Locking Module Pad Width for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking modules for arming systems in electrical switching devices, particularly at medium or high voltage, are costly and complex to manufacture due to the need for low friction surfaces and thick metal plates, which requires expensive grinding and machining processes.
Innovation Solution
A locking module with a metal strip pad interposed between the bearing and contact surfaces, where the pad width is greater than the bearing width, and a lever with a thickness less than 6 mm, using a plastic hub for pivot connection and a spiral spring for energy accumulation, simplifies surface preparation and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bearing surface is prepared with low roughness (less than 1.6 μm Ra) to reduce friction, then the coefficient of friction between contact surfaces is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes expensive and complicated due to the need for grinding equipment
Solution Approach 1:
A pad made of metal strip is introduced as an intermediary element between the bearing surface and the contact surface. This pad carries a secondary surface that contacts the contact surface, while the primary bearing surface can have higher roughness. The pad transfers the thrust force from the accumulation means to the lock element, mediating the interaction between surfaces with different roughness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact interface is segmented into two separate surfaces: the primary bearing surface on the lever and the secondary surface on the pad. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized independently - the bearing surface for load-bearing capacity and the secondary surface for low friction, eliminating the need for expensive grinding of the entire contact interface.
2Strength
If the lever is made with greater than 6 mm thickness to provide wide contact surface and prevent caulking, then the structural strength is sufficient, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to machining from metal block
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is redesigned as a thin metal plate structure with thickness less than 6 mm, utilizing the flexibility and strength characteristics of thin metal formations. The lever maintains sufficient structural integrity through its design geometry and the support provided by the pad, eliminating the need for thick metal block machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite structure combining the thin metal plate lever with a pad made of metal strip. This composite approach allows the lever to be thin and easy to manufacture while the pad provides the necessary contact surface properties, distributing loads effectively without requiring the lever itself to be thick.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pad width is made greater than the bearing width, then the contact distribution is improved and manufacturing is simplified, but the amount of material and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes the thrust force from the accumulation means, provides a low-friction secondary contact surface, prevents caulking of the half-moon lock element, and acts as a structural connector between the lever and lock element. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component while reducing overall system complexity compared to requiring a thick, precisely machined lever.
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 reduces the complexity and cost of manufacturing while maintaining low friction, allowing for efficient transition between armed and disarmed states with reduced effort, thus improving the economic and technical feasibility of the locking module.
Implementation Method 1
The accumulation means may comprise a spring, for example a compression spring or a spiral spring, which when it is compressed or tensioned is in the armed state.
Implementation Method 2
In order to allow the passage of the lock element from its first position to its second position with a reasonable effort, the coefficient of friction between the contact surface and the bearing surface must be as low as possible.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking module of an armament system comprising an accumulation means, the module comprising: - a lever (130), the second end (132) comprising a bearing surface, the accumulation means exerting a thrust force on the first end when it is in the armed state; - a locking element intended to adopt a first position to oppose the thrust force and a second position to cease opposing the thrust force; the module being characterized in that a pad (180) fixed to the lever, comes to be interposed between the bearing surface and the contact surface when the bearing surface is in contact with the contact surface, the width of the surface of the pad in contact with the contact surface being greater than the width of the bearing surface.