Removable Contact Module Assembly for Electronic Trip Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for integrating a contact module with electronic circuit breakers are cumbersome, requiring disassembly of components for installation, increasing space requirements, and complicating electrical connections, thereby risking incorrect wiring.
Innovation Solution
A contact module that is removably mounted to an electronic protection device, allowing easy assembly and disassembly without disassembling other components, using 'plug and play' connectors for electrical connections, and enabling lateral access for installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contact module is integrated within the electronic circuit breaker requiring disassembly of components for installation, then the electrical connection is more integrated, but the ease of installation deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact module is designed as a separate, removable unit that can be independently installed on the electronic protection device without disassembling internal components. This segmentation allows the contact module to be added or removed easily while maintaining integrated electrical connection through dedicated connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact module is extracted from the internal structure of the electronic circuit breaker and positioned externally on the device body. This extraction eliminates the need to disassemble components for installation while maintaining electrical integration through purpose-designed connection means that interface directly with the device's electrical system.
2Ease of operation
If the contact module is placed as a separate unit outside the electronic circuit breaker, then the ease of installation improves, but the space requirements increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact module is designed to attach to the external surface of the electronic protection device in a space-efficient manner, utilizing the available external area without requiring additional mounting space or increasing the overall footprint of the device assembly.
3Reliability
If the contact module is integrated within the connection block of the electronic protective circuit breaker, then the electrical connection is more integrated, but the device complexity increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact module is segmented as a separate removable unit with its own connection interfaces, eliminating the need to integrate it within the internal connection block. This segmentation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining electrical integration through standardized connection means that interface with the device's electrical system.
4Reliability
If complex electrical connections are required for installing the contact module, then the electrical connection reliability improves, but the ease of installation deteriorates and risk of incorrect wiring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection interfaces are pre-configured and pre-wired within the contact module and the electronic protection device. This preliminary preparation of connection means ensures that when the contact module is installed, reliable electrical connections are automatically established without requiring complex wiring operations or increasing the risk of incorrect connections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an assembly comprising at least one electronic tripping device and a contact module (2), said electronic tripping device comprising an electronic trip-triggering element (3), said contact module (2) comprising an electromechanical relay arranged to relay at least one item of information originating from said electronic trip-triggering element (3), first electrical connection means (5) configured to be electrically connected to second electrical connection means which the electronic trip-triggering element (3) comprises, characterised in that said contact module (2) is assembled so as to be removable relative to said electronic trip-triggering element (3) between an assembled position, in which said contact module (2) is mechanically and electrically assembled to the electronic trip-triggering element (3), and a disassembled position P02, in which said contact module (2) is mechanically and electrically disassembled from said electronic trip-triggering element (3), and the contact module (2) and the electronic trip-triggering element (3) are arranged such that switching from the disassembled position (P02) to the assembled position, or vice versa, causes the contact module (2) to be electrically and mechanically assembled to or disassembled from, respectively, the electronic trip-triggering element (3).