Switchgear Front Cable Access via Detachable Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional switchgears require a larger installation area due to the rear placement of cable connection portions, necessitating increased depth and workspace for rear-side cable working, which limits space efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A switchgear design that allows cable leading from above and enables cable connection work from the front side by detachably configuring the control portion, reducing the overall depth and allowing closer installation to walls or adjacent apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cable connection portion is placed at the rear of the switchgear to adapt to cable leading from above, then the switchgear can accommodate cable leading from above, but the depth dimension of the switchgear is enlarged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable leading direction adaptabilityVSAvoiddepth dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connection portion is repositioned from the rear (depth direction) to the upper side (height direction) of the switchgear. This dimensional change allows cables to lead from above without increasing the depth dimension, as the connection is now made in the vertical dimension rather than the depth dimension.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the cable connection portion at the rear to accommodate cables leading from above, the invention inverts the approach by placing it at the upper side. This inversion allows the same functional requirement (cable leading from above) to be met without the adverse effect of increased depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the cable connection portion is placed at the rear of the switchgear, then cable connection work can be performed, but a workspace must be secured at the rear, increasing installation area requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection workVSAvoidinstallation area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connection work is moved from the rear (depth direction) to the upper side (height direction) of the switchgear. This allows cable connection work to be performed from above or the front side without requiring workspace at the rear, thereby reducing the installation area footprint.

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

3Ease of operation

If the control portion is made detachable to enable front-side cable working, then cable connection work can be performed from the front, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection accessibilityVSAvoidcontrol portion configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switchgear is divided into a main body and a detachable control portion. The control portion can be removed to provide access to the cable connection portion from the front side. This segmentation allows the cable connection work to be performed from the front without permanently increasing device complexity, as the detachable control portion can be reattached after work is completed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2940812B1switchgear
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2940812B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2940812B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2940812B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a switchgear with its installation area reduced even in the case where a power cable is led in from above. A cable connection portion (7) is placed, above a main function portion (5) accommodating a breaker (2) in an airtight tank (1), in a cable compartment (11 having an opening portion facing a front side of a switchgear (101). A control portion (6) is detachably placed in front of the opening portion of the cable connection portion (7). When cable connection work is performed, the control portion (6) is detached, so that the connection work is performed from the front side of the switchgear. An upward extended portion (5a) is formed at a rear of the main function portion (5) so that a lightning arrester or a transformer (13) for instrument is placed on the upward extended portion (5a) and a cable (10) is connected.