Integral Contact Body for Low Voltage Switch Series Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multiple-pole switches experience excessive overheating and potential failures due to high electrical resistance and loose connections caused by threaded attachments, which require frequent maintenance and pose safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A low voltage switch with integral multiple contacts formed from a single piece of conductor material, eliminating the need for external bridges and reducing material interruptions and resistivity, ensuring continuous current flow and improved thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If threaded attachments (screws and flat bars) are used to connect contacts in series, then the switch can be assembled with separate components, but electrical resistance increases and overheating occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate contact components into a single integral contact body. Instead of using separate flat bars and screwed connections to link contacts in series, the invention creates one unified contact piece that inherently provides the series connection path, eliminating the threaded attachments and their associated resistance and reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

While the contact body is integral, the patent segments the connection function from the structural support function. The integral contact body provides both the electrical connection path and mechanical stability, removing the need for separate threaded fasteners and bridge components that created the original problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If threaded attachments are used to connect contacts, then component assembly is possible, but maintenance frequency increases due to loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the connection function and structural function into the integral contact body, the patent eliminates threaded attachments that are prone to loosening. The unified design removes the need for periodic maintenance to check and tighten screws, as there are no separate threaded connections to degrade over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If threaded attachments are used for connection, then assembly is flexible, but safety risks increase due to poor contact and overheating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidoverheating and fire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The integral contact body merges electrical conduction and mechanical connection into a single reliable structure, eliminating the threaded attachments that create high resistance points. This unified design ensures consistent electrical contact and eliminates the overheating and fire risks associated with loose or poor threaded connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents overheating and enhances safety by maintaining consistent contact pressure, reducing maintenance needs, and ensuring reliable operation while adhering to temperature and safety regulations.

Implementation Method 1

an integral piece made of a suitable conductor material connecting the poles of the switch associated with said contacts in series

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

maintaining consistent contact pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2667394B1Multiple-pole switch and/or circuit breaker for low voltage
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 GORLAN TEAM S L U
  • EP2667394B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2667394B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP2667394B1 patent drawingFigure 1d

AI summary

The invention relates to a switch and/or circuit breaker incorporating various cut-off poles that can be connected in series to reduce the cut-off voltage. The electric breaker switch comprises two groups of fixed contacts and a group of moving contacts able to move between an electrical cut-off position and an electrical closure position in which, and it incorporates at least one integral part made of a conductor material forming two fixed contacts of the same group of contacts, connecting the poles of the switch associated with said contacts in series. As a result of said integral part, several poles are more effectively and more safely connected in series, preventing excessive overheating of the terminals and possible switch failures.