Arc Quenching Chamber Separators with Varying V-Shape
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Solution Overview
Problem
In miniature circuit breakers, the non-uniform insertion of the arc into the arc-quenching chamber leads to disruptive discharges, reducing the arc voltage and limiting effect, causing thermal stress and risks of housing melting during quenching.
Innovation Solution
The arc-quenching chamber features separators with varying V-shape openings from a larger to a smaller opening surface area, distributed in three groups, changing from a semi-circular form near the switching horn to a curvilinear V form near the magnetic release, facilitating uniform arc insertion and increasing the mass of stressed components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separators with uniform V-shaped openings are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the arc insertion is non-uniform causing disruptive discharge and reduced arc voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the V-shaped opening form of separators at different positions within the arc-quenching chamber. Separators near the magnetic release have different opening characteristics compared to those near the switching horn, creating localized adaptations that guide the arc uniformly across all separators. This progressive variation in opening form ensures consistent arc insertion and maintains high arc voltage throughout the quenching process.
2Ease of operation
If separators with larger opening surface area are used, then arc insertion is facilitated, but thermal discharge effects increase and housing melting risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by progressively varying the opening surface area parameter of separators from the magnetic release side toward the switching horn side. The opening area is largest near the magnetic release where arc insertion is most difficult, and gradually decreases toward the switching horn. This parameter progression ensures easy arc insertion at the entry point while reducing thermal discharge effects and housing melting risk in the downstream separators with smaller openings.
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 enhances arc insertion uniformity, reduces thermal discharge effects, and minimizes the risk of housing melting by increasing arc voltage and mass of stressed components during quenching, effectively limiting current and thermal stress.
Implementation Method 1
a moving contact (1), which, at the time of their separation, form an arc between them
Implementation Method 2
This arc-quenching chamber helps limit the short-circuiting current by means of quenching of the arc inside said chamber
Implementation Method 3
the form of the separators varies progressively from one separator to the next, or by groups of identical separators from one group to another, or a mixture of both, in such a way that this form changes from the V having the largest opening surface area to the V having the smallest opening surface area
Implementation Method 4
This increase in mass allows a reduction in the post-quenching effects of melting of the product, due to the thermal radiation of the splitters on the plastic housing of the circuit breakers following quenching
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an arc extinguishing chamber of an electrical circuit breaker, including an arc-forming chamber enclosing a fixed contact and a moving contact, which, at the time of their separation, form an arc between them, said forming chamber communicating with the input of an arc-quenching chamber comprising a stack of separators extending parallel to one another, and including a magnetic release situated on the side of the fixed and moving contacts and a switching horn situated on the opposite side, where the form of the separators varies progressively from one separator to the next, or by groups of identical separators from one group to another, or a mixture of both, in such a way that this form changes from the V having the largest opening surface area to the V having the smallest opening surface area, in the direction from the magnetic release to the switching horn.