Electromagnetic Relay Base Projection for Arc Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact devices lack sufficient arc space during current interruption, leading to potential arc-over issues due to the close proximity of the movable contactor and the base.
Innovation Solution
The contact device incorporates a base with projections orthogonal to the contactor holder's movement direction, ensuring a sufficient arc space by maintaining a stable distance between the movable contactor and the base, even during twist operations, and includes a driving device to manage the contactor's position effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the movable contactor is positioned close to the base to reduce device size, then the device complexity is reduced, but the arc space becomes insufficient leading to arc-over issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a projection extending in a third direction (width direction) orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and vertical direction. This dimensional extension creates sufficient arc space without increasing the vertical height or longitudinal length of the device, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and adequate arc space.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is segmented into a main body and a protruding projection. This segmentation allows the arc space to be created in a specific localized area (the third direction) without affecting the overall compact dimensions of the device in other directions.
2Ease of operation
If the contactor holder is allowed to twist freely during operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the position stability deteriorates making arc space control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The projection provides localized constraint only in the width direction (third direction), allowing the contactor holder to twist freely in other directions for ease of operation, while maintaining stable position control specifically where arc space is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection acts as an intermediary element between the contactor holder and the base, providing controlled restriction in the width direction while permitting operational movement in other directions, thus mediating between stability and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A contact device includes a pair of fixed contacts, a movable contactor, a contactor holder, a movable shaft, and a base. The pair of fixed contacts are aligned in a first direction. The movable contactor comes into or out of contact with the pair of fixed contacts in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The contactor holder holds the movable contactor. The movable shaft moves the contactor holder in the second direction so that the movable contactor comes into or out of contact with the fixed contacts. The base accommodates the fixed contacts, the movable contactor, and the contactor holder. The base has a projection projecting from a position opposing the contactor holder in a third direction orthogonal to both the first and second directions.