Grounding Switch Mechanical Energy Store
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-closing switches, particularly those using chemical gas generators, face issues with maintenance requirements due to aging propellants, costly double vacuum designs, long switching times, and inability to reuse after a switching event.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring a mechanical energy store with a locking mechanism, insulating liquid, and a trigger device that allows immediate acceleration of the moving contact upon triggering, eliminating the need for reactive propellants and enabling reuse after a switching event.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If chemical gas generators are used to move the movable contact, then the switch can achieve quick closing, but the reactive propellants are subject to aging and require regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical gas generator system with a mechanical energy store system. A spring element is pre-charged to store mechanical energy, which is then released to drive the movable contact. This substitution eliminates reactive propellants and their aging issues while maintaining the quick-closing function, directly resolving the contradiction between switching speed and maintenance requirements.
2Speed
If chemical gas generators are used, then the switch can operate, but the driving force must first be built up by the reaction of chemical substances before the moving contact can be accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the spring element before the switching operation is needed. The mechanical energy is stored in advance, so when the switching signal is received, the movable contact can be immediately accelerated without waiting for chemical reactions to build up driving force. This eliminates the time delay associated with chemical propellant activation.
3Reliability
If two separate vacuums are used to prevent breakdown discharge, then unwanted short circuits are avoided, but the vacuum chamber requires costly double design and the switching path is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the medium parameter from vacuum to insulating liquid (such as insulating oil or ester). This single liquid medium provides both insulation and arc quenching functions, eliminating the need for complex double vacuum chamber design. The insulating liquid fills the space between contacts and effectively prevents breakdown discharges while simplifying the overall structure.
4Reliability
If two separate vacuums are used, then breakdown discharge is prevented, but the switching path is longer and switching times are longer
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from vacuum to insulating liquid medium, the patent achieves breakdown discharge prevention with a shorter switching path. The insulating liquid allows for a more compact arrangement of the switching path while maintaining reliable insulation, thus reducing the time the movable contact must travel compared to the extended path required for double vacuum design.
5Ease of repair
If chemical gas generator is replaced, then maintenance can be performed, but the vacuums that are connected in the event of a switch cannot simply be separated again and the switch can be used again
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the system so that the insulating liquid automatically returns to its original position in the insulation chamber after the switching operation completes. The movable contact's movement creates a pressure differential that naturally draws the liquid back, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex separation mechanisms. This self-service characteristic enables immediate reuse of the switch after maintenance or replacement.
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 provides faster switching, reduced maintenance, and cost-effectiveness, with no special handling requirements for explosives, and eliminates statistical unwanted breakdown discharges, allowing for simple quality control and safe electrical testing.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical energy store (4), in the open state an insulating gap (8, 17) between the fixed contact (8) and the moving contact (17)
Implementation Method 2
the insulating gap (8, 17) being at least partially filled with insulating liquid, such as in particular insulating oil or insulating ester
Implementation Method 3
the locking device (14) can be released from the locking device (15) by means of a release device (19), whereby the moving contact (17) can be released from the mechanical energy storage device (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a switch, in particular a grounding switch (1), for quickly establishing a ground connection and for extinguishing an arc fault for a switching system, wherein the grounding switch (1) has at least one fixed contact (8) having a first cable feed (8'), a moving contact (17), a contact guide (5) having a second cable feed (22, 23), a mechanical energy store (4, 24), in the opened state, an insulating distance between the fixed contact (8) and the moving contact (17), wherein the insulating distance is filled with insulation liquid (30), at least in part, a triggering device (19, 19a, 19b) and a locking mechanism.