Generator Disconnect Latch With Rising Reaction Force Under Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing generator drive disconnect devices fail to securely maintain the disconnected state under high vibration or severe operating conditions, as conventional spring-loaded latches may not provide sufficient force to resist movement back to the connected configuration.
Innovation Solution
A generator drive disconnect device with a latch mechanism that includes a support structure, a latch member, and a biasing mechanism, where the reaction force increases with the distance of the latch member from its retracted position, ensuring secure holding in the disconnected configuration without hindering the operation during retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional spring-loaded latch is used to hold the disconnect device in the disconnected configuration, then the latch can be simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but the spring force may not be sufficient to hold the latch in the latched state under high levels of vibration or severe operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static spring force to a dynamic cam-follower system where the reaction force varies with the latch member position. The cam profile is designed to provide increasing reaction force as the latch member moves from retracted to extended position, enabling the system to adapt to varying vibrational and operational loads while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the force parameter from a constant spring force to a variable reaction force that increases with latch member extension distance. This parameter change allows the latch to provide sufficient holding force under severe conditions while maintaining operational ease during retraction.
2Force
If a mechanical disconnect device with a large and powerful spring is used, then the assembly process is robust and reliable, but the axial force it can produce is typically limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the spring-loaded latch and the drive transfer means. It transforms the limited axial force from a conventional spring into a variable reaction force that increases with latch extension, effectively amplifying the force capability without requiring a larger or more complex spring system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces a static, limited-force spring with a dynamic cam-follower mechanism that generates increasing reaction force based on latch position. This dynamic force generation allows the disconnect device to overcome higher resistance forces during disconnection while maintaining a compact and manageable structure.
3Reliability
If a basic spring loaded latch is used, then the spring rate can be selected as a compromise between applying sufficient force to maintain a latched state and avoiding excessive frictional forces, but the spring force might not be sufficient to hold the latch in the latched state in the event of high levels of vibration or severe operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the force parameter from a constant spring force to a variable reaction force that increases with latch member extension distance. This parameter change allows the latch to provide sufficient holding force under severe conditions while maintaining operational ease during retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static spring force to a dynamic cam-follower system where the reaction force varies with the latch member position. The cam profile is designed to provide increasing reaction force as the latch member moves from retracted to extended position, enabling the system to adapt to varying vibrational and operational loads while maintaining reliability.
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 device effectively maintains the disconnected state under severe conditions, preventing unintended reconnection and ensuring the generator remains disconnected until the fault is resolved, while allowing easy reconnection when the emergency situation ends.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing mechanism configured to generate a biasing force to bias the latch member towards the extended position
Implementation Method 2
the reaction force having a magnitude which increases as the distance of the latch member from the retracted position increases
Data Source
AI summary
A generator drive disconnect device comprising a drive transfer means (100) having a connected configuration, and a disconnected configuration. The disconnect device further comprises a disconnect mechanism, configured to move the drive transfer means from the connected configuration to the disconnected configuration, and a latch mechanism configured to the hold the drive transfer means in the disconnected configuration. The latch mechanism includes a latch member, which is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a biasing force to bias the latch member towards the extended position and to apply a reaction force to the latch member to resist movement of the latch member towards the retracted position, the reaction force having a magnitude which increases as a function of the distance of the latch member from the retracted position.