Vacuum Interrupter Silane Coupling Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vacuum interrupters with epoxy resin insulation face issues of variations in electrical and mechanical properties due to material differences and thermal expansion coefficients, leading to interface cracks, voids, and increased partial discharge, which compromise long-term insulation reliability and require additional manufacturing processes and costs.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum interrupter with a ceramic insulating case, an enamel layer, a silane coupling agent layer, and an epoxy resin insulation layer, where the silane coupling agent chemically couples with the enamel and epoxy resin, eliminating the need for a rubber buffer layer and enhancing adhesiveness through chemical bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber buffer layer is added to absorb thermal stress, then thermal expansion difference is compensated, but interface separation and voids may still occur, and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface bonding reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the rubber buffer layer from the structure, extracting the problematic intermediate layer that caused interface separation and voids. The enamel layer directly contacts the epoxy resin insulation layer, eliminating the complex multi-layer structure while maintaining bonding reliability through the silane coupling agent.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a silane coupling agent layer that chemically bonds the enamel layer (inorganic ceramic coating) with the epoxy resin insulation layer (organic polymer). This composite material approach creates a strong chemical bond between dissimilar materials, replacing the mechanical buffer layer with a chemical bonding solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If additional buffer layer manufacturing processes are implemented, then thermal stress absorption is improved, but manufacturing costs and process time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stress stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the thermal stress absorption function into the enamel layer itself, which is already present on the ceramic insulating case. The silane coupling agent enables direct bonding without requiring a separate buffer layer, combining multiple functions into fewer layers and reducing manufacturing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the separate buffer layer manufacturing process, removing the additional time-consuming steps of applying, positioning, and curing the rubber buffer layer. The enamel layer with silane coupling agent performs both thermal stress management and bonding functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If a buffer layer is used to compensate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is absorbed, but partial discharge properties deteriorate due to interface separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal expansion compensationVSAvoidpartial discharge resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The silane coupling agent creates a chemically bonded composite interface between the enamel and epoxy resin layers. This strong chemical bond prevents interface separation that would otherwise occur due to thermal expansion differences, eliminating voids that cause partial discharge while maintaining thermal stress compensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the rubber buffer layer that created interface separation problems. By directly bonding the enamel layer to the epoxy resin layer through silane coupling, the patent eliminates the intermediate layer that caused partial discharge issues while maintaining thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution significantly improves mechanical strength and electrical properties by preventing partial discharge and increasing the partial discharge extinction voltage by over 50% compared to existing silicon buffer layers, while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

the silane coupling agent layer is chemically coupled with the enamel layer and the epoxy resin insulation layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

an enamel layer formed on the outside surface of the insulating case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP1983537B1Vacuum interrupter
Publication Date: 2010.11.10 LG INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CO LTD
  • EP1983537B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1983537B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1983537B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed is a vacuum interrupter molded with an epoxy resin, in which an adhesive power between the epoxy resin and the ceramic vacuum interrupter is enhanced thereby reducing generation of a crack during the manufacturing process and improving a mechanical impact resistance and a partial discharge property.