Rotatable Rail Contact Module With Busbar Miscontact Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical module systems risk accidental contact with incorrect busbar lines during mounting, potentially leading to short circuits or damage due to the close spacing of busbar lines, which has not been adequately addressed in prior art.

Innovation Solution

An electrical module with a rotatable contacting element and a contact holder body that can be adjusted between a blocking and release position, ensuring that only the intended busbar lines are contacted by using a spring-loaded mechanism to prevent accidental rotation until the module is fully attached to the mounting rail.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the contacting element is made rotatable to enable easy mounting and correct orientation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental contact with wrong busbar lines increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of mountingVSAvoidrisk of short circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning blocking elements on the contact holder body that prevent rotation of the contacting element before the module is properly mounted. These blocking elements are arranged to engage with the mounting rail structure, restricting rotational movement until the module is correctly positioned and secured to the rail, thereby preventing accidental contact with wrong busbar lines during the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the blocking elements movable relative to the contact holder body. The blocking elements can transition from a blocking position (when the module is not mounted) to a non-blocking position (when the module is properly mounted and secured). This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its rotational restriction based on the mounting state, enabling easy operation during correct installation while preventing harmful accidental rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If the busbar lines are arranged at short distance to reduce space, then the compactness is improved, but the difficulty of preventing accidental contact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupancyVSAvoiddifficulty of preventing wrong contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning blocking elements on the contact holder body that prevent rotation of the contacting element before the module is properly mounted. These blocking elements are arranged to engage with the mounting rail structure, restricting rotational movement until the module is correctly positioned and secured to the rail, thereby preventing accidental contact with wrong busbar lines during the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blocking elements as an intermediary mechanism between the contacting element and the busbar lines. These blocking elements physically intervene to prevent the contacting element from rotating into positions where it could accidentally contact wrong busbar lines, especially important when busbar lines are arranged at short distances. The blocking elements act as a protective mediator that eliminates the risk of wrong contact despite the compact arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If locking mechanisms are added to prevent accidental rotation, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection safetyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning blocking elements on the contact holder body that prevent rotation of the contacting element before the module is properly mounted. These blocking elements are arranged to engage with the mounting rail structure, restricting rotational movement until the module is correctly positioned and secured to the rail, thereby preventing accidental contact with wrong busbar lines during the mounting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by designing the blocking elements to automatically engage with the mounting rail structure when the module is properly mounted. The blocking elements are spring-loaded or elastically biased to automatically transition from a blocking position to a non-blocking position based on the mounting state, eliminating the need for additional complex locking mechanisms or manual intervention. The system self-regulates its own safety based on the mounting condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution prevents accidental contact with incorrect busbar lines, ensuring safe and correct electrical connections, thereby preventing potential damage to the module or system.

Implementation Method 1

it is provided that a contact holder body holding the connection contacts is adjustably mounted relative to a base body of the contacting element along the rotation axis about which the contacting element can be rotated. The contact holder body can move between a locking position in which rotation of the contacting element is blocked and a release position in which rotation of the contacting element is enabled.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring-loaded mechanism: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4256656B1Electrical module for connecting to a mounting rail and contacting element for same
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP4256656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4256656B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP4256656B1 patent drawingFigure 2d~3d

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical module (50) for connecting to a mounting rail, comprising a contacting element (10) which is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (I) such that it can move between an open position in which an insertion and removal of the contacting element (10) from the mounting rail profile (60) is enabled, and a contacting position in which connection contacts contact lines of a bus bar, wherein the contacting element (10) has a main body (15) rotatably accommodated in a carrier element (30) of the electrical module (50) and a contact holder body (20) holding the connection contacts, which is arranged on the main body (15) and rotates with same, and wherein the contact holder body (20) is mounted such that it can be adjusted along the axis of rotation (I) relative to the main body (15) between a blocking position in which a rotation of the contacting element (10) is blocked, and a release position in which a rotation of the contacting element (10) is enabled.