Planar Contact Bolt Drive for Gas-Insulated Switchgear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing combined isolating and earthing switches for metal-encapsulated, gas-insulated high-voltage switchgear are bulky and complex in operation, particularly due to the angled movement of contact bolts which complicates the mechanism and increases size.

Innovation Solution

The contact bolts' movement lines are aligned in one plane, with each bolt driven by an insulating spindle coupled to a deflection gear, such as a bevel gear housed within the grounding contact piece, allowing direct 1:1 gear ratio and simplified operation by preventing the contact bolts from rotating, thus enabling easier positioning and indication of their movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the contact bolts are moved at an angle of approx. 40° relative to the connecting conductors, then the combined isolating and earthing switch can be constructed, but the size increases and the operation becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombined isolating and earthing functionVSAvoidhousing size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the movement plane of the contact bolts from an angled 3D trajectory to a planar movement within a single plane. The line of movement of the isolating contact bolt and the earthing contact bolt are both located in the same plane, which contains the connecting conductors. This dimensional simplification reduces the spatial requirements and housing size while maintaining the combined functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the contact bolts are moved at an angle of approx. 40° relative to the connecting conductors, then the combined isolating and earthing switch can be constructed, but the operation mechanism becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombined isolating and earthing functionVSAvoiddrive mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the drive mechanism by constraining all contact bolt movements to occur within a single plane. This planar configuration allows for simpler linkage mechanisms and reduces the complexity of the drive system compared to angled 3D movement trajectories.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a universal joint mechanism that can accommodate both isolating and earthing operations within the same plane. The joint allows the contact bolts to move freely in the planar direction while maintaining proper alignment with the connecting conductors, providing multi-functionality without increasing mechanical complexity.

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

3Ease of operation

If the contact bolts are prevented from rotating, then the positioning and indication becomes easier, but the drive mechanism requires additional constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning and indicationVSAvoidconstraint mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a constrained movement environment where the contact bolts are prevented from rotating by guiding them along fixed linear paths within the plane. This equipotential constraint ensures that the contact bolts can only move in the intended direction, making their position easily observable and indicating their state without requiring additional sensors or complex feedback mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

This design reduces the size and simplifies the operation of the contact bolts, enhancing the usability and positioning of auxiliary switches while maintaining direct inference of the insulating spindle's movement from the drive spindle's rotation, facilitating easier alignment and operation.

Implementation Method 1

the insulating spindle each have an external thread which engages in an internal thread of a contact bolt, each contact bolt being prevented from rotating, so that when the insulating spindle rotates, the contact bolts are displaced in one direction or the other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the drive spindle lies in the plane of the movement lines and is coupled to the insulating spindles via a deflection gear, the deflection gears for driving each contact bolt being accommodated in the grounding contact pieces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBevel gear transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2526559B1Metal-encapsulated, gas-insulated combined disconnecting and grounding switch
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
  • EP2526559B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2526559B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a metal-encapsulated, gas-insulated combined multiphase disconnecting and grounding switch accommodated in a housing, comprising one contact pin (20) that can be moved in the longitudinal axis thereof for each phase, said contact pin in a first position connecting two active parts (18, 24) to one another and in a second position being connected to a fixed grounding contact piece (42), and a drive motor (48) for the contact pins (20), said drive motor actuating the contact pins (20) via a drive spindle (39). The movement lines of the contact pins (20) of all phases are located in one plane, wherein the contact pins (20) can each be driven by an insulating spindle (23) aligned with the movement line, the drive spindle (39) being located in the plane of the movement lines and extending perpendicularly to the insulating spindles (23) and being coupled thereto via a deflection gear (37), respectively, and the deflection gear (37) for driving the contact pins (20) being accommodated in the grounding contact pieces (42).