Electromagnetic Switch Control for Stable Closing Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

High closing speeds in electric switches can lead to excessive wear and mechanical interlock failures, reducing the service life and reliability of the switch.

Innovation Solution

A control method and device that adjust the target control parameters for the electromagnetic assembly based on the control voltage, ensuring a stable closing speed by determining different target voltages and currents for varying voltage ranges, thereby preventing excessive wear and mechanical interlock failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the closing speed of the movable contact is increased to improve switching performance, then the switching speed is improved, but excessive wear of the contact point occurs and mechanical interlock failure may happen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing speedVSAvoidcontact wear and mechanical interlock reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the control parameters of the electromagnetic assembly adjustable and variable. The control device dynamically adjusts the target control parameter based on the actual control voltage to maintain a stable closing speed within a predetermined range, rather than using fixed parameters. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to adapt its behavior in real-time to prevent both excessive wear and ensure reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameters (voltage or current) of the electromagnetic assembly based on the input control voltage. The control device determines a target control parameter that varies with the control voltage level, ensuring the closing speed remains within the optimal range. This parameter adjustment strategy directly addresses the contradiction by preventing excessive closing speed while maintaining reliable contact closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a fixed high target control parameter is used to ensure reliable closing at low control voltage, then closing reliability at low voltage is improved, but the closing speed becomes excessively high at high control voltage causing contact wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclosing reliability at low voltageVSAvoidclosing speed at high voltage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control device dynamically adjusts the target control parameter based on the actual control voltage level. When control voltage is low, higher target parameters ensure reliable closing; when control voltage is high, reduced target parameters prevent excessive closing speed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ensuring reliable closing at low voltage and preventing excessive speed at high voltage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by making the target control parameter variable according to the control voltage. The control device calculates appropriate target parameters that adapt to different voltage conditions, ensuring reliable operation across the full voltage range while preventing excessive closing speed that would cause contact wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 maintains a stable closing speed across the control voltage range, ensuring reliable operation and extending the service life of the electric switch while preventing mechanical interlock failures.

Implementation Method 1

a control signal for a regulation device... to cause the electromagnetic assembly to drive a movable contact of the electric switch to contact a static contact of the electric switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4345859A1Control method and control device for electric switch, and electric switch
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4345859A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4345859A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4345859A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control method and a control device for an electric switch, and an electric switch. The control method includes: obtaining a voltage signal representing a control voltage, the control voltage input to the electric switch and applied to an electromagnetic assembly of the electric switch via a regulation device of the electric switch; determining, based on the voltage signal obtained, a target control parameter for the electromagnetic assembly, the target control parameter comprising at least one of a target voltage and a target current; and generating, based on the target control parameter determined, a control signal for the regulation device, to cause the electromagnetic assembly to drive a movable contact of the electric switch to contact a static contact of the electric switch. The solution of the present disclosure can effectively reduce wear of contact points of contacts, to thus prolong the service life of the electric switch.