Circuit Breaker Cable Adapter for Stress Relief and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct attachment of electrical cables to circuit breakers induces mechanical and electrical stresses, obstructs breaker switches, limits access, and requires cumbersome tie-rod removal during maintenance, leading to increased downtime.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a housing and sleeves that secures to the circuit breaker, guiding cables through guideways and allowing quick release, maintaining thermal equilibrium and unhindered switch access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cables are directly affixed to the operative end of the circuit breaker, then cable attachment is simplified, but mechanical and electrical stresses increase causing disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the circuit breaker and the cable. The adapter has a body that attaches to the operative end of the circuit breaker and guides the cable through its length, allowing the cable to pass through the adapter rather than directly attaching to the circuit breaker. This intermediary structure distributes mechanical stresses and prevents direct stress concentration on the circuit breaker, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling simplified cable attachment.
2Ease of operation
If tie-rods are used to guide and route cables, then cable routing is achieved, but maintenance becomes cumbersome requiring tie-rod removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable routing function from the tie-rod structure and integrates it into the adapter body. The adapter contains internal guide structures and channels that route cables from the operative end through the adapter body, eliminating the need for external tie-rods. This allows cables to be routed and secured within the adapter itself, enabling quick release and removal of the adapter during maintenance without requiring separate tie-rod removal, thereby simplifying the maintenance process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that includes: at least one electrical circuit breaker of a power system, the at least one electrical circuit breaker defined by a body having at least one guideway and a breaker switch disposed on a first surface of the at least one electrical circuit breaker; and an adaptor defined by a housing having: an interior portion that includes a plurality of ridge structures adapted to secure the adaptor to the first surface of the at least one electrical circuit breaker; and at least one sleeve configured to allow passage of a cable from a first surface of the housing toward the interior portion of the housing.