Segmented Housing for Busbar Contact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for protecting against accidental contact with rectangular cross-section rails in electrical distribution systems are complex, not adaptable to different busbar sizes, and require excessive material, while also limiting the ability to easily connect electrical devices.

Innovation Solution

A two-part housing arrangement with U-shaped cross-sections that completely surrounds the rail, featuring slots for clamping jaws to ensure secure and safe electrical connection, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of electrical devices without compromising protection against accidental contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a housing completely surrounds the rail with slots for clamping jaws, then protection against accidental contact is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental contactVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two separate housing parts that can be attached independently to opposite sides of the rail. Each housing part has its own slots for clamping jaws, allowing the protection system to be segmented and simplified while maintaining complete coverage and IP 20 protection level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the contact protection is specially adapted to Z-shape busbar, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the adaptability to different busbar sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidadaptability to different busbar sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The housing parts are designed with universal applicability to rails with rectangular cross-sections. The slots in the housing parts can accommodate clamping jaws of different sizes, and the housing structure can be adapted to various rail dimensions, making the protection system versatile for different busbar sizes while maintaining effective protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If two identical cover parts are attached to different legs of Z-shaped busbar, then protection against accidental contact is achieved, but the material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental contactVSAvoidmaterial usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The two housing parts are designed to work together as a unified protection system. By attaching them to opposite sides of the rail, they create a complete enclosure that protects the rail while using material efficiently. The merged structure of both housing parts provides comprehensive protection without excessive material consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the housing completely encloses the rail, then protection against accidental contact is improved, but the ease of operation for electrical connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against accidental contactVSAvoidease of electrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing parts incorporate slots at specific locations where electrical connections are needed. These slots provide localized access points for clamping jaws to contact the rail, maintaining complete enclosure for protection while enabling easy electrical connection at the necessary positions. The local quality of the slots ensures both protection and operability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2037550B1Protection against contact for a rail
Publication Date: 2010.07.14 JEAN MULLER ELEKTROTECHN FAB
  • EP2037550B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2037550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2037550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The protector is formed as a housing (2) that completely surrounds a bar (1). The housing is divided into a lower housing (3) and an upper housing (4), where each housing has slots (13) that allow electrical connection with the bar by a clamp (16) consisting of two clamping jaws (17, 18). Each clamping jaw has teeth that penetrate the slots and contact the bar on respective sides. The upper and lower housings are connectable with each other.