High-Current Switch Insulating Body for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-current circuit breakers face challenges in stability and insulation due to transverse forces and potential flashovers caused by gaps between insulating elements, which can lead to reduced service life and malfunction.

Innovation Solution

The use of a single, integrally formed insulating body for both the pole head and pole carrier support devices eliminates gaps and enhances structural stability and insulation by distributing mechanical stress and preventing electric field-induced flashovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate insulating elements are used for pole head and pole carrier support devices, then the structure allows for easier manufacturing and assembly, but gaps between the insulating elements can cause flashovers and reduce insulation properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate insulating elements into a single integrally formed insulating body that supports both the pole head and pole carrier. This merging eliminates gaps between insulating elements that could cause flashovers, thereby improving insulation properties and reliability while maintaining manageable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If two separate insulating elements are used for pole head and pole carrier support devices, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but tolerances cannot be compensated leading to mechanical prestressing and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the support devices into one piece, the patent eliminates the need to compensate for tolerance accumulations between multiple components. This prevents mechanical prestressing during assembly, thereby extending the service life of the circuit breaker while the integral structure remains manufacturable using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a one-piece insulating body is used for both support devices, then insulation properties and stability are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a single integrally formed insulating body that provides enhanced structural stability and eliminates gaps between components. While this merging increases manufacturing complexity compared to separate elements, the integral structure achieves superior stability and insulation performance that outweighs the manufacturing challenge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a one-piece insulating body is used for both support devices, then gaps are eliminated preventing flashovers, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of flashoversVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single continuous insulating body structure that completely eliminates gaps where flashovers could occur. This merging of insulating elements creates a seamless insulation path, significantly improving reliability by preventing flashovers between current-carrying parts and the retaining wall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2016603B1Power switch, especially high-current switch
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2016603B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2016603B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a power switch, especially a high-current switch, comprising at least one pole unit (2) with a pole head (3) and a pole base (4) and a contact system (5) interposed therebetween, and a drive unit (9, 10) for passing a switching movement into a mobile contact (8) of the contact system (5). Every pole head (3) and every pole base (4) of the pole unit (2) is fastened to a retaining wall (15) of the power switch by means of respective supporting elements (11, 12), said supporting elements (11, 12) comprising a single one-piece insulating body (16).