Submarine Switch With Positively Guided Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing undersea switches face issues such as large size, high electricity consumption, susceptibility to vibrations, and unreliable contact states due to the use of springs and lack of secure contact configurations.
Innovation Solution
A switch design featuring permanently connected contact elements and sockets with a positively guided actuator for reliable electrical connections, capable of multiple contact configurations, and a redundant electromotive or hydraulic/pneumatic actuator system for robust operation, including sealed feedthroughs and counter sockets for enhanced reliability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If spring-loaded contacts are used to open contacts, then the switch can be simple in structure, but the contact state becomes unreliable and susceptible to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using springs to push contacts open (conventional approach), the invention uses an actuator to actively drive contacts to both closed and open positions. The actuator reverses the conventional spring-loaded approach by providing positive mechanical guidance for both contact closure and separation, eliminating reliance on spring force and gravity alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism between the control system and the contact elements. It provides positive mechanical guidance and force transmission to ensure reliable contact closure and separation, mediating the interaction between electrical signals and mechanical contact movement while compensating for vibrations and ensuring stable contact states.
2Ease of operation
If traditional relay or contactor designs are used, then the switch can provide contact closure functionality, but the device becomes large and consumes a lot of electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for continuous power-consuming components found in traditional relays and contactors. By using a actuator with positive mechanical guidance and a locking mechanism, the system removes the requirement for continuous electrical power to maintain contact position, significantly reducing electricity consumption while preserving contact closure functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator system is designed to be self-latching, where the mechanical guidance and locking mechanism maintain contact position without continuous power input. The system serves itself by using the actuator's mechanical advantage and positioning features to hold contacts in the closed state, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power consumption typical of traditional relays.
3Device complexity
If traditional switch designs without positive guidance are used, then the structure can be simple, but the switch becomes susceptible to vibrations and cannot compensate for movement
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator acts as an intermediary that provides positive mechanical guidance between the control input and the contact elements. This guidance mechanism compensates for vibrations and external forces by actively maintaining proper contact alignment and engagement, preventing vibration-induced contact failure while preserving overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator's positive guidance mechanism and mechanical locking features provide beforehand cushioning against vibrations and external disturbances. By pre-establishing rigid mechanical guidance paths and secure contact positioning, the system compensates for upcoming vibrations and movement before they can affect contact reliability.
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 provides a compact, reliable, and vibration-resistant switch with secure contact states, capable of high power density and flexible operation, suitable for deep-sea applications with reduced reliance on springs and improved redundancy for continuous functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electromotive actuator, in particular with two electric machines
Implementation Method 2
The socket or the counter socket is spring-loaded towards the contact element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Switch (1), in particular submarine switch, comprising a plurality of contact elements (3) fixedly connected to one another, a plurality of sockets (23) fixedly connected to one another, wherein each of the sockets (23) is configured to receive one of the contact elements (3), and an actuator (10) configured to move the contact elements (3) in a forced manner relative to the sockets (23).