Switchgear Cabinet Short-Circuit Device Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switch cabinets and modular systems require significant space and are difficult to retrofit, with the short-circuit device often being inaccessible, necessitating complex mounting procedures for replacement.

Innovation Solution

The short-circuit device is positioned in a receiving area adjacent to the busbars, aligned parallel to the cuboid surface of the switch cabinet, allowing easy access and connection, and can be located on the top, rear, or side of the cabinet, eliminating the need for elaborate mounting plates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the short-circuit device is arranged in the vicinity of the busbars to maximize connected space, then the space utilization is improved, but the short-circuit device becomes inaccessible and requires complex mounting procedures for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnected spaceVSAvoidaccessibility of short-circuit device
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The short-circuit device is arranged in a receiving area that extends in the direction of the nearest cuboid surface of the control cabinet outer contour, utilizing the third dimension (depth) rather than only the horizontal plane. This allows the device to be positioned adjacent to busbars while maintaining accessibility from the front or side, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the short-circuit device is arranged behind other installations in the control cabinet, then more space is available for other components, but the device becomes difficult to access and replace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for built-in componentsVSAvoidreplaceability of short-circuit device
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The short-circuit device is extracted from the conventional position behind other installations and placed in a dedicated receiving area adjacent to the busbars. This receiving area is specifically designed to provide direct access to the device, allowing it to be removed and replaced without dismantling other components, thus resolving the contradiction between space utilization and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If elaborate mounting plates and bulkheads are used to arrange the short-circuit device, then the device can be properly positioned, but the complexity of installation and replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control cabinet is segmented into functional areas, with a dedicated receiving area for the short-circuit device that is clearly defined by the busbar arrangement. This receiving area serves as a self-contained mounting zone that eliminates the need for elaborate mounting plates and bulkheads, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining proper positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Area of stationary object

If the busbars are arranged directly adjacent to the housing wall, then maximum connected space is available, but the short-circuit device becomes inaccessible requiring component removal for replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnected spaceVSAvoiddowntime for short-circuit device replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving area for the short-circuit device extends in the direction of the nearest cuboid surface of the control cabinet, utilizing depth dimension to create accessibility. This allows maintenance personnel to access the short-circuit device from the front or side without removing other components, significantly reducing replacement downtime while maintaining efficient space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3557708A1Switchgear cabinet with improved arrangement of a short-circuit device
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD
  • EP3557708A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3557708A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3557708A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control cabinet (1) is described, comprising a frame (2) having several frame profiles (2a..2l) inscribed within a substantially cuboid outer contour of the control cabinet (1). The control cabinet (1) also includes several busbars (3) extending within the frame (2) with a total cross-sectional area (Q) of at least 300 mm² and at least one short-circuiting device (5) for extinguishing an arc. The short-circuiting device (5) is arranged in a receiving area adjacent to the busbars (3), which extends towards the nearest cuboid face (A, D, E, F) of the cuboid outer contour of the control cabinet (1). Furthermore, a modular system is described, comprising a first control cabinet (1) with at least one short-circuiting device (5) arranged in the aforementioned receiving area and a second control cabinet without such a short-circuiting device (5).