Drive Rod Rotatable Coupling for High-Voltage Switchgear Misalignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive rods for high-voltage switching devices lack operational flexibility, making it difficult to compensate for misalignments between components, leading to increased mechanical stress, friction losses, and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bearing assembly with a bearing carrier, first and second axial ball bearings, and coupling means that allow for free rotatability between the first and second sections of the drive rod, enabling compensation of misalignments and reducing axial play, thus enhancing operational flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid coupling is used between the first and second sections of the drive rod, then structural simplicity is maintained, but operational flexibility and ability to compensate misalignments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure enables parameter changes by allowing the drive rod to transition from a fixed rigid connection to a flexible articulated connection. The bearing assembly permits angular deviations and misalignments between the first and second sections, transforming the drive rod from a rigid body to a system with controlled degrees of freedom, thereby improving operational flexibility without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling introduces dynamic characteristics to the drive rod system by enabling relative motion between sections. The bearing assembly allows the drive rod to adapt its configuration dynamically during operation, compensating for misalignments and accommodating variations in the drive mechanism or movable contact element positions while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If misalignments are not compensated, then structural simplicity is maintained, but mechanical stress and friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling enables the drive rod to dynamically adjust its configuration to compensate for misalignments between the drive mechanism and movable contact element. By allowing angular deviations through the bearing assembly, the system reduces mechanical stress concentrations and minimizes friction losses that would otherwise occur due to forced rigid alignment, thereby improving reliability and reducing energy waste
3Manufacturing precision
If axial play is not reduced, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but switching precision and speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly acts as an intermediary element between the first and second sections of the drive rod. It provides a controlled interface that minimizes axial play while accommodating misalignments, achieving high switching precision without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the drive rod sections themselves, thus balancing manufacturing precision with ease of assembly
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 increased operational flexibility, reduced mechanical stress and friction losses, improved durability, and reduced energy consumption, while allowing for precise alignment and assembly, leading to shorter switching times and increased service life.
Implementation Method 1
Said coupling means comprise a bearing assembly having a bearing carrier, a first axial bearing (also denoted as thrust bearing) arranged on said bearing carrier, and a second axial bearing (also denoted as thrust bearing) arranged on said bearing carrier. Said first axial bearing and/or said second axial bearing is an axial ball bearing (also denoted as ball thrust bearing).
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive rod (100) for driving a movable contact element (2010) of a high-voltage switching device (2000), wherein said drive rod (100) comprises a first section (110) for connecting said drive rod (100) to a drive mechanism (2020), a second section (120) for connecting said drive rod (100) to said movable contact element (2010), and an intermediate section (130) between said first section (110) and said second section (120), characterized in that said intermediate section (130) comprises coupling means (1300) for rotatably coupling said first section (110) to said second section (120).