# US 10,483,748 B2 · Junction box and network for distributing energy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,483,748 B2 - Document ID: US10483748B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/565,115 - Filed: 2016-03-23 - Published: 2018-04-05 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-04-09 - Assignees: HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: HARTING Electric GmbH & Co. KG - Inventors: John Witt; Andreas Huhmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483748B2 ## CPC - H02H 3/021: {concerning the disconnection itself, e.g. at a particular instant, particularly at zero value of current, disconnection in a predetermined order (disconnection at zero value in general H03K17/18)} - H01H 7/00: Devices for introducing a predetermined time delay between the initiation of the switching operation and the opening or closing of the contacts (time or time-programme switches H01H43/00) - H01H 89/00: Combinations of two or more different basic types of electric switches, relays, selectors and emergency protective devices, not covered by any single one of the other main groups of this subclass - H02H 7/20: for electronic equipment (for converters H02H7/10; for electric measuring instruments G01R1/36; for DC voltage or current semiconductor regulators G05F1/569; for amplifiers H03F1/52; for electronic switching circuits H03K17/08) - H02H 7/222: {for switches} - H02H 7/263: {involving transmissions of measured values (comparison of currents or voltages using pilot wires H02H3/30)} - H02J 13/00: Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network - H02J 13/34: the equipment being switches, relays or circuit breakers - H02J 13/36: specially adapted for protection systems - H01H 9/548: {Electromechanical and static switch connected in series} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract Systems and methods are provided to improve the reliability of energy networks during an activation and deactivation under load and the measurement of energy consumption. An example method for operating an energy network which has multiple junction boxes includes: opening an electronic switch of a junction box using an analysis unit of the junction box; waiting for a defined period of time; measuring the potential at an output of the electronic switch using the analysis program and a corresponding voltage measuring device; comparing the measured potential U with a specified value; setting a release parameter dependent on the measured potential falling below the specified value; and opening a mechanical isolator dependent on the release parameter. The method may include: generating a priority level for the provided deactivation process; carrying out the deactivation process dependent on the priority level; and increasing a content of a counter if the deactivation process is successful and the release parameter has not been set. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A junction box for energy distribution, comprising an input, at least one output, an electronic switch, and a mechanical isolator that is connected in series to the electronic switch, wherein the input is connected to the at least one output by the mechanical isolator so as to transmit energy, wherein the junction box comprises an internal evaluating unit having at least one processor, a data storage device, a first control output in communication with the electronic switch for controlling an operational state of the electronic switch, and a second control output in communication with the mechanical isolator for controlling an operational state of the mechanical isolator, and wherein an evaluating program is stored in the data storage device and said evaluating program is provided for being performed by the at least one processor to control the operational state of the mechanical isolator and the transmission of energy to the at least one output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The junction box in accordance with claim 1, wherein the internal evaluating unit is a separate assembly having the at least one processor as a dedicated processor and having the data storage device as a dedicated data storage device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The junction box in accordance with claim 1, wherein the evaluating unit is configured to enable opening and closing of the electronic switch and the mechanical isolator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The junction box in accordance with claim 3, wherein the internal evaluating unit comprises a counter for counting a number of times the mechanical isolator is opened under a load. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The junction box in accordance with claim 1, wherein the junction box comprises multiple separate outputs. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The junction box in accordance with claim 5, wherein the separate outputs can be switched off independently of one another via an associated switch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The junction box in accordance with claim 6, wherein each output comprises a galvanic decoupling element. ### Claim 8 An energy distribution network, comprising: a plurality of junction boxes, each junction box including an input, at least one output, an electronic switch, and a mechanical isolator that is connected in series to the electronic switch, wherein the input is connected to the at least one output by the mechanical isolator so as to transmit energy, wherein the junction box comprises an internal evaluating unit having at least one processor, a data storage device, a first control output in communication with the electronic switch for controlling an operational state of the electronic switch, and a second control output in communication with the mechanical isolator for controlling an operational state of the mechanical isolator, and wherein an evaluating program is stored in the data storage device and said evaluating program is provided for being performed by the at least one processor to control the operational state of the mechanical isolator and the transmission of energy to the at least one output; means for transmitting data; and means for evaluating energy consumption, wherein the evaluating means are arranged in a decentralized manner in the junction boxes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The energy distribution network in accordance with claim 8, wherein the evaluating means include devices for measuring current, voltage and/or electrical output and include the evaluation program of each junction box. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The energy distribution network in accordance with claim 9, wherein, for each junction box, the evaluating program is configured to switch off the at least one output. ### Claim 11 A method for operating an energy distribution network having a plurality of junction boxes, each junction box including an input, at least one output, an electronic switch, and a mechanical isolator that is connected in series to the electronic switch, wherein the input is connected to the at least one output by the mechanical isolator so as to transmit energy, wherein the junction box comprises an internal evaluating unit having at least one processor, a data storage device, a first control output in communication with the electronic switch for controlling an operational state of the electronic switch, and a second control output in communication with the mechanical isolator for controlling an operational state of the mechanical isolator, and wherein an evaluating program is stored in the data storage device and said evaluating program is provided for being performed by the at least one processor to control the operational state of the mechanical isolator and the transmission of energy to the at least one output, the method comprising: storing measurement data for a predetermined period of time; subsequently evaluating the measurement data; and comparing a result of the evaluation with up-to-date data. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising: triggering an alarm and/or switching off an output in dependence upon a result of the comparison. ### Claim 13 A method for switching off at least one output of a junction box that includes an input, the at least one output, an electronic switch, and a mechanical isolator that is connected in series to the electronic switch, wherein the input is connected to the at least one output by the mechanical isolator so as to transmit energy, wherein the junction box comprises an internal evaluating unit having at least one processor, a data storage device, a first control output in communication with the electronic switch for controlling an operational state of the electronic switch, and a second control output in communication with the mechanical isolator for controlling an operational state of the mechanical isolator, and wherein an evaluating program is stored in the data storage device and said evaluating program is provided for being performed by the at least one processor to control the operational state of the mechanical isolator and the transmission of energy to the at least one output, the method comprising: opening the electronic switch by way of the evaluating unit; waiting for a defined period of time; measuring a potential at an output of the electronic switch by way of the evaluating unit and an electronic measuring device; comparing the measured potential with a predefined value; setting a release parameter in dependence upon the measured potential being below the predefined value; and opening the mechanical isolator in dependence upon the release parameter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising: generating a priority status for a prescribed switching-off procedure; performing the prescribed switching-off procedure in dependence upon the priority status; and in the case of the prescribed switching-off procedure having been performed and a release parameter not being set, increasing a count value of a counter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising: releasing a locking arrangement of a plug connector that is connected to the at least one output of the junction box; and removing the plug connector from the at least one output.