Switchgear Shutter Mechanism Vertical Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shutter mechanisms in switchgear have complex structures that are accessible to users, leading to safety risks, small distance between phase and earth, and increased assembly complexity, which can result in short circuits and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

A simplified shutter mechanism with a transmission mechanism located below the withdrawable truck, featuring actuating and performing portions, lead screws, and interlocking assemblies, which prevents manual operation and increases the distance between phase and earth, ensuring safety and ease of assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the transmission mechanism is arranged on the sides of the withdrawable truck (conventional solution), then the shutter mechanism can be operated, but the structure becomes complicated and accessible to users causing safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter mechanism operationVSAvoidtransmission mechanism structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission mechanism is relocated from the horizontal side arrangement to a vertical arrangement below the withdrawable truck. This dimensional change moves the mechanism from an accessible side position to an inaccessible lower position, simplifying the structure while maintaining operational functionality through the coupling of the actuating portion to the performing portion.

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

2Ease of operation

If the transmission mechanism is arranged on the sides of the withdrawable truck (conventional solution), then the shutter mechanism can function, but the distance between phase and earth becomes small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter mechanism operationVSAvoiddistance between phase and earth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By relocating the transmission mechanism to a lower vertical position below the withdrawable truck, the spatial arrangement changes to increase the vertical distance between the phase conductor and the earth reference. This dimensional repositioning resolves the contradiction by providing adequate clearance while preserving the shutter mechanism's operational capability.

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

3Ease of operation

If the transmission mechanism is arranged on the sides of the withdrawable truck (conventional solution), then the shutter mechanism can be operated, but the assembly becomes duplicated and occupies large space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter mechanism operationVSAvoidoccupied space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission mechanism integrates the actuating portion and performing portion into a unified structure located below the withdrawable truck. This merging eliminates the need for duplicated side arrangements and consolidates the mechanism into a compact configuration that reduces the overall occupied space while maintaining full operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If the transmission mechanism is accessible to users (conventional solution), then manual operation is possible, but safety risks increase due to potential unauthorized opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter mechanism operationVSAvoidsafety of shutter mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission mechanism is extracted from the accessible side region and relocated to an inaccessible position below the withdrawable truck. This extraction removes the mechanism from user reach, preventing unauthorized or accidental manual operation while preserving the intended operational functionality through the coupled actuating and performing portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Reliability

If the interlocking assembly is arranged in the conventional manner, then the covers can be prevented from opening, but the assembly is prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of manual openingVSAvoidinterlocking assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interlocking assembly is repositioned to work in conjunction with the transmission mechanism located below the withdrawable truck. This dimensional relocation allows the interlocking function to be integrated into the lower position, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective prevention of manual cover opening through the revised spatial arrangement.

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 enhances safety by preventing manual operation of the shutter mechanism, increases the distance between phase and earth, simplifies the assembly process, and reduces the risk of short circuits, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the switchgear.

Implementation Method 1

the performing portion comprises a lead screw with a first threaded portion and a second threaded portion; wherein the first moveable cover is coupled to the first threaded portion via a first bushing and the second moveable cover is coupled to the second threaded portion via a second bushing to move between the block and unblock positions in response to a rotation of the lead screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4148921A1Shutter mechanism for switchgear and switchgear thereof
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4148921A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4148921A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4148921A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shutter mechanism (100) for a switchgear (200), comprising: a first moveable cover (101) and a second moveable cover (102) configured to be arranged between fixed contacts (202) and moveable contacts (201) of a circuit breaker on a withdrawable truck (203) of the switchgear (200); and a transmission mechanism (10) configured to be arranged at least in part below the withdrawable truck (203) and coupled to the first and second moveable covers (101, 102), the transmission mechanism (10) adapted to be actuated by a movement of the withdrawable truck (203) to drive the first and second moveable covers (101, 102) to move close to each other to a block position to block the fixed contacts (202) when the withdrawable truck (203) moves to a test position, and move away from each other to an unblock position to unblock the fixed contacts (202) when the withdrawable truck (203) moves from the test position to an intermediate position between the test position and a work position; wherein the transmission mechanism (10) comprises: a first transmission assembly (103) arranged at least in part under the withdrawable truck (203) and coupled to the first moveable cover (101), the first transmission assembly (103) adapted to be actuated by a movement of the withdrawable truck (203) to move the first moveable cover (101); and a second transmission assembly (104) arranged between and coupled to the first and second moveable covers (101, 102), the second transmission assembly (104) adapted to be actuated by a movement of the first moveable cover (101) to drive the second moveable cover (102) to move between a block position and a unblock position in response to the movement of the withdrawable truck (203).