Switch Contact Mechanism Using Permanent Magnet Arc Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
In contact mechanisms, arcs occurring during separation of contacts lead to burn-damage and increased electric resistance at specific surface regions, reducing contact life.
Innovation Solution
A contact mechanism that uses a permanent magnet to extend and move arcs to non-contact surface regions, preventing burn-damage and maintaining low electric resistance by employing a movable touch piece that can turn or move parallel to the fixed contact, and incorporating tapered surfaces to facilitate arc movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If permanent magnets are disposed to form a magnetic field perpendicular to contact direction, then arcs are extended in a desired direction, but specific surface regions are burn-damaged and become rough by the arc, increasing electric resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between contact surface regions and non-contact surface regions on the contact. The arc is deliberately directed to affect only the non-contact surface regions, while the contact surface regions are protected from arc damage. This creates different functional qualities: the contact surface regions maintain smooth, low-resistance surfaces for electrical contact, while the non-contact regions absorb the arc damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful arc effect into a beneficial outcome by redirecting it away from the contact surface regions. The arc, which would normally damage the contact surfaces and increase resistance, is instead channeled to affect only the non-contact surface regions. This transforms the harmful arc into a controlled phenomenon that does not compromise electrical contact quality.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If contact surface regions are protected from arc damage, then electric resistance remains low and contact life is extended, but requires complex movable touch piece mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by making the movable touch piece capable of turning or moving parallel to the fixed contact. This dynamic capability allows the non-contact surface regions to be positioned such that arcs naturally direct away from the contact surface regions during separation. The movable touch piece's ability to change orientation creates the conditions for arc redirection without requiring additional complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the contact surface into distinct contact surface regions and non-contact surface regions. This segmentation is achieved through the geometric configuration and movable positioning of the touch piece, which creates clearly defined areas: regions where contact occurs and regions where contact does not occur. The arc is then directed to affect only the non-contact regions, protecting the contact regions.
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 solution effectively extends contact life by preventing heat generation and maintaining low electric resistance, even when contact surface regions make contact, and allows for flexible design and expanded applicability.
Implementation Method 1
permanent magnets that are disposed at both sides of the contacts outside a switch body so as to form a magnetic field in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the contact and separation between the contacts
Implementation Method 2
The arc that occurs from contact surface regions where the fixed contact and the movable contact make contact with each other is extended by a magnetic force of the permanent magnet and moved to non-contact surface regions
Data Source
AI summary
A contact mechanism includes an opening/closing fixed contact, an opening/closing movable contact opposed to the opening/closing fixed contact, and a permanent magnet configured to extend an arc that occurs between the opening/closing fixed contact and the opening/closing movable contact in a predetermined direction. In particular, an arc that occurs from contact surface regions where the opening/closing fixed contact and the opening/closing movable contact make contact with each other is extended by a magnetic force of the permanent magnet and moved to non-contact surface regions where the opening/closing fixed contact and the opening/closing movable contact make no contact with each other.