Sliding Contact Switch Notch Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sliding contact switches with multiple simultaneously moving contacts experience adverse contact pressure variations due to production tolerance issues, affecting the contact resistance on the insulating material along the sliding path.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates rigidly interconnected sliding contacts with notches in the insulating segments to ensure consistent contact pressure, where one sliding contact's contact area slides over a notch in the insulating segment as the other sliding contact moves over its contact segment, preventing adverse pressure variations and maintaining reliable contact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sliding contacts are simultaneously pressed against a common sliding surface, then the switching function is achieved, but production tolerance variations cause adverse contact pressure variations affecting contact resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into alternating insulating segments and contact segments. Each insulating segment is equipped with a corresponding notch. This segmentation allows the sliding contacts to be differentially supported: one contact slides over a contact segment while the other slides over an insulating segment with a notch, thereby isolating the pressure paths and eliminating the adverse influence of insulating material tolerance variations on contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches in the insulating segments act as intermediary structures that provide localized support points. When a sliding contact slides over an insulating segment, the notch provides a precise geometric reference that compensates for variations in the insulating material's thickness or compression characteristics, ensuring stable contact pressure independent of manufacturing tolerances.
2Ease of operation
If sliding contacts are rigidly interconnected for simultaneous movement, then coordinated switching is achieved, but pressure variations from one contact affect the other
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding surface is segmented into alternating insulating segments and contact segments. Each insulating segment is equipped with a corresponding notch. This segmentation allows the sliding contacts to be differentially supported: one contact slides over a contact segment while the other slides over an insulating segment with a notch, thereby isolating the pressure paths and eliminating the adverse influence of insulating material tolerance variations on contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sliding surface provide different functions: contact segments provide electrical connection and support for one sliding contact, while insulating segments with notches provide support and insulation for the other sliding contact. This local differentiation ensures that pressure applied to one contact does not adversely affect the other, while maintaining simultaneous coordinated movement through rigid interconnection.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical sliding contact switch comprises a contact transmitter element with a first and a second rigidly interconnected sliding contact, which are pressed against a corresponding surface designed for a common sliding section by respective contact areas in the same direction, while there is an insulated segment and a contact segment for each sliding contact within the common sliding section respectively, whereby one insulated segment is slid over by a contact area of a sliding contact, when the corresponding other sliding contact is sliding over its contact segment with its contact area, whereby a notch is arranged within the insulating segment which is slid over by a contact area of a sliding contact in case the other sliding contact is sliding over its contact segment.