Trip Mechanism for Low Voltage Switching Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuation coils for low and medium voltage switching devices require high mechanical energy, leading to high power consumption and large size, which is undesirable, and often fail to operate under low power conditions.
Innovation Solution
A trip mechanism that includes an actuation coil with a movable plunger and a kinematic chain, assisted by elastic means and trip levers, allowing for controlled mechanical energy distribution to the kinematic chain, enabling efficient actuation of switching device contacts with reduced coil size and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional actuation coils are used to provide high mechanical energy, then the required mechanical energy is achieved, but the coil size and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means (springs) are pre-loaded to store mechanical energy before actuation is needed. The closing spring is compressed during the closing operation and stores energy that is later released to assist the actuation coil during opening, reducing the energy burden on the coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic means act as an intermediary energy storage device between the power source and the kinematic chain. Instead of requiring the actuation coil to directly provide all necessary mechanical energy, the spring intermediary releases stored energy to supplement the coil's output, enabling smaller coils to achieve the required actuation force.
2Power
If conventional actuation coils are used to provide high mechanical energy, then the required mechanical energy is achieved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means are pre-loaded during normal operation to accumulate mechanical energy. This preliminary energy storage means that when actuation is required, the spring releases its stored energy to assist the actuation coil, reducing the instantaneous power demand on the electrical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring intermediary converts electrical energy consumed during closing into mechanical energy stored during closing, which is then released during opening. This energy mediation reduces the total electrical power consumption by recycling mechanical energy within the system rather than requiring fresh electrical energy for both opening and closing operations.
3Reliability
If conventional actuation coils are used, then high mechanical energy can be provided, but the device fails to operate under low power conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic means are continuously pre-loaded during normal switching operations to build up stored energy. This preliminary energy accumulation ensures that when actuation is needed under low power conditions, sufficient mechanical energy is already available in the spring to supplement the limited coil output, maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring intermediary provides a buffer that decouples the actuation reliability from instantaneous power availability. By storing energy during periods of normal power supply and releasing it during low power conditions, the spring mediator ensures consistent actuation performance regardless of instantaneous power constraints.
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
Enables the provision of high mechanical energy with small, low-power actuation coils, ensuring reliable operation even under low power conditions, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
an actuation coil (700), which is adapted to cause the actuation of the kinematic chain (600) from a blocking position to a release position
Implementation Method 2
assisted by elastic means and trip levers, allowing for controlled mechanical energy distribution to the kinematic chain
Data Source
AI summary
A trip mechanism (1) for a LV or MV switching device (100) characterised in that it is operatively coupleable with a first operating element (401) of said switching device, which is reversibly movable between a first actuation position (A0) and a second actuation position (B0), and with second operating element (402) of said switching device, which is reversibly movable between a third actuation position (A5) and a fourth actuation position (B5). The trip mechanism comprises: - a supporting frame (2); - a first trip lever (3), which is operatively connected to said supporting frame and is capable to rotate with respect to said supporting frame between a first engage position (A1) and a first trip position (B1), said first trip lever being operatively coupleable to said first operating element (401), so that said first operating element moves said first trip lever from said first engage position (A1) to said first trip position (B1), when said first operating element moves from said first actuation position (A0) to said second actuation position (B0); - a second trip lever (6), which is operatively connected to said supporting frame and is capable to rotate with respect to said supporting frame between a second engage position (A2) and a second trip position (B2), said second trip lever being operatively engageable with said first trip lever, so that said second trip lever is blocked by said first trip lever in said second engage position (A2) when said first trip lever is in said first engage position (A1), said second trip lever moving from said second engage position (A2) to said second trip position (B2) when said first trip lever moves from said first engage position (A1) to said first trip position (B1); - a third trip lever (8), which is operatively connected to said supporting frame is capable to rotate with respect to said supporting frame between a third engage position (A3) and a third trip position (B3), said third trip lever being operatively engageable with said second trip lever, so that said third trip lever is blocked by said second trip lever in said third engage position (A3) when said second trip lever is in said second engage position (A2), said third trip lever moving from said third engage position (A3) to said third trip position (B3) when said second trip lever moves from said second engage position (A2) to said second trip position (B2); - a trip pin (9), which is operatively connected to said supporting frame and is capable to translate with respect to said supporting frame between a fourth engage position (A4) and a fourth trip position (B4) and is operatively engageable with said third trip lever, so that said trip pin is blocked by said third trip lever in said fourth engage position (A4) when said third trip lever is in said third engage position (A3), said trip pin moving from said fourth engage position (A4) to said fourth trip position (B4) when said third trip lever moves from said third engage position (A3) to said third trip position (B3), said trip pin being operatively coupleable with said second operating element (402), so that said trip pin moves said second operating element from said third actuation position (A5) to said fourth actuation position (B5), when said trip pin moves from said fourth engage position (A4) to said fourth trip position (B4).