Integrated Residual Current Switch for Compact Circuit Card Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residual current safety switches independent of operating voltage are structurally complex and physically large, making them unsuitable for compact applications such as circuit cards, and require additional components that complicate installation.
Innovation Solution
A main switch arrangement featuring a movable main shaft, a trip part, an actuator, a summation current transformer, and a return spring, where the actuator's protrusion pushes the trip part to initiate a rotational motion, releasing spring force and displacing the contact module into a non-conductive state, allowing for independent tripping and re-arming without voltage-dependent measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage-independent residual current safety switch technology is used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main switch assembly and residual current safety switch into a single integrated unit. The main switch housing and residual current safety switch housing are merged into one common housing structure, eliminating the need for separate assemblies and reducing overall complexity while maintaining voltage-independent protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The common housing structure serves multiple functions: it houses both the main switch assembly and residual current safety switch, provides mechanical support for both components, and enables compact integration on circuit cards. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate structural components needed
2Reliability
If voltage-independent residual current safety switch technology is used, then reliability is improved, but the physical dimensions become too large for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The residual current safety switch is nested within the same housing as the main switch assembly. The trip unit and contacts are arranged in a compact configuration where components are nested or closely integrated, significantly reducing the overall volume compared to separate assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the main switch and residual current safety switch into a single integrated unit with shared housing and mounting structure, the patent achieves compact dimensions suitable for circuit card installation while maintaining voltage-independent protection functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If separate main switch assembly and residual current safety switch are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the main switch assembly and residual current safety switch into a single manufactured unit with a common housing and shared mounting structure. This reduces installation complexity by eliminating the need to separately mount and coordinate two separate assemblies, while the modular internal design maintains ease of manufacturing for each functional component
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 design simplifies the structure, reduces size, and enables independent fault current detection and re-arming, facilitating compact integration on circuit cards and in appliances like kitchen and bathroom sockets, eliminating the need for complex tripping and re-arming mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the rotational motion of the trip part is further adapted to release the spring force formed by the return spring, said spring force lifting the main shaft and/or lowering the contact module
Implementation Method 2
residual current safety switches that are independent of operating voltage, provided with tripping technology occurring by means of a summation current transformer and a current-sensitive relay
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
A main switch arrangement for a residual current safety switch, which arrangement comprises a main shaft (1) movable in the vertical direction and a trip part (2) arranged essentially around the main shaft, which trip part is adapted to turn around the main shaft, an actuator (12) and a summation current transformer connected electrically to it, which actuator (12) is arranged essentially in connection with the trip part (2), at least one return spring (8, 9) and a contact module. The main shaft (1), trip part (2), return spring (8, 9) and actuator (12) are arranged in such a way that in a fault current situation a protrusion (13) projecting from the actuator is adapted to push the trip part (2) and to bring about a rotational motion in the trip part, and wherein the rotational motion of the trip part is further adapted to release the spring force formed by the return spring (8, 9), said spring force lifting the main shaft and/or lowering the contact module, in such a way that the contact module of the main switch in connection with the main shaft displaces into an electrically non-conductive state.