LED Switching Mechanism with Polymer Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical switches experience electrode bouncing during the closing phase due to inefficient dissipation of kinetic energy, leading to arc formation and potential contact welding when switching on LEDs, caused by high inrush currents.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a movable polymer body positioned behind the fixed electrode to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy, acting as a third body in the collision, thus preventing electrode bouncing by fulfilling momentum and energy equations without retransferring velocity to the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical switch is used to switch on LED, then the LED can be controlled, but high inrush current causes arc formation and contact welding
Solution Approach 1:
A polymer body is positioned behind the fixed contact to act as a cushioning element. When the moving contact closes the circuit, the polymer body absorbs the kinetic energy and momentum of the moving contact, preventing excessive force and arc formation between the contacts during the high inrush current period.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer body serves as an intermediary element between the moving contact and the fixed contact. It mediates the collision by absorbing kinetic energy and momentum, thereby protecting the electrical contacts from direct high-impact collisions that cause bouncing and arc formation during LED switching.
2Ease of operation
If the moving electrode is made to collide with the further contact, then the switch closes, but kinetic energy is not dissipated efficiently causing bouncing
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer body is pre-positioned behind the fixed contact to provide cushioning. During switch closing, it absorbs the kinetic energy of the moving contact, converting it into deformation energy and heat, thereby preventing the elastic rebound that causes bouncing while maintaining efficient switch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer body changes its physical state during impact, deforming to absorb kinetic energy. This parameter change from rigid to deformed state allows efficient energy dissipation, converting the moving contact's kinetic energy into deformation work and thermal energy rather than elastic rebound.
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
Prevents electrode bouncing and arc formation, ensuring stable contact connection and extended switch lifespan by efficiently managing high inrush currents in LED switching applications.
Implementation Method 1
a body (5), in this case a movable polymer body, which absorbs or dissipates the kinetic energy and/ or the momentum, which is exerted from the moving electrode (3) on the further electrode (4)
Implementation Method 2
a body (5), in this case a movable polymer body, which absorbs or dissipates the kinetic energy and/ or the momentum, which is exerted from the moving electrode (3) on the further electrode (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
An apparatus (1, 1a, 1b) to switch a light emitting diode (LED) or another load, comprising a mechanical switch (2, 2a, 2b), which comprises a moving electrode (3), wherein the moving electrode (3) is a contact, which electrically gets in connection with a further contact or electrode (4) to enable a current flow while a closing phase, characterized in that the apparatus (1, 1a, 1b) comprises a body (5, 5a, 5b) which absorbs or dissipates the kinetic energy and/ or the momentum which is exerted from the moving electrode (3) on the further contact or electrode (4), achieves the object to prevent bounces of electrodes, especially to prevent bounces of a moving electrode of a mechanical switch.