Pivoting Contact Assemblies for Thermal Expansion Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear power distribution systems are susceptible to external thermal influences, leading to conductor displacement and increased wear on contact surfaces, which can impair or interrupt electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
The contacting device features individually pivotable contact assemblies with a spring element and a floating mounting system, allowing for compensation of conductor length changes and minimizing relative movement between contact elements and conductors, thus reducing wear and ensuring durable and reliable electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid contact elements are used to maintain stable electrical contact, then contact reliability is improved, but wear increases due to thermal expansion and contraction of conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The contact element is designed to pivot about a pivot axis, transforming from a rigid static structure to a dynamic adaptive structure. This allows the contact element to automatically adjust its position and maintain optimal contact with the conductor despite thermal expansion and contraction, thereby reducing wear while maintaining reliable electrical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the contact element by allowing it to rotate about the pivot axis. This parameter change enables the contact element to compensate for conductor displacement caused by thermal influences, maintaining stable electrical contact without increasing wear
2Stability of the object's composition
If the contacting device is fixed in position to maintain structural stability, then mechanical stability is improved, but the ability to compensate for conductor length changes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting device is segmented into multiple independent contact elements, each capable of pivoting independently about its own pivot axis. This segmentation allows each contact element to adapt to local conductor displacement while the overall device structure remains stable and fixed in position
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall contacting device remains fixed in position, individual contact elements within the device are made dynamic through their ability to pivot. This creates a hierarchical structure where the device as a whole maintains stability while its components adapt to thermal variations
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 significantly reduces wear and ensures long-lasting, secure electrical contact by allowing contact assemblies to pivot and maintain contact force over a defined range, effectively compensating for thermal-induced conductor displacements.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (42) is provided, which acts on the contact assembly (4) in a contacting direction (K) towards the conductor (12)
Implementation Method 2
they are highly susceptible to external thermal influences. This leads to a change in the length of the conductors or to a longitudinal displacement of the conductors within the chambers
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system for contacting conductors 12, comprising a contacting device 1 and a number of conductors 12 extending in the longitudinal direction L, wherein the contacting device 1 includes a contacting housing 2 in which a corresponding number of contact assemblies 4 are arranged, each contact assembly 4 being assigned to a conductor 12, each contact assembly 4 comprising a contact element 20 which, in the operating state, makes electrical contact with the conductor 12, the contact assembly 4 being pivotably mounted in a pivoting range and the pivot axis being formed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L in the transverse direction Q, is intended to exhibit particularly low wear in the area of the contact zones with the conductors 12 during thermal length changes of the conductors 12 and therefore be particularly durable. For this purpose, the electrical contact between the contact element 20 and the conductor 12 exists over the substantially entire pivoting range.