Contact Member Coating for Low Resistance and Sliding Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contact members for high current applications face challenges in maintaining low electrical resistance both at the start and during sliding, while also ensuring sliding durability, as existing techniques fail to balance these two requirements effectively.

Innovation Solution

A contact member comprising a metal base coated with fluorinated oil having a polar group and metal particles surface-treated with a fluorine-based compound, with specific ratios and sizes of the coating components to achieve low electrical resistance and sliding durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional coating methods (thiol/benzotriazole or fluororesin) are used, then sliding durability is improved, but electrical resistance at the start and during sliding increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding durabilityVSAvoidelectrical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer is formed as a composite material containing both fluororesin fine particles and fluorinated oil, creating a synergistic effect where the fluororesin provides structural integrity and wear resistance while the fluorinated oil provides low friction and maintains electrical conductivity, achieving both sliding durability and low electrical resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the coating by using fluorinated oil with specific fluorine content (20-100% by mass) and fluororesin with specific fluorine content (20-100% by mass), optimizing the balance between lubrication performance and electrical conductivity to simultaneously achieve low friction and low electrical resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If silver, gold, or copper are used for low electrical resistance, then electrical conductivity is improved, but wear resistance and sliding durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidsliding durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact member uses a composite structure combining a metal base (silver, gold, or copper for low electrical resistance) with a coating layer containing fluororesin and fluorinated oil (for wear resistance and low friction), allowing the base material to provide electrical conductivity while the coating provides sliding durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is applied locally to the contact portion of the electrical connection part, providing wear resistance and low friction properties only where needed, while the bulk metal base maintains its excellent electrical conductivity properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a contact member that balances low electrical resistance and sliding durability, with the fluorinated oil and metal particles working together to maintain low friction and prevent wear, allowing for a large number of sliding cycles without exposing the metal base.

Implementation Method 1

Coating contact portions with organic component-containing compositions for providing lubrication effects is widely practiced to minimize such wear caused by sliding at contacts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

metal particles surface-treated with a fluorine-based compound having a polar group

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP4131307B1Contact member, connector, composition, and method for producing contact member
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS IND LTD
  • EP4131307B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4131307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4131307B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides a contact member that strikes a balance between low electrical resistance and sliding durability. A contact member of the invention has a metal base and a coating disposed on at least part of the metal base. The coating contains fluorinated oil having a polar group, and metal particles surface-treated with a fluorine-based compound having a polar group.