Dual-Side Drive Mechanism for Synchronous Switching in Dual-Power Changeover Switches

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-power changeover switches face challenges in synchronous switching when reusing modular units, particularly due to nonsynchronous closing motions caused by elongate shafts, leading to inconsistent operation in high-current applications.

Innovation Solution

An operating mechanism with a manual operating device, synchronizing rod, and driving members that rotate simultaneously to drive the breaking units of poles, utilizing transmission assemblies with gears to ensure synchronized switching, reducing torsional inconsistencies and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-side drive mechanism is used for the movable contact carrier, then the structure is simpler, but nonsynchronous closing between poles occurs when the ratio of length to diameter of the movable contact carrier is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrive mechanism structureVSAvoidsynchronous closing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The drive mechanism is segmented into two independent drive systems, one on each side of the housing. Each drive system independently drives the movable contact carrier from its respective side, allowing both sides to operate simultaneously and synchronously, thereby eliminating the nonsynchronous closing problem while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If modular units are reused for high-current dual-power changeover switch, then production efficiency and cost are improved, but reliable synchronous switching becomes difficult to ensure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronous switching reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The operating mechanism is designed as a universal module that can be applied to both low-current and high-current dual-power changeover switches. By standardizing the dual-side drive mechanism and supporting plate assembly, the same modular unit achieves reliable synchronous switching across different current ratings, improving production efficiency without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second supporting plates are designed with symmetrical structure and equivalent mechanical properties, creating equipotential conditions for torque transmission on both sides. This ensures that when the same modular operating mechanism is used, both sides experience equal stress and deformation characteristics, guaranteeing synchronous switching reliability in high-current applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of manufacture

If cost reduction is achieved by reusing components for housing frames of different current levels, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the complexity of ensuring synchronous operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsynchronous operation control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second driving rods are merged into a single integrated movable contact carrier structure, and the first and second supporting plates are combined into a unified support system. This merging approach allows the same modular operating mechanism to control all poles simultaneously, simplifying the synchronous operation control while enabling cost reduction through component reuse across different current levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4258308B1Operating mechanism for dual-power changeover switch and dual-power changeover switch
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4258308B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4258308B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4258308B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An operating mechanism for a dual-power changeover switch and the dual-power changeover switch are disclosed. The operating mechanism includes: a manual operating device arranged on a first side of a housing of the dual-power changeover switch and configured to rotate around a rotation axis under the action of a driving force; a synchronizing rod connected to the manual operating device in a transmission way, wherein the synchronizing rod includes a first end and a second end and is configured to be rotatable around an extension direction thereof when the manual operating device rotates; a first driving member arranged on the first end of the synchronizing rod and connected with a first driving disc assembly at a first end of a main shaft shared by breaking units of poles; and a second driving member arranged on the second end of the synchronizing rod and connected with a second driving disc assembly at a second end of the main shaft, wherein the first driving member and the second driving member are configured to rotate in a same direction simultaneously, with the synchronizing rod as a rotation shaft, when the synchronizing rod rotates, so as to drive the first driving disc assembly and the second driving disc assembly to rotate, thereby driving the main shaft to perform an opening motion and a closing motion.