Arc-Control Device With Folded Arc Switching Horn
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric arc breaking devices face contact erosion issues due to the electric arc, which reduces their service life, especially during zero current crossings in alternating current networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric arc breaking device with a contact zone featuring a movable arcing horn made of an erosion-resistant material, such as steel, with a folded arc switching portion that directs the arc away from the fixed copper contact, reducing contact erosion and extending the device's lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fixed contact is used in the breaking device, then the structure is simple, but the contact erosion due to electric arc reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an arcing horn as an intermediary component between the fixed contact and the electric arc. The arcing horn with its folded switching portion acts as a mediator that redirects the arc away from the fixed contact, allowing the fixed contact to avoid direct arc exposure and erosion while the arcing horn absorbs the arc's harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcing horn is designed as a sacrificial component that is intentionally made to be consumed or eroded by the electric arc instead of the expensive fixed contact. By making the arcing horn the disposable element that absorbs arc damage, the valuable fixed contact is protected and its service life is extended.
2Reliability
If the arcing horn width is increased to match the box internal width, then plasma gas cooling is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arcing horn utilizes the width dimension of the box to its full extent, creating a three-dimensional plasma cooling path. By making the arcing horn width equal to the box internal width, the plasma gases are forced to travel through a longer three-dimensional path rather than bypassing laterally, improving cooling efficiency without adding external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcing horn serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects the electric arc away from the fixed contact, provides a path for plasma gas cooling, and prevents lateral bypass of plasma gases. By integrating these multiple functions into a single component, the design avoids increasing overall device complexity while achieving multiple protective effects.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If material with higher state change temperature is used for the arcing horn, then erosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of local quality by selecting different materials for different components based on their specific functional requirements. The arcing horn, which is directly exposed to the electric arc, is made of steel with high melting and vaporization temperatures to resist erosion. The fixed contact, which does not directly contact the arc, can be made of copper with good electrical conductivity. This localized material optimization balances erosion resistance with manufacturing cost.
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
This configuration effectively minimizes contact erosion, increases the service life of the breaking device, and reduces the risk of dielectric breakdown and flashovers by diverting plasma gases and cooling them before discharge, thereby enhancing the breaking capacity and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
During a breaking operation, an electric arc is created between the electrical contacts
Implementation Method 2
the plasma ions of the arc then recombine
Implementation Method 3
to lengthen the path traveled by the gases and thus to better cool them before they are discharged outside the breaking device
Implementation Method 4
a breaking chamber comprising a stack of electric arc splitting plates present opposite the arc horn
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electric arc-control device (1, 50) comprising: a contact area (2), in which at least one stationary contact (3) and at least one contact (4), which is movable relative to the stationary contact (3), are located, the contacts (3, 4) being contactable and separable with and from each other; and an arcing horn (10), opposite the stationary contact (3). The height hc of the arcing horn (10) is no shorter than the height ht of the stationary contact (3), and the arcing horn (10) has an arc switching portion (12) that is folded on itself and extends in a direction opposite the stationary contact (3).