A structure for reducing contact bounce of a switch device, a contact assembly, and a switch device
By setting inertial components and blocking structures on the moving contact or moving parts, the mechanical force is counteracted by the inertial components, which solves the problem of moving contact bouncing in mechanical electrical switches and improves the stability and lifespan of the contact.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- XIAN ZHONGRONG ELECTRIC CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
During the switching process of mechanical electrical switches, the bouncing of the moving contact can cause mechanical damage, unstable closing, and the generation of electric arcs, reducing contact life and even potentially leading to welding.
An inertial component and a blocking structure are installed on the moving contact or moving component. The inertial component counteracts the mechanical force when the moving contact closes or opens under the action of inertial force. The mechanical force is counteracted by the collision between the inertial component and the blocking structure, thereby reducing bounce.
It effectively reduces the bounce of the moving contact, improves the reliability of contact and operation, reduces mechanical damage and arcing, and extends contact life.
Smart Images
Figure CN224355144U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of circuits, and in particular to switching devices used in circuits in the fields of power control, electric vehicles, energy storage, and photovoltaics. Specifically, it refers to a structure for reducing contact bounce in switching devices, as well as contact assemblies and switching devices equipped with such a structure. Background Technology
[0002] Mechanical electrical switches used in circuits, including various command switches, contactors, relays, and circuit breakers, require mechanical movement of their moving contacts during switching operations. Because mechanical force exists when the contacts close or open, the contact points may bounce when closing or when opening, especially when the moving contact encounters a limit structure. This bouncing can cause mechanical damage. During closing, bouncing can lead to unstable switching, potentially generating electric arcs, damaging the contact structure, reducing contact life, and, if it reaches a certain limit, causing welding. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an inertial component and a blocking structure on the moving contact or the moving component that drives the moving contact to move. As the moving contact moves and stops, the inertial component moves under the action of inertial force, which counteracts the mechanical force generated when the moving contact moves from displacement to stop, thereby reducing the bounce of the moving contact.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the provided technical solution is a structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device, including a moving contact and a moving component. The moving contact is mounted on the moving component. An inertial component and a blocking structure are provided on the moving contact or the moving component. The blocking structure moves synchronously with the moving contact or the moving component. When the moving contact, the moving component, and the blocking structure move, the inertial component moves within the constraint range of the blocking structure under the action of inertial force. When the moving component moves the moving contact to close or open the switching device, as the moving component moves the moving contact from a stationary state to an accelerated displacement, the inertial component moves in the same direction as the moving contact under the action of inertial force. When the moving contact stops moving and returns to a stationary state, the inertial component collides with the blocking structure under the action of inertial force, offsetting part or all of the mechanical force acting on the moving contact when the switch is closed or opened.
[0005] Preferably, a cavity is provided in the moving contact or the moving component, the inertial component is disposed in the cavity, and space is reserved in the cavity for the inertial component to move under the action of inertial force, and the blocking structure is formed at both ends of the cavity in the displacement direction of the moving contact.
[0006] Preferably, the cavity is a closed cavity, and the inertial component is a plurality of granular structures disposed in the closed cavity; when the inertial component is displaced toward the stationary contact under the action of inertial force, the granular structures are displaced toward the stationary contact, and collisions occur between the granular structures and between the granular structures and the adjacent inner walls of the closed cavity.
[0007] Preferably, the granular structure is made of magnetic material, and when it is displaced toward the stationary contact under the action of inertial force, adjacent granular structures can be attracted to each other under the action of magnetic force.
[0008] Preferably, a magnetically conductive structure is provided at or around the moving contact, so that when the moving contact contacts the stationary contact, the magnetically conductive structure increases the attractive force between the granular structures.
[0009] Preferably, when there is only one inertial component, the inertial component is a block-shaped or sheet-shaped structure.
[0010] Preferably, the inertial component moves only in the direction of displacement of the moving contact within the range defined by the blocking structure.
[0011] Preferably, the enclosed cavity is filled with a liquid, colloid, or gas that increases resistance, but the liquid, colloid, or gas that increases resistance does not completely fill the enclosed cavity, so that the inertial component still has room for displacement.
[0012] The present invention also provides a contact assembly, including a moving contact assembly and a stationary contact, wherein the moving contact assembly includes a moving contact, a motion component, and a structure for reducing contact bounce of the switching device.
[0013] The present invention also provides a switching device, including a contact assembly with a structure to reduce contact bounce. The switching device is closed or opened by the contact or disengagement of the moving contact and the stationary contact of the contact assembly. By providing an inertial component and a blocking structure on the moving contact or moving assembly, the kinetic energy direction of the inertial component is opposite to the direction of the mechanical force generated when the switch is closed or opened, thus canceling out the mechanical force and reducing the bounce of the moving contact.
[0014] The structure of the present invention for reducing contact bounce of a switching device utilizes the inertial force of an inertial component to counteract the force generated during mechanical collision, thereby reducing bounce generated when the moving contact closes or opens. When closed, it can improve the contact reliability after the moving and stationary contacts come into contact, thus improving operational reliability. When opened, it can reduce the impact caused by multiple contact bounces.
[0015] The switching device of the present invention uses a contact assembly with the above-described structure for reducing contact bounce, thereby reducing the bounce of the contact assembly and improving operational reliability. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 It refers to the positional relationship between the inertial component and the blocking structure when the moving contact moves from rest to accelerated displacement.
[0017] Figure 2 It refers to the positional relationship between the inertial component and the blocking structure when the moving contact changes from displacement to rest.
[0018] Figure Labels
[0019] 1. Stationary contact; 2. Moving contact; 3. Cavity; 4. Inertial assembly; 5. Blocking structure (6). Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present invention provides a structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device, comprising a moving contact and a moving component, wherein the moving contact is mounted on the moving component; an inertial component and a blocking structure are provided on the moving contact or the moving component, the blocking structure moving synchronously with the moving contact or the moving component; when the moving contact, the moving component, and the blocking structure move, the inertial component moves within the constraint range of the blocking structure under the action of inertial force; when the moving component carries the moving contact to close or open the switching device, as the moving component carries the moving contact from a stationary state to an accelerated displacement, the inertial component moves in the same direction as the moving contact under the action of inertial force; when the moving contact stops moving and returns to a stationary state, the inertial component collides with the blocking structure under the action of inertial force, offsetting part or all of the mechanical force acting on the moving contact when the switch is closed or opened.
[0021] The following describes preferred embodiments in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The directional terms used are for reference only and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of this invention.
[0022] The following explanation uses the example of a mechanical switching device where the stationary contact 1 and the moving contact 2 make conductive contact with and disengage from the stationary contact 1 via linear displacement. (See attached image.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cavity 3 is provided on the moving contact 2, and an inertial component 4 is disposed within the cavity 3. When the moving contact 2 is stationary, the inertial component 4 can be located at any position within the cavity 3. Since the moving contact 2 makes conductive contact with or separates from the stationary contact 1 through linear displacement, thereby achieving switch closure and opening, a first blocking structure 5 and a second blocking structure 6 are formed at both ends of the cavity 3 along the displacement direction of the moving contact 2, respectively. When the inertial component 4 is displaced under the action of inertial force, the blocking structures formed at both ends of the cavity 3 constrain the displacement of the inertial component 4, while simultaneously allowing the kinetic energy brought by the displacement of the inertial component 4 to be transferred to the moving contact 2 through the blocking structures 5.
[0023] See Figure 1When the moving contact 2 moves from rest to accelerated displacement in the direction of the stationary contact 1, the inertial component 4 moves in the opposite direction of the moving contact 2 under the action of inertial force, that is, in the direction of the first blocking structure 5. It stops moving at the position of the first blocking structure 5 through the blocking effect of the first blocking structure 5, and then moves together with the moving contact 2 in the direction of the stationary contact 1.
[0024] See Figure 2 When the moving contact 2, carrying the inertial component 4, comes into contact with the stationary contact 1, the moving contact 2 changes from a rapid displacement state to a near-stationary state. The stationary contact 1 exerts a mechanical force on the moving contact 2 in the opposite direction to the displacement of the moving contact 2. At this time, under the action of the inertial force, the inertial component 4 displaces in the same direction as the displacement of the moving contact 2, that is, in the direction of the second blocking structure 6, and comes into contact with the second blocking structure 6. The second blocking structure 6 prevents the inertial component 4 from continuing to displace, and the kinetic energy of the inertial component 4 is transferred to the moving contact 2 through the second blocking structure 6. This is equivalent to the inertial component 4 applying a force towards the stationary contact 1 to the moving contact 2. Through the mutual cancellation of the force exerted by the inertial component 4 on the moving contact 2 and the force exerted by the stationary contact 1 on the moving contact 2, the bouncing of the moving contact is reduced, making the conductive contact between the moving contact 2 and the stationary contact 1 more reliable.
[0025] When the moving contact 2 breaks the conductive contact with the stationary contact 1, the moving contact moves away from the stationary contact 1 from rest to accelerated displacement and then back to rest. When the switch is disconnected, the limiting structure that limits the displacement of the moving contact 2 comes into contact with the moving contact 2. At this time, the displacement energy of the inertial component 4 acts on the moving contact 2 in the direction of the limiting structure, and the force of the limiting structure acting on the moving contact 2 is directed towards the moving contact 2. The two forces cancel each other out, thereby reducing the bounce of the moving contact when the switch is disconnected.
[0026] Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the inertial component 4 and the blocking structure (5, 6) are disposed on the moving contact 2. In some embodiments, the inertial component 4 and the blocking structure (5, 6) are disposed on the moving component (not shown). Taking a contactor as an example, the moving component is a displaceable push rod structure on which the moving contact 2 is mounted. Driven by the contactor drive system, the push rod structure moves the moving contact 2. As the moving contact stops moving, the inertial component 4 transfers the displacement energy brought by the inertial force to the moving component, offsetting the force exerted on the moving contact by the stationary contact or the limiting structure when the moving contact 2 changes from a displaced state to a stationary state. Alternatively, the inertial component 4 and the blocking structure (5, 6) can be disposed on the moving contact and the moving component respectively.
[0027] exist Figure 1 In the middle, the inertial component 4 is a block or sheet structure, located within the cavity defined by the blocking structure (5, 6), and can only move along the displacement direction of the moving contact, reducing the bouncing of the moving contact when the switch is closed or opened.
[0028] Since the cancellation effect is also a mechanical collision, it generates additional multiple bounces. To increase the mechanical force and the rapid dissipation of mechanical energy, the inertial component uses multiple granular materials. Through the mechanical damping effects of friction and collisions between particles and between particles and adjacent components, as well as the separation of some inertial particles, mechanical energy is canceled out, quickly and effectively reducing the contact kinetic energy, allowing the contact rebound to disappear quickly and stably. To further enhance the damping effect, certain liquid, colloidal, and gaseous components are added to increase resistance, buffer the collision forces between particles and between particles and adjacent components, absorb the kinetic energy when the moving and stationary contacts come into contact, and reduce the rebound of the inertial component itself. The materials that increase resistance do not completely fill the cavity, allowing the inertial component to still have room for movement.
[0029] Preferably, the inertial component can be made of magnetic material. This reduces the adverse effects on the contact clamping force that might occur when the movable inertial component is in different positions after the switch is closed, due to gravity, electromagnetic force, or mechanical vibration. The magnetic materials attract each other, causing them to gather together and mitigating this adverse effect.
[0030] Preferably, the mass of individual particles is minimized while the number is maximized, and a material that increases magnetic force when energized is used. To enhance this effect, a magnetically conductive material is added to or around the moving contact to allow the magnetically conductive particles to move, reducing magnetic resistance and increasing the attraction of the particles to the inertial component when current flows through the contact. This increases the clamping force of the moving contact when closed, reduces or eliminates interference from the particles on the normal operation of the moving contact, and increases the beneficial clamping force.
[0031] The aforementioned structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device can be incorporated into the contact assembly of the switching device. The contact assembly includes a moving contact assembly and a stationary contact. The moving contact assembly includes a moving contact and a moving component. The moving contact is movably mounted on the moving component. The displacement of the moving component causes the moving contact to move, bringing it into contact with or away from the stationary contact, thus closing or opening the contact assembly. An inertial component and a blocking structure are provided on the moving contact and / or the moving component to counteract some of the mechanical force generated when the moving contact assembly contacts the stationary contact during closing, and the mechanical force generated when the moving contact assembly stops moving during opening, when the limiting structure contacts the moving contact assembly, thereby reducing the bounce of the moving contact assembly. A contact assembly with this structure can be used in switching devices with a lead-out component, such as a contactor. The contactor's drive system drives the moving component to move, which in turn moves the moving contact, bringing it into contact with or away from the stationary contact, thus closing or opening the switching device.
Claims
1. A structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device, characterized in that, The device includes a moving contact and a motion component, with the moving contact mounted on the motion component. An inertial component and a blocking structure are provided on the moving contact or the motion component. The blocking structure moves synchronously with the moving contact or the motion component. When the moving contact, the motion component, and the blocking structure move, the inertial component moves within the constraint range of the blocking structure under the action of inertial force. When the motion component, carrying the moving contact, moves to close or open the switch, and the moving contact accelerates from a stationary state, the inertial component moves in the same direction as the moving contact under the action of inertial force. When the moving contact stops moving and returns to a stationary state, the inertial component collides with the blocking structure under the action of inertial force, offsetting part or all of the mechanical force acting on the moving contact when the switch is closed or opened.
2. The structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cavity is provided in the moving contact or the moving component, and the inertial component is disposed in the cavity. Space is reserved in the cavity for the inertial component to move under the action of inertial force. The blocking structure is formed at both ends of the cavity in the displacement direction of the moving contact.
3. The structure for reducing contact bounce in a switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cavity is a closed cavity, and the inertial component is a plurality of granular structures disposed in the closed cavity; when the granular structures are displaced under the action of inertial force, collisions occur between the granular structures and between the granular structures and the adjacent inner walls of the closed cavity.
4. The structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The granular structure is made of magnetic material. When it is displaced under the action of inertial force, adjacent granular structures can be attracted to each other under the action of magnetic force.
5. The structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device according to claim 4, characterized in that, A magnetically conductive structure is provided at or around the moving contact. When the moving component moves the moving contact to close the switching device, and the moving contact stops moving and returns to a stationary state, the magnetically conductive structure increases the attractive force between the granular structures.
6. The structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that, When there is only one inertial component, the inertial component is a block-shaped or sheet-shaped structure.
7. The structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inertial component moves only in the direction of displacement of the moving contact within the range defined by the blocking structure.
8. The structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that, The cavity is a closed cavity, and the closed cavity is filled with a liquid, colloid, or gas that increases resistance. The liquid, colloid, or gas that increases resistance does not completely fill the closed cavity, so that the inertial component still has displacement space.
9. A contact assembly, characterized in that, It includes a moving contact assembly and a stationary contact, wherein the moving contact assembly includes a moving contact, a motion component, and a structure for reducing contact bounce of a switching device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. A switching device, characterized in that, The device includes the contact assembly as described in claim 9, wherein the switching device is closed or opened by the contact or discontinuation of the moving contact and the stationary contact of the contact assembly.