Automatic Transfer Switch Integral Contactor Flexible Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic transfer switches experience electrical malfunctions and power loss during power transfers due to resistance and heat generation from short-circuits between movable contactors and load terminals.
Innovation Solution
The automatic transfer switch integrates movable contactors with commercial or emergency power terminals through flexible wires and employs an arc extinguishing chamber with inclined, zigzag grids to minimize resistance, disperse potential differences, and rapidly extinguish arcs, thereby reducing power loss and heat generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If movable contactors are separately formed from power terminals, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but electrical malfunctions and power loss occur due to resistance and short-circuits during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The movable contactor and power terminal are integrally formed as a single unit, eliminating the separate components and their associated connection interfaces. This integration removes the air gap and potential short-circuit paths between separate parts, ensuring continuous electrical connection during rotation while reducing the number of separate components to assemble.
2Productivity
If movable contactors rotate close to load terminals, then the switching action is effective, but arcs are generated causing heat generation and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
An arc extinguishing chamber is introduced as an intermediary structure between the movable contactor and load terminal. This chamber contains and controls the arc discharge process, directing it through a controlled path that prevents uncontrolled heat generation and damage to surrounding components, while still allowing effective switching action to occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If power transfer is performed by disconnecting and reconnecting terminals, then power supply switching is achieved, but power loss occurs due to resistance during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The integral formation of the movable contactor with the power terminal ensures continuous electrical connection throughout the rotation and switching process. There is no interruption or disconnection of the electrical path, maintaining continuous current flow and eliminating resistive power losses that would occur during terminal disconnection and reconnection operations.
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 configuration effectively prevents short-circuits, minimizes power loss, and efficiently disperses heat, allowing for rapid arc extinguishing and smooth ventilation, resulting in improved power transfer efficiency and reduced internal temperature.
Implementation Method 1
one end of which is integrally formed with one end of the movable contactor (150) through a wire (152) made of a flexible material
Implementation Method 2
an arc extinguishing chamber (170) that extinguishes an arc generated when the pair of movable contactors (150) are short-circuited with the load terminal (140)
Implementation Method 3
the plurality of grids (172) may be formed to surround the movable contactors (150) that vertically rotates, one side thereof is concaved, and the concaved inside thereof is eccentrically provided with a chute part (172a)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an automatic transfer switch. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic transfer switch alternatively supplying power from a commercial power terminal and an emergency power terminal to load terminals by moving a pair of movable contactors, wherein at least one of the pair of movable contactors are integrally formed with the commercial power terminal or the emergency power terminal through a wire made of a flexible material.