Shore Power Plug Cover Mechanism for Arc Flash Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply devices for ships at berthing docks face the risk of arc ignition and explosion, endangering people and flammable articles due to the connection of high-voltage power supply lines, which can lead to hot gases escaping into occupied spaces.
Innovation Solution
A movable cover part on an arm connected to a displaceable carriage or slide is designed to shield the plug part, moving between a covering and exposing position to protect against arc ignition, with a mechanical coupling ensuring the cover part's movement is synchronized with the arm's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the plug part is exposed for connection to the consumer-side power supply line, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of arc ignition and explosion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part is moved to the open position before the connection operation is performed, exposing the plug part in advance. This allows the connection to be made safely in a controlled manner before the cover is closed, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety by preparing the connection interface beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover part acts as an intermediary element between the plug part and the external environment. It provides a protective barrier that can be selectively opened to allow connection operations and then closed to protect against arc ignition, mediating between the need for easy access and the need for safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover part covers the plug part, then the protection from arc ignition is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part is designed to be dynamically movable between closed and open positions rather than being fixed. This allows the system to adapt its protective function based on operational needs - closed for protection during normal operation, open for connection operations - resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover part is opened in advance before the connection operation is needed, allowing easy access to the plug part. After the connection is made, the cover is closed to provide protection. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing the access path before it is needed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the arm is moved to the first position for readiness, then the safety protection is improved, but the productivity decreases due to repeated positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The cover part is moved to the open position in advance before the connection operation is required, and remains in that position during the connection process. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated opening and closing movements during actual connection operations, improving productivity while maintaining safety protection when the cover is closed during non-operational periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1) is configured to supply a consumer, the position of which initially cannot be exactly determined but later can be substantially stationarily fixed, with energy from a stationary supplier. The device includes a movable carriage or slide (2) connected to an arm (3). The arm (3) is movable between first and second positions (7, 8) and includes at least one plug part (4) for connection to a consumer's energy supply line (5). The plug part (4) is connected to the supplier with an energy supply line (6). A cover part (9), which is movable with the movement of the arm, is arranged on the arm (3). In the arm's first position (7), the cover part at least partially covers the plug part (4), and in the arm's second position (8), the cover part exposes the plug part (4) for connection to the consumer's energy supply line (5).