Auxiliary Trip Device Torsion Spring Torque Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing undervoltage auxiliary tripping devices alter the 'stroke/force' driving characteristic of the mechanism, leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption and mechanical performance when reactivating the electromagnet, which affects the opening of circuit breaker contacts.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a torsion spring that applies additional torque to the arm of the plate, ensuring the force direction changes to amplify torque during the critical phase of triggering, compensating for the loss of energy and maintaining the original 'force/travel' characteristic without degrading performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electromagnet is mechanically reactivated by the main spring acting on the pallet via an arm, then the magnetic circuit is reset, but this consumes part of the energy supplied by the mechanism, altering the stroke/force driving characteristic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reactivation function into two separate components: the main spring continues to provide energy for circuit breaker opening, while a dedicated third spring (torsion spring) specifically handles the electromagnet reactivation. This segmentation prevents the main spring's energy from being consumed by electromagnet reset, preserving the original stroke/force characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The third spring acts as an intermediary element between the plate arm and the electromagnet armature. It transfers energy specifically for armature reactivation without involving the main spring, thus mediating the energy flow to prevent alteration of the main driving characteristic.
2Productivity
If the plate presses on the pallet to close it, then the circuit breaker contacts are opened, but the adaptability of the auxiliary mechanism to the resistive circuit breaker is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mechanical functions by introducing a dedicated arm (second arm) on the plate that specifically interacts with the electromagnet armature, separate from the first arm that presses on the pallet. This allows the plate to perform both functions independently without altering the original pallet-pressing stroke/force characteristic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific local features to the plate: a second arm with specific geometry and a third spring with specific torsional characteristics. These local modifications enable electromagnet reactivation without affecting the global stroke/force characteristic of the main tripping mechanism.
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 additional torque provided by the torsion spring ensures efficient reactivation of the magnetic circuit, minimizing current consumption and maintaining the original adaptability of the mechanism, thus compensating for energy losses without altering the external trigger characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
a so-called third spring stretched by the arm of the plate in the armed position of the mechanism, said third spring being capable of exerting a force on the arm of the plate when it expands
Implementation Method 2
the so-called third spring is a torsion spring
Implementation Method 3
an electromagnet provided with an excitation coil and a magnetic circuit at a mobile armature, which can occupy either a first position spaced from the magnetic circuit under the action of a so-called second return spring, or a second position close to the magnetic circuit by electromagnetic attraction when the coil is energized
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
The device has a control mechanism (2) comprising a triggering connection acting on a triggering lock of a circuit breaker block. The mechanism comprises a transmission rod (10) coupled with a handle. The mechanism comprises a plate (8) rotatingly mounted in a modular insulating case (1). A spring (15) i.e. torsion spring, is held by an arm (8a) of the plate in an armed position of the mechanism, where the spring exerts force on the arm of the plate during detent of the plate after unlocking the plate to recall a pallet toward a position of a magnetic circuit.