Circuit Breaker Arc Extinguishing With Projectile Gap Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric circuit breaker devices for vehicles and home appliances face challenges in effectively extinguishing arcs generated during conductor cuts, often requiring complex structures and high igniter output due to material limitations and geometric constraints.
Innovation Solution
An electric circuit breaker device featuring a synthetic resin housing with a cylindrical space, a rod-like projectile made of synthetic resin, and a conductor portion with specific geometric relationships between the insulating closed space and the projectile, allowing for efficient arc extinguishing with reduced igniter output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polymeric material (resin material) is used for the housing, then the housing can provide electrical insulation, but the housing needs to be thickened to impart required strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining a resin housing with a metallic reinforcing cylinder. The resin provides electrical insulation while the metal cylinder embedded within reinforces the housing, allowing thin-walled construction without compromising mechanical strength. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating two materials with complementary properties.
2Strength
If stainless steel casing is used, then the housing provides high strength, but the increase in mass is large and insulating case needs to be arranged in combination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a thin-walled resin housing provides electrical insulation and a metallic reinforcing cylinder provides structural strength. This eliminates the need for thick metal casings or separate insulating cases, reducing overall mass while maintaining both insulation and strength requirements.
3Device complexity
If the width of the opening portion and width of the end portion of the rod-like projectile are made equal, then the structure is simplified, but arc extinguishing effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the insulating closed space, specifically setting the width W1 of the opening portion to be greater than the width L1 of the rod-like projectile end portion, with a specific relationship W1−L1≥0.25 mm. This parameter optimization enhances the arc extinguishing effect by allowing proper arc confinement and cooling while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 device effectively extinguishes arcs during conductor cuts with reduced igniter pressure and size, utilizing geometric relationships between the insulating closed space and the rod-like projectile to absorb kinetic energy and facilitate cutting.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating closed space between the second end portion of the housing and the conductor portion... effectively extinguishes arcs during conductor cuts
Implementation Method 2
insulating closed space... made of a synthetic resin housing
Implementation Method 3
an igniter... that can be used in electric circuits of vehicles, electric home appliances, and the like
Implementation Method 4
rod-like projectile... facilitating conductor portion cutting with optimized geometric relationships
Data Source
AI summary
An electric circuit breaker device includes an igniter, a rod-like projectile, and a conductor portion for forming a part of an electric circuit, and an insulating closed space. The conductor portion includes a first and second connection portions and a cut portion at an intermediate portion, and is disposed with a surface of the cut portion. The rod-like projectile has an end portion facing the cut portion. The insulating closed space has an opening portion facing the conductor portion, a closed end surface opposite to the opening portion in the housing axial direction, and four side surfaces between the opening portion and the closed end surface. A width (W1) of the opening portion of the insulating closed space and a width (L1) of the end portion of the rod-like projectile have a relationship of W1>L1 and W1−L1≥0.25 mm.