Elastic Contact Plate Position Switch for Circuit Breaker Dimensional Error Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional position switches for circuit breakers face issues with precise position checking due to inadequate dimensioning of switch blocks and levers, leading to potential damage and contact errors when the breaker body moves in the cradle.
Innovation Solution
A position switch with a switch housing, a rotatably hinge-coupled switch lever, and a contact plate that can be slidably coupled to the housing, allowing for a pushing operation and compensating for dimensional errors by using elastically variable contact plates that can rotate the switch lever and maintain contact with switch blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional position switches with fixed switch blocks and levers are used, then the structure is simple, but position detection precision deteriorates due to dimensional errors causing contact errors and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the contact plate elastically deformable rather than rigid. The contact plate can bend and adjust its position dynamically to compensate for dimensional errors in the switch blocks and levers, ensuring reliable contact with the switch block throughout the breaker body's movement range. This elastic deformation capability allows the system to maintain measurement precision without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the contact plate from rigid to elastic by selecting materials with appropriate elastic properties. This parameter change allows the contact plate to adapt its shape and position based on the forces applied during operation, compensating for dimensional variations in the mechanical components and maintaining reliable electrical contact throughout the full range of motion.
2Measurement precision
If switch blocks and levers are dimensioned with tight tolerances to improve position checking accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the contact plate from rigid to elastic, allowing it to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the switch blocks and levers. This eliminates the need for tight dimensional tolerances in these components, significantly easing manufacturing while maintaining position detection accuracy. The elastic contact plate absorbs the dimensional variations through its ability to deform and adapt to the actual positions of the mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic contact plate serves as an intermediary element between the switch block and the lever. It mediates the dimensional errors in the rigid components by deforming to maintain proper contact geometry, thereby isolating the measurement system from the effects of manufacturing tolerances and simplifying the manufacturing requirements for the other components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the contact plate is made rigid for structural stability, then structural stability improves, but adaptability to dimensional variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the contact plate from a rigid, static component to an elastic, dynamic one. The elastic contact plate can adapt its configuration in real-time based on the forces applied and the positions of the switch block and lever, maintaining stable electrical contact despite dimensional variations. This dynamic adaptability provides both structural stability during operation and tolerance for manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the contact plate from rigidity to elasticity. This parameter change enables the contact plate to maintain stable electrical contact while adapting to dimensional variations in the switch block and lever positions. The elastic properties allow the contact plate to deform within acceptable limits while maintaining reliable contact, providing both stability and adaptability.
4Device complexity
If switch levers are directly coupled to switch bodies without elastic elements, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from dimensional errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing the elastic contact plate as a protective element between the switch block and the lever. This elastic element anticipates and absorbs the dimensional errors and mechanical shocks that would otherwise directly transmit to the switch bodies, preventing damage before it occurs. The contact plate deforms to cushion the impact of dimensional variations, protecting the more expensive and critical switch bodies from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical coupling from rigid to elastic by using an elastically deformable contact plate. This parameter change in the coupling mechanism provides reliability by allowing the system to accommodate dimensional errors without causing damage to the switch bodies. The elastic properties enable the coupling to maintain electrical contact while absorbing mechanical shocks and dimensional variations.
Data Source
AI summary
A position switch and a circuit breaker having a position switch are provided. Contact plates, each having an elastically variable height, may be provided between switch blocks and switch levers. A testing contact plate and a running contact plate may compensate for inferior dimensioning of the switch blocks and the switch levers. Such a configuration may allow a position of a breaker body to be quickly and accurately displayed and, further, may prevent damage of the position switch provided at the breaker body. Furthermore, such a configuration may prevent any connection inferiority between a terminal of the breaker body and a terminal of a cradle.