Protective Plate Actuation in Power Distribution Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution units with slide-in compartments and movable electrical units pose a risk of smaller objects coming into contact with electrical conductors, as known protective devices are not effective in preventing such contacts, especially under impacts that can trigger the protective mechanisms unintentionally.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a protective device with a movable locking blade that is actuated by a control means on the plug-in unit, featuring a first locking mechanism integral to the protective plate and a second locking mechanism held on the compartment, ensuring the plate remains closed until intentionally opened, and a cover with aligned openings for contact elements, providing enhanced protection against smaller objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective plate with passage openings is used to allow contact element passage, then finger safety is achieved, but smaller objects can still contact the busbars
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into multiple functional components: a protective plate with passage openings for contact elements, a locking blade with locking elements, and a cover with associated passage openings. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive protection against both finger contact and smaller object contact with the busbars.
2Ease of operation
If the protective plate is made movable to allow access when needed, then operational flexibility is improved, but unintended opening due to impacts can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blade is positioned in advance to engage with the protective plate before any impact occurs. The locking elements on the locking blade protrude into the movement path of the protective plate, pre-establishing a mechanical constraint that prevents unintended opening due to impacts while still allowing controlled movement when the locking mechanism is deliberately actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective plate and locking blade are combined into an integrated assembly where the locking blade is held on the protective plate. This merging ensures that the locking mechanism moves together with the protective plate and maintains its locking function throughout the operational cycle, preventing separation or unintended opening under impact loads.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective plate is locked in closed position, then protection against smaller objects is improved, but the plate cannot be opened when contact elements need to pass through
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blade acts as an intermediary mechanism between the protective plate and the locking elements. It provides a controlled interface that maintains the locked closed position for protection while allowing the protective plate to be opened when contact elements need to pass through, by transferring and controlling the forces involved in locking and unlocking operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a protection device for protecting against contact with electrical lines (24) in a power distributing unit (1), the power distributing unit (1) comprising an insertion compartment (3) and an electrical insertion unit (4) that can be moved in the insertion compartment (3) from a starting position into an end position. The protection device comprises at least one protective plate (49a, 49b, 49c. 49d) that can be moved in the insertion compartment (3), perpendicularly to the direction of movement (43) of the electrical insertion unit, from a closed position into an open position, and an actuating means (64) held on the electrical insertion unit (4) and used to move the protective plate (49a). The aim of the invention is to improve the safety of the protection device even more. To this end, the actuating means (64) can be moved from a starting position into an end position, under the influence of a control means on the insertion unit (4). When the electrical insertion unit (4) is in the end position thereof, the actuating means (64) protrudes into the movement path of the protective plate (49a) in such a way that the protective plate (49a) moves from its closed position into its open position only when the actuating means (64) moves from its starting position into its end position, and from its open position into its closed position only when the actuating means (64) moves from its end position into a starting position.