Rotary Busbar Tap Adapter for Fast Arc-Minimized DC Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
DC power supplies in power tracks face issues with spark gaps or arcing during contact engagement and disengagement due to incomplete separation or contact between the holding adapter and busbar conductors.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable holding adapter with a spring element supports or opposes the rotational movement to ensure rapid contact and locking, minimizing the duration of the critical phase where sparks or arcs can form, using a locking mechanism to secure the adapter once contact is established.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the holding adapter is designed to rotate into contact with busbar conductors, then ease of operation is improved, but the duration of the critical phase where sparks or arcs can form increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded to create a counteracting force that opposes the rotational movement of the holding adapter during the critical approach phase. This preliminary anti-action causes the user to apply increased force, which accelerates the contacting process and reduces the duration of the critical phase where sparks or arcs can form.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a spring element is introduced to support or counteract rotary movement, then the duration of contact engagement is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is integrated into the holding adapter mechanism itself, providing self-service by automatically supporting or counteracting the rotary movement during contact engagement. This eliminates the need for external actuation mechanisms or complex control systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving rapid contact.
3Speed
If increased force is required to overcome the spring element during approach, then contacting speed increases, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element creates a threshold effect where the user must apply increased force to overcome the spring resistance during the approach phase. Once this threshold is crossed, the contacting action rushes through the critical phase rapidly, minimizing the duration of potential spark formation. The increased initial force requirement is traded for significantly reduced exposure time to harmful effects.
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
The solution reduces the risk and duration of spark formation by ensuring rapid and secure contact with the busbar conductors, enhancing safety and efficiency in DC power supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
The retaining adapter has an internal or external spring element that supports or counteracts the rotary movement of the retaining adapter over at least part of the angular range of the rotary movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprises: - a DC voltage supply with an amplitude in the range from 200 V to 1000 V, - a busbar supplied by the DC voltage supply, - a rotatable holding adapter for detachable electrical connection to conductors in the busbar and mechanical holder in the busbar. A holding adapter (5) for detachable electrical connection to conductors in the busbar and mechanical holder in a DC busbar (2) has connection contacts (6, 7) for rotary contacting of DC conductors of the DC busbar. The holding adapter has an internal or external spring element (8) which supports or counteracts the rotary movement of the holding adapter over at least part of the angular range of the rotary movement.