Tripping Interface for Surge Protection Module Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coordination between lightning protection modules and cut-off modules in electrical installations is often suboptimal, leading to unclear system states and reduced performance due to mechanical and electrical misalignment, which can result in inadequate protection against overvoltages.
Innovation Solution
A trigger interface with mechanical coupling means for both overvoltage protection and cut-off modules, featuring self-powered actuation that transitions from an armed to a triggered state upon fault detection, and includes display and reset mechanisms to indicate and manage the operating state, ensuring effective actuation of cut-off modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the installer performs manual electrical wiring between lightning protection module and cut-off module, then the system can be assembled, but the coordination between modules is not optimal from electrical and mechanical points of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lightning protection module and cut-off module into a single integrated device housing, with pre-established internal electrical connections and mechanical coupling. This merging eliminates the need for manual wiring coordination while ensuring optimal electrical and mechanical alignment between the modules through factory-preconfigured interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a trigger interface as an intermediary component that mechanically couples both modules to a common actuating mechanism. This intermediary ensures coordinated operation by linking the lightning protection module and cut-off module through a shared tripping mechanism, guaranteeing synchronized response to faults.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual wiring is used to connect protection modules in multi-phase installations, then the system can be assembled, but electrical and mechanical coordination between all protection modules becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protection system into modular units, each containing an integrated lightning protection module and cut-off module assembly. This segmentation allows each module to be independently configured and tested, then easily combined in multi-phase installations without requiring complex inter-module wiring coordination, as each module is self-contained with internal connections.
3Reliability
If cut-off module is electrically connected in series with lightning protection module, then protection function is achieved, but the system state is not clearly indicated and performance is reduced due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as color-coded elements or position indicators) that change state to clearly indicate the operational status of the protection system. These indicators provide immediate visual feedback about system state, eliminating ambiguity about whether the system is armed, tripped, or in fault condition.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The interface (1) has a mechanical coupling unit (108) cooperating with an anti-over voltage protection module (2), and a mechanical coupling unit (110) e.g. finger, cooperating with an electrical interrupt module (3) e.g. fuse. Mechanical energy actuating unit (13) passes into a triggered operation state for actuating the opening of module (3) by the unit (110) when an operational failure of the module (2) is transmitted to the unit (13) by the unit (108). Re-armable expansion unit (14) actuates the unit (13) to pass from an armed operational state to the triggered operational state.