Terminal for Electrical Conductors with Independent Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal designs for electrical conductor potential distribution are cumbersome and time-consuming for maintenance, particularly when disconnecting conductors connected to lower contacts, which complicates maintenance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A clamp design featuring a feeding element and independently switchable separating elements with multiple contacts, allowing for easy isolation of contacts and improved safety through a terminal case that accommodates the feed and separating elements, enabling efficient potential distribution and marking options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional terminal designs are used, then the structure is simple, but maintenance is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into multiple independently operable separating elements (first separating element, second separating element) that can be operated separately. Each separating element can isolate specific contacts without affecting others, enabling selective maintenance of individual contacts while leaving others operational, thus reducing maintenance time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The separating elements are designed as movable components that can dynamically switch between different positions (inserted to isolate, removed to connect). This dynamic capability allows the terminal to adapt its configuration during operation, enabling quick isolation of specific contacts for maintenance without disconnecting conductors
2Reliability
If conventional terminal designs are used, then the structure is simple, but safety during maintenance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal contacts are segmented into electrically isolated groups using separating elements. This segmentation ensures that maintenance work on one contact does not expose personnel to electrical hazards from other energized contacts, significantly improving safety while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The separating elements act as intermediary components between the energized feed element and the contacts. When inserted, they provide electrical isolation, serving as a protective mediator that prevents accidental contact with live parts during maintenance operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional terminal designs are used, then the application area is limited, but the device complexity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal design incorporates multiple separating elements that can independently isolate different contacts, enabling the same terminal structure to serve multiple functions: normal operation, selective maintenance isolation, and flexible configuration for different application scenarios. This multi-functionality expands the application area without requiring multiple different terminal types
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamically operable separating elements allow the terminal to adapt its electrical configuration during operation, enabling it to serve different application requirements (isolation, connection, maintenance modes) using a single versatile structure rather than requiring multiple specialized terminals
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4~5D
AI summary
A terminal for electrical conductors for potential distribution, comprising: a feed-in element for supplying an electrical potential; two separating elements, each with at least two contacts, wherein at least one respective first contact of the separating elements is electrically connected to the feed-in element and the separating elements are adapted to be independently switchable between a contact position in which the respective separating element electrically connects the first contact, which is electrically connected to the feed-in element, to a respective second contact, and a separating position in which the respective separating element electrically isolates the respective first contact from the respective second contact; and a terminal housing for receiving the feed-in element and the separating elements, wherein the feed-in element is arranged on the terminal housing between the separating elements.Furthermore, a potential distribution system for electrical conductors is proposed for the distribution of potentials.