Installation Switchgear Bus Bar Mounting Exhaust Duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing installation switching devices often allow switching gases to escape and condense on busbars or neighboring devices, causing impairments.

Innovation Solution

A fastening element with an exhaust duct is integrated into the installation switching device, directing switching gases away from the busbars and housing, ensuring they are discharged outside without causing damage, while allowing unhindered access to connection terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If switching gases are vented through ventilation channels in the housing, then the switching gases can escape from the device, but the switching gases condense on busbars or neighboring devices causing impairments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching gases escapeVSAvoidimpairment of busbars and neighboring devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust duct extracts the harmful switching gases from the general venting path and directs them through a dedicated channel in the fastening element to an exhaust opening positioned away from busbars and neighboring devices, preventing condensation and impairment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element acts as an intermediary structure that incorporates both the exhaust duct for gas evacuation and the insertion channel for conductor access, mediating between the internal switching chamber and the external environment while protecting surrounding components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate exhaust duct structure is added to direct switching gases away, then the gases can be directed outside without damage, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage from switching gasesVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust duct is merged with the fastening element, combining the fastening function with the exhaust function in a single integrated component, thereby directing switching gases away without adding separate complex structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mechanical fastening component and as an exhaust structure with integrated exhaust duct and insertion channel, reducing overall device complexity

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

3Device complexity

If the fastening element includes an exhaust duct and insertion channel, then the device becomes more compact and simpler, but access to connection terminals must remain unhindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidaccess to connection terminals
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The insertion channel provides a dimensional pathway through the fastening element from the external environment to the connection terminals, allowing conductor insertion without compromising access while maintaining the compact integrated structure

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

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

The solution enables a more compact and simpler device structure, preventing damage from switching gases and facilitating easier handling, especially in distribution boxes, by effectively directing gases outside the device's operational area.

Implementation Method 1

an exhaust duct (34), the inlet opening (36) of which corresponds to the outlet opening (21) of the ventilation channel (20), so that the switching gases emerging from the outlet opening (21) pass through the exhaust duct (34) and are forwarded to an exhaust opening (37)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through duct:

Implementation Method 2

a switching device, in particular a main circuit breaker, which has an insulating material housing (2), between connection terminals (16-18), which are accessible from the narrow sides (9, 10) for connecting connecting conductors, a current path runs within the housing (2), which can be interrupted and closed again at at least one main contact point by a switching device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical contact and separation:

Implementation Method 3

a switching arc is created between the two contact pieces after they have been separated, which is guided into an arc extinguishing arrangement (19) via arc guide rails to accelerate its extinguishing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc extinguishing:

Implementation Method 4

The switching gases and the pressure wave escape from the device via leaks or targeted openings in the housing, especially on the mounting side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven gas flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2137748B1Installation switchgear having a device for mounting the same on a bus bar
Publication Date: 2019.01.16 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP2137748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2137748B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to an installation switchgear having a connecting terminal mounted on a narrow side of the installation device housing, comprising a switch device encompassing an arcing chamber, and in which arc gases are generated, and is characterized by a venting channel through which the arc gases can escape the interior of the housing, and the outlet opening of which is located near the connecting terminal on the narrow side of the housing, and by a mounting element for mounting the installation switchgear on a bus bar, said element being mounted on the narrow side of the installation device housing and comprising an exhaust gas channel, the inlet opening thereof corresponding to the outlet opening of the vent channel, so that the arc gases exiting the outlet opening of the vent channel are routed through the exhaust gas channel of the mounting element.