Spring energy storage type rapid on-off switch

Abstract

The invention discloses a spring energy storage type quick on-off switch which mainly comprises a shell, a button, a movable seat, a movable contact piece, a fixed contact piece and a lever. The key is that a first spring used for connecting stored energy is arranged in the button, a second spring used for disconnecting the stored energy is arranged in the movable seat, a releasable buckle mechanism is arranged on the movable seat, and during working, the button is pressed down to firstly compress the first spring to store energy, and after a trigger buckle is released, the spring force instantly pushes the movable seat to enable a contact to be connected at a high speed; when the button is released, the reset mechanism pushes the movable supporting block to move away, the lever is unbalanced, the second spring is released instantly, and the movable seat is driven to disconnect the contact at a high speed. Through a mechanical structure of double-spring energy storage and instant release, millisecond-level quick action of the contact in the connection and disconnection directions is realized, the generation of electric arc is fundamentally inhibited, the service life of the contact is remarkably prolonged, and the contact is particularly suitable for large-current and frequent inching equipment such as a motor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electrical switch technology, and in particular to a spring-energy-storage type fast-acting switch. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of industrial control, some equipment (such as large motors) generates huge inrush currents (up to 8 amps or even higher) during startup. The switch contacts controlling such equipment are prone to generating strong electric arcs at the moment of connection and disconnection. The high temperature of the arc can severely corrode and burn the contact material, leading to shortened contact life, increased contact resistance, and even switch sticking or failure.

[0003] The switching speed of traditional switches depends directly on the operator's speed, making it impossible to guarantee that the extremely high speed required to suppress electric arcs can be achieved every time. Although some mechanisms utilize spring acceleration, their structures often only provide acceleration during a single process of switching on or off, and their acceleration capability is limited. They cannot achieve extremely fast action in both the on and off directions, thus their effect on suppressing electric arcs is not ideal.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a switch mechanism with an ingenious structure that can achieve instantaneous high speed in both the switching on and off actions, thereby effectively suppressing electric arcs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention addresses the problem that the switching speed of traditional switches depends directly on the operator's speed, making it impossible to guarantee that the extremely high speed required to suppress electric arc can be achieved every time. The purpose of this invention is to achieve instantaneous high-speed action of the contacts during both the switching on and off processes by using a unique lever and double-spring energy storage mechanism combined with a releasable latch, thereby significantly suppressing electric arc and extending contact life.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A spring-loaded fast-acting switch, comprising: case; A button, movably mounted on the housing, is used to receive user input. A movable base is movably disposed within the housing. The movable base is provided with a movable contact piece, which corresponds to a fixed contact piece disposed on the housing, so that the circuit can be switched on or off by the movement of the movable base. The lever, with its middle part connected to the housing, has one end linked to the button and the other end selectively contacting the movable support block. It is used to transmit the action of the button and convert it into control of the movable seat, and realize the conversion of force and the sudden change of state. The button is equipped with a first spring for accumulating the energy to turn on, so that the downward pressure of the button is stored and released instantaneously, thereby driving the moving contact to contact the fixed contact at an extremely high speed, effectively suppressing the electric arc generated when the button is turned on. The movable seat is equipped with a second spring for storing disconnection energy. This spring is compressed and stores energy during the connection process and is quickly released at the moment of disconnection, driving the moving contact to separate from the fixed contact at an extremely high speed, effectively suppressing the electric arc generated during disconnection. The movable seat is equipped with a triggerable latching mechanism, which is used to temporarily lock the movable seat during button operation, so as to continuously accumulate spring energy and release it suddenly at the critical point, thereby achieving instantaneous and rapid action of the contact.

[0007] In this invention, when the button is pressed, the first spring is compressed and stores energy. When the button moves to the trigger position and the latching mechanism is released, the first spring releases energy and drives the movable seat to move the moving contact piece rapidly downward to achieve connection with the fixed contact piece.

[0008] In this invention, when the button is released, the reset mechanism pushes the movable support block to move, causing the other end of the lever to lose support, thereby causing the second spring to release energy and drive the movable seat to move the moving contact piece rapidly upward to disconnect it from the fixed contact piece.

[0009] In this invention, the reset mechanism includes a protruding post disposed on the back of the button and a reset movable block that can be pushed thereby. The reset movable block is configured to push the movable support block to move laterally when the button is reset.

[0010] In this invention, the switch further includes an arc-extinguishing magnet disposed near the moving contact and the fixed contact, for generating a magnetic field that stretches the arc when the contacts are switched on or off.

[0011] In this invention, the switch further includes an electromagnetic auxiliary driver configured to be energized the instant the latching mechanism is released, for providing auxiliary thrust to the movable seat.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: First, by storing and releasing energy instantaneously during the switching on and off processes using the first and second springs respectively, the switch achieves millisecond-level ultra-fast action in both the on and off directions, fundamentally suppressing the generation of electric arcs. Second, it greatly reduces the erosion of contacts by electric arc, significantly extends the electrical and mechanical life of the switch, and is especially suitable for frequent inching conditions. Third, the mechanical linkage structure of the lever and buckle is stable and reliable, and the energy release process does not depend on the operator's pressing speed, ensuring the consistency of each operation. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a spring-energy-storage type fast-on / off switch provided by the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a spring-loaded fast-acting switch according to the present invention.

[0014] Reference numerals: 1. Housing; 2. Button; 3. Movable base; 4. Moving contact; 5. Fixed contact; 6. Lever; 7. Movable support block; 8. First spring; 9. Second spring; 10. Snapping mechanism; 11. Reset mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some examples or embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, these drawings can be applied to other similar scenarios without creative effort. Unless obvious from the context or otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same structures or operations.

[0016] As indicated in this specification and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" are not specifically singular and may include plural forms. Generally, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of explicitly identified steps and elements, which do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements. The term "based on" means "at least partially based on." The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment." Definitions of other terms will be given in the description below.

[0017] While this application makes various references to certain modules of the system according to embodiments of this application, any number of different modules may be used and run in a processing apparatus. These modules are merely illustrative, and different aspects of the system and method may use different modules.

[0018] Flowcharts are used in this application to illustrate the operations performed by the system according to embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the preceding or following operations are not necessarily performed in exact order. Instead, various steps can be processed in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, other operations can be added to these processes, or one or more steps can be removed from them.

[0019] like Figure 1As shown, the core structure of the spring-loaded fast-acting switch provided by this invention is housed inside a housing 1. The housing 1 is typically made of high-insulation, high-strength engineering plastics such as nylon or PBT to ensure electrical safety and mechanical stability.

[0020] Button 2 is slidably mounted on the top of housing 1 via a guide structure. Movable base 3 is also slidably mounted inside housing 1 via a guide structure. A movable contact 4 is fixedly mounted on movable base 3, with a movable contact welded to its end. Directly below movable contact 4, a fixed contact 5 is fixed to housing 1, with a fixed contact welded to its end as well. The movable and fixed contacts are typically made of arc-resistant materials such as silver-based alloys.

[0021] The middle part of lever 6 is rotatably supported on the support of housing 1 via a pivot, forming a force-saving lever. At the same time, lever 6 moves up and down with button 2 within button 2. The left end of lever 6 contacts the bottom of button 2 or is connected via a linkage. The right end of lever 6, below the resistance arm, is provided with a movable support block 7 that can move laterally.

[0022] Energy storage mechanism: A first spring 8 is installed inside the cavity of button 2. The upper end of the spring abuts against the inner top wall of button 2, and the lower end abuts against a support fixed to the housing 1. When button 2 is pressed, button 2 moves downward relative to the support, thereby compressing the first spring 8 and storing elastic potential energy for rapid connection.

[0023] Disconnection of energy storage mechanism: Inside the movable seat 3, there is a second spring 9, also known as the disconnection spring. The lower end of the spring abuts against the bottom of the housing 1 or a fixed support, and the upper end abuts against the internal structure of the movable seat 3. When the movable seat 3 is pressed down, the second spring 9 is compressed, storing elastic potential energy for rapid disconnection.

[0024] Locking and releasing mechanism: A latching mechanism 10 is provided on the right side of the movable seat 3. This mechanism can be a movable latch that is reset by a torsion spring, with an inclined surface and a locking surface at its end. In the initial state, the locking surface of the latch is locked onto a locking platform of the housing 1 under the preload of the second spring 9, thereby preventing the movable seat 3 from moving downward.

[0025] Connection process: Initial energy storage phase: The user presses button 2. Button 2 moves downwards, serving two purposes: Firstly, it directly compresses the first spring 8 inside to begin storing energy.

[0026] Secondly, when button 2 is pressed, button 2 moves downward. At this time, the left side of lever 6 presses down on the movable seat 3 and moves downward, while the right side of lever 6 is held still by the movable support block 7. However, since there is a latching mechanism 10 on the right side of the movable seat 3, the movable seat 3 does not actually move downward at this time.

[0027] Critical release and rapid activation: As button 2 continues to move downward, its sidewall or a dedicated trigger rod begins to contact the inclined surface of the latching mechanism 10. When button 2 reaches the preset trigger position, the inclined surface presses against the moving latch of the latching mechanism 10, forcing it to overcome the force of its return torsion spring and rotate outward, thereby disengaging its locking surface from the locking platform of the housing 1.

[0028] Instant energy release: Once the latching mechanism 10 disengages, the downward constraint on the movable seat 3 is released. At the same time, the enormous elastic potential energy stored in the extremely compressed first spring 8 is released instantaneously. This energy is converted into a powerful downward thrust through the bottom of the button 2 and the left end of the lever 6, acting on the movable seat 3.

[0029] High-speed action: Under the combined action of this thrust and its own weight, the movable seat 3, carrying the moving contact 4 and the moving contact, impacts downwards with extremely high acceleration. The moving contact and the fixed contact make violent and reliable collision contact within milliseconds, which greatly reduces the residence time of the arc during connection and realizes "arc-free" or "micro-arc" connection.

[0030] During this process, the downward movement of the movable seat 3 simultaneously compresses the second spring 9 inside it, thus storing energy for the disconnection process.

[0031] Disconnection process: Triggering reset: The user releases button 2. Button 2 returns upward under the action of a small internal reset spring.

[0032] Mechanism linkage and unloading: During the return process of button 2, a protrusion on its back rises accordingly. This protrusion is embedded in the inclined groove of the reset movable block, which is composed of an inclined plane mechanism or a cam mechanism. When the protrusion rises, it drives the reset movable block to move horizontally to the right through the inclined plane engagement. The right end of the reset movable block pushes the movable support block 7 to move to the right together.

[0033] Lever imbalance and energy release: The rightward movement of the movable support block 7 causes the right end of the lever 6 to instantly lose its support point below.

[0034] Energy is released instantly: the balance of lever 6 is completely broken. At this moment, the elastic potential energy stored in the second spring 9, which is compressed inside the movable seat 3, is released violently and instantly after losing the constraint of lever 6.

[0035] High-speed disconnection: The second spring 9 pushes the movable seat 3, along with the moving contact 4 and the moving contact, to bounce back upwards with extremely high acceleration. The moving contact and the fixed contact are rapidly pulled apart, and the separation speed is much higher than the speed required for arc reignition, thereby effectively suppressing the generation and continuation of the disconnection arc and achieving rapid arc-free disconnection.

[0036] To further ensure the arc-extinguishing effect, two permanent magnets are symmetrically installed on both sides of the contact area of ​​the moving contact 4 and the fixed contact 5. These two magnets have opposite polarities, generating a transverse magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of contact movement. When the contacts separate and an arc is generated, according to the "left-hand rule," the arc current will be subjected to a force perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic field direction in the magnetic field. This force rapidly elongates the arc outward, causing it to enter the arc-extinguishing grid where it is stretched, cooled, and quickly extinguished in the air.

[0037] To handle extreme operating conditions or pursue ultimate performance, an electromagnetic auxiliary actuator can be added. This actuator is a pulse-type solenoid electromagnet with its core aligned with the side or bottom of the movable seat 3. A simple control circuit is used to detect the instant that button 2 reaches the trigger position. Once this signal is detected, the control circuit immediately applies a brief high-power pulse current to the electromagnet coil. The strong magnetic force generated by the electromagnet applies an additional, same-direction electromagnetic thrust to the movable seat 3, forming a "resultant force" with the mechanical force of the first spring 8, enabling the movable seat 3 to obtain extremely high acceleration in the initial stage of connection, ensuring that the connection speed reaches the physical limit.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A spring force stored quick break-open switch, characterized in that, It comprises: a housing (1); a button (2) movably arranged on the housing (1) for receiving user's operation input; a movable seat (3) movably arranged in the housing (1), the movable seat (3) is provided with a movable contact (4) corresponding to a fixed contact (5) arranged on the housing (1) to realize the on-off of the circuit through the movement of the movable seat (3); a lever (6) connected to the housing (1) at the middle, one end of which is linked with the button (2) and the other end is selectively contacted with a movable support block (7) for transmitting and converting the action of the button (2) to the control of the movable seat (3) and realizing the conversion of force and the mutation of state; a first spring (8) is arranged inside the button (2) for accumulating the on energy, so that the pressing force of the button (2) is stored and released instantly to drive the movable contact (4) to contact with the fixed contact (5) at a very high speed, effectively suppressing the arc generated during the on; a second spring (9) is arranged inside the movable seat (3) for accumulating the off energy, so that the spring is compressed and stored energy during the on process, and is quickly released at the moment of off to drive the movable contact (4) to separate from the fixed contact (5) at a very high speed, effectively suppressing the arc generated during the off; a buckle mechanism (10) is arranged on the movable seat (3) and can be triggered to release, for temporarily locking the movable seat (3) during the action of the button (2) to realize the continuous accumulation of spring energy and sudden release at the critical point, so as to realize the instantaneous and rapid action of the contact.

2. The spring force stored quick break-open switch according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the button (2) is pressed, the first spring (8) is compressed and stored energy, when the button (2) moves to the trigger position to release the lock of the buckle mechanism (10), the first spring (8) releases energy to drive the movable seat (3) to move downward quickly to realize the on of the movable contact (4) and the fixed contact (5).

3. The spring force stored quick break open and close switch of claim 1, wherein, When the button (2) is released, the reset mechanism (11) pushes the movable support block (7) to move, so that the other end of the lever (6) loses support, and then the second spring (9) releases energy to drive the movable seat (3) to move upward quickly to realize the off of the movable contact (4) and the fixed contact (5).

4. The spring force stored quick break open and close switch of claim 3, wherein, The reset mechanism (11) comprises a protruding column arranged on the back of the button (2) and a reset movable block which can be pushed by the protruding column, the reset movable block is configured to push the movable support block (7) to move laterally when the button (2) is reset.

5. The spring force stored quick break open switch of claim 1, wherein, The switch further comprises an arc extinguishing magnet arranged near the movable contact (4) and the fixed contact (5) for generating a magnetic field to stretch the arc when the contact is on-off.

6. The spring force stored quick break open switch of claim 1, wherein, The switch further comprises an electromagnetic auxiliary driver configured to be powered at the moment when the buckle mechanism (10) is released to provide auxiliary thrust for the movable seat (3).

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