Circuit breaker and circuit breaker detection assembly
By detecting the circuit breaker contact status using radio frequency signals, the problem of detection relying on load connection in existing technologies is solved, enabling flexible and safe circuit breaker detection.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG DAHUA TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
Smart Images
Figure CN224471810U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of circuit breaker technology, and in particular to circuit breakers and circuit breaker detection components. Background Technology
[0002] A circuit breaker, also known as an air switch, is a switch that automatically disconnects when the current in a circuit exceeds its rated current. Circuit breakers are crucial electrical appliances in low-voltage power distribution networks and electric drive systems, integrating control and protection functions. In practical applications, besides making and breaking connections, they can protect against short circuits and overloads when circuits or electrical equipment malfunction. If a circuit breaker fails, the circuit will be at risk of safety issues. However, existing circuit breaker fault detection methods often rely on load connections, which is not flexible enough. Utility Model Content
[0003] This application provides a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker detection assembly that are independent of load connection, greatly improving detection flexibility.
[0004] To address the above objectives, this application provides a circuit breaker detection assembly for detecting the first contact in a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker detection assembly includes:
[0005] The radio frequency signal transmission module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker.
[0006] The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker to receive a first radio frequency signal; the radio frequency signal receiving module is also connected to the second end of the first contact to receive a second radio frequency signal.
[0007] The comparison module is used to determine the state of the first contact based on the comparison result of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the strength of the second radio frequency signal.
[0008] This application provides a circuit breaker, which includes a first contact and a second contact.
[0009] The first end of the first contact is used to connect to the radio frequency signal transmitting module to receive the radio frequency signal output by the radio frequency signal transmitting module.
[0010] The first end of the first contact is also used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiving module to transmit the radio frequency signal to the radio frequency signal receiving module, so that the radio frequency signal receiving module can receive the first radio frequency signal.
[0011] The first and second contacts open and close synchronously, and the second contact is connected to the second end of the first contact. The end of the second contact away from the first contact is used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiving module so that the radio frequency signal receiving module can receive the second radio frequency signal. The intensity difference between the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal can reflect the state of the first contact.
[0012] The method of this application is as follows: The circuit breaker detection component includes: a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitting module connected to a first end of a first contact in the circuit breaker; an RF signal receiving module connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker to receive a first RF signal; an RF signal receiving module connected to a second end of the first contact to receive a second RF signal; and a comparison module used to determine the state of the first contact based on a comparison of the strength of the first RF signal and the strength of the second RF signal. The RF signal transmitting module transmits the RF signal, which is then transmitted through the connector between the RF signal transmitting module and the RF signal receiving module. The RF signal receiving module then receives one RF signal (i.e., the aforementioned first RF signal). Furthermore, the RF signal is sequentially transmitted through the RF signal transmitting module... The transmission of the connector between the module and the first contact, the first contact, and the connector between the first contact and the radio frequency signal receiving module is such that the radio frequency signal receiving module will also receive another radio frequency signal (i.e., the second radio frequency signal). In this way, the comparison module can determine the state of the first contact by comparing the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the strength of the second radio frequency signal. Since whether the first contact in the circuit breaker is carrying current does not affect the transmission of the radio frequency signal, the scheme of determining the state of the first contact by comparing the strength of the radio frequency signals at both ends of the first contact does not depend on the current carrying in the circuit breaker. That is, the detection component can detect the state of the first contact even when there is no load connected after the circuit breaker. In addition, compared with related technologies, the detection component of this application is not affected by the current carrying in the circuit breaker contact, and has higher accuracy. Attached Figure Description
[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings that can be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a circuit breaker based on related technology;
[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the circuit breaker detection component and the first contact in the circuit breaker.
[0016] Figure 3This is another schematic diagram showing the connection between the circuit breaker detection component and the first contact in the circuit breaker;
[0017] Figure 4 This is another schematic diagram showing the connection between the circuit breaker detection component and the first contact in the circuit breaker.
[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the radio frequency signal receiving module and the comparison module of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this application, the circuit breaker and circuit breaker detection assembly provided in this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0020] The terms "first," "second," and "third" used in this application are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0021] In this document, the term "implementation" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an implementation may be included in at least one implementation of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same implementation, nor is it a separate or alternative implementation mutually exclusive with other implementations. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that, without conflict, the implementations described herein may be combined with other implementations.
[0022] In related technologies, one pole of the circuit breaker contains only one switch contact, k1. This switch contact performs closing and opening operations through the connection state of its moving contact and stationary contact; for example... Figure 1 As shown, when one pole of the circuit breaker is in the open state, its moving contact and stationary contact are not connected; when the circuit breaker is in the closed state, the moving contact and stationary contact are connected together.
[0023] To detect the contact quality of circuit breakers, related technologies add a reference resistor after the circuit breaker contacts. The quality is detected by calculating the voltage difference between the current flowing through the contacts and the reference resistor. In this technology, both the contacts and the reference resistor are connected via a differential pressure detector. When the circuit breaker contacts open, the differential pressure detector in the hardware detection circuit still has a physical connection across the circuit breaker contacts, resulting in a lack of safe isolation between the circuit breaker's input and output, posing a safety risk. Furthermore, this detection technology requires a load to be connected and current to flow; it cannot detect when no current is flowing. It also has certain requirements regarding the current carrying capacity; if the downstream load has a small current carrying capacity, the error will be large or even no data can be measured.
[0024] Based on this, this application proposes a circuit breaker detection assembly for detecting the first contact in a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker detection assembly includes:
[0025] The radio frequency signal transmission module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker.
[0026] The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker to receive a first radio frequency signal; the radio frequency signal receiving module is also connected to the second end of the first contact to receive a second radio frequency signal.
[0027] The comparison module is used to determine the state of the first contact based on the comparison result of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the strength of the second radio frequency signal.
[0028] In this method, the radio frequency (RF) signal transmitting module transmits an RF signal, which is then transmitted through the connector between the RF signal transmitting module and the RF signal receiving module. The RF signal receiving module then receives one RF signal (i.e., the aforementioned first RF signal). Furthermore, the RF signal is transmitted sequentially through the connector between the RF signal transmitting module and the first contact, the first contact, and the connector between the first contact and the RF signal receiving module, so that the RF signal receiving module also receives another RF signal (i.e., the second RF signal). Thus, the comparison module can determine the state of the first contact by comparing the strength of the first RF signal and the strength of the second RF signal. Since whether the first contact in the circuit breaker is carrying current does not affect the transmission of the RF signal, the scheme of determining the state of the first contact by comparing the strength of the RF signals at both ends of the first contact does not depend on the circuit breaker carrying current. That is, the detection component can detect the state of the first contact even when no load is connected downstream of the circuit breaker. Moreover, compared to related technologies, the detection component of this application is not affected by the magnitude of the current flowing through the circuit breaker contacts, resulting in higher accuracy.
[0029] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, a1 is connected to the radio frequency signal transmitting module to receive the radio frequency signal output by the radio frequency signal transmitting module. b1 and c1 are both connected to the radio frequency signal receiving module. In this way, the radio frequency signal receiving module can receive the radio frequency signals output by b1 and c1, and then the state of the first contact k1 can be determined by comparing the signal strength of the radio frequency signals output by b1 and c1.
[0030] The preferred option is, such as Figure 3 As shown, a second contact k2 is also designed in the circuit breaker detection component or circuit breaker. The second contact opens and closes synchronously with the first contact, and the second contact is connected to the second end of the first contact. The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the second end of the first contact through the second contact. In this way, by adding the second contact, the second end of the first contact can be isolated from the radio frequency signal receiving module. Furthermore, by setting the first and second contacts to open and close synchronously, when the first contact is open, the hardware acquisition circuit (including the radio frequency signal transmitting circuit and the radio frequency signal receiving circuit) will also be physically disconnected from the output of the circuit breaker. This prevents the main circuit current from flowing from A through a1, then to the hardware circuit, then to c1, and back to C, thus ensuring that the input strength and output high voltage are safely isolated when the circuit breaker is open, greatly reducing safety risks. In this embodiment, the radio frequency signal will be transmitted sequentially through the connector between the radio frequency signal transmitting module and the first contact, the first contact, and the connector between the first contact and the radio frequency signal receiving module, so that the radio frequency signal receiving module will also receive the second radio frequency signal.
[0031] Although the RF signal receiving module and the second end (i.e., node C) of the first contact are separated by the second contact, in schemes including the second contact, the state of the second contact can also affect the strength of the second RF signal. This may lead to inaccurate detection of the state of the first contact. To solve this problem, such as... Figure 4 As shown, multiple second contacts connected in parallel (such as...) can be provided between the radio frequency signal receiving module and the second end of the first contact. Figure 4 k21 and k2 n In this way, as long as one of the second contacts is in a normal state, the state of the first contact can be accurately detected, thereby improving the accuracy of the first contact state detection.
[0032] As described above, the comparison module can determine the state of the first contact by comparing the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal.
[0033] In one implementation, the comparison module can determine whether the first contact has malfunctioned by judging whether the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and a first percentage. Here, the first percentage is a positive number less than 1, and its specific value can be set according to actual conditions and is not limited here.
[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the radio frequency (RF) signal receiving module may include a coupler and a power detection element; the coupler receives the RF signal to extract power from the RF signal and transmits it to the power detection element; the power detection element is used to linearly compress the RF power into a logarithmic voltage. Corresponding to the first RF signal and the second RF signal, the RF signal receiving module may be provided with two couplers and two power detection elements, one coupler and one power detection element for processing the first RF signal, and the other coupler and another power detection element for processing the second RF signal.
[0035] The comparison module may include a level adjustment circuit and a voltage comparator. The level adjustment circuit can be used to apply a first percentage bias to the first radio frequency (RF) signal, converting the logarithmic voltage of the first RF signal into a voltage corresponding to the product of the first RF signal strength and the first percentage. The voltage comparator then compares the voltage output by the level adjustment circuit (i.e., the voltage corresponding to the product of the first RF signal strength and the first percentage) with the voltage output by the power detection element in the second RF signal branch (i.e., the voltage corresponding to the second RF signal strength). If the voltage comparator determines that the voltage output by the power detection element in the second RF signal branch is greater than the voltage output by the level adjustment circuit, it can determine that the strength of the second RF signal is less than the product of the first RF signal strength and the first percentage, thus confirming a fault in the first contact.
[0036] In addition, multiple comparison gradients can be set for comparing the strengths of the first and second radio frequency signals. For example, multiple percentages can be taken between 1 and 0, such as the second, third, fourth and first percentages from largest to smallest.
[0037] The four percentages mentioned above can be set according to actual circumstances and are not limited here. In one example, the second percentage is 95%, the third percentage is 90%, the fourth percentage is 80%, and the first percentage is 60%.
[0038] In a specific example, if the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the second percentage, but less than the strength of the first radio frequency signal, the first contact can be considered to be in normal condition. If the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the third percentage, but less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the second percentage, the first contact can be considered to be of low risk. If the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the fourth percentage, but less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the third percentage, the first contact can be considered to be of medium risk. If the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage, but less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the fourth percentage, the first contact can be considered to be of high risk. If the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage, the first contact can be considered to be faulty.
[0039] The comparison of the strength of at least one of the first product, the second product, and the third product with the strength of the second radio frequency signal can be achieved by the same circuit structure as the circuit that compares the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the product of the first percentage with the strength of the second radio frequency signal, which will not be elaborated here.
[0040] In another embodiment, the comparison module function can be implemented in software. When the first contact being tested closes, the software drives the RF signal transmitting module to emit an RF signal and receives the RF energy signal at the other end (i.e., the RF signal receiving module), reading its signal strength. The software collects the strengths of the first and second RF signals and compares the two signal strength data. Under normal circumstances, because the first contact is well connected, the two signal strengths are also close in magnitude. When the first contact malfunctions, because there is RF energy loss between B and C, the magnitude of RF energy loss varies depending on the degree of malfunction. In this case, the values of the two signal strengths will differ, and the software can make judgments based on this difference at the third, fourth, and first percentage points.
[0041] Of course, in other embodiments, the comparison module can determine whether the first contact has malfunctioned by judging whether the intensity difference between the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is greater than a preset threshold. Specifically, if the intensity difference between the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal is greater than the preset threshold, it can be determined that the first contact has malfunctioned.
[0042] Furthermore, after making a judgment, the comparison module can report the status of the first contact and store the data.
[0043] In addition, after the comparison module determines that the first contact has failed, it can also issue an alarm through the alarm module to prompt staff to replace the circuit breaker equipment in a timely manner to avoid risks.
[0044] In one embodiment, an alarm driving circuit (i.e., the alarm module described above) can be connected after the voltage comparator. When the voltage comparator determines that the voltage output by the power detection element in the second radio frequency signal branch is greater than the voltage output by the level adjustment circuit, the alarm driving circuit is triggered to sound an alarm.
[0045] This application also provides a circuit breaker, which includes a first contact and a second contact. The first end of the first contact is used to connect to a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitting module to receive the RF signal output by the RF signal transmitting module. The first end of the first contact is also used to connect to an RF signal receiving module to transmit the RF signal to the RF signal receiving module so that the RF signal receiving module receives the first RF signal. The first contact and the second contact open and close synchronously, and the second contact is connected to the second end of the first contact. The end of the second contact away from the first contact is used to connect to the RF signal receiving module so that the RF signal receiving module receives the second RF signal. The intensity difference between the first RF signal and the second RF signal can reflect the state of the first contact.
[0046] The connection point between the second contact and the first contact can be before or after the first contact in the main circuit of the circuit breaker, and there is no restriction on this.
[0047] Furthermore, multiple second contacts can be provided, all of which are connected to the second end of the first contact. The ends of these multiple second contacts that are not connected to the first contact are connected to the same receiving end of the radio frequency signal receiving module. In this way, multiple second contacts are provided in parallel between the radio frequency signal receiving module and the first contact. As long as one second contact is in a normal state, the state of the first contact can be accurately detected, thereby improving the accuracy of the first contact state detection.
[0048] The above are merely embodiments of this application and do not limit the scope of this patent application. Any equivalent structural or procedural changes made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the scope of patent protection of this application.
Claims
1. A circuit breaker detection assembly, characterized in that, The circuit breaker detection assembly is used to detect the first contact in the circuit breaker, and the circuit breaker detection assembly includes: A radio frequency signal transmitting module, wherein the radio frequency signal transmitting module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker; The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the first end of the first contact in the circuit breaker to receive a first radio frequency signal; the radio frequency signal receiving module is also connected to the second end of the first contact to receive a second radio frequency signal. A comparison module is used to determine the state of the first contact based on a comparison result of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the strength of the second radio frequency signal.
2. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the second end of the first contact via the second contact, and the second contact and the first contact open and close synchronously.
3. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The radio frequency signal receiving module is connected to the second end of the first contact through multiple parallel second contacts.
4. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The comparison module is used to confirm that the first contact has failed when it determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage.
5. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The comparison module is used to confirm that the state of the first contact is normal when it is determined that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the second percentage, and the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the strength of the first radio frequency signal. The comparison module is used to confirm that the first contact is of low risk level when it determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the third percentage, and the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the second percentage. The comparison module is used to confirm that the first contact is of medium risk level when it determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the fourth percentage, and the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the third percentage. The comparison module is used to confirm that the first contact is of high risk when it determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is greater than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage, and the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the fourth percentage. Among them, the second percentage > the third percentage > the fourth percentage > the first percentage.
6. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The radio frequency signal receiving module includes a coupler and a power detection element; the coupler is used to receive radio frequency signals to extract power from the radio frequency signals to the power detection element; the power detection element is used to linearly compress the radio frequency power into a logarithmic voltage; The comparison module includes a level adjustment circuit and a voltage comparator. The level adjustment circuit is used to process the voltage output by the power detection element on the first radio frequency signal branch to convert the logarithmic voltage of the first radio frequency signal into the logarithmic voltage corresponding to the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage. The voltage comparator is used to determine that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and the first percentage when it is determined that the voltage output by the power detection element in the second radio frequency signal branch is greater than the voltage output by the level adjustment circuit, thereby confirming that the first contact has failed.
7. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The circuit breaker detection component further includes an alarm module, which is electrically connected to the comparison module. The alarm module is used to issue an alarm when the comparison module determines that the strength of the second radio frequency signal is less than the product of the strength of the first radio frequency signal and a first percentage.
8. The circuit breaker detection assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that, The alarm module includes an alarm driving circuit; The output of the voltage comparator is connected to the alarm driving circuit. When the voltage comparator determines that the voltage output by the power detection element in the second radio frequency signal branch is greater than the voltage output by the level adjustment circuit, the alarm driving circuit is triggered to sound an alarm.
9. A circuit breaker, characterized in that, The circuit breaker includes a first contact and a second contact. The first end of the first contact is used to connect to the radio frequency signal transmitting module to receive the radio frequency signal output by the radio frequency signal transmitting module. The first end of the first contact is also used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiving module to transmit the radio frequency signal to the radio frequency signal receiving module, so that the radio frequency signal receiving module receives the first radio frequency signal. The first contact and the second contact open and close synchronously, and the second contact is connected to the second end of the first contact. The end of the second contact away from the first contact is used to connect to the radio frequency signal receiving module so that the radio frequency signal receiving module receives the second radio frequency signal. The intensity difference between the first radio frequency signal and the second radio frequency signal can reflect the state of the first contact.
10. The circuit breaker according to claim 9, characterized in that, The circuit breaker includes a plurality of second contacts, all of which are connected to the second end of the first contact, and the ends of the plurality of second contacts not connected to the first contact are connected to the same receiving end of the radio frequency signal receiving module.