Protective Cover Actuates Semiconductor Switch for Arc Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preventing electric arcs during the separation of load current carrying plug connectors often fail due to the risk of forgetting to actuate the direct current air break switch, leading to potential hazards.
Innovation Solution
A protective system utilizing a clocked semiconductor switch and a protective cover that secures load current plug connectors, reducing the load current to harmless levels when the cover is removed, eliminating the need for additional air break switch disconnectors and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a direct current air break switch disconnector is integrated into the inverter, then electric arc protection is provided, but the risk of forgetting to actuate it remains, leading to potential hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is designed to automatically actuate the semiconductor switch before the load current contacts can be separated. This preliminary action reduces the load current to a harmless level before any disconnection occurs, eliminating the risk of electric arcs without requiring user intervention to remember to actuate the switch.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the removal of the protective cover itself as the triggering event for current reduction. The cover's removal mechanically or electrically activates the semiconductor switch, making the system self-regulating and eliminating reliance on user memory or manual intervention.
2Reliability
If additional air break switch disconnectors are installed, then electric arc protection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover integrates multiple functions: it provides mechanical protection for the load current contacts, serves as the actuation mechanism for the semiconductor switch, and enables the current reduction function. This merging eliminates the need for separate air break switch disconnectors while maintaining or improving protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical air break switch disconnectors with a semiconductor switch that can be controlled more precisely and integrated into the existing circuitry. This substitution reduces device complexity while providing equivalent or superior electric arc protection.
3Reliability
If the protective cover prevents physical disengagement of load current contacts, then safety is improved, but ease of operation for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover transitions between two states: when mounted, it provides full protection and prevents contact disengagement; when removed, it allows access for maintenance. The semiconductor switch dynamically adjusts the current level based on the cover's position, providing safety during operation while enabling easy maintenance access when needed.
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 system effectively prevents electric arcs during load current disengagement, ensuring safety by reducing the current to harmless levels and maintaining high efficiency without generating switching losses, thus meeting regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
a clocked semiconductor component, comes into action. It reduces the load current to such an extent that no electric arc or only a harmless electric arc is allowed to occur upon physically disengaging the load current contacts
Data Source
AI summary
The object of the invention is a protective device for a load carrying apparatus for preventing or reducing an electric arc during separation of the load current carrying plug connectors (2) using a switch (7) that reduces the load current to such an extent that the load current that remains is harmless, with a protective cover (5) for the load current plug connectors (2), said cover being securable to the apparatus and making it more difficult to remove the load current plug connectors (2) as long as it is secured to the apparatus, said protective cover (5) comprising a means that is operably connected to the switch in such a manner that the load current is reduced by the switch (7) when the protective cover is removed from the apparatus, said protective cover (5) comprising electrical contacts (10) for an electrical means and for electrical connection to additional contacts on the apparatus so that the contacts (10) of the protective cover (5) are separated from the additional contacts (11) and the load current is reduced when the protective cover is being removed.