Circuit Breaker Cable Adapter for Stress-Free Switch Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Direct attachment of electrical cables to circuit breakers induces mechanical and electrical stresses, obstructs breaker switches, and requires cumbersome tie-rod removal during maintenance, leading to inefficient maintenance processes.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a housing and sleeves that secures to the circuit breaker, guiding cables through guideways and providing snap-fit attachment, ensuring unhindered access to breaker switches and eliminating the need for tie-rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cables are directly attached to the operative end of the circuit breaker, then cable connection is achieved, but mechanical and electrical stresses are induced on the circuit breaker causing disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the cable and the circuit breaker. The adapter includes a body with a cavity that receives the cable, and a mounting portion that attaches to the circuit breaker's operative end. This intermediary structure prevents direct stress transmission from the cable to the circuit breaker, thereby maintaining circuit breaker stability while achieving secure cable connection.
2Ease of manufacture
If cables are directly mounted onto the circuit breaker, then cable connection is established, but the cables obstruct the breaker switch limiting access
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into distinct functional portions: a mounting portion that attaches to the circuit breaker, a body portion that houses the cable, and a guiding portion that directs the cable. This segmentation allows the cable to be routed through the adapter's internal cavity rather than directly on the circuit breaker surface, preventing obstruction of the breaker switch while maintaining secure cable attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If tie-rods are used to guide and route cables after passing through the circuit breaker, then cable routing is achieved, but maintenance requires cumbersome tie-rod removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable routing function from the traditional tie-rod system and integrates it into the adapter body. The adapter includes an internal cavity and guiding portions that provide cable routing functionality without requiring external tie-rods. This eliminates the need for separate tie-rod components that would need to be removed during maintenance, thereby simplifying the maintenance process while maintaining effective cable routing.
4Ease of manufacture
If cables are directly affixed to the circuit breaker, then connection is achieved, but replacement of breakers becomes restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-attached to the circuit breaker's operative end before cable installation. The adapter's mounting portion secures to the circuit breaker, creating a prepared interface that guides and receives the cable. This preliminary preparation allows for easy cable attachment while maintaining the ability to remove and replace circuit breakers without cable obstruction, thereby enhancing breaker replacement flexibility.
Data Source
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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.