Switch Element Seal Configuration for Plasma Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical switch elements, such as relays and contactors, face issues with arc formation during high current switching, which prevents circuit interruption and can damage components, reducing their useful life.
Innovation Solution
An electrical switch element design featuring an elastically deflectable wall section that absorbs the movement of a propulsion element, creating a seal configuration with an annular bulge and flange to contain plasma within the switch chamber, and a damping configuration to manage kinetic energy and reduce stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a seal configuration is added to contain plasma, then component protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal configuration is merged with the wall section having the opening, where the elastically deflectable wall section itself forms part of the seal configuration. This integration allows the wall to serve dual purposes: structural support and plasma sealing, thereby containing plasma to protect components without adding separate sealing components that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically deflectable wall section acts as a flexible barrier that can deform to absorb propulsion element movement while maintaining the seal. This flexible approach allows the seal to adapt to dynamic conditions during switching operations, effectively containing plasma without requiring a rigid, complex sealing mechanism.
2Strength
If the wall section is made elastically deflectable to absorb movement, then stress reduction is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wall section's elastic properties are optimized by controlling its geometric parameters (thickness, curvature, material composition) to achieve the desired deflection characteristics. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the wall can absorb propulsion element movement and reduce stress while maintaining manufacturability within standard precision tolerances.
3Volume of stationary object
If the annular bulge protrudes into the switch chamber to achieve compactness, then switch chamber volume is reduced, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deflectable wall section with the annular bulge creates a dynamic sealing solution. The bulge can deform elastically to maintain contact with the propulsion element flange during movement, ensuring continuous sealing effectiveness even in the compact configuration where the bulge protrudes into the switch chamber.
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
Effectively seals the switch chamber to prevent plasma from damaging components outside, interrupts current flow, and reduces stress and noise, thereby increasing the useful life of the switch elements without increasing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a damping configuration to absorb a kinetic energy of the propulsion element during transition to the end position, the damping configuration having an elastically deflectable wall section that can deviate elastically from the switch chamber
Implementation Method 2
a seal configuration surrounding the propulsion element, by which the opening is sealed at least in an end position of the propulsion element... the seal configuration effectively seals the switch chamber opening after the contacts have been separated. This keeps any plasma generated by an arc in the switch chamber inside the switch chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention concerns an arrangement for an electrical switch element (1), comprising an switch chamber (3) for receiving contacts (5) that can be closed and/or opened, at least one movable propulsion element (13) protruding through an opening (11) of the switch chamber (3) to open or close the contacts (5), and a seal configuration (15) surrounding the propulsion element (13), by which the opening (11) is sealed at least in an end position (E) of the propulsion element (13), the seal configuration (15) having an annular bulge (23) surrounding the opening (11) and an annular flange (25) on the propulsion element (13). In order to provide an arrangement for an electrical switch element (1) that is capable of eliminating any arcs quickly and effectively and to protect elements outside of the switch chamber (3) from the plasma formed by the arcs, whilst simultaneously providing an especially compact, inexpensively produced circuit element, the invention provides for the annular flange (25) to abut the annular bulge in the end position (E) of the propulsion element (13).