Energy Storage Mechanism for Free-Tripping Switch Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current free tripping devices for state-switching units in electrical control systems require high torsional moments for handle operation, leading to operational inconvenience and difficulty in controlling state-switching units, and lack the ability for immediate free tripping during maintenance, posing risks of equipment damage and operator injury.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage mechanism with a locking and unlocking assembly allows the actuator to rotate independently of the operating assembly, enabling free tripping by storing and releasing energy through a torsion spring accumulator, and unlocking via an electromagnetic trigger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle size is increased to increase the force arm length for effortless switching operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device occupies more space and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy storage mechanism as an intermediary between the handle and the switching mechanism. The energy storage element accumulates energy during handle rotation and releases it to drive the switching action, allowing the handle to remain small while still achieving effortless operation through energy accumulation rather than direct force transmission.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is manually controlled for switching operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the free tripping function cannot be achieved, leading to equipment damage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element is pre-loaded with energy during the handle rotation process. This preliminary energy storage enables the mechanism to perform automatic free tripping when needed, as the stored energy can be rapidly released to drive the switching action without requiring manual intervention at the moment of tripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the handle can operate in two modes: manual controlled switching when the energy storage element is engaged, and automatic free tripping when the energy storage element releases its stored energy. This dynamic behavior allows the same mechanism to provide both ease of manual operation and reliable automatic protection.
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
Facilitates easy handle operation and ensures safe, immediate free tripping during maintenance, reducing operational difficulty and equipment damage risks.
Implementation Method 1
storing and releasing energy through a torsion spring accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an energy storage mechanism for state switching operation in an electrical control system, comprising: a housing; an operating assembly including an energy storage element; an actuator connected to a state-switching unit of the electrical control system; a locking assembly, wherein the energy storage element connects the operating assembly and the actuator and is enabled to store energy by changing a relative position between the operating assembly and the actuator, and the operating assembly is connectable to the actuator through the locking assembly to be in a locked state; and wherein the operating assembly is then driven to move in an opposite direction, which moves the actuator in the same direction, thereby the actuator drives the state-switching unit of the electrical control system to change its position state; and an unlocking assembly which, upon receiving a trigger signal, is capable of releasing the locked state between the operating assembly and the actuator, and the actuator then moving under the released energy of the energy storage element, thereby driving the state-switching unit of the electrical control system to change its position state again. The present invention enables opening in a free tripping way, so as to realize free tripping.