Electromagnetic Switching Device Contact Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic switching devices with a one-piece switching chamber face challenges in isolating main contacts from auxiliary contacts, leading to contact erosion and contamination, which increases manufacturing and assembly costs when ribs are formed on both components.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method that includes a one-piece switching chamber with movable contact bridges and separating elements inserted between main and auxiliary contact points, along with main covers to fix these elements, creating a labyrinth effect for enhanced isolation without the need for a two-piece design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ribs are formed on both the switching chamber and the contact bridge carrier to create a double labyrinth, then the isolation between main and auxiliary contacts is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation between main and auxiliary contactsVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The separating elements are extracted as independent components that can be inserted into the switching chamber, rather than being integrated into the contact bridge carrier. This allows the contact bridge carrier to remain simple while still achieving effective isolation through the separately inserted elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolation function is segmented into separate insertable elements rather than being integrated into the contact bridge carrier structure. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components while maintaining the double labyrinth isolation effect when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the switching chamber is designed as a one-piece structure, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to isolate main contacts from auxiliary contacts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicity of switching chamberVSAvoidisolation between main and auxiliary contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Separating elements are introduced as intermediary components between the main and auxiliary contacts within the one-piece switching chamber. These elements create the necessary isolation without requiring the switching chamber itself to be complex or multi-piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The isolation is achieved by utilizing the third dimension (depth/height) within the one-piece switching chamber structure. Separating elements are inserted vertically or horizontally to create labyrinth paths, adding dimensional complexity without requiring structural complexity in the chamber walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separating elements are inserted into the switching chamber after the contact bridge carrier is inserted, then the assembly flexibility is improved, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The contact bridge carrier is prepared in advance with its contact bridges, and the separating elements are pre-positioned or pre-configured. This preliminary preparation allows for faster final assembly while maintaining the flexibility to adjust the separating elements during the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2135272B1Production method for an electromagnetic switching device having partition walls between primary and auxiliary contacts and an electromagnetic switching device produced according to the production method
Publication Date: 2012.12.12 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2135272B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP2135272B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2135272B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A production method for an electromagnetic switching device comprises the following steps in the sequence listed: producing a one-piece switching chamber (9), producing a contact bridge carrier (2) and equipping the contact bridge carrier (2) with movable contact bridges (3, 4), wherein the contact bridges (3, 4) comprise a plurality of primary contact bridges (3) and at least one auxiliary contact bridge (4); inserting the contact bridge carrier (2) equipped with the movable contact bridges (3, 4) into the switching chamber (9); inserting partition elements (14) into the switching chamber (9) so that each partition element (14) is arranged between a bridge contact point of one of the primary contact bridges (3) and a bridge contact point of one of the auxiliary contact bridges (4), and equipping the switching chamber (9) with fixed primary counter-contact points; fixing primary covers (15) to the switching chamber (9) so that the primary covers (15) cover the primary counter-contact points and fix the partition elements (14) in the switching chamber (9).