Three-Phase Bus Bar Connector Layout for Lower AC Voltage Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional three-phase AC bussing connectors in power panels result in increased voltage drops and are labor-intensive due to the daisy-chaining of individual wires, leading to variable and inefficient connections.

Innovation Solution

A three-phase bussing connector with internal bus bar connections arranged in a side-by-side configuration, using dielectric material for insulation and fasteners for secure connections, allowing for efficient distribution of power while minimizing voltage drops and assembly labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If individual wires are daisy-chained from one contact to the next, then multiple modules can be connected, but voltage drops increase between sequential connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule connectivityVSAvoidvoltage drop
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual wire connections into a single integrated bussing connector assembly. The connector includes multiple bus bar connections (first, second, and third bus bar connections) that are electrically connected in parallel, creating a common electrical pathway that eliminates sequential daisy-chaining and reduces voltage drops across multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a linear daisy-chain configuration to a multi-dimensional parallel bus bar structure. The bus bar connections are arranged in parallel with multiple output elements extending in different directions, creating a two-dimensional distribution network that reduces electrical path length and voltage drops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual wires are crimped and daisy-chained, then modules can be connected, but the process becomes labor intensive with highly variable results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule connectivityVSAvoidassembly efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual wire connections into a single integrated bussing connector assembly. The connector includes multiple bus bar connections (first, second, and third bus bar connections) that are electrically connected in parallel, creating a common electrical pathway that eliminates sequential daisy-chaining and reduces voltage drops across multiple modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bus bar connections are pre-assembled with output elements and connected in parallel before installation. This preliminary assembly ensures consistent electrical connections and eliminates the need for on-site crimping and daisy-chaining, significantly improving assembly efficiency and reducing variability in connection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If bus bar connections are arranged in parallel with multiple output elements, then power distribution efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution efficiencyVSAvoidconnector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bussing connector is segmented into multiple modular bus bar connections, each with its own set of output elements. The first bus bar connection has first and second output elements, the second bus bar connection has third and fourth output elements, and the third bus bar connection has fifth and sixth output elements. This segmentation allows for efficient power distribution while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3694059B1Alternating current bussing connector
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3694059B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3694059B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3694059B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A bussing connector is provided and includes bus bar connections (131), output elements (132) and dielectric material (133). The bus bar connections each include an output section and an input section. The input sections cooperatively form a multiphase alternating current (AC) input (140). The output elements are arranged along and in electrical communication with the output sections of each of the bus bar connections. The dielectric material is configured to partially surround and partially electrically insulate the input and output sections and the output elements of each of the bus bar connections. The dielectric material is further configured to expose the multiphase AC input and portions of each of the outlet elements of each of the bus bar connections.