Arc Shield Circuit Breaker Venting and Debris Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Circuit breakers experience undesirable side effects such as arc shorting and debris damage due to the generation of electric arcs during switching or tripping, which can lead to safety hazards and reduced operational lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker design incorporating an arc shield that directs gases and debris away from the mechanism and enclosure, preventing short circuits and protecting internal components from damage, while ensuring safe venting of gases and particulate matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If contacts separate during tripping, then the circuit breaker interrupts electrical power, but an electric arc is generated causing damage and safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit breaker operationVSAvoidarc damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An arc shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the separating contacts and the surrounding environment. The shield intercepts and contains the electric arc, preventing it from damaging the circuit breaker housing and surrounding objects while allowing the contacts to separate freely to interrupt the circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The arc shield captures the harmful arc energy and redirects it through a designated path, converting the potentially destructive arc into a controlled phenomenon that exits through a predetermined outlet away from critical components, thus protecting the circuit breaker while maintaining the arc interruption function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Speed

If contacts separate quickly, then the circuit is interrupted rapidly, but debris is flung into the mechanism destroying it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact separation speedVSAvoidmechanism integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interior of the circuit breaker is segmented into distinct zones: a contact separation zone where arcs and debris are generated, and a mechanism zone where the tripping mechanism resides. The arc shield creates a physical barrier between these zones, allowing rapid contact separation in one zone while protecting the mechanism in the other zone from debris contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the housing is sealed, then internal components are protected, but gases and debris cannot escape causing pressure buildup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidinternal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

A controlled extraction path is created for gases and debris through the arc shield structure. The shield includes a designated outlet that channels hot gases and particulate matter away from the internal components, preventing pressure buildup while maintaining protection of critical components through the shield's barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If an arc shield is added, then arc damage and debris protection are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from arc and debrisVSAvoidshield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arc shield is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it shields against arc damage, prevents debris from entering the mechanism, directs gas flow through a controlled path, and provides structural support. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving comprehensive protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The arc shield effectively prevents arcs from shorting to the breaker panel or enclosure, protects the mechanism from debris, and ensures safe venting of gases, enhancing the operational safety and longevity of the circuit breaker.

Implementation Method 1

the exterior portion includes an outlet and is disposed to direct the gas from the opening toward the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the arc shield effectively prevents arcs from shorting to the breaker panel or enclosure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9281149B2Arc shield

Publication Date: 2016.03.08 CARLING TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A circuit breaker includes a shielding component having an external portion which defines a space external to the circuit breaker housing and covers a vent in the circuit breaker housing to direct gasses and debris from the vent to an outlet. The external portion also prevents insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box closer than the distances defining the space. This can have the advantage of preventing arcing from the breaker contacts to the breaker box. The external portion may also prevent insertion of the circuit breaker into a breaker box such that a vent in the circuit breaker housing is blocked. In some implementations, the shielding component contains an internal portion which extends into the circuit breaker housing and is disposed to impede debris generated by contact arcing, or other debris, from entering the mechanism of the circuit breaker.