Flexible Spring Contact for Electromagnetic Coil Connection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connection devices for electromagnetic switching devices suffer from material wear due to rigid contact elements that do not compensate for the dynamics of the drive unit, leading to potential damage during switching operations.

Innovation Solution

A connection device utilizing a flexible compression spring as a contact element between the coil and the drive area, which is designed to be tolerant-compensating and distance-compensating, ensuring reliable electrical contact while minimizing material wear and simplifying assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid contact element (pin) is used to connect the coil to the drive area, then the electrical contact is stable and reliable, but the surfaces of the connection points are damaged by switching movements due to lack of compensation for drive unit dynamics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical contact stabilityVSAvoidmaterial wear and surface damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid pin with a spring element that can dynamically adapt to the movements and deformations of the drive unit during switching operations. The spring element absorbs mechanical stresses and maintains continuous electrical contact despite position changes, thereby preventing surface damage while ensuring reliable electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the contact element from rigid to elastic. By using a spring element with appropriate stiffness and damping characteristics, the system can compensate for dynamic movements and maintain optimal contact pressure, reducing material wear while preserving electrical conductivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a rigid pin connection is used between the coil and drive area, then the assembly structure is simple, but the assembly and maintenance require precise positioning which increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection structure simplicityVSAvoidassembly and maintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible spring element instead of a rigid pin, allowing the connection to accommodate misalignments and tolerance variations during assembly. The elastic nature of the spring provides self-centering and tolerance compensation, making assembly and maintenance easier without requiring precise positioning, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If a spring element is used as the contact between the drive area and the coil, then the contact is tolerant-compensating and distance-compensating, but the device complexity increases compared to a rigid pin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance and distance compensationVSAvoidconnection element complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring element whose elastic properties enable it to compensate for tolerances and distance variations in the connection between the coil and drive area. The spring's ability to deform elastically allows it to adapt to position variations while maintaining reliable electrical contact, providing adaptability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

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 flexible connection element reduces material wear during switching operations, ensures reliable electrical contact, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for precise positioning, allowing for geometrically simple contact surfaces and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the contact between Drive area and coil is formed via a flexible connection element... The flexible connection element according to the invention is thus path-compensating and is designed as a compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2460165B1Connection device for a coil of an electromagnetic switching device
Publication Date: 2016.08.03 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2460165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2460165B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection device for a coil (5) of an electromagnetic switching device having a switching region comprising contacts and a driving region comprising an anchor, a coil and a yoke, the contacts of the switching region being operatively connected to the driving region. The invention is characterized in that the contacting between the driving region and the coil (5) is established via a form-flexible connection element (3).