the entire aligned assembly as one unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a movement device is provided for each switch cover, then each cover can be actuated separately, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuation flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of movement devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4439610A1Nh safety switch strip

Publication Date: 2024.10.02 EFEN

Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2~4(b)
Figure 5(a)~5(d)

AI summary

The invention relates to an NH fuse switch disconnector comprising a device (3) for its connection to a power supply, a housing (2), at least two switch covers (4, 5, 6), and at least one bearing device (7, 8, 9) by means of which the switch covers (4, 5, 6) are movably mounted on the housing (2), wherein the switch covers (4, 5, 6) can be positioned in a fuse operating position for connecting fuses to be arranged on the switch covers (4, 5, 6) to the power supply and in a fuse disconnect position for disconnecting the fuses from the power supply. According to the invention, the switch covers (4, 5, 6) are rigidly connected to one another. Advantageously, at least the two switch covers (4, 5, 6), preferably several of the switch covers (4, 5, 6), are connected to one another such that they can be moved together into the fuse operating position and/or the fuse disconnect position when only one of the switch covers is actuated.