Vacuum Interrupter Contact With Bent Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum interrupters face challenges in achieving quick arc extinguishing performance while maintaining mechanical strength and preventing deformation or damage from mechanical shocks during contact opening and closing, as existing designs either increase the diameter of the contacts or compromise switching characteristics.
Innovation Solution
The contact design features a plurality of slot portions on the movable and stationary contacts, with petal portions formed between adjacent slot portions, where the slot portions are linearly extended and bent radially inward at a predetermined angle between 30° to 60°, and a central contact groove to maintain mechanical strength and facilitate rotational arc movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the contact diameter is increased to prevent mechanical deformation and maintain strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but the device size increases and switching characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is divided into multiple petal-shaped segments separated by slot portions. This segmentation allows the contact to maintain structural integrity through the distributed petal structure while reducing the overall contact diameter, resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact employs curved petal portions with specific geometric shapes instead of straight edges. The curved configuration distributes mechanical stresses more effectively across the contact structure, enhancing mechanical strength while maintaining a compact diameter.
2Reliability
If the petal portion width is reduced to minimize fragile areas, then reliability is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the contact are designed with different properties: the petal portions have optimized width for reliable arc extinction and switching characteristics, while the base structure and connection areas maintain sufficient thickness for mechanical strength. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and mechanical strength.
3Reliability
If the slot portions are extended to induce rotational arc movement, then arc extinguishing performance is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The slot portions are extended to a specific optimal length that provides sufficient arc rotation induction without over-extending. This partial action approach achieves the necessary arc extinguishing performance while maintaining adequate material remaining for mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between arc extinguishing performance and mechanical strength.
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 enables effective arc extinguishing with reduced contact diameter, prevents mechanical deformation, and ensures reliable switching performance and extended lifespan by minimizing fragile areas and maintaining mechanical strength during contact operations.
Implementation Method 1
the arc (A) receives a horizontal force, i.e., the so-called a Lorentz force, in accordance with a distance (L) between the movable contact 2 and the stationary contact 3 and the magnetic field (B)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
According to the present invention, there is disclosed a contact of the vacuum interrupter, comprises a plurality of slot portions (2a1) formed in an extended manner toward an outer circumferential surface from a plurality of positions, respectively, spaced apart from the center of a contact surface, and a petal portion (2a) formed between a pair of the adjacent slot portions, and to minimize a mechanical fragile part having a narrow width in the petal portion while inducing the rotational movement of an arc, each of the slot portion comprises a first end portion (2a3) closed and adjacent to the center, a second end portion (2a4) open and adjacent to the outer circumferential surface, a first slot portion (2a1) linearly extended from the first end portion, and a second slot portion (2a2) linearly extended to the second end portion by bending the first slot portion at a predetermined angle.