Circuit Breaker Control Module With Insulated Trip Signal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional circuit breakers face reduced effectiveness and increased risk of damage due to arcing when cutting off failure currents in power transmission and distribution lines, and the control systems are vulnerable to electrical hazards from surge voltages and overcurrents.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker control module employing electronic semiconductor switching units with insulated signal transmission elements to isolate the control circuit from the failure line, using semiconductor switching units and diode elements to manage current flow and reduce arcing risks, while photocouplers or isolators transmit trip signals to maintain insulation between the controller and switching units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a cut-off switch directly activates to cut off failure current, then the failure line is interrupted, but electric arcs are generated reducing cut-off effectiveness and damaging switches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecut-off speedVSAvoidswitch durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor switching unit is activated first to interrupt the failure current before the mechanical cut-off switch operates. This preliminary action by the semiconductor device eliminates arcing that would otherwise occur when the mechanical switch opens, protecting the switch and maintaining cut-off effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The semiconductor switching unit serves as an intermediary device between the control signal and the mechanical cut-off switch. It handles the high-current interruption task first, allowing the mechanical switch to close without exposing it to harmful arcs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the controller directly receives trip signals from the power line, then control is immediate, but the controller is exposed to surge voltage and overcurrent hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidelectrical hazard to controller

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulated signal transmission element acts as an intermediary between the power line and the controller. It transmits the trip signal while providing electrical insulation that blocks surge voltage and overcurrent from reaching the controller, protecting it while maintaining fast response capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct electrical connection with an insulated signal transmission mechanism. This substitution maintains signal transmission functionality while eliminating the harmful electrical connection that would expose the controller to power line hazards

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If semiconductor switching units are used to cut off current, then arcing is minimized, but the control circuit remains vulnerable to electrical hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc suppressionVSAvoidelectrical hazard to control circuit

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulated signal transmission element provides a dual-function protection: it transmits control signals to the semiconductor switching units while simultaneously isolating the control circuit from electrical hazards on the power line, maintaining both arc suppression and controller safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of accidents from arcing and enhances the stability and reliability of the control circuit by first breaking the failure line using semiconductor switching, thereby minimizing electrical hazards to the control system.

Implementation Method 1

photocouplers or isolators transmit trip signals to maintain insulation between the controller and switching units

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11811218B2Circuit breaker control module

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 LS ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

The circuit breaker control module of the present disclosure comprises: a plurality of semiconductor switching units for blocking current flows of transmission distribution lines or performing switching operations so as to switch the current flow directions; a control unit for controlling the turn-on/turn-off operation of each semiconductor switching unit by transmitting a trip signal to each of the plurality of semiconductor switching units; and a plurality of insulation type signal transmission element units which are provided between the plurality of semiconductor switching units and the control unit such that the semiconductor switching units and the control unit are insulated, and which transmit the trip signal from the control unit to each of the plurality of semiconductor switching units, and thus the presently disclosed circuit breaker control module can reduce the risk of accidents due to an electrical arc and increase the stability and reliability of the control unit.