Miniature Circuit Breaker Button With Integrated State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature circuit breakers lack intuitive indication of their switching state when operated via a button mechanism, posing safety risks due to unclear status during electricity consumption.
Innovation Solution
A miniature circuit breaker design incorporating a button mechanism and an indicating apparatus, where the button mechanism drives the indicating apparatus to shield an indicating hole or wire removal hole when switched on, providing a visual indication of the circuit breaker's state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a button mechanism is used to switch the circuit breaker, then the structure can be miniaturized and simplified, but the switching state cannot be intuitively judged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the indicating apparatus with the button mechanism into a single integrated unit. The indicating component is positioned within the button mechanism housing, and both components share common mounting structures and spatial arrangement, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining both switching functionality and state indication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The button mechanism serves dual functions: it acts as both the switching actuator and the housing for the indicating apparatus. The same structural elements that provide the button mechanism's switching function also support and protect the indicating component, allowing one structure to fulfill multiple roles without adding separate dedicated components
2Reliability
If an indicating apparatus is added to show switching state, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating apparatus is nested within the button mechanism housing. The indicating component is positioned inside the button mechanism's structural envelope, utilizing the existing housing space rather than adding external protruding elements. This nesting approach allows the indicating function to be incorporated without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating apparatus utilizes a thin baffle or shield that can be easily integrated into the existing button mechanism structure. This thin film-like indicating component provides the necessary visual indication function while occupying minimal space and adding negligible structural complexity to the overall device
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature circuit breaker, which includes a circuit breaker housing, a button mechanism, and an indicating apparatus. The circuit breaker housing includes an indicating hole arranged in one side thereof, the button mechanism is in sliding fit with the circuit breaker housing, the indicating apparatus is in driving fit with the button mechanism, and when the button mechanism is pressed to switch on the miniature circuit breaker, the button mechanism drives the indicating apparatus to shield the indicating hole. The indicating apparatus thereof may indicate a switching-on state of the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is switched on, thus improving a safety of electricity consumption.