Breaker Mobile Conducting Unit With Spring Acceleration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional high-voltage disconnector or earthing switchgear experiences mechanical and electrical wear during operations due to constant translational speed, leading to particle creation, pollution, and reduced equipment life, with existing solutions increasing size and lacking anomaly detection capabilities.

Innovation Solution

An electrically conductive movable assembly with an elastic return mechanism that accelerates during opening operations, allowing controlled speed variation to minimize wear, and is integrated into the movable assembly rather than fixed elements, enabling easier anomaly detection and reduced overall size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the speed of the electrically conductive assembly is increased during opening operation, then the separation of arcing contacts is improved, but mechanical wear of permanent contacts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speed of arcing contactsVSAvoidmechanical wear of permanent contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the speed of the electrically conductive assembly variable rather than constant. The assembly accelerates during the opening operation, starting slow to protect permanent contacts and then speeding up to rapidly separate arcing contacts. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by having different speeds at different phases of the same operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by dividing the opening operation into distinct phases with different speed characteristics. The operation progresses from a slow initial phase (protecting permanent contacts) to a fast final phase (separating arcing contacts), creating a periodic pattern of speed variation that addresses both requirements sequentially.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a spring is added to accelerate contact separation, then wear is reduced, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewear of contactsVSAvoidoverall size of switchgear
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by integrating the spring mechanism within the existing movable assembly structure. The spring is positioned inside the cylindrical housing, utilizing the internal space of the movable assembly rather than adding external components. This nested arrangement provides the acceleration function while minimizing the increase in overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Speed

If the fixed arcing contact is made mobile to enable spring coupling, then acceleration is achieved, but the area required for guidance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speed of arcing contactsVSAvoidguidance area of fixed contact
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional arrangement where the fixed contact becomes mobile (through the movable assembly) rather than making the mobile contact fixed. The spring is coupled to the movable assembly, which carries the arcing contact, allowing acceleration while maintaining a compact guidance structure. This inverted approach achieves the same functional result with reduced spatial requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 limits mechanical and electrical wear, enhances anomaly detection, and reduces the overall size of the switchgear, improving operational reliability and safety while maintaining essential design criteria.

Implementation Method 1

said elastic return means can first store energy by displacement of the secondary body relative to the main body, then release the stored energy to cause said main body to accelerate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic energy storage and release: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2791957B8Mobile conducting unit for a breaker, including a spring for accelerating the separation of arc contacts
Publication Date: 2016.01.20 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a breaker (1) including a mobile conducting unit (6) comprising an electrically conductive main body (9) including a permanent contact (4b) and an electric-arc contact (5b). According to the invention, the unit (6) also comprises a secondary body (14) mounted so as to be slidable relative to the main body (9) in a direction of movement (11) of said unit (6), wherein the secondary body (14) is to be connected to an attachment point (22) of a device for driving the unit (6), the latter further comprising a resilient return means (16) provided between the bodies (9, 14), wherein the device is designed such that, during an opening operation, the resilient return means (16) first accumulates energy by moving the secondary body (14) relative to the main body (9), and then releases the accumulated energy in order to cause an acceleration of the main body (9).