Electrical Switching Device Motor Actuation Contact Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical switching devices that use solenoid actuators for controlling overtravel and contact pressure are costly and complex due to separate components and trade-offs in spring arm design, making it difficult to balance electrical and spring force properties.
Innovation Solution
The electrical switching device employs a motor-actuated pivot member with compression springs to move terminals between open and closed states, providing controlled overtravel and contact force optimization with a reduced number of components by integrating the spring force mechanism into the actuator assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate overtravel spring is assembled to the spring arm, then overtravel and contact pressure are controlled, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the overtravel spring function directly into the spring arm structure by forming a resilient portion that integrates both the current-carrying function and the overtravel control function. This eliminates the need for a separate overtravel spring component and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining reliable contact pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arm is designed with a resilient portion that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it carries electrical current between terminals and provides overtravel control through its elastic deformation. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components needed in the switching device.
2Device complexity
If the spring arm is designed to perform dual functions of controlling overtravel and carrying current, then component count is reduced, but trade-offs occur in electrical and spring force properties
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm is designed with different local properties: a rigid portion for optimal electrical conductivity and a resilient portion with specific elastic properties for overtravel control. By optimizing different sections of the spring arm with different material properties and geometries, the design achieves both electrical performance and mechanical spring force requirements without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring arm may utilize composite construction or differentiated material properties in different sections to simultaneously achieve high electrical conductivity in the current-carrying portions and appropriate elastic characteristics in the overtravel control portions, resolving the trade-off between electrical and mechanical properties.
3Reliability
If a thicker spring arm material is used, then electrical performance is improved, but spring flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm is segmented into distinct functional regions: a thicker rigid portion for optimal electrical conductivity and current carrying capacity, and a thinner resilient portion for providing the necessary spring flexibility and elastic deformation. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different thicknesses and material properties are applied to different sections of the spring arm. The current-carrying sections have thicker cross-sections for low electrical resistance, while the overtravel control sections have optimized thickness for elastic behavior, achieving both electrical performance and spring flexibility simultaneously.
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 design simplifies assembly, reduces costs, and optimizes contact force while maintaining reliable electrical performance, including safety during short circuit faults, by using compression springs to push terminals toward base terminals and manage overtravel effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The compression spring provides a force on the actuator to push the movable terminals toward the base terminals
Implementation Method 2
an actuator assembly electromechanically controlled by a motor. The actuator assembly includes a pivot member rotated by the motor
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical switching device includes first and second circuit assemblies. Each of the first and second circuit assemblies includes a base terminal and a moveable terminal movable between an open state and a closed state. The movable terminal is electrically connected to the base terminal in the closed state. An actuator assembly is electromechanically controlled by a motor. The actuator assembly includes a pivot member rotated by the motor that has a post extending outward from a pivot body. An actuator is moved by the pivot member and is movable between a first position and a second position. The actuator is operatively coupled to the moveable terminals of the first and second circuit assemblies. The actuator moves the movable terminals to the closed state as the actuator is moved from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a pocket with a compression spring received in the pocket. The compression spring extends between a first end and a second end. The first end engages the actuator. The second end engages the post. The compression spring provides a force on the actuator to push the movable terminals toward the base terminals.