Igniter-Driven Circuit Switch With Deformable Conductive Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical circuit switching devices, such as electromagnetic relays, take too long to switch a circuit from a disconnection state to a conduction state, leading to potential equipment failure due to overcurrents.
Innovation Solution
The electrical circuit switching device employs a configuration where a casing with conductivity is deformed by the energy of a combustion gas generated by an igniter, causing the casing to expand and make contact with conductor pieces, thereby switching the circuit to a conduction state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromagnetic relay is used to switch the electrical circuit, then the switching mechanism is simple and reliable, but the switching time is too long causing equipment failure due to overcurrent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic actuation mechanism with a pyroelectric driving mechanism. An igniter generates combustion gas that directly drives the conductor pieces to contact, eliminating the electromagnetic conversion process and significantly reducing switching time while maintaining protection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving energy parameter from electromagnetic energy to thermal/combustion energy. The igniter generates high-temperature combustion gas that rapidly expands to drive the conductor pieces, changing the energy conversion path to achieve faster switching response
2Loss of time
If the casing is deformed by combustion gas energy to bring conductor pieces into contact, then the switching time is significantly shortened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a deformable casing that can change shape under combustion gas pressure. The casing acts as both a structural component and a driving element, expanding to push the conductor pieces into contact, thereby reducing the need for separate actuating mechanisms and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The casing serves multiple functions: it contains the combustion gas, deforms to drive the conductor pieces, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, offsetting the added complexity of the pyroelectric mechanism
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
This solution significantly shortens the time required to switch the electrical circuit, providing quicker protection against overcurrents and preventing equipment failure.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge chamber in which a combustion gas from the igniter is discharged when the igniter is actuated
Implementation Method 2
the casing is deformed and thus expands to an outside of the discharge chamber by energy of a combustion gas generated by actuation of the igniter
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical circuit switching device includes a discharge chamber in which a combustion gas from the igniter is discharged when the igniter is actuated; a casing having conductivity and defining at least a part of the discharge chamber; and a pair of first conductor pieces arranged outside the discharge chamber in a state of being separated from each other, each of the pair of first conductor pieces forming a part of the first electrical circuit, in which before actuation of the igniter, at least one of the pair of first conductor pieces and the casing are in a non-contact state with each other and thus the first electrical circuit is in a disconnection state, and when the igniter is actuated, the casing is deformed and thus expands to an outside of the discharge chamber by energy of a combustion gas generated by actuation of the igniter.