High-Voltage Socket Insulating Bridge for Tool Penetration Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage socket and plug devices lack adequate protection against accidental contact by tools during handling and maintenance, leading to potential short circuits and safety risks, as conventional touch protection measures do not effectively prevent tool penetration between insulation gaps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating electrically insulating parts arranged above and between the touch protection components to reduce the cross-sectional area between the touch protection parts, making it difficult for tools to penetrate and contact the conductive parts, while maintaining a compact design and avoiding additional insulation requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional touch protection measures (outer and inner insulating elements) are used, then finger touch protection is improved, but tool penetration risk increases due to insulation gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The touch protection system is segmented into three distinct insulating elements: an outer insulating element, an inner insulating element, and a bridge insulating element. The bridge element divides the gap between outer and inner elements into multiple smaller segments, preventing tools from penetrating through the entire gap while maintaining finger protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge insulating element acts as an intermediary component between the outer and inner insulating elements. It mediates the protection function by blocking tool penetration paths while allowing the touch protection system to maintain its structural integrity and protective function.
2Reliability
If additional insulating parts are added to prevent tool penetration, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge insulating element is merged with either the outer or inner insulating element as a single integrated component. This combining approach reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the three-element protection structure, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge insulating element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks tool penetration paths, maintains the insulating barrier, and structurally connects or spaces the outer and inner insulating elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Reliability
If the insulating elements are made larger to prevent tool penetration, then protection is improved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge insulating element extends the protection into a new dimensional space by projecting between the outer and inner insulating elements. This utilizes the radial gap space that would otherwise be unused, providing tool penetration protection without increasing the overall radial dimensions of the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge insulating element provides localized protection only in the specific region where tool penetration is most likely to occur (between the outer and inner elements). This targeted approach provides adequate protection without requiring all insulating elements to be uniformly enlarged.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket device for electrically contacting a corresponding plug device. The socket device has a first contact part having a first contact surface arranged radially between an outer first and inner second touch protection part, beyond which the first and second touch protection part axially protrude, a centrally arranged coupling unit, a receptacle region for receiving a corresponding third touch protection part of the plug device, and at least one insulating part, which is arranged extending in the radial direction on the first and/or second touch protection part and at a height above the first contact surface in such a way that the at least one insulating part at least partially overlaps with the first receptacle region but does not overlap with the first contact surface in a top view of the socket device.