On-Load Tap Changer Selector With Arm-Actuated Preselector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-load tap changers with selectors are complex, expensive, and have insulation distance issues due to the arrangement of preselector contacts further away from winding taps, requiring multiple gearboxes that complicate and increase the cost of the system.
Innovation Solution
A selector for an on-load tap changer that operates the preselector indirectly via a selector arm, eliminating the need for a separate gearbox and allowing the preselector components to be closer to the winding taps, enabling shielding and reducing the overall size and cost of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate gear mechanism is used to actuate both the fine selector and pre-selector, then the selector can be operated, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation of the fine selector and pre-selector into a single integrated gear mechanism. The gear mechanism selectively actuates either the fine selector arm or the pre-selector arm through a unified transmission system, eliminating the need for separate gear mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single gear mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can actuate the fine selector arm for normal operations and also actuate the pre-selector arm when needed. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall structure while preserving all necessary selector operations.
2Ease of operation
If pre-selector contacts are located outside the gear mechanism, then the gear mechanism can operate independently, but the insulation clearances are reduced and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the pre-selector contacts from a location outside the gear mechanism to a position within the gear mechanism's spatial envelope, utilizing the third dimension (depth) effectively. This dimensional rearrangement allows all selector components to be housed within a compact configuration that maintains adequate insulation clearances through strategic spatial arrangement rather than simple radial placement.
3Ease of operation
If multiple gear mechanisms are used to operate both fine selector and pre-selector, then complete control is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple gear mechanisms into a single integrated gear mechanism that provides complete control over both the fine selector and pre-selector. This consolidation reduces the number of manufactured components, lowers assembly complexity, and decreases manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to fully control selector operations through the unified mechanism.
4Device complexity
If pre-selector components are located farther from winding taps, then the gear mechanism can be simpler, but insulation distances are reduced and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to position pre-selector components at optimal locations that maintain adequate insulation distances from winding taps. By arranging components in multiple dimensions rather than simple radial placement, the design achieves both gear mechanism simplicity and sufficient insulation clearance through efficient spatial utilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
A selector (1) for an on-load tap changer comprising - a tap selector (2) with at least one selector arm (21, 22); - a preselector (4), is characterized in that the preselector (4) is actuated via at least one of the selector arms (21, 22) of the tap selector (2).