Contact mechanism and switch with it

The contact mechanism addresses the issue of arc-induced damage and resistance by using a permanent magnet to redirect arcs away from contact surfaces, ensuring reduced resistance and extended lifespan.

DE112015006306B4Active Publication Date: 2025-07-31OMRON CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE112015006306
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2015-03-13
Filing Date
2015-08-13
Publication Date
2025-07-31
Estimated Expiration
2035-08-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing contact mechanisms suffer from increased electric resistance and shortened contact life due to arcs occurring at specific surface areas, leading to heat generation and damage from combustion.

Method used

A contact mechanism that propagates arcs using a permanent magnet to direct them away from contact surfaces, utilizing a movable contact mechanism that rotates or moves parallel to spread the arc to non-contact areas, and incorporates conical or inclined surfaces to facilitate arc movement.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively prevents damage to contact surfaces, reduces electric resistance, and prolongs the contact life by minimizing heat generation and reducing the occurrence of arcs.

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Abstract

A contact mechanism comprising:a fixed contact (35a) arranged on a fixed contact terminal (35);a movable contact (37a) arranged on a movable contact element (37) rotatable about a rotation axis and opposite to the fixed contact (35a), wherein the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) each have an upper surface both opposite to each other; and a permanent magnet (28) configured to propagate an arc occurring between the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) in a predetermined direction from the movable contact (37a) toward the rotation axis, wherein the upper surface of the fixed contact (35a) and the upper surface of the movable contact (37a) each include a contact surface area (35d, 37b) at which the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) contact each other, a non-contact surface area (35e, 37c),at which the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) do not contact each other, and• a beveled surface (35f, 37d) between the contact surface region (35d, 37b) and the non-contact surface region (35e, 37c), wherein the contact surface region (35d, 37b), the beveled surface (35f, 37d) and the non-contact surface region (35e, 37c) are arranged along the predetermined direction, wherein the beveled surface (35f, 37d) is inclined such that a distance between the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) increases from the contact surface regions (35d, 37b) of the upper surfaces to the non-contact surface regions (35e, 37c) of the upper surfaces, and the arc which occurs from the contact surface regions (35d, 37b) by a magnetic force of the permanent magnet (28) is spread and moved to the non-contact surface areas (35e, 37c).,
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Claims

[1] Contact mechanism comprising: a fixed contact (35a) arranged on a fixed contact terminal (35); a movable contact (37a) arranged on a movable contact element (37) which is rotatable about a rotation axis and is opposite the fixed contact (35a), wherein the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) each have an upper surface which both face each other; and a permanent magnet (28) which is designed to spread an arc which occurs between the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) in a predetermined direction from the movable contact (37a) in the direction of the rotation axis, wherein the upper surface of the fixed contact (35a) and the upper surface of the movable contact (37a) each include • a contact surface area (35d, 37b) at which the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) contact each other, • a non-contact area (35e, 37c) at which the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) do not contact each other, and • a bevelled surface (35f, 37d) between the contact surface area (35d, 37b) and the non-contact surface area (35e, 37c), wherein the contact surface area (35d, 37b), the beveled surface (35f, 37d) and the non-contact surface area (35e, 37c) are arranged along the predetermined direction, wherein the beveled surface (35f, 37d) is inclined such that a distance between the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) increases from the contact surface areas (35d, 37b) of the upper surfaces to the non-contact surface areas (35e, 37c) of the upper surfaces, and the arc which occurs from the contact surface areas (35d, 37b) is spread by a magnetic force of the permanent magnet (28) and moved to the non-contact surface areas (35e, 37c). [2] The contact mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the movable contact (37a) is arranged on the movable contact element (37) which is configured to rotate. [3] A contact mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the arc occurring from the contact surface portions (35d, 37b) of the fixed contact (35a) and the movable contact (37a) is spread by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet to the non-contact surface portions (35e, 37c) located on a side corresponding to the rotation axis of the movable contact element (37). [4] A switch comprising the contact mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3. [5] A trigger switch comprising the contact mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    US20150194284A1

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    US5416455A

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