Actuating Arm Control for Electric Switchgear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical equipment control devices that use a combination of motor power and mechanical spring energy for opening and closing phases are inefficient, requiring oversized motors, increased complexity, and are less compact due to the need for energy storage during one phase to utilize during the other, leading to suboptimal performance and higher energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a movable contact that utilizes a motor, mechanical spring, and actuating arm with distinct phases of movement, allowing the spring to reset without displacing the contact, enabling the contact to close solely under motor power without energy storage, optimizing the contact's stroke and reducing energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a mixed design with motor and spring is used for opening and closing phases, then the opening and closing speeds can be achieved, but the motor size increases and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control cycle is segmented into three distinct phases: opening phase (spring-driven from P1 to P2), resetting phase (motor-driven from P2 to P3), and closing phase (motor-driven from P3 to P1). This segmentation allows each component to specialize - the spring handles opening while the motor handles resetting and closing, eliminating the need for the motor to continuously drive both operations and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-charged with energy during the resetting phase (when the contact is already open) before the closing operation is needed. This preliminary energy storage allows the spring to independently drive the opening phase without requiring the motor to simultaneously provide power, thereby reducing motor size and simplifying the control logic
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy storage is required during one phase to utilize during the other, then the spring energy can be used for opening, but the motor size increases to accommodate the constrained mechanical spring
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-charged with energy during the resetting phase (when the contact is already open) before the closing operation is needed. This preliminary energy storage allows the spring to independently drive the opening phase without requiring the motor to simultaneously provide power, thereby reducing motor size and simplifying the control logic
Solution Approach 2:
The spring remains in a charged state continuously during the closing and resetting phases, ready to provide immediate energy for the opening phase. This continuous energy readiness eliminates the need for the motor to repeatedly charge and discharge the spring during each cycle, reducing peak power requirements
3Ease of operation
If the actuating arm provides sufficient stroke for both opening and closing operations, then both phases can be completed, but the device becomes heavier and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The total movement range of the actuating arm is segmented into three distinct positional segments: P1 to P2 for opening, P2 to P3 for resetting, and P3 to P1 for closing. By distributing the movement across these segments rather than requiring a single large stroke, the actuating arm can be more compact while still completing all necessary operations
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating arm's movement is constrained to follow a specific closed-line trajectory rather than moving in a single linear dimension. This path constraint allows the arm to achieve the necessary functional displacement through a combination of rotational and translational movements along the predefined path, reducing the overall stroke length required
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for a more reliable and efficient control of the movable contact with reduced energy consumption, as the spring's energy is stored during the opening phase and used for resetting, enabling a lower power motor to achieve precise and controlled closing without additional energy storage, resulting in a more compact and efficient device.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical spring and an actuating arm having a first connection point and a second connection point... during an opening phase of the moving contact, under the effect of the mechanical spring, from point P1 to point P2; during a resetting phase of the mechanical spring, under the effect of starting the motor, from point P2 to point P3
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The device has an actuation arm (8) with a connection point (8b). The arm is displaced under the effect of a spring (12), during a mobile contact opening phase, along a closed line (L) integrating points (P1 - P3), from the point (P1) to the point (P2). The arm is displaced during a spring reset phase under the effect of operation of a motor (10) e.g. servomotor, from the point (P2) to the point (P3), and maintains the open position of a mobile contact. The arm is displaced, during a mobile contact closing phase, under the effect of motor operation, from the point (P3) to the point (P1). An independent claim is also included for a method of controlling an electric equipment by using an electric equipment control device.