Switchgear Phase Conductor Receptacle Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching devices with encapsulating housings face difficulties in assembly and disassembly due to non-accessible connection points, requiring extensive dismantling, especially during maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of phase conductor receptacles with shoulders and barriers on the connection sides, which guide and stop the phase conductors, allowing for simplified assembly and disassembly by providing a clear direction and stop for the phase conductors, and potentially using dielectrically and electrically shielding the phase conductors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the connection points are arranged inside the encapsulating housing without external access, then the switching device has a compact structure, but the assembly and disassembly require extensive dismantling work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencapsulation housing volumeVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection side is segmented into multiple functional elements: a receptacle for receiving the phase conductor, a shoulder for positioning, and barriers for guidance. This segmentation allows the phase conductor to be accessed and connected without dismantling the entire encapsulating housing, as each element provides a specific function for easy connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle with shoulder and barriers acts as an intermediary structure between the encapsulating housing and the phase conductor. This intermediary element provides external access functionality while remaining integrated within the housing, eliminating the need for extensive dismantling during assembly and disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the phase conductors are connected directly to the interrupter unit without guiding structures, then the connection is simple, but the assembly accuracy and positioning are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structure complexityVSAvoidphase conductor positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle, shoulder, and barriers are pre-configured in the connection side before the phase conductor is inserted. The barriers preliminarily guide the phase conductor into the correct position, and the shoulder preliminarily sets the depth and orientation, ensuring high positioning accuracy from the start of the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guiding structures extend the connection interface into additional spatial dimensions with barriers positioned laterally and a shoulder positioned axially. This multi-dimensional arrangement provides comprehensive guidance and positioning for the phase conductor, improving accuracy without significantly increasing overall complexity.

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

3Device complexity

If the connection side lacks structured receptacles with shoulders and barriers, then the design is simpler, but the assembly direction and positioning of phase conductors are not controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection side structure complexityVSAvoidassembly operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection side incorporates localized structural features (receptacle, shoulder, barriers) at specific positions to provide directional guidance and positioning. These localized quality enhancements create distinct functional zones that guide the phase conductor through the assembly process, making operation easier without requiring complex overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3970250B1Switchgear
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3970250B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3970250B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970250B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A switchgear comprises an encapsulation housing (1). A interrupter unit (9a, 9b) having a switch point (11) is arranged in the encapsulation housing (1). The switch point (11) of the interrupter unit (9a, 9b) is arranged between a first connection side (18) and a second connection side (19). A first phase conductor (27) extends from the first connection side (18) to an isolator (7). A second phase conductor (34) extends from the second connection side (19) to an isolator (7). The first and the second connection sides (18, 19) have a phaser conductor receiving means.