Switch Device Auxiliary Magnet Arc Extinction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching devices face challenges in maintaining reliable arcing behavior as switching capacity increases, requiring larger designs and becoming more expensive due to the need for stronger permanent magnets.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an auxiliary magnet positioned near the contact point to enhance the magnetic blowout field specifically in the transition area, without affecting the primary magnetic field regions, ensuring consistent arcing behavior while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If stronger permanent magnets are used to increase switching capacity, then the switching capacity is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching capacityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning an auxiliary magnet specifically in the transition region where magnetic field direction changes occur. This localized reinforcement of the magnetic field in the critical transition area enables the switching device to handle higher switching capacities without requiring stronger permanent magnets throughout the entire device, thus avoiding significant cost increases while achieving the desired power improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the magnetic field generation function by using separate permanent magnets for different regions: main permanent magnets for the primary magnetic field regions and an auxiliary magnet specifically for the transition region. This segmentation allows optimization of each region independently, enabling cost-effective manufacturing while achieving high switching capacity through targeted magnetic field reinforcement where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If the switching device is made larger to handle higher switching capacity, then the switching capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching capacityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent avoids increasing overall device size by applying local quality enhancement - placing the auxiliary magnet only in the transition region rather than uniformly increasing the size of all magnetic components. This localized approach allows the device to handle higher switching capacities without proportional increases in device dimensions or complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If stronger permanent magnets are used to control the switching arc, then the arc control is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc control behaviorVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent improves arc control behavior by placing the auxiliary magnet specifically in the transition region where arc deflection occurs. This localized magnetic field reinforcement enhances arc control reliability without requiring stronger permanent magnets throughout the entire device, thereby avoiding significant manufacturing cost increases while achieving dependable arc control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary magnet acts as an intermediary element that mediates the magnetic field in the transition region, providing the additional magnetic strength needed for reliable arc control without requiring the main permanent magnets to be overly strong. This intermediary magnet handles the specific task of reinforcing the transition region field, enabling cost-effective arc control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables reliable and cost-effective arcing behavior in larger switching device designs by amplifying the magnetic field only in the transition area, where the arc occurs, thereby improving arc control and directionality without increasing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the auxiliary magnet is arranged in such a way as to be in the immediate vicinity of the contact point that at least a part of the magnetic field of the auxiliary magnet reinforces the blowing field in the transition area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field generation: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

at least one first permanent magnet for generating a magnetic blowing field... so that a switching arc generated when the contact point is opened is guided within the transition area... and is blown away from the contact point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic blowing field: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3602593B1Switch device with improved permanent magnetic arc extinction
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 SCHALTBAU GMBH
  • EP3602593B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3602593B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3602593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a switch device with at least one contact point and a permanent magnetic arc blowing device which is paired with the contact point. The arc blowing device has a first lateral pole plate, a second lateral pole plate, a central pole plate arranged therebetween, and at least one first permanent magnet for generating a magnetic blow-out field. The at least one first permanent magnet is arranged and is in contact with at least one of the pole plates either directly or via a magnetic conductor such that a first magnetic field region of the blow-out field is provided between the first lateral pole plate and the central pole plate and such that a second magnetic field region of the blow-out field is provided between the second lateral pole plate and the central pole plate, wherein the magnetic field lines of the first magnetic field region are aligned opposite the magnetic field lines of the second magnetic field region. The blow-out field additionally has a transition region which connects the first magnetic field region and the second magnetic field region together, and the magnetic field lines are aligned identically in each case starting from the first magnetic field region and the second magnetic field region toward the contact point in the transition region such that a switching arc produced within the transition region upon opening the contact point is conducted either into the first magnetic field region or into the second magnetic field region depending on the current direction from the contact point and in both cases is blown away in the same direction from the contact point in said region. According to the invention, the arc blowing device has at least one second permanent magnet (15) as an auxiliary magnet, and the auxiliary magnet is arranged in the direct vicinity of the contact point (7.1) such that at least one section of the magnetic field (17) of the auxiliary magnet (15) amplifies the blow-out field in the transition region.