Electromagnetic Switch Arc Protection Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic switches for high voltage DC power switching do not adequately protect internal components from damage caused by arcs generated during power-off operations, leading to potential damage from high voltage impulses and debris.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an arc protection member comprising first and second arc protection shields, supported by auxiliary springs, to shield the upper yoke and shaft from arcs, combined with the use of permanent magnets to direct and cool the arc, preventing it from causing damage to internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic switch blocks DC power of high voltage, then switching function is achieved, but arc is generated causing damage to internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an arc protection member as an intermediary element between the movable contact arm and the upper yoke. This member includes a first arc protection shield that wraps around the shaft and a second arc protection shield on the upper yoke surface, creating a protective barrier that intercepts and contains the arc, preventing it from damaging internal components while allowing the switching function to operate normally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field that actively manages the arc generated during switching. The magnetic field directs and confines the arc along specific paths, converting the harmful uncontrolled arc into a controlled phenomenon that can be contained within the arc protection member, thereby protecting internal components while maintaining switching functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If arc protection member is added to shield internal components, then protection against arc damage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc protection member employs thin shield structures that wrap around the shaft and attach to the upper yoke. These thin film-like shields provide effective arc protection while minimizing the addition of bulk and complexity to the overall device structure. The flexible design allows the shields to conform to existing components without requiring major structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The first arc protection shield is designed to wrap around and nest with the shaft, while the second arc protection shield nests on the upper yoke surface. This nested configuration allows multiple protective elements to be integrated into the existing device geometry without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall complexity, achieving protection through layered integration
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 arc protection member effectively prevents arc spread and debris from damaging internal components, enhancing the mechanical lifespan and operational reliability of the electromagnetic switch by shielding critical areas and utilizing magnetic forces to manage and extinguish the arc.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation winding (111) installed in an outer case (130) as a driving winding, and an upper yoke (112) and a lower yoke (113) installed near the excitation winding (111) to form a flow path of a magnetic flux together with a movable core (115) and a stationary core (114)
Implementation Method 2
the excitation winding (111) is magnetized by current supply, a magnetic flux generated from the excitation winding (111) moves along a flow path of the magnetic flux, thereby forming a closed circuit of the magnetic flux. Accordingly, the movable core (115) linearly moves up to come in contact with the stationary core (114)
Implementation Method 3
An arc protection member (200) may be disposed at an upper surface of the upper yoke (112) so as to protect internal components from arc generated between the movable contact arm (117) and the stationary electrodes (118)
Implementation Method 4
The arc is controlled by permanent magnets located near stationary electrodes and a movable contact arm, thereby minimizing (preventing) damages, caused due to the arc, on an arc-extinguishing unit and a driving unit of the electromagnetic switch
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an electromagnetic switch, in which an arc protection member is installed in an extinguishing chamber for housing stationary electrodes and a movable contact arm, thereby protecting internal components including an upper yoke from damages caused due to arc, which is generated immediately when the movable contact arm is separated from the stationary electrodes, resulting in improvement of operation reliability as well as increase in a lifespan of the electromagnetic switch.