Pull-off Device for Overvoltage Protection Magazine Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing surge protection magazines in communication systems, particularly in broadband communication systems, are difficult to remove from connection strips due to their tight fit, leading to a risk of damaging the connection strips and causing internet connection failures.

Innovation Solution

A removal device with a base section and two actuable puller modules that interact with stop surfaces on the connection strip to exert a force on the surge protection magazine, allowing for easier removal without pulling off the entire connection strip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the surge protection magazine is tightly fitted to the terminal block to ensure high current surge capacity, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidease of removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The puller device serves as an intermediary tool between the operator and the tightly fitted surge protection magazine. It includes a base section with a projection that engages the magazine, and two puller modules that interact with stop surfaces on the terminal block to distribute and control the removal force, enabling safe extraction without damaging the electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the spring force of the terminal block contacts is increased to handle high current surges, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the force required for removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidforce required for removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The puller device segments the removal force application into two separate puller modules that act on opposite sides of the terminal block. Each module interacts with its own stop surface, distributing the total force required to overcome the spring force of the contacts. This segmentation allows controlled force application that prevents sudden release or damage while still enabling removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the surge protection magazine is tightly fitted to ensure secure mounting, then the mounting stability is improved, but the risk of damaging the terminal block during removal increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage during removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The puller device applies preliminary controlled force through its two puller modules that interact with the stop surfaces on the terminal block. This preliminary action gradually overcomes the tight fit and spring forces before complete removal, preventing sudden releases or tilting that could cause damage to the terminal block, mounting tabs, or circuit board connection tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP4042708B1Pull-off device for an overvoltage protection magazine
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 WESTNETZ GMBH
  • EP4042708B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4042708B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4042708B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The application relates to a pull-off device (100, 200, 300, 400) for pulling off an overvoltage protection magazine (352, 452) mounted on an electric terminal strip (350, 450), comprising: - a base portion (102, 202, 302, 402) having a protrusion (108, 208, 408), designed to engage the mounted overvoltage protection magazine (352, 452); - two pull-off modules (118, 120, 220, 318, 320, 420) fastened on opposite sides (110, 112, 212, 310, 312, 412) of the base portion (102, 202, 302, 402). The pull-off modules (118, 120, 220, 318, 320, 420) are designed to cooperate, in a pull-off operation, with respective stop surfaces (470) provided by the terminal strip (350, 450) in such a way that, by actuating the respective pull-off module (118, 120, 220, 318, 320, 420), a force is exerted onto the mounted overvoltage protection magazine (352, 452) by the protrusion (108, 208, 408) so that the overvoltage protection magazine (352, 452) is pulled off of the terminal strip (350, 450).