Blade-Type Current Switch with Integrated Permanent Magnets

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing current switch designs with auxiliary fixed electrodes and permanent magnets increase the number of components and dimensions, hindering efficient current switching performance.

Innovation Solution

A current switch with a blade-type movable contact extending radially from a pivoting center, featuring energizing members with a shielding member, movable and fixed arc contacts, and permanent magnets positioned internally to generate a magnetic field orthogonal to the arc, reducing dimensions while improving switching performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary fixed electrodes and permanent magnets are disposed as separate components adjacent to the main fixed electrode, then arc driving function is achieved, but the number of components increases and dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent switching performanceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the auxiliary fixed electrode and the permanent magnet into a single integrated component structure. The permanent magnet is disposed within the housing of the auxiliary fixed electrode assembly, allowing both the arc-driving magnetic field generation and the electrical contact functions to be performed by a unified component rather than separate adjacent parts. This reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining the arc driving function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary fixed electrode assembly is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the electrical contact path for current switching and houses the permanent magnet that generates the magnetic field for arc driving. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated arc-driving components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable current switching performance.

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

2Reliability

If auxiliary fixed electrodes and permanent magnets are disposed as separate components adjacent to the main fixed electrode, then arc driving function is achieved, but the dimensions of the entire switch increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent switching performanceVSAvoiddimensions of switch
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The permanent magnet is nested within the housing structure of the auxiliary fixed electrode assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the magnetic field-generating component to be contained within the existing electrical contact component boundaries, rather than requiring additional external space. The compact nested configuration reduces the overall dimensions of the switch while maintaining sufficient space for the magnetic field to effectively drive arcs during current switching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of stationary object

If permanent magnets are positioned internally within fixed or movable contacts, then dimensions are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensions of switchVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing of the auxiliary fixed electrode assembly is pre-designed with an integrated cavity or mounting structure specifically configured to receive and position the permanent magnet. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that during assembly, the permanent magnet can be accurately positioned within the housing without requiring high-precision positioning operations. The pre-formed housing geometry guides the magnet into its correct position, reducing the actual manufacturing precision demands during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively drives and extinguishes arcs using permanent magnets, enhancing current switching performance while minimizing the switch's dimensions by efficiently utilizing internal spaces.

Implementation Method 1

a permanent magnet arranged on an inside of the fixed contact or the movable contact to generate a magnetic field that crosses an arc generated between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contacts during contact and separation of the movable contact and the fixed contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a permanent magnet arranged on an inside of the fixed contact or the movable contact to generate a magnetic field that crosses an arc generated between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contacts during contact and separation of the movable contact and the fixed contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP2654059B1Electric current switching device
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2654059B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654059B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2654059B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a current switch including a blade-type movable contact 26 configured to extend in a radial direction from a pivoting center P and reciprocatingly move such that a free end of the movable contact 26 draws a pivoting track, a fixed contact 20 including energizing members 31 separated from the movable contact 26 and arranged to be opposed to and substantially in parallel to each other on both sides across a pivoting surface of the movable contact 26 and an outer frame 45 configured to cover at least the periphery of the energizing members 31, a movable arc contact 1 provided in the movable contact 26, fixed arc contacts 2 provided in the fixed contact 20, and permanent magnets 3a and 3b arranged on the inside of the fixed contact 20 or the movable contact 26 to generate a magnetic field that crosses an arc 4 generated between the movable arc contact 1 and the fixed arc contacts 2.