Medium Voltage Switchgear Closing Retaining Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medium voltage switchgear poses safety concerns due to direct communication between the circuit breaker compartment and the outside during faults, and mechanical parts increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A closing and retaining device with elastic means and a manually operated knob ensures the opening is always covered, maintaining separation and securely locking the operating handle in place, reducing mechanical parts and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an opening is provided in the front panel to allow insertion and extraction of the operating handle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety is worsened due to direct communication between the circuit breaker compartment and the outside during faults
Solution Approach 1:
A closing and retaining device acts as an intermediary between the opening and the external environment. This device includes a cover that can be closed over the opening and retaining means that secure the operating handle in place, thereby mediating between the need for handle access and the need to prevent harmful factors from affecting the external environment during faults
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening is closed to maintain separation between inside and outside, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened as the operating handle cannot be inserted or extracted
Solution Approach 1:
The closing and retaining device is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It can transition between an open state (allowing handle insertion/extraction) and a closed state (maintaining separation). The retaining means allow the device to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, enabling both safety and ease of operation at different times
3Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical parts are used for the sliding frame and opening mechanism, then the functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closing and retaining device combines multiple functions into a single integrated component. It merges the function of closing the opening with the function of retaining the operating handle, and potentially integrates with the sliding frame mechanism. This consolidation reduces the total number of separate mechanical parts while maintaining all necessary functionalities
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
Enhances safety by maintaining separation and preventing accidental extraction of the operating handle, while simplifying the design and reducing mechanical complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a closing and retaining device (6) positioned in correspondence of said opening (5), said closing and retaining device (6) being movable between a closed position, in which said opening (5) is covered, and an open position for allowing insertion of an operating handle (8)
Data Source
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AI summary
A medium voltage switchgear (1) which is characterized in that it comprises a casing (2) defining an internal volume for housing at least a circuit breaker assembly (4) movable between at least two operative positions, said casing comprising a front panel (21) provided with an opening (5) for the insertion of an operating handle for actuating the movement of said circuit breaker assembly between said operative positions, a closing and retaining device being positioned in correspondence of said opening (5) and movable between a closed position when said operating handle is not inserted and an open position for allowing insertion of said operating handle, said closing and retaining device comprising locking means for retaining said operating handle in position when inserted in said opening.