Movable Terminal Assembly With Dual Contact Pressure for Short-Circuit Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactors face challenges in withstanding short-circuit current due to insufficient contact pressure between movable and static terminals, leading to potential safety accidents and requiring complex, difficult-to-install, and costly anti-short-circuit current schemes.
Innovation Solution
A contactor movable terminal assembly that includes a movable terminal, a driving shaft, a main elastic member, and an auxiliary elastic member. The main elastic member provides primary contact pressure, while the auxiliary elastic member, which is axially compressed only in the closed position, provides additional contact pressure to enhance the contactor's ability to withstand short-circuit current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ferromagnetic components are added around the movable terminal to generate electromagnetic attraction force opposing electric repulsion, then the ability to withstand short-circuit current is improved, but the structure becomes complex, installation becomes difficult, and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of generating opposing force during short-circuit conditions and implements it through a simplified elastic member mechanism rather than complex ferromagnetic components. The elastic member is pre-compressed to provide continuous contact pressure that automatically opposes electric repulsion forces, eliminating the need for surrounding ferromagnetic structures while maintaining the ability to withstand short-circuit current.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the elastic member by pre-compressing it between the movable terminal and driving shaft. This pre-compression creates an initial contact pressure that can dynamically respond to short-circuit conditions. The elastic modulus and compression amount are optimized to provide sufficient opposing force during short-circuit events while maintaining normal operation, thereby improving reliability without adding structural complexity.
2Reliability
If ferromagnetic components are added around the movable terminal to generate electromagnetic attraction force, then the ability to withstand short-circuit current is improved, but installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the short-circuit protection function into the existing contactor structure by integrating the elastic member within the terminal assembly. The elastic member is positioned between the movable terminal and driving shaft, combining the contact pressure function with the short-circuit resistance function in a single integrated component rather than adding separate ferromagnetic assemblies, thereby simplifying installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple elastic member that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than complex ferromagnetic components that would be difficult to install and replace. The elastic member serves as a maintenance-friendly component that provides reliable short-circuit protection through its elastic properties without requiring complex installation procedures.
3Reliability
If ferromagnetic components are added around the movable terminal, then the ability to withstand short-circuit current is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive ferromagnetic components with a simple elastic member that is inexpensive to manufacture. The elastic member can be made from common elastic materials and requires minimal processing, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while still providing the necessary short-circuit protection through its elastic rebound characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves short-circuit protection through optimizing the elastic parameters of a simple member rather than manufacturing complex ferromagnetic structures. By adjusting the elastic modulus, dimensions, and pre-compression amount of the elastic member, the desired protective effect is achieved with minimal manufacturing complexity and cost.
4Reliability
If contact pressure between movable and static terminals is increased to prevent separation during short-circuit current, then the ability to withstand short-circuit current is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic elastic member that automatically adjusts contact pressure based on operational conditions. The elastic member is pre-compressed to provide continuous contact pressure that increases during short-circuit events when electric repulsion forces are highest, and maintains appropriate pressure during normal operation. This dynamic response eliminates the need for complex pressure control mechanisms while ensuring sufficient contact pressure when needed.
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 proposed solution effectively enhances the contactor's ability to withstand short-circuit current by providing dual contact pressures, thereby reducing the risk of terminal separation and arc generation, while also simplifying the structure and reducing installation complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a main elastic member axially compressed between a bottom of the movable terminal and the driving shaft to provide a main contact pressure to the movable terminal
Implementation Method 2
an auxiliary elastic member disposed between the movable terminal and the driving shaft... The auxiliary elastic member is axially compressed between the bottom of the movable terminal and the driving shaft to provide an auxiliary contact pressure to the movable terminal
Implementation Method 3
The driving shaft drives the movable terminal from an opened position electrically separated from a static terminal to a closed position electrically in contact with the static terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A contactor movable terminal assembly includes a movable terminal, a driving shaft movably connected to the movable terminal, a main elastic member axially compressed between a bottom of the movable terminal and the driving shaft to provide a main contact pressure to the movable terminal, and an auxiliary elastic member disposed between the movable terminal and the driving shaft. The driving shaft drives the movable terminal from an opened position electrically separated from a static terminal to a closed position electrically in contact with the static terminal. The auxiliary elastic member is axially compressed between the bottom of the movable terminal and the driving shaft to provide an auxiliary contact pressure to the movable terminal when the movable terminal is in the closed position. The auxiliary elastic member is not axially compressed when the movable terminal is in the opened position.