Contact Ring Projections Penetrate Insulating Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact rings made of spring steel have poor electrothermal properties and struggle to reliably connect electrically conductive contact elements through insulating surface layers, such as aluminum oxide, while also being prone to corrosion and limited in vibration resistance due to elastic mounting.
Innovation Solution
A contact ring with a ring-shaped structure made of electrically conductive material, featuring projections and blades that penetrate insulating surface layers for conductive connections, providing enhanced electrothermal properties and increased vibration resistance through a combination of bending and buckling deformation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional spring steel contact rings are used, then good mechanical properties are achieved, but poor electrothermal properties and corrosion resistance result
Solution Approach 1:
The contact ring uses a composite structure combining a corrosion-resistant base material (e.g., aluminum alloy or stainless steel) with electrothermal contact elements (protrusions or blades) made of highly conductive materials. This composite approach allows the base material to provide mechanical strength and corrosion resistance while the conductive elements ensure good electrothermal properties.
2Ease of operation
If elastic mounting of contact ring is used, then ease of installation is improved, but vibration resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact ring incorporates dynamic elements such as elastic protrusions or blades that can deform under vibration loads. These elements are designed to flexibly absorb vibrational stresses while maintaining reliable electrical contact, transforming the static elastic mounting into a dynamic system that adapts to vibration conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the mechanical parameters of the contact elements by optimizing their geometry (shape, size, distribution) and material properties to achieve an optimal balance between elastic mounting characteristics and vibration resistance. This includes adjusting the elasticity modulus, contact pressure, and geometric parameters of the protrusions or blades.
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 contact ring achieves reliable electric connections with improved vibration resistance and reduced contact resistance, while minimizing corrosion risk and efficiently connecting contact elements with good mechanical and electrothermal properties.
Implementation Method 1
The ring-shaped structure has a plurality of projections on at least one side and a plurality of blades on at least one side. The projections and the blades penetrate an electrically insulating surface layer of each of a pair of contact elements and contact an electrically conductive material of each of the contact elements
Implementation Method 2
A contact ring including a ring-shaped structure formed of an electrically conductive material... contact an electrically conductive material of each of the contact elements to electrically connect the contact elements
Data Source
AI summary
A contact ring including a ring-shaped structure formed of an electrically conductive material. The ring-shaped structure has a plurality of projections on at least one side and a plurality of blades on at least one side. The projections and the blades penetrate an electrically insulating surface layer of each of a pair of contact elements and contact an electrically conductive material of each of the contact elements to electrically connect the contact elements.