Self-Powered Electrical Connector With Resettable Vacuum Interruption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for medium-power or high-power electrical distribution networks lack efficient and compact designs that provide resettable current interrupting functionality and self-powering capabilities, making them cumbersome and inefficient for manual installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector includes a housing with a mechanical interface, a current path, a vacuum interrupter, a switch control apparatus, and a power apparatus that harvests electrical energy to power the switch control, allowing for manual installation and operation, with resettable current interrupting capability and various configuration options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing electrical connector designs are used, then current interrupting functionality is provided, but the device is cumbersome and lacks self-powering capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated connector device: current interruption capability, self-powering through energy harvesting from the current path, and control apparatus for resetting the circuit. This integration eliminates the need for separate external power sources and control systems, making the device compact and easy to operate manually while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to harvest electrical energy from the current path itself to power its control apparatus and resetting mechanisms. This self-powering capability eliminates dependence on external power sources, allowing the device to autonomously reset after current interruption and simplifying installation and operation without requiring additional infrastructure.
2Productivity
If compact design is implemented, then installation efficiency is improved, but space for switching apparatus and control components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the control apparatus, switching apparatus, and power harvesting components are positioned within compartments and sections of the housing that optimize space utilization. The mechanical interface, current path, and control elements are arranged in a compact configuration where smaller components are embedded within or adjacent to larger structural elements, achieving a compact overall volume while accommodating all necessary functional elements.
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 provides a compact, self-powered electrical connector with resettable current interrupting functionality, enabling efficient manual installation and operation, and supports multiple configuration options to meet diverse application requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a power apparatus in the housing, the power apparatus configured to obtain electrical energy from the current path and provide electrical energy to the switch control apparatus
Implementation Method 2
The switching apparatus may be a vacuum interrupter, and the switch control apparatus may be an actuator that is configured to control a position of a moveable contact of the vacuum interrupter relative to a stationary contact of the vacuum interrupter
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes: a housing including a mechanical interface, the mechanical interface configured to mechanically connect the electrical connector to a bushing; a current path in the housing, the current path including: an electrical conductor; and a switching apparatus electrically connected to the electrical conductor, the switching apparatus associated with operating states, the operating states including at least a first state that closes the current path and a second state that opens the current path; a switch control apparatus in the housing, the switch control apparatus configured to control the operating state of the switching apparatus; and a power apparatus in the housing, the power apparatus configured to obtain electrical energy from the current path and provide electrical energy to the switch control apparatus.