Miniature Circuit Breaker Button Locking for Stable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature circuit breakers face issues with reliable and stable operation due to misoperation, which can lead to safety hazards, and the button mechanism's design often requires excessive force for switching off, risking assembly instability and accidental removal.
Innovation Solution
A miniature circuit breaker with a locking mechanism that includes a second locking member pivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing, ensuring a limit fit with the housing at the assembly position, preventing accidental removal and enhancing stability through a sliding fit with the button mechanism, and utilizing a button mechanism with a connecting rod to drive the locking member for secure assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the button mechanism is designed without a locking mechanism, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the circuit breaker can be accidentally pulled out
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is preliminarily positioned to engage with the limiting structure on the housing before any pulling force is applied. This preliminary engagement prevents the button mechanism from being accidentally pulled out, while still allowing intentional operation when force is deliberately applied to overcome the locking engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member provides a preliminary anti-action force that counteracts the pulling force on the button mechanism. The locking structure creates a counterbalancing force that prevents accidental removal while allowing controlled operation when the user intentionally applies sufficient force to disengage the lock.
2Reliability
If the button mechanism uses a locking mechanism with limit fit, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as excessive force is required for switching off
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is designed to dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states. During normal operation, the locking member engages to provide stability. When switching is required, the button mechanism can be pulled to disengage the lock, or pushed to maintain engagement, allowing flexible operation without requiring excessive force in either direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is segmented into distinct components: the locking member that provides the locking action, the limiting structure on the housing that defines the engagement point, and the button mechanism that triggers the locking/unlocking transition. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the force required for operation while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the button mechanism is pulled out for switching off, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates as the circuit breaker may be pulled out of assembly position
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is preliminarily engaged with the limiting structure to secure the button mechanism in its assembly position before any pulling operation. This preliminary locking prevents the button mechanism from being accidentally dislodged from the housing during normal pulling operations for switching off.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member acts as an intermediary between the button mechanism and the housing. It mediates the interaction by providing a secure engagement point that allows the button mechanism to be pulled for switching while preventing it from being pulled out of the assembly position. The locking member transfers and controls the forces between these components.
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature circuit breaker, which includes a button mechanism, a circuit breaker housing, and a locking mechanism, wherein the button mechanism is arranged at one end of the circuit breaker housing and is in sliding fit with the circuit breaker housing, the locking mechanism includes a second locking member, the second locking member is pivotally arranged on the circuit breaker housing, the circuit breaker housing includes a second opening hole arranged on one side thereof, one end of the second locking member is in driving fit with the button mechanism, and the other end of the second locking member passes through the second opening hole and is in limit fit with a housing at an assembly position of the circuit breaker.