Electromagnetic Contactor Sliding Portion Abrasion Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromagnetic contactors experience abrasion and reduced reliability due to high friction between the cross bar and guide rail, leading to contact failure and potential burning damage, especially under continuous sliding movement.

Innovation Solution

The electromagnetic contactor incorporates a sliding portion with a material having a lower friction coefficient than the cross bar, designed to minimize friction and prevent abrasion, featuring a separate sliding portion with a rounded or oval shape and potentially made of stainless material, which reduces contact surface area and frictional resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the cross bar and frames are formed by thermosetting resin to ensure insulation and heat resistance, then the electromagnetic contactor can withstand high-temperature heat and maintain insulation, but the high rigidity of the resin causes increased friction and abrasion during continuous sliding movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidsliding durability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the cross bar: the main body uses thermosetting resin for insulation and heat resistance, while the sliding portion uses a low-friction material (PTFE or stainless steel) to reduce abrasion. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each part to have the optimal properties for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cross bar is constructed as a composite structure combining thermosetting resin with low-friction materials (PTFE or stainless steel) at the sliding portion. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve heat resistance from the resin and reduced friction/abrasion from the low-friction material layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the cross bar continuously slides during operation to open or close the circuit, then the electromagnetic contactor can perform its switching function, but the sliding portion gradually wears out due to friction, deteriorating contact performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operationVSAvoidcontact reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion is given a distinct material property (low friction coefficient) different from the main cross bar body. This localized treatment ensures that the high-friction sliding wear does not affect the overall structural integrity while maintaining reliable electrical contact over extended operation cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the sliding portion is made of the same material as the cross bar body, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the friction coefficient is too high causing accelerated abrasion and dust generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidabrasion and dust
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding portion is differentiated from the cross bar body by using a specific low-friction material (PTFE or stainless steel). This localized material selection reduces abrasion and dust generation during sliding operations while maintaining ease of manufacture through processes like coating or attaching the low-friction material to the cross bar surface.

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

This configuration effectively reduces abrasion and maintains the performance of the electromagnetic contactor by minimizing friction and wear, thereby enhancing reliability and extending equipment life.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation coil magnetizing the fixed core by an electromotive force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a material forming the sliding portion has a friction coefficient against the guide rail less than that of the cross bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2194554B1Electromagnetic contactor with abrasion preventing means
Publication Date: 2016.02.17 LG INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CO LTD
  • EP2194554B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2194554B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2194554B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic contactor having an abrasion preventing means, and there is provided an electromagnetic contactor including an upper frame having a fixed contact point and a guide rail; a cross bar comprising a sliding portion sliding on the guide rail, a movable contact point contacting and separating with respect to the fixed contact point while sliding along the guide rail, and a movable core; and a lower frame comprising a fixed core disposed adjacent to the movable core, an excitation coil magnetizing the fixed core by an electromotive force, and a return spring exerting an elastic force to the cross bar, wherein the sliding portion is configured separately from the cross bar, and a material forming the sliding portion has a friction coefficient against the guide rail less than that of the cross bar.