Arc-Extinguishing Plates With Supporting Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing low-voltage switching devices face challenges in effectively guiding and extinguishing arcs between contacts without damaging the arc-extinguishing plates, leading to reduced breaking capacity and risk of re-ignition.

Innovation Solution

The use of supporting plates protruding into the arc-extinguishing chamber to isolate and guide the arms of arc-extinguishing plates, allowing for closer placement to the contacts and increased magnetic force attraction, enabling efficient arc diversion and preventing plate damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If arc-extinguishing plates are placed closer to the contacts to increase magnetic force attraction, then the breaking capacity is improved, but the risk of plate damage from direct arc contact increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreaking capacityVSAvoidarc damage to plates
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces supporting plates as intermediary components that receive the arms of arc-extinguishing plates. These supporting plates act as a protective mediator, absorbing and distributing the harmful arc effects while allowing the arc-extinguishing plates to function effectively closer to the contacts without direct arc damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The supporting plates are positioned in advance to receive and protect the arms of arc-extinguishing plates from arc damage. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct arc contact with the arc-extinguishing plates, enabling them to be placed closer to the contacts for improved breaking capacity without the risk of plate damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If arc-extinguishing plates are isolated from each other to prevent re-ignition, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvere-ignition preventionVSAvoidisolation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting plates serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide electrical isolation between adjacent arc-extinguishing plates to prevent re-ignition, mechanically support the plate arms, and distribute thermal and electrical stresses. This multi-functionality achieves reliable arc isolation without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enhances the breaking capacity, particularly in the 690-1000V range, by ensuring efficient arc attraction and reduced re-ignition risk, while allowing for wider arc-extinguishing plates and modular manufacturing to lower costs.

Implementation Method 1

the arms of U-shaped arc extinguishing plates is arranged to affect the magnetic field created by the arc so that the force acting on the arc increase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a force is needed to act on the arc. In order to achieve this force, the arms of U-shaped arc extinguishing plates is arranged to affect the magnetic field created by the arc so that the force acting on the arc increase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2856481B1A switching device
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2856481B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2856481B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP2856481B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a low-voltage switching device (1) comprising a plurality of arc-extinguishing chambers(10), wherein each of the arc-extinguishing chambers (10) encloses a contacting unit (60) including a stationary contact (30, 30') and a movable contact (20) and arcs are formed when the movable contact is disconnected to the stationary contact, each of the arc-extinguishing chamber comprising a plurality of U- shaped arc extinguishing plates (40) arranged for splitting, guiding and cooling the arc formed between the contacts (30, 30', 20) and sidewalls (12) provided with guiding means (14) for guiding the arms (42) of the arc extinguishing plates. The guiding means (14) comprises a plurality of supporting plates(16) and the supporting plates (16) are arranged protruding towards interior of the arc-extinguishing chamber for receiving the arms (42) of the arc-extinguishing plates and for providing electrical isolation between arms of two adjacent arc extinguishing plates (40).