Arc Extinguishing Shield Structure for Safer Gas Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional arc extinguishing chambers in electrical devices face issues with complex connections between the face cover and arc extinguishing shield, leading to potential failure and safety risks due to high-pressure gas generation during short-circuit events, and the face cover's need for high insulation and temperature resistance complicates assembly.

Innovation Solution

A breaking unit design featuring a stationary contact, moving contact, arc extinguishing grids, and an arc extinguishing shield with integrated sections forming a gas passage, allowing gas to be fully cooled and discharged without relying on screw-fastened face covers, which are simplified and less demanding in material properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the face cover and arc extinguishing shield are connected by screws to strengthen connection, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The face cover is integrated with the arc extinguishing shield to form an integral structure, eliminating the need for separate connection components like screws. This merging of parts simplifies the connection structure while maintaining the reliability of the connection between the face cover and arc extinguishing shield.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the face cover is made of high insulation and high temperature resistance material, then the safety performance is improved, but the manufacturing cost and material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety performanceVSAvoidmaterial selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The arc extinguishing chamber is designed with localized gas discharge channels and arc extinguishing grids that contain and guide the high-temperature gas flow. This allows the face cover to be made of ordinary materials while still ensuring safety, as the high-temperature gas is directed through specific paths away from the face cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the face cover is designed to block gas, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity and failure risk increase when face cover falls

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidface cover function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gas blocking function is extracted from the face cover and transferred to the arc extinguishing shield and gas discharge channels. The face cover is reduced to a simple protective cover without gas blocking requirements, simplifying its structure and reducing failure risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If the gas discharge path is shortened, then the productivity is improved, but the gas cooling effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas discharge efficiencyVSAvoidgas cooling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The gas discharge path is extended by utilizing the spatial dimension through the arc extinguishing grids and lateral discharge channels. The gas flows through a longer, multi-dimensional path that increases cooling surface area and cooling time, effectively reducing gas temperature while maintaining discharge efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances product reliability by simplifying connections, reducing failure risks, and ensuring safe gas discharge without the need for high-insulation face covers, while maintaining effective arc extinguishing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the moving path of the gas is lengthened, so that the gas can be fully cooled and discharged from the arc extinguishing chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

with gaps provided between the first section and the arc extinguishing grid, as well as between the second section and the arc extinguishing grid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4607555A1Breaking unit and electrical device
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4607555A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607555A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607555A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The disclosure provides a breaking unit comprising a stationary contact having a section extending along a first direction, the section is provided with a contact surface facing a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a moving contact arranged at the first side of the stationary contact in the second direction and configured to move relative to the stationary contact to realize contact and separation with the contact surface of the stationary contact; a plurality of arc extinguishing grids arranged at the first side of the stationary contact and at intervals along the first direction, each of the plurality of arc extinguishing grids are parallel to each other and transverse to the first direction; an arc extinguishing shield comprising a first section arranged on one side of the arc extinguishing grid away from the stationary contact in the second direction and a second section arranged on one side of the arc extinguishing grid away from the moving contact in the first direction, wherein the first section and the second section are connected to partially surround the arc extinguishing grid, with gaps provided between the first section and the arc extinguishing grid, as well as between the second section and the arc extinguishing grid, and the arc extinguishing shield comprises an outlet arranged on the second section.