Voltage Transformer Rolling Contacts for Low-Wear Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage converters experience significant wear on contact elements due to friction, which can lead to damage or destruction during certain operating states of switchgear, particularly during commissioning tests.
Innovation Solution
The voltage converter employs a rotating carrier element with rolling contacts to establish and break electrical connections, reducing friction and wear by using rolling contacts instead of sliding contacts, and incorporates resilient mounting and electrical shielding to protect the contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding contacts are used between contact elements and electrodes, then electrical connections can be established, but friction and wear of contact elements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sliding contacts with rolling contacts using ball bearings at the contact points between contact elements and electrodes. The ball bearings enable rolling motion instead of sliding motion, dramatically reducing friction and wear while maintaining reliable electrical connection. The spherical rolling elements rotate between the contact element and electrode surfaces, converting harmful sliding friction into minimal rolling friction.
2Reliability
If contact elements are made resiliently mounted, then contact pressure can be maintained, but complexity of the contact element structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the resilient mounting function with the electrical connection function by integrating a spring element directly into the contact element structure. The spring is incorporated as an integral part of the contact element assembly, providing both mechanical resilience for maintaining contact pressure and electrical conductivity for current flow, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while achieving reliable contact pressure maintenance.
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
The solution significantly reduces wear on contact elements, enhances durability, and protects against adverse environmental conditions while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the contact element contacts an electrode electrically connected to one end of the primary winding and/or the feedthrough contact via a rolling contact. This advantageously reduces the friction between the contact element and the electrode and/or the feedthrough contact (rolling friction instead of sliding friction).
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a voltage converter (1). The voltage converter (1) comprises at least one primary winding (5), an electrode (7) for each primary winding (5), said electrode being electrically connected to one end of the primary winding (5), and an electric via (11) arranged at a distance from the primary winding (5). The voltage converter (1) additionally comprises a support element (13), which can be rotated about a rotational axis (35) between a first end position and a second end position, and an electrically conductive contact element (15) for each primary winding (5), said contact element being arranged on the support element (13) and electrically connecting the electrode (7) of the primary winding (5) to the corresponding via (11) in the first end position of the support element (13) and separating same from the via (11) in the second end position of the support element (13). The contact element (15) has at least one rolling contact (43, 45, 75), via which the contact element (15) contacts the electrode (7) of the primary winding (5) or the via (11) in the first end position of the support element (13).