Switchgear Connection Device with Rounded Surfaces for Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical switchgears face challenges in providing adequate insulation between phases and earthing points due to limited space, and integrating additional functionalities within the cable compartment, leading to suboptimal connection systems and increased assembly and maintenance complexities.

Innovation Solution

A Medium Voltage electrical switchgear with a connection device featuring a central body and protruding shaped bodies with rounded surfaces, allowing for improved electrical field control and integration of additional functionalities within the cable compartment, enhancing insulation and reducing assembly times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If insulation partitions are used between phases to guarantee required insulation, then insulation performance is improved, but device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidcomplexity of connection system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functionalities into a single integrated connection device: electrical connection, insulation provision, and support for additional equipment (earthing switch, voltage detection devices, Voltage Transformers). This merging eliminates the need for separate insulation partitions and multiple discrete devices, thereby improving insulation performance while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection device is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs electrical connection, provides insulation between phases and earthing points, and supports various additional equipment. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles that traditionally required separate elements, thus improving insulation without increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional equipment (earthing switch, voltage detection devices, VT devices) is positioned in cable compartment, then functional versatility is improved, but available space is reduced and insulation problems worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidavailable space in cable compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates additional equipment (earthing switch, voltage detection devices, Voltage Transformers) directly onto the connection device structure. By combining these functional elements with the connection device, the system achieves high functional versatility while occupying minimal space, as all components are consolidated into a single integrated unit rather than being distributed throughout the cable compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The design employs a nested arrangement where additional equipment is positioned on or within the structure of the connection device. This nesting allows multiple functional components to occupy the same spatial envelope, effectively increasing functional versatility without increasing the overall space occupation in the cable compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard connecting bars system is used for cable connections, then ease of manufacture is improved, but insulation performance and space utilization are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidinsulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the standard connecting bars system with an integrated connection device that combines electrical connection and insulation functions in a single component. While this increases manufacturing complexity compared to simple connecting bars, the integrated design ensures reliable insulation performance and optimal space utilization, achieving a balance between manufacturability and performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3926772A1Electrical switchgear with improved electrical connection device
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3926772A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926772A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926772A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An electrical switchgear (100), in particular a Medium Voltage electrical switchgear, comprising an enclosure (101) containing at least a main electrical circuit compartment (102, 103) and a conductive cable compartment (104). The electrical switchgear comprises, for each phase of said circuit, a connection device (1) positioned in said cable compartment, said connection device having a central body (2) provided with a first connecting surface (21) adapted for connection with a terminal (110) of the electrical main circuit and with a second connecting surface (22) adapted for the connection with at least a terminal (109) of a conductive cable (108), said central body having at opposite ends thereof a first (3) and a second (4) shaped bodies respectively having rounded surfaces (310, 320, 410, 420) outwardly protruding from said central body.