Electric Contact Arc Extinguishing Movable Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric contact systems face challenges in efficiently and reliably extinguishing arcs during switching operations, leading to delayed connections, contact damage, and potential ignition due to complex and costly manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

An electric contact system with an arc extinguishing device featuring a movable bracket and arc extinguishing sheets that move in a horizontal direction, utilizing an inclined slot mechanism to position the sheets beyond or into the contact area, effectively cutting off arcs, and supported by slidable plates for efficient arc extinction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealed inflatable magnetic field is used to lengthen and cool the electric arc, then the arc extinguishing effect is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc extinguishing effectVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the arc extinguishing function from a complex sealed inflatable magnetic field system and implements it using a simple movable bracket with arc extinguishing sheets. The bracket moves horizontally to position the sheets into or beyond the contact area, achieving effective arc extinction without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses simple arc extinguishing sheets mounted on a movable bracket instead of expensive sealed inflatable magnetic field structures. These sheets are straightforward components that can be easily manufactured and replaced, providing cost-effective arc extinguishing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a metal grid plate is used to cut the electric arc into segments, then the initial dielectric strength and cooling effect are improved, but the arc extinguishing speed becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedielectric strength and cooling effectVSAvoidarc extinguishing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic movable bracket that can rapidly move horizontally to position arc extinguishing sheets into the contact area. This dynamic positioning mechanism enables fast arc extinguishing speed while maintaining effective dielectric strength and cooling through the sheet material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable bracket acts as an intermediary mechanism that quickly delivers arc extinguishing sheets to the contact area. This intermediary structure enables rapid response for arc extinction while the sheets themselves provide the necessary dielectric strength and cooling effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If an arc extinguishing device with complex structure is used, then the arc extinguishing effect is improved, but the device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc extinguishing effectVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the arc extinguishing function into a separate movable bracket assembly that can be positioned only when needed. The bracket with arc extinguishing sheets is horizontally movable and only occupies the contact area space during operation, reducing the overall device volume compared to integrated complex structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses horizontal movement of the movable bracket in a dimension perpendicular to the vertical contact area to achieve arc extinguishing. This dimensional approach allows the arc extinguishing sheets to be positioned into or beyond the contact area without increasing the vertical device volume, maintaining a compact structure.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3635763B1Electric contact system
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3635763B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635763B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635763B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric contact system includes: a moving member movable in a vertical direction; a movable contact mounted on the moving member to be moved in the vertical direction with the moving member; a static contact; and an arc extinguishing device. The arc extinguishing device includes: a movable bracket movable in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction; and an arc extinguishing sheet mounted on the movable bracket and movable in the horizontal direction with the movable bracket. The movable contact is constructed to move between a switch-on position where the movable contact electrically contacts the static contact and a switch-off position where the movable contact is separated from the static contact. When the movable contact is moved between the switch-on position and the switch-off position, the movable bracket is moved by the moving member between a first position and a second position. When the movable bracket is moved to the first position, the arc extinguishing sheet is moved beyond a contact area between the movable contact and the static contact, so as to allow the movable contact to electrically contact the static contact. When the movable bracket is moved to the second position, the arc extinguishing sheet is moved into the contact area between the movable contact and the static contact, so as to electrically isolate the movable contact from the static contact and cut off an electric arc between the movable contact and the static contact.