Power Supply Disconnector Lock Cover Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply circuit disconnection devices for vehicles lack a reliable time lag between the on and off states of main and sub-switch units, leading to potential sparks and arcs due to insufficient isolation of the lock releasing portion, which can cause the lever to rotate prematurely, compromising safety during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit disconnection device design that includes a lever with a sub-lock unit and a lock releasing portion, where the lock releasing portion is covered and not exposed externally, ensuring a secure rotation path and maintaining a time lag between the on and off states of the main and sub-switch units by restricting lever rotation until the lock is released.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock releasing portion is exposed to the outside, then the lever can be easily operated to release the lock, but the lever may be rotated prematurely while operating the lock releasing portion, causing insufficient time lag between switch off events
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary element between the external environment and the lock releasing portion. This cover member selectively blocks access to the lock releasing portion only when the lever is in the operation range, preventing premature operation. When the lever is in the locked position, the cover member allows access. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling easy operation when needed while preventing accidental premature operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, changing its position based on the lever's position. The cover member moves between covering and exposing the lock releasing portion dynamically. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different operational states, providing protection during critical transitions while maintaining accessibility during normal operation.
2Reliability
If the lock releasing portion is covered and not exposed to outside, then premature rotation of the lever is prevented, but the lever becomes difficult to operate for releasing the lock
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member serves as a conditional intermediary that selectively permits or blocks access based on system state. It does not permanently block access but rather provides state-dependent access control. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through coverage while preserving ease of operation through conditional accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic positioning of the cover member based on lever position ensures that the covering function is active only when needed for safety. When the lever is in positions where accidental operation could occur, the cover member blocks access. When the lever is in safe positions, the cover member moves away to allow operation. This dynamic approach balances protection with operability.
3Productivity
If the lever is allowed to rotate freely, then the operation is simple and quick, but the time lag between main switch unit and sub-switch unit cannot be reliably ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is positioned in advance to block access to the lock releasing portion before the lever rotation begins. This preliminary protective action prevents accidental operation during the critical transition phase. The system prepares the protective mechanism beforehand rather than reacting after accidental operation occurs, ensuring reliable time lag control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member acts as a protective intermediary that mediates between the user's operation and the critical switch off sequence. By controlling when the lock releasing portion is accessible, the intermediary ensures that the sub-switch unit turns off before the main switch unit, maintaining the required time lag while allowing efficient operation when properly executed.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply circuit disconnection device includes a lever configured to be rotated between a separating operation position and a final fitting operation position to bring a first connector housing and a second connector housing into a separable state and a finally fitted state, a sub-lock unit configured to lock the lever at the temporary fitting operation position, a main switch unit for power lines configured to be switched on in the finally fitted state and the temporarily fitted state and switched off in the separable state, a sub-switch unit for signal lines configured to be switched on in the finally fitted state and switched off in the temporarily fitted state and the separable state, and a lock releasing portion configured to release lock of the lever by the sub-lock unit, the lock releasing portion being covered and not exposed to outside in the finally fitted state.