J-Shaped Flexible Conductor for Vacuum Interrupter Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum interrupters experience significant stress and strain in their flexible connectors due to the movement of the movable contact, leading to connector failure, which is undesirable and reduces the lifespan of the device.

Innovation Solution

An improved connection apparatus featuring a J-shaped flexible conductor with a hole at its midpoint to reduce stress and strain, and a co-formed flexible and rigid conductor unit to eliminate the need for detachable fasteners, thereby minimizing heat generation and extending the lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible connector is used to connect the movable shank and the primary conductor, then the connection apparatus can accommodate the movement of the movable contact, but the connector experiences significant stress and strain leading to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of movable contact movementVSAvoidconnector lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible connector is divided into multiple segments or loops, allowing the movement to be distributed across multiple flexible sections rather than concentrated in a single point, thereby reducing stress and strain on any one segment while maintaining adaptability to the movable contact's movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible connector is designed with curved or looped geometry instead of straight lines, enabling it to flex and accommodate movement more effectively. The curved paths distribute mechanical stress more evenly throughout the connector structure, reducing the likelihood of failure at any single point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If detachable fasteners are used to connect the flexible and rigid conductors, then the connection apparatus can be assembled and disassembled, but heat generation increases and lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly capabilityVSAvoidheat generation at connection point

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible conductor and rigid conductor are merged into a single co-formed unitary element, eliminating the need for detachable fasteners. This continuous, seamless connection removes the contact resistance and heat generation associated with mechanical fasteners, while the co-formed design inherently provides both flexibility and structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9825390B2Connection apparatus usable in vacuum interrupter

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

An improved connection apparatus that meets these and other needs includes, in one embodiment, an approximately J-shaped flexible conductor having at its end an opening that receives therethrough a portion of the shank for mechanical and electrical connection therebetween. The conductor further includes a hole formed therein at approximately its midpoint that receives therein, in a movable and non-contacting fashion, another portion of the elongated shank. In another pair of embodiments, another connection apparatus includes a flexible conductor that is co-formed with a rigid conductor to form a single piece unitary element. The free end of the flexible conductor is connected with the movable shank, and the rigid conductor is connectable with the primary conductor of the circuit. By providing the flexible conductor and the rigid conductor as a co-formed unit, a detachable fastener need not be employed to provide a connection therebetween, which reduces heat generation.