Direct-Current Switch With Parallel Mechanical And Electronic Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-current switches face challenges in efficiently managing power loss and size due to high contact resistance and heat generation when handling direct current, making them unsuitable for miniature applications.
Innovation Solution
A direct-current switch design incorporating an electronic open/close switch, a parallel mechanical open/close switch, and a switch control circuit that controls the opening and closing time differences between these switches, minimizing power loss and heat generation by optimizing the timing of switch operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical open/close switch is used to shut off direct current, then the switch can physically open the circuit, but an arc continues to be generated and arc current flows continuously preventing the contacts from being fully opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first opening the mechanical switch to interrupt the direct current path before the electronic switch opens. This ensures that when the electronic switch opens, no arc is generated. The timing control unit coordinates the opening sequence so the mechanical switch acts first to eliminate the current path, preventing the harmful arc effect.
2Ease of operation
If an electronic open/close switch is used to establish continuity in a direct-current path, then the switch can control power flow, but resistance loss and heat generation occur due to high contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using the electronic switch only temporarily during the switching transition period, not continuously. The electronic switch establishes continuity briefly to control the switching sequence, then the mechanical switch takes over for continuous current conduction. This periodic use minimizes energy loss while maintaining operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical switch with an electronic switch for the specific function of establishing continuity during switching operations. The electronic switch provides precise control of the continuity establishment timing, substituting the mechanical action with electronic control to achieve better timing precision and reduce contact resistance issues.
3Reliability
If a direct-current switch is designed to withstand arc heat, then the switch can handle direct current switching, but the switch size becomes extremely large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by opening the mechanical switch first to interrupt the current path before the electronic switch opens. This preliminary current interruption prevents arc generation, eliminating the need for large heat-withstanding components. The timing control ensures the mechanical switch acts first, keeping the device compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical arc-withstanding mechanism with an electronic switching mechanism. Instead of designing mechanical contacts to withstand arc heat, the system uses electronic switches controlled to open after current interruption, replacing the need for large thermal management components with compact electronic circuitry.
4Volume of moving object
If the electronic open/close switch is made smaller to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but power loss increases due to higher resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by limiting the electronic switch's continuous conduction duty. The electronic switch operates periodically only during brief switching transitions, while the mechanical switch handles continuous current conduction. This time-sharing approach allows the electronic switch to be small without causing significant power loss, as it carries current only momentarily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action to establish the electronic switch continuity briefly before the mechanical switch opens completely. This preliminary continuity establishment allows the electronic switch to be small, as it only needs to conduct current momentarily during the transition, not continuously, reducing both size and associated power loss.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A miniaturized direct-current switch with which power loss is reduced when establishing continuity of a direct-current path is provided. A direct-current switch includes an electronic open/close switch 15 inserted in a direct-current path along which a direct current flows in order to make the direct-current path an open circuit or a closed circuit, a parallel mechanical open/close switch 16 connected in parallel to the electronic open/close switch, and a switch control circuit 14 that controls the opening or closing time difference mutually between the parallel mechanical open/close switch 16 and the electronic open/close switch 15, wherein the switch control circuit 14 makes the parallel mechanical open/close switch 16 a closed circuit a predetermined time after the electronic open/close switch 15 has been made a closed circuit.