Switching Strip Adapter Positioning for Double Pluggability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical switching strip arrangements in control cabinets are complex and require special cabinet designs for double pluggability, leading to cumbersome assembly and disassembly processes due to the need for adapters and complex lateral movement of plug contacts.
Innovation Solution
The electrical outlets of the switching strip are designed as plug contacts, with a stationary receptacle accommodating an adapter that has electrical contacts on the switching strip side, allowing for double pluggability without requiring special cabinet installations, enabling simple and safe assembly and disassembly by inserting the safety edge into two receptacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the switching strip is designed with both contacts for plugging onto busbars and plug-in contacts on the front side for double pluggability, then electrical versatility is improved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase due to the need for adapters and special cabinet designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the plug-in contacts on the end face of the switching strip (perpendicular to the insertion direction) rather than on the front side. This dimensional repositioning allows the adapter to be mounted on the side wall of the receptacle, eliminating the need for complex front-side adapter assemblies and special cabinet modifications while maintaining double pluggability functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is extracted from the front-side configuration and repositioned to the side wall of the receptacle. This separation allows the adapter to be independently mounted on the receptacle structure rather than requiring integration with the cabinet front, simplifying both the switching strip design and the overall assembly process
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter with electrical outlets is positioned opposite the front of the switching strip to enable double pluggability, then electrical versatility is improved, but the space requirement and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is repositioned from the front-side plane to the side wall plane of the receptacle. This utilizes the lateral space along the insertion path rather than requiring additional depth or width in the front assembly area, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining functional capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plug contacts are activated laterally by external manual actuation using a lever mechanism, then electrical versatility is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to the complex mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The complex lever mechanism for lateral actuation is completely removed. Instead, the plug contacts are designed to be directly activated by the linear insertion motion of the switching strip itself, which naturally pushes the contacts into engagement with the adapter. This eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms while maintaining full electrical functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The switching strip's own insertion motion is utilized to activate the plug contacts. The linear movement of inserting the switching strip into the receptacle automatically performs the contact engagement function that previously required a separate lever mechanism, making the system self-actuating and significantly easier to operate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement of an electrical switching strip (11) and a stationary receptacle (10) for one end (13) of the switching strip (11), wherein the switching strip (11) is slidably mounted in the receptacle (10) in the region of an end face (41) of the switching strip (11), and wherein the switching strip (11), with respect to its insertion direction (X), has several contacts (14) in the region of a front face (42) for plugging onto electrical rails (5) when the switching strip (11) is inserted, and wherein the switching strip (11) has electrical outputs (16) laterally in the insertion direction (X), in the region of this end (13) of the switching strip (11), which are designed as plug contacts (16), and wherein the stationary receptacle (10) receives an adapter (18) which is provided with electrical contacts (25) on the switching strip side, wherein the plug contacts (16) are inserted onto the electrical contacts (25) of the switching strip (11) when the switching strip (11) is inserted. Adapters (18) can be plugged in,and the adapter (18) is provided with electrical outputs (26) which are electrically connected to the electrical contacts (25) of the adapter (18). In such an arrangement, according to the invention, the adapter (18) is arranged facing the end face (41) of the switching strip (11), and the plug contacts (16) of the switching strip (11) are arranged in the region of the end face (41) of the switching strip (11), and the electrical contacts (25) of the adapter (18) are arranged on the side (9) of the adapter (18) facing the end face (41) of the switching strip (11).