Rack Positioning Assembly Insulation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rack positioning assemblies for low-voltage electric panels do not adequately increase the insulation distance between vertical busbar bars, potentially leading to short circuits due to insufficient electric creep path length between modules.
Innovation Solution
The proposed rack positioning assembly incorporates insulating ribs and flanks between modules, creating a longer electric creep path without increasing the separation between bars, thus enhancing electrical insulation by increasing the insulation distance between the bars at the interface between successive modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rack positioning modules are stacked above one another with empty space between them, then the structure is simple and bars can be positioned, but the insulation distance between bars at the module interface is insufficient leading to short circuit risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the insulation structure from a single-plane separator into a three-dimensional configuration with separating flanks that protrude from both upper and lower module faces. These flanks create multiple insulating barriers in different spatial dimensions, forcing the electric creep path to travel along the flank surfaces rather than taking a direct path between bars, thereby increasing insulation distance without increasing bar separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning module is divided into separate functional components: upper and lower partitions that define bar positions, and intermediate separating flanks that specifically address insulation between modules. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while assembling into a complete insulation system.
2Reliability
If the separation between bars is increased to improve insulation, then the electric creep path length increases, but the compactness of the busbar arrangement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separating flanks act as intermediary insulating structures positioned between the bars at the module interface. These flanks provide the necessary insulation function without requiring increased separation between the bars themselves, as the flanks fill the insulating role in the space between adjacent modules while maintaining compact bar arrangement within each module.
3Reliability
If raised lines are added to increase creep path length, then some insulation is improved, but the insulation distance between adjacent bars remains insufficient preventing short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from two-dimensional raised lines on single module faces to three-dimensional separating flanks that extend from both upper and lower faces into the interface space. This creates overlapping insulating barriers that force the creep path to navigate around multiple flank surfaces, significantly increasing the effective creep path length and providing redundant insulation barriers.
Data Source
AI summary
The inventive rack positioning assembly for an electric panel comprises a vertical busbar (J2) for distributing electric current to electric appliances, said busbar comprising several bars, which are positioned in a same vertical plane and on which it is provided to connect racks of the electric panel, and several rack positioning modules (20), which are positioned above one another and which surround the bars of the vertical busbar. The positioning modules (20) comprise means (50) for increasing the insulation distance between the bars at the interface between two successive modules, that insulation distance corresponding to the length of the electric creep path between the bars.