Auxiliary Switch Drive Slide for Circuit Breaker Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auxiliary switches for motor-protective circuit breakers face challenges in maintaining the ON position of contact carriers without incorrect positioning, particularly due to the interaction between the pivot lever, torsion spring, and contact pressure springs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a drive slide with angled sliding surfaces that allows the operating slide to move in a first direction and the contact carrier to remain in the ON position by transferring motion between the sliding edge and first sliding surface in the first phase, and ensuring contact with the second sliding surface under the contact pressure spring's action, preventing incorrect positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pivot lever with link slot and torsion spring is used to move the contact carrier, then the contact carrier can be actuated into the ON position, but incorrect positioning of the contact carrier may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pivot lever and its associated link slot mechanism from the design. Instead, it uses a direct sliding connection between the operating slide and contact carrier, eliminating the intermediate pivot lever component that caused positioning issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the motion transfer into two distinct phases using a drive slide with two different sliding surfaces: the first sliding surface transfers motion in the first operating phase, and the second sliding surface maintains position in the second operating phase. This segmentation ensures precise positioning without complex mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the operating slide moves the contact carrier against contact pressure springs, then the contacts can be closed, but maintaining the ON position requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The drive slide acts as an intermediary element between the operating slide and contact carrier. It has two different sliding surfaces that mediate the motion transfer: the first surface allows motion during actuation, and the second surface maintains the ON position through frictional adhesion, eliminating the need for additional positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional pivot lever and torsion spring mechanical system with a sliding friction-based system. The drive slide uses frictional adhesion between its second sliding surface and the contact carrier to maintain the ON position, substituting complex mechanical retention mechanisms with a simpler friction-based solution.
3Ease of operation
If the operating slide travels further to operate the actuating element, then the circuit breaker can be actuated, but the contact carrier must remain in the ON position
Solution Approach 1:
The drive slide dynamically changes its interaction with the operating slide and contact carrier during operation. In the first operating phase, the first sliding surface is in contact with the operating slide to transfer motion. In the second operating phase, the second sliding surface maintains contact with the contact carrier while the first surface disengages, allowing the operating slide to travel further without moving the contact carrier.
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 configuration effectively maintains the contact carrier in the ON position during the second operating phase, preventing incorrect positions and ensuring reliable operation of the circuit breaker's actuating elements, while the contact pressure spring provides frictional adhesion for stability.
Implementation Method 1
the sliding nose of the contact carrier remains in contact with the second sliding surface under the action of the contact pressure spring
Implementation Method 2
the contact pressure spring provides frictional adhesion for stability
Data Source
AI summary
A leading auxiliary switch includes an auxiliary switch housing for attachment to a circuit breaker. An operating slide is provided having a sliding edge and being supported so as to be movable in a first sliding direction. A contact carrier is provided supported so as to be movable parallel to the first sliding direction. The contact carrier includes a sliding nose and is movable in a first operating phase of the operating slide against an action of a contact pressure spring into an ON position of movable contacts with fixed contacts. A drive slide is supported in the auxiliary switch housing so as to be movable in a second sliding direction transverse to the first sliding direction, the drive slide including first and second opposed sliding surfaces extending at an angle to the first and second sliding directions. The sliding edge of the operating slide abuts against the first sliding surface in the first operating phase and is out of contact with the first sliding surface in the second operating phase.