Signal Feedback Apparatus for Surge Protection Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surge protection devices (SPDs) have complex structures and require numerous components, making them costly and difficult to manufacture, while they often fail to effectively feed back tripping signals to the control end, compromising safety and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A signal feedback apparatus using a telesignaling linkage member with a driving and driven oblique surface mechanism, a sliding plate, and a microswitch, which allows for stable sliding and reduces the number of components needed, enabling effective signal feedback and secure connections, thereby enhancing safety and manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple microswitches are installed for each level in the existing SPD telesignaling device, then the tripping signal feedback is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated and requires greater number of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetripping signal feedbackVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple microswitches into a single microswitch by using a common sliding plate that is pushed by any of the functional rotating members. When any functional rotating member trips, it pushes the sliding plate which then actuates the single microswitch to generate the telesignaling signal, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding plate serves as a universal component that can be actuated by any of the multiple functional rotating members (first, second, third, etc.). This single sliding plate replaces multiple level-specific microswitches, allowing one component to perform the function of multiple switches across different protection levels

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

2Reliability

If multiple microswitches and corresponding circuits are used for each level, then the tripping monitoring is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetripping monitoringVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent microswitch circuits into a single microswitch circuit that is shared by all protection levels. The common sliding plate mechanism allows any functional rotating member to trigger the same microswitch, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components that need to be assembled and tested

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a common sliding plate with oblique surfaces is used to link multiple functional rotating members, then the number of components is reduced, but the sliding stability must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent quantityVSAvoidsliding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses oblique (inclined) surfaces instead of flat surfaces on the sliding plate and functional rotating members. These curved/angled surfaces guide the sliding motion and provide mechanical advantage, ensuring stable and controlled movement of the sliding plate when actuated by any functional rotating member, thereby maintaining sliding stability with fewer components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 apparatus ensures reliable signal feedback to the control end upon tripping, reducing component count, simplifying manufacturing, and enhancing safety and reliability of SPDs while maintaining a lower cost structure.

Implementation Method 1

the linkage shaft includes a linkage shaft spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the sliding plate includes two sliding plate springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3422385B1Signal feedback apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 DINKLE ENTERPRISE CO LTD
  • EP3422385B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3422385B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3422385B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid-cooled heat dissipation apparatus includes a base (10), a telesignaling linkage member (20), a sliding plate (30) and a switch module (40). The telesignaling linkage member (20) is moveably installed on the base (10). The sliding plate (30) is installed corresponding to the telesignaling linkage member (20) and generates a movement along with the telesignaling linkage member (20). The switch module (40) includes a microswitch (41) arranged corresponding to the sliding plate (30) such that the microswitch (41) is operably opened or closed based on the movement of the sliding plate (30). Accordingly, through the opening and closing of the microswitch, the telesignaling monitoring on the functional module state can be achieved.