Transient Overvoltage Protection Device Modular Base Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-protected electrical assemblies face challenges with rigid wires that are expensive and difficult to position accurately, leading to residual overvoltages and non-compliance with standards due to suboptimal wiring lengths and complexities in production and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A protective device with a base that reduces wire length, allows precise positioning, and uses flexible wires, featuring a modular interface and wire cover casing to simplify wiring and comply with standards, while maintaining wire protection and facilitating assembly with a circuit breaker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid wires are used for wiring between the protection device and circuit breaker, then the wiring structure is stable, but the cost increases and positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple compartments, each dedicated to holding specific wires. This segmentation provides structured guidance for wire routing, improving positioning precision while maintaining structural stability through the organized layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The base acts as an intermediary component between the protection device and circuit breaker, providing a standardized interface with pre-defined wire exit positions. This mediator role enables precise wire positioning without requiring rigid wires, as the base structure itself ensures proper alignment.
2Ease of operation
If the length of electric wires is increased to facilitate wiring, then ease of operation improves, but residual overvoltages appear that are harmful to the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with pre-defined wire exit positions and compartments that guide wire routing before the wiring operation begins. This preliminary structuring enables workers to perform wiring easily while ensuring wire length remains optimized, preventing residual overvoltages.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex support and cover arrangement is used to hold conductive elements, then wire protection improves, but device complexity and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, contains compartments for wire organization, and offers protection for the wiring. This merging eliminates the need for separate support structures and covers, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive wire protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The base serves multiple purposes simultaneously: mechanical support for the protection device, wire routing guide, wire protection enclosure, and positioning element for the circuit breaker assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the assembly.
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 effectively reduces residual overvoltages, complies with French standard NF 15/100, and enhances productivity by using flexible wires and a modular design that simplifies the assembly process and protects wires from external damage.
Implementation Method 1
housing at least one varistor associated with a thermal disconnection device
Implementation Method 2
a spark gap as well as wires, respectively connected to each varistor and to the spark gap
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a protective device (300) against transient overvoltages, particularly those of atmospheric origin, comprising a housing (310) containing at least one varistor associated with a thermal disconnect device, a spark gap, and electrical wires (F1, F2, F3, FN) respectively connected to each varistor and to the spark gap, a portion of said electrical wires emerging outside the housing for connection to the terminals of a circuit breaker. According to the invention, the protective device comprises, outside the housing, a base (410) made of electrically insulating material, separate from said housing and provided, on the one hand, with retaining means cooperating with said electrical wires to hold each electrical wire in a determined position, and, on the other hand, with mounting means (415, 415A, 417, 417A) for attaching said base to the circuit breaker.The invention also relates to a self-protected electrical assembly comprising a protective device as mentioned above and a circuit breaker assembled together by one of their main lateral faces.