Adjustable Circuit Breaker Mounting for Shock Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers in high-shock load applications, such as naval vessels, often suffer damage from impact forces due to their large size and heavy weight, leading to cracking of molded housings and potential separation from mounting frames, necessitating improved mounting solutions to withstand such loads.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable mounting assembly for circuit breakers, comprising a frame coupled to the enclosure with adjustable members, an adjustment mechanism, and a fastening mechanism, including brackets with guide and engagement portions, and moveable blocks with jack screws and lock nuts, designed to securely attach the circuit breaker housing to the enclosure, resisting impact forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If circuit breakers are mounted in a cabinet using a draw-out frame to facilitate insertion and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the housing may crack or the circuit breaker may separate from the frame under shock loads
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is divided into separate components: a frame structure, adjustable members, and fastening mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing both ease of operation and shock load resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly incorporates adjustable members that can be positioned and locked at different locations along the frame. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to adapt to different circuit breaker sizes and configurations while maintaining secure attachment under shock loads.
2Reliability
If circuit breakers are designed to withstand large shock loads, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is designed as a universal system that can accommodate different circuit breaker types and sizes. The adjustable members and fastening mechanisms provide multi-functional capability, handling both secure attachment and shock load resistance without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly acts as an intermediary between the circuit breaker housing and the cabinet frame. It absorbs and distributes shock loads through its adjustable members and fastening mechanisms, protecting the circuit breaker housing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable mounting assembly for a power circuit breaker includes a frame having a first sidewall disposed opposite a first side of the housing of the power circuit breaker and a second sidewall disposed opposite the second side of the housing. At least one moveable block is disposed between the first and second sidewalls of the frame and the corresponding first and second sides of the housing. An adjustment mechanism, such as a jackscrew coupled to the moveable block, adjusts in order to move the block into engagement with the corresponding sides of the housing. A fastening mechanism, such as a lock screw, secures the moveable block and the frame with respect to the housing. The adjustable mounting assembly securely mounts the frame and the power circuit breaker within a switchgear enclosure in order to resist damage potentially caused by an impact force sustained thereby.