Withdrawable Switching Device Shutter Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low voltage withdrawable switching devices face issues with bulky shutter mechanisms that can be damaged due to high mechanical stress and friction, leading to safety concerns and increased depth requirements for safety distances, which complicates the operation and alignment of connectors.
Innovation Solution
A movable shutter assembly integrated into the supporting frame, where the cover members are moved from a cover position to an open position by the switching unit's connectors, eliminating the need for a dedicated shutter mechanism and reducing the overall depth, and ensuring reliable operation without additional safety distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated shutter mechanism is used to move cover members, then the shutter assembly can provide safety coverage, but the mechanism becomes bulky and susceptible to damage due to high mechanical stress and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dedicated shutter mechanism from the system and replaces it with cover members that are directly moved by the switching unit's connectors. This eliminates the complex intermediate shutter mechanism that was causing reliability issues while maintaining the safety coverage function through the cover members themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors of the switching unit directly perform the function of moving the cover members, making the system self-service. The connectors that are already present in the switching unit are utilized to simultaneously achieve both electrical connection and shutter operation, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated shutter mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If additional safety distances are provided for shutter operation, then operator safety is enhanced, but the overall depth of the supporting frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shutter operation function with the connector insertion/extraction operation. The cover members are moved directly by the connectors themselves, combining two functions into one action. This eliminates the need for additional safety distances while maintaining safety, as the cover members are reliably positioned by the direct mechanical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover members are moved to their open position in advance as the connectors approach, before the connectors make final contact. This preliminary action ensures that the path for connector insertion is clear from the beginning, eliminating the need for additional safety distances and reducing the overall depth requirement.
3Strength
If the shutter mechanism is made more robust to handle mechanical stress, then reliability improves, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dedicated shutter mechanism entirely and replaces it with a direct coupling system where connectors move cover members. This extraction eliminates the need for robust shutter mechanisms while maintaining reliability, as the direct mechanical connection eliminates intermediate components that would require strengthening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the shutter mechanism more robust to handle stress, the patent inverts the approach by eliminating the shutter mechanism and using the connectors themselves to perform the shutter function. This reverses the traditional design paradigm and avoids the need for strengthened components.
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (10) for a low voltage withdrawable switching device, comprising: a supporting frame (11) into which/from which a switching unit (20) of the withdrawable switching device can be inserted/withdrawn; at least one first connector (12) placed at and protruding from a bottom portion of the supporting frame, which is adapted to be coupled with a second connector (22) of the switching unit; and a shutter assembly (100). The shutter assembly comprises: an opening (110) for allowing the coupling between the first and second connectors; and at least one cover member (102, 103) which is adapted to be moved from a cover position to an open position so as to make the opening accessible for the coupling between the first and second connectors. The at least one cover member is adapted to be moved from the cover position to the open position by the first connector. The shutter assembly is operatively mounted movable into the supporting frame. The shutter assembly is adapted to operatively interact with the switching unit under insertion into the supporting frame so as to be moved towards the bottom portion for causing the movement of the at least one cover member from the cover to the open position by the first connector.