Switchgear Mounting Plate Wiring with Optical Position Adaptation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The manual wiring of electrical components in switchgear is time-consuming and error-prone, despite various technical aids, and there is a need for a higher degree of automation to optimize this process.

Innovation Solution

A method that utilizes 3D ECAD systems for planning and providing location and orientation information of electrical components, combined with optical detection and robotic assistance for component recognition and automated wiring, allowing for the adaptation of wiring information to maximize automation and enabling the use of articulated robots with multifunctional end effectors for precise cable handling and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual wiring is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring speedVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses optical detection to automatically identify component positions and wiring requirements, then autonomously plans wiring paths and controls robotic execution without continuous human intervention. The robot system serves itself by reading design data, determining wiring sequences, and executing connections based on automated path planning algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical wiring operations are replaced by a robotic system that uses optical sensors for detection, computer algorithms for path planning, and automated mechanical end-effectors for cable handling and connection. The mechanical system is substituted with an integrated opto-mechanical-control system that performs detection, planning, and execution automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated wiring systems are introduced, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: optical detection for component identification, computer-aided path planning for route optimization, and automated mechanical execution for wiring operations. This multi-functional integration reduces the need for separate specialized devices and simplifies the overall system architecture.

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

Solution Approach 2:

A computer-aided path planning system serves as an intermediary between the design data and the robotic execution. This software mediator automatically translates wiring requirements into executable robot paths, eliminating the need for complex manual programming and simplifying the control system while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If optical detection is used for component recognition, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent positioning accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical detection system creates a digital copy or map of the physical component arrangement by capturing images and extracting position data. This digital representation is then used for path planning and execution, eliminating the need for complex physical measurement systems and simplifying the detection architecture while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 approach significantly increases the degree of automation in wiring electrical components, reducing manual errors and increasing efficiency by enabling the automated production and handling of pre-assembled cables, while ensuring accurate alignment and connection of electrical components.

Implementation Method 1

optical detection of an actual arrangement of electrical components on a mounting plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3900130B1Method for cabling of electrical components of a switchgear mounted on a mounting plate
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3900130B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900130B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900130B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for wiring electrical components (3) of an electrical switchgear installation (2) which is arranged on a mounting plate (1), which method comprises the steps of: - providing (100) a plan for a switchgear installation (2) which contains at least location information and orientation information about a plurality of electrical components (3) of the switchgear installation on a mounting plate (1) and wiring information about a plurality of electrical wiring arrangements (4) between in each case two of the electrical components (3); - optically detecting (400) an actual arrangement of the electrical components (3) on the mounting plate (1) and adapting (500) the location information and orientation information to the actual arrangement; and - wiring (600) the electrical components (3) in an automated manner in a wiring order and in accordance with the wiring information and the adapted location information and orientation information.