Tap Changer Contact Plate Axial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing on-load tap changer devices require increased dimensions and volume due to non-coincident longitudinal axes of electrical contacts, leading to higher transformer size, weight, and fluid requirements, making them less compact and efficient.
Innovation Solution
A system of electrical contacts where the first and second contacts are fixed in a plate with projecting ends facing and parallel to the third mobile contact, allowing axial and sliding connections, reducing the need for lateral positioning and enabling a more compact design with integrated elastic means for mechanical adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the longitudinal axes of electrical contacts are arranged non-coincidently (horizontally and vertically), then the electrical connection between contacts is established, but the dimensions and volume of the tap changer device are considerably increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the longitudinal axes of electrical contacts in non-coincident orientations (horizontal and vertical directions) to achieve reliable electrical connection while accepting the trade-off of increased device dimensions. This asymmetric arrangement allows the contacts to be positioned at different orientations to ensure proper electrical connectivity.
2Reliability
If the longitudinal axes of electrical contacts are arranged non-coincidently, then the electrical connection is established, but the surface area in plan view is increased requiring more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric arrangement of contact axes in different directions (horizontal and vertical) to establish reliable electrical connections, which inherently requires increased surface area in plan view to accommodate the non-coincident positioning of contacts.
3Reliability
If the tap changer device dimensions are increased, then the electrical connection is ensured, but the weight of the transformer is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric arrangement of electrical contacts with non-coincident longitudinal axes ensures reliable electrical connection but results in increased device dimensions, which directly leads to increased transformer weight due to larger structural components and housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs elastic means that replicate or copy the mechanical adaptability function to compensate for dimensional increases, allowing the system to maintain electrical connection reliability while managing the weight penalty through functional redundancy.
4Reliability
If the tap changer device dimensions are increased, then the electrical connection is ensured, but the volume of dielectric fluid required is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The non-coincident arrangement of contact axes ensures proper electrical connection geometry but increases the overall device volume, which directly increases the quantity of dielectric fluid required to fill and insulate the larger space.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for associating electrical contacts (1) with the rest of the components of a tap changer device, comprising per phase a first electrical contact (2, 3) associated with a tap (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15), a second electrical contact (4, 5) associated with at least one switching means (22, 23), and a third electrical contact (16, 17, 18, 19) associated with at least one tap selection means (20), wherein the first electrical contact (2,3) and second electrical contact (4, 5) are incorporated in a plate (21) leaving at least one of their ends free and in correspondence with the third electrical contact (16, 17, 18, 19) on a longitudinal axis (27) of the first and second electrical contacts (2, 3, 4, 5), the longitudinal axis (27) of the first and second contacts (2, 3, 4, 5) being parallel to an axis (28) of the tap selection means (20).