Rotating Contact Element for Multi-Plane DIN Rail Busbar Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light band systems face challenges in efficiently contacting multiple lines within a compact support rail profile, leading to suboptimal use of available contact options.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves an electrical unit with a rotating contact element that has two groups of contacts, allowing for the alternating arrangement of lines in two parallel levels. This design enables the contact element to swing out contacts to effectively contact lines in both levels, increasing the number of lines that can be contacted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lines of the busbar are arranged in a single plane, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the number of lines that can be contacted is limited and the space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane arrangement to a multi-plane arrangement where lines are distributed across at least two parallel planes. This dimensional change allows more lines to be packed into the same support rail profile space, increasing the number of contactable lines without proportionally increasing the rail height.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting element is divided into multiple independent contact groups, with each group responsible for contacting lines in specific planes. This segmentation allows each contact group to be optimized for its specific plane while collectively handling all lines across multiple planes, resolving the complexity issue.
2Adaptability or versatility
If contacts are arranged to contact lines in multiple planes, then more lines can be contacted, but the contacting element structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A single contacting element is designed to perform multiple functions by integrating multiple contact groups that can contact lines in different planes. This multi-functional design allows one contacting element to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate contacting elements, maintaining versatility while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple contact groups intended for different planes are merged into a single integrated contacting element. The contact groups are arranged and connected such that they function as one unified component, combining the capabilities of multiple contacts into a single element that can be installed and operated as one unit.
3Quantity of substance
If the support rail profile height is increased to accommodate more lines, then more lines can be arranged, but the system becomes less compact and harder to install
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the vertical height of the support rail profile to accommodate more lines, the patent utilizes the horizontal dimension by distributing lines across multiple parallel planes. This allows more lines to be packed into the same vertical space, maintaining a compact rail profile height while increasing line capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electric unit for connecting to a DIN rail (50), having means for contacting the lines (70) of a busbar (60), said means comprising a rotatable contacting element (30, 40, 50), the outer circumference of which is equipped with contacts (32, 42, 52, 53, 62, 63). A first group of contacts (32, 52, 62) and a second group of contacts (42, 53, 63) are provided, wherein the contacts of the first group are arranged so that, when the contacting element (30, 40, 50) is rotated, they contact contact lines (70) extending in a first plane (A1), and the contacts of the second group are arranged so as to contact lines extending in a second plane (B1).