Switchgear Housing with Universal Clamping Openings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high manufacturing and storage costs associated with producing and maintaining different housings for switching devices with identical switching functions due to varying connection terminals, which leads to increased costs and reduced flexibility in production and usage.
Innovation Solution
A closure piece with a clamping extension that can partially open terminal areas, allowing existing housings intended for screw terminals to be used with other terminals, and a spring mechanism for secure and tool-free connection of conductors, enabling flexible use of identical housings and terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different housings are produced for switching devices with identical switching functions but different connection terminals, then the connection terminals can be properly secured and function correctly, but the manufacturing and storage costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A single housing design with standardized opening dimensions is used for multiple connection terminal types (screw terminals, spring terminals, lever terminals). The housing includes openings of specific dimensions that can accommodate different terminal configurations, allowing one housing to serve multiple functions and reducing the need for multiple housing variants.
Solution Approach 2:
Connection terminals act as intermediary components between the standardized housing and the conductors. The terminals provide the specific securing mechanisms (screws, springs, levers) while the housing provides a standardized structural framework with appropriately dimensioned openings, decoupling the housing design from terminal-specific requirements.
2Ease of operation
If multiple housing variants are maintained in stock for different terminal types, then each switching device can be properly assembled, but the storage costs and inventory complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a universal component that can be used across different switching device configurations. By standardizing the opening dimensions and overall structure, a single housing type can accommodate various connection terminals, eliminating the need to maintain separate inventory for screw terminal housings, spring terminal housings, and lever terminal housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design separates the structural framework (standardized) from the terminal-specific components (modular). The standardized openings in the housing can be configured to work with different terminal types, allowing the terminal components to be changed without replacing the entire housing, thus reducing inventory requirements.
3Reliability
If clamping screw openings are completely closed by closure pieces, then unauthorized access and foreign body penetration are prevented, but the introduction of connection conductors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closure pieces are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to be in different states: closed during normal operation to provide protection, and openable during installation to allow conductor insertion. The closure pieces can be temporarily removed or opened to insert conductors, then closed again to provide protection, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure pieces are installed and closed before the switching device is put into service, providing protection against unauthorized access and foreign body penetration. The design allows for preliminary opening of the closure pieces during the installation phase to facilitate conductor insertion, after which they are closed to provide ongoing protection.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing and storage costs by allowing existing housings to be used across different terminals, enhances security against unauthorized access, and simplifies the installation of connection conductors, thereby increasing operational reliability and flexibility in production.
Implementation Method 1
the connection terminal comprises at least one spring for applying a contact pressure acting in the direction of a closed position of the clamping area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a switchgear (1), preferably a circuit breaker, especially a fault-current circuit breaker and/or a line safety switch. Said switchgear comprises a housing (19) with at least one clamping opening (20) and/or at least one clamping screw opening (21). The aim of the invention is to reduce the costs of manufacture and storage of such a switchgear. For this purpose, a locking element (22), preferably comprising an insulating material, is arranged in the clamping screw opening (21) and at least partially fills the clamping screw opening.