Spring Contact Multi-Point Design for High Current Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior spring contacts for high voltage switches have limited current passing capacity due to single-point contact, larger circular cross-section area, inefficient groove design, and space usage, which restricts their application to compact and simple configurations.
Innovation Solution
The spring contact design features two or more contacting points on one side edge and one or two points/line on the other, with arc, folded, or wave-shaped edges, configured as a closed coil spring, and a groove of varying shapes like rectangle, trapezoid, or semi-hexagonal to enhance current flow and reduce space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a spring contact uses single-point contact with movable and static contacts, then the structure is simple, but the current passing capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The spring contact is divided into multiple contact points (first contact point, second contact point, third contact point, fourth contact point) arranged at different positions around the circular cross-section. This segmentation allows current to flow through multiple parallel paths simultaneously, significantly increasing the current passing capacity while maintaining the simplicity of the spring contact structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a spring contact uses circular cross-section, then the structure is uniform and easy to manufacture, but the space occupation is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The spring contact transitions from a traditional linear or planar configuration to a three-dimensional circular cross-section with contact points distributed around the circumference. This dimensional change allows the contact to achieve both structural uniformity (easy manufacturing) and compactness (reduced space occupation) by utilizing spatial distribution of contact points around the circle.
3Ease of manufacture
If a spring contact uses traditional groove installation, then the assembly is simple, but the current passing path is longer and resistance is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is designed with specific local geometric features (groove bottom, groove sides with defined angles) that optimize the positioning and electrical contact at each contact point. The groove geometry is tailored to ensure proper alignment and minimal contact resistance at each of the four contact points, improving current passing capacity while maintaining assembly simplicity.
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
This design significantly increases current passing capacity, reduces material usage and space, and optimizes assembly, allowing the spring contact to be applied in various fields requiring high current-carrying capacity and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a movable contact 101 comes into tight contact with a static contact 100 at point A and B through elastic deformation of the spring contact 102
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a spring contact for conducting electricity, Among two side edges for conducting electricity at a cross section of each ring of the spring contact, whereinone side edge for conducting electricity has two or more contacting points, while the other side edge for conducting electricity having at least one contacting point, or a contacting line. Because at each ring cross section of the spring contact, two or more than two contacting points are secured on any side edge for conducting electricity, aim of duplicated current passing capacity is obtained. The shape of each ring cross section is changed from annular shape to other shapes whose cross section area is smaller than that of the annular shape. Therefore, the spring contact of present invention which satisfying the requirements for miniaturizing, saves materials and reduces working space occupied during its installing.