Frictionless Switching Device for High-Frequency Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing switching devices for high-frequency signals above 40 GHz face issues with signal transmission due to friction-induced clearance, leading to misalignment and reliability degradation at microwave frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A switching device with two electrically insulating pusher arms and flexible strips that exert a return force on a contact piece, ensuring accurate axial movement without friction, allowing for precise positioning and reliable signal transmission up to 60 GHz.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guide rods are used to guide the contact piece during translational movement, then the contact piece is correctly positioned against the contact terminals, but friction occurs between the contact piece and guide rods creating dust that degrades reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guide rods from the system entirely, extracting the source of friction. Instead of guiding the contact piece through mechanical contact with rods, the invention uses a different mechanism (flexible printed circuit board with contactless guidance) to achieve positioning without friction-induced dust generation, thus resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the flexible printed circuit board with its specific geometry) that mediates the positioning function. This intermediary provides guidance and positioning accuracy without direct frictional contact between moving parts, eliminating dust generation while maintaining manufacturing precision
2Ease of operation
If clearance is provided in the guidance of the push member to allow movement, then the switching device can operate, but play remains at the end of the contact strip causing misalignment at high frequencies above 40 GHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical guidance system with clearance and play with a more precise positioning mechanism based on a flexible printed circuit board. This new system provides the necessary movement capability while eliminating the play and misalignment that occur at high frequencies, substituting a less precise mechanical system with a more accurate one
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the positioning structure by using a flexible printed circuit board with specific dimensions and flexibility characteristics. This allows the system to maintain contact pressure and alignment precision at high frequencies while still permitting the necessary switching movement, effectively changing the parameters that govern the balance between operation ease and alignment precision
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 enhances the accuracy of contact piece positioning on fixed terminals, reducing misalignment and ensuring effective transmission of high-frequency signals by eliminating friction and play, thus improving the reliability of the switching device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member
Data Source
AI summary
A switching device for opening and closing an electrical line, including:two fixed contact terminals separated from one another,an operating member, comprising a contact piece,at least one flexible strip comprising at least one end part attached to a fixed support, the flexible strip or strips being adapted to exert a return force on the contact piece to return it from its closed position to its open position in the absence of a motive force on the operating member,the operating member comprising two electrically insulating pusher arms, spaced apart from one another and each attached to an end part of the contact piece;each flexible strip comprising two other end parts, each attached to one of the two push arms or to a part of the operating member that is itself attached to, or forms an integral part of, one of the pusher arms.