Switch Actuating Mechanism With Spring-Decoupled Switching Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating mechanisms for electrical switching devices lack repeatability in switching speed due to dependence on the speed of the actuating member's movement, whether motor-driven or manual, leading to inconsistent switching transitions.
Innovation Solution
An actuating mechanism with a rotatable driving member, an actuating member, a load spring, and locking members, where the load spring is loaded and unloaded to maintain consistent switching speed regardless of the actuating member's movement speed, ensuring repeatable transitions between 'on' and 'off' states by mechanically linking the driving member to the switching device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the switching speed depends on the speed of the actuating member's movement, then the mechanism can be operated flexibly by different operators or motors, but the switching speed becomes inconsistent and non-repeatable
Solution Approach 1:
The load spring is pre-loaded during the actuating member's movement to store energy, which is then released to drive the driving member at a consistent speed regardless of how fast the actuating member was moved. This preliminary energy storage ensures repeatable switching speed while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The load spring acts as an intermediary between the actuating member and the driving member. It decouples the variable speed of the actuating member from the driving member, absorbing the variability and delivering consistent energy to ensure repeatable switching speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a motor or operator moves the actuating member at variable speeds, then the system is adaptable to different operating conditions, but the switching transition speed becomes unpredictable
Solution Approach 1:
The load spring is pre-loaded during the actuating member's movement to store energy, which is then released to drive the driving member at a consistent speed regardless of how fast the actuating member was moved. This preliminary energy storage ensures repeatable switching speed while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of energy storage in the load spring during the actuating phase, then releases this stored energy at a controlled rate to the driving member. This parameter transformation from variable input speed to constant energy release ensures predictable switching speed across different operating conditions.
3Device complexity
If the driving member is directly coupled to the actuating member, then the structure is simpler, but the switching speed cannot be maintained at a predefined value
Solution Approach 1:
The load spring is pre-loaded during the actuating member's movement to store energy, which is then released to drive the driving member at a consistent speed regardless of how fast the actuating member was moved. This preliminary energy storage ensures repeatable switching speed while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The load spring acts as an intermediary between the actuating member and the driving member. It decouples the variable speed of the actuating member from the driving member, absorbing the variability and delivering consistent energy to ensure repeatable switching speed.
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 mechanism ensures a predefined switching speed independent of the actuating member's movement speed, allowing for predictable and repeatable transitions, regardless of motor speed or manual operation, enhancing reliability and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a load spring (7), which at its first end is mounted to a first mounting point on the driving member (5) and mounted to a second mounting point on the actuating member (6)... wherein during a transition from the first final state to the second final state the load spring (7) is loaded upon a movement of the actuating member (6) towards its second position
Implementation Method 2
a first locking member (8) and a second locking member (9) which are mounted to the frame (4) each being movable between a locking position and a release position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An actuating mechanism (2) for an electrical switching device (3) is disclosed, which comprises a rotatable driving member (5) prepared to be linked to the electrical switching device (3), an rotatable actuating member (6) and a load spring (7) mounted to the driving member (5) and the actuating member (6). Furthermore, the actuating mechanism (2) comprises locking members (8, 9). During a transition from a first final state to a second final state, the load spring (7) is loaded upon a movement of the actuating member (6) and the driving member (5) is held in its first position by the first locking member (8). Before or when the actuating member (6) reaches its second position the first locking member (8) is released, and the driving member (5), caused by the force generated by the load spring (7), moves into its second position.