Contactor Arc Extinguishing Layout to Keep Pollutants Off Movable Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arc extinguishing systems for contactors face challenges in effectively guiding arcs to the extinguishing grids without contaminating the movable contact and increasing product complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An arc extinguishing system that includes an arc striking piece with a U-shaped connection part and a guide part extending perpendicular to the stationary contact, guiding the arc into the arc extinguishing chamber while preventing pollutants from reaching the movable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a J-shaped stationary contact is used to attract the arc outward through magnetic field, then the arc can be guided to the arc extinguishing chamber, but the product depth needs to be increased and the manufacturing cost increases due to more copper material
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary contact is segmented into two functional parts: a straight contact portion for electrical connection and a separate arc guiding portion (arc striking piece) that extends into the arc extinguishing chamber. This segmentation allows the arc guiding function to be performed by a dedicated component without requiring the main stationary contact to be complex J-shaped, thereby reducing the overall product depth while maintaining arc extinguishing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
An arc striking piece is introduced as an intermediary component between the stationary contact and the arc extinguishing grids. This intermediate element serves as the interface that directly interacts with the arc, guiding it into the extinguishing chamber without requiring the stationary contact itself to have a complex bent shape, thus solving the space constraint problem
2Reliability
If arc extinguishing grids are arranged in parallel with the movable contact, then the arc can be extinguished, but pollutants from the arc may fall on the movable contact and pollute it, affecting electrical life
Solution Approach 1:
The arc extinguishing grids are extracted from their traditional position parallel to the movable contact and repositioned perpendicular to the movable contact's extension direction. This spatial extraction removes the movable contact from the direct path of falling pollutants, eliminating the pollution problem while preserving the arc extinguishing function through the perpendicular arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement of arc extinguishing grids is changed from a parallel configuration (in the same dimension as the movable contact) to a perpendicular configuration (in a different dimension). This dimensional change creates spatial separation between the pollutant source and the movable contact, preventing contamination while maintaining arc extinguishing effectiveness
3Reliability
If a J-shaped arc striking piece is used to generate magnetic field for arc guidance, then the arc can be directed outward, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arc striking piece is segmented into a connection part (for electrical connection to the stationary contact) and a guide part (for arc guidance). The guide part can be designed with simpler geometry compared to a full J-shaped structure, making it easier to manufacture while still achieving the necessary magnetic field generation and arc guidance function
Solution Approach 2:
The arc striking piece applies local quality by concentrating the magnetic field generation function in the guide part that extends into the arc extinguishing chamber, while the connection part maintains simple structural characteristics for easy manufacturing. This localized functional assignment allows complex arc guidance where needed while keeping manufacturing simple where possible
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 system optimizes arc extinguishing by ensuring the arc is directed efficiently into the arc extinguishing grids, reducing pollution on the movable contact, and simplifying the product design to reduce costs and increase electrical life.
Implementation Method 1
a J-shaped stationary contact is usually used to attract the arc to move outward through the magnetic field generated by reverse current
Implementation Method 2
configured to extend toward the arc extinguishing chamber, so that the arc generated upon the movable contact and the stationary contact being separated moves along the arc striking piece toward the arc extinguishing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an arc extinguishing system for contactor and a contactor. The arc extinguishing system includes: an arc extinguishing chamber, accommodating a plurality of arc extinguishing grids, and an extension direction of each of the plurality of arc extinguishing grids being perpendicular to an extension direction of the movable contact; an arc striking piece, electrically connected to the stationary contact and configured to extend toward the arc extinguishing chamber, so that the arc generated upon the movable contact and the stationary contact being separated moves along the arc striking piece toward the arc extinguishing chamber.