Mechanical Resistive Switch for Arc-Free DC Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical switches face challenges in controlling switching arcs, especially in direct current applications where no current zero crossing occurs, leading to material removal, contamination, and high power loss, and existing solutions require complex control electronics and unreliable galvanic isolation.
Innovation Solution
An electrical switch with a controllable resistance element that transitions between ON and OFF states through a mechanical movement, increasing resistance to prevent arc formation, allowing for arc-free switching with reliable galvanic isolation and low power loss, using a simple mechanical structure and insulating zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electrical switch uses arc quenching devices to control switching arcs, then the switching arc can be extinguished, but material loss and contamination occur due to ionizing gas formation at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful arc phenomenon from the switching process by introducing a controllable resistance element that dissipates switching energy as electrical power loss rather than thermal energy, thereby eliminating arc formation and the associated material loss and contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful switching energy that would normally create arcs into beneficial electrical power loss in the resistance element, transforming a harmful thermal process into a controlled electrical dissipation process that prevents arc formation while still managing the energy
2Reliability
If a semiconductor switch is used to switch current without arcing, then arc-free switching is achieved, but complex control electronics are required and galvanic isolation is not reliably guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controllable resistance element as an intermediary component between the contacts that enables arc-free switching through simple mechanical movement rather than complex semiconductor control, providing galvanic isolation while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic control mechanism of semiconductor switches with a simple mechanical transit movement of the resistance element, achieving arc-free switching through mechanical means rather than complex electronic control
3Reliability
If semiconductor switches are used for current switching, then arc-free operation is possible, but relatively high power dissipation occurs even in the ON state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamically adjustable resistance element that can be mechanically positioned to provide low resistance in the ON state and high resistance in the OFF state, enabling arc-free operation with minimal power dissipation during conduction
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 arc formation, reducing burn-off, gas formation, and external magnetic field influence, enabling cost-optimized design with reliable galvanic isolation and minimal mechanical stress, while maintaining low power loss during the ON state.
Implementation Method 1
the switching energy in the controllable resistance element is dissipated in the form of electrical power loss
Implementation Method 2
the resistance of the controllable resistance element is increased by means of the transit movement
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical switch (100) comprising an ON state and an OFF state for opening, closing or commutating a circuit between a first contact (110) and a second contact (120), and comprising a controllable resistor element (200) which is arranged electrically between the first contact (110) and the second contact (120), wherein the electrical switch (100) is closed in the ON state and is open in the OFF state, wherein the electrical switch (100) is transferred from the ON state into the OFF state, and vice versa, by means of a mechanical transit movement (T), wherein in order to open or commutate the circuit by means of the transit movement (T), the resistance of the controllable resistor element (200) is increased, and wherein the transit movement (T) is configured such that the present drop in voltage at any point in time is smaller than the ignition voltage of an arc, and, as a result, the switch energy in the controllable resistor element (200) is dissipated in the form of electrical power loss.