Rotary Switching Device for Electric Vehicle Energy Accumulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical switching devices for electric vehicles are costly, complex, and have large dimensions due to the numerous components required for switching and safety functions, leading to high assembly errors and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

A compact electrical switching device utilizing a rotary component with multiple conductive contacts and positions, reducing the number of individual relays and components, and incorporating a series resistor to limit starting current, while ensuring reliable switching and simplified control through a magnetic or electric motor drive.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple individual relays and components are used for switching operations, then switching functionality and safety are ensured, but device complexity, assembly complexity, and production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual relays and switching components into a single integrated switching device. The device includes a housing with integrated relay components, input contacts, output contacts, and a rotary component that provides multiple switching positions (off position, pre-position, on position) within one unified structure, thereby reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining all necessary switching functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component system. The rotary component can assume different angular positions to provide normal switching operation, pre-charging function, and emergency stop disconnection, making the device universal for various switching scenarios without requiring separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple individual relays and components are used for switching operations, then switching functionality is ensured, but assembly errors and test procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple relay functions into a single housing assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled. The housing contains all necessary relay components, contacts, and the rotary mechanism in one unified structure, significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing the probability of assembly errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple individual relays and components are used for switching operations, then switching functionality is ensured, but structural dimensions and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoiddevice footprint
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple switching components into a single compact housing, reducing the overall spatial footprint. By integrating relays, contacts, and the rotary component into one assembly, the device occupies less space compared to having separate components distributed throughout the system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple individual relays and components are used for switching operations, then switching functionality is ensured, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching functionalityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple relay functions into a single housing assembly, reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled. The housing contains all necessary relay components, contacts, and the rotary mechanism in one unified structure, significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing the probability of assembly errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switching device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component system. The rotary component can assume different angular positions to provide normal switching operation, pre-charging function, and emergency stop disconnection, making the device universal for various switching scenarios without requiring separate dedicated components for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly reduces the number of components, weight, and space requirements, enhancing switching reliability and safety by eliminating the need for a pre-switching position, and allowing for automatic emergency disconnection, thus lowering production costs and assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a rotary component (30) which is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis (42) relative to the housing (20) between at least an off position (I), a pre-position (II) and an on position (III)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

there is an additional high resistance within the circuit that forms, in order to effectively limit the current flow that occurs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3164879B1Electric switching device for an energy accumulator in an electric vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 LION SMART GMBH
  • EP3164879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric switching device (10) for an energy accumulator in an electric vehicle, comprising a housing (20) inside which at least one switching section (30) that includes two input contacts (32a, 32b) and at least one output contact (34) is arranged, and a rotary component (40) which is mounted in such a way as to be rotatable relative to the housing (20) about a switching axis (42) between at least one OFF position (I), a series-connecting position (II), and an ON position (III); said rotary component (40) includes at least one conductor (44) which has at least two conductor contacts (44a, 44b) and which connects the first input contact (32a) in an electrically conducting manner to the output contact (34) in the series-connecting position (II) and connects the second input contact (32b) in an electrically conducting manner to the output contact (34) of the at least one switching section (30) in the ON position (III).