Resilient Receiver Contact for Self-Aligning Conductor Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical induction devices require manual access through a manhole or draw-rod system to connect electrical conductors like bushings with transformers, limiting automation and increasing complexity in alignment and connection processes.

Innovation Solution

An electrical induction device with a contact arrangement featuring a receiver contact and a resilient suspension arrangement that allows automatic adjustment in the xy-plane, enabling secure connection of electrical conductors without manual intervention, by being movable within the housing while maintaining stability in the axial direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual connection through a manhole or draw-rod system is used, then electrical conductor connection is achieved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of conductor connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of contact arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact arrangement is designed to automatically establish electrical connection without manual intervention. The resilient suspension arrangement enables the receiver contact to self-adjust and self-connect with the electrical conductor through automatic movement in the xy-plane, eliminating the need for operators to access the housing through a manhole or use complex draw-rod systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver contact is designed with dynamic characteristics through the resilient suspension arrangement, allowing it to move resiliently in the xy-plane while remaining substantially immovable in the axial direction. This dynamic capability enables automatic adaptation to conductor position variations and facilitates connection without manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of contact arrangement is required, then precise connection is achieved, but operation time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of electrical connectionVSAvoidtime for connection process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-alignment and self-connection through the automatic movement capability of the receiver contact. The resilient suspension arrangement enables the contact to automatically adjust its position in the xy-plane to match the electrical conductor's position, achieving precise connection without manual intervention and significantly reducing connection time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient suspension arrangement changes the positional parameters of the receiver contact dynamically, allowing movement in the xy-plane while maintaining stability in the axial direction. This parameter flexibility enables automatic adaptation to conductor position variations, achieving precise connection without manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If receiver contact is fixed in position, then structural stability is achieved, but adaptability to conductor position variations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to conductor positionVSAvoidstability of receiver contact
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver contact is designed with selective dynamics through the resilient suspension arrangement, enabling movement in the xy-plane for adaptability while maintaining substantial immobility in the axial direction for stability. This directional differentiation allows the contact to adapt to conductor position variations without compromising structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movement freedom is segmented into different spatial dimensions: the receiver contact is free to move in the xy-plane for adaptability while being constrained in the axial direction for stability. This spatial segmentation of degrees of freedom resolves the contradiction between adaptability and stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Facilitates easy and precise electrical connection of conductors with increased tolerance for position and inclination, allowing external manipulation and eliminating the need for internal access, thus simplifying the connection process and enhancing reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient suspension arrangement fastened to the housing and connected to an outside of the conductor tube such that the receiver contact is resiliently movable in a plane which is parallel to a cross section of the conductor tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3944270B1Electrical induction device with contact arrangement for electrically contacting an electrical conductor
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 HITACHI ENERGY LTD
  • EP3944270B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3944270B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a contact arrangement (1) in a housing (11) of an electrical induction device for electrically contacting an electrical conductor. The contact arrangement comprises a conductor tube (2), a receiver contact (4) which is fastened to the conductor tube and configured to receive and electrically connect with the electrical conductor, and a resilient suspension arrangement (3) fastened to the housing and connected to an outside (6) of the conductor tube such that the receiver contact is resiliently movable in a plane (xy) which is parallel to a cross section of the conductor tube while being substantially immovable in an axial direction (z) of the conductor tube.