Air Circuit Breaker Delay Mechanism Using Magnetic Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delay time generation apparatuses for air circuit breakers are bulky, leading to installation challenges in narrow spaces, and suffer from reduced accuracy and reliability in generating sufficient delay times due to the use of large mass bodies.
Innovation Solution
A compact delay time generation apparatus utilizing a spring member and rotating units, where the spring member applies elastic force to rotate the second rotating unit in the same direction as its rotation, ensuring precise delay time generation without the need for a large mass body, and includes a main shaft, pin portion, first rotating unit, and second rotating unit to manage contact and trip positions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large mass body is used to generate delay time through inertia, then the delay time can be generated, but the apparatus increases in size making it difficult to install in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical inertia-based delay mechanism with a magnetic field-based timing mechanism. A magnet is positioned to interact with a conductive plate, generating eddy currents that create magnetic damping. This substitution eliminates the need for large mass bodies while achieving the same delay effect through electromagnetic forces, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability of delay time generation and apparatus size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the delay mechanism by using magnetic field strength, conductivity of the plate, and magnetic damping coefficients instead of mass and inertia. By adjusting parameters such as magnet strength, plate material conductivity, and gap distance, the delay time can be precisely controlled without increasing the physical size of the apparatus, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable delay generation and compact dimensions.
2Reliability
If a large mass body is used to generate delay time, then the delay time can be achieved, but the accuracy of delay time is lowered and it is difficult to ensure sufficient delay time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical inertia system with an electromagnetic damping system where eddy currents in a conductive plate create magnetic resistance. This substitution provides more precise and controllable delay timing because the magnetic damping force can be accurately adjusted through electrical parameters (magnet strength, plate conductivity, gap distance) rather than being limited by mechanical mass constraints, thereby improving both reliability and accuracy of delay time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the magnetic field interaction between the magnet and conductive plate creates a self-regulating damping effect. The eddy currents generated in the plate automatically adjust the magnetic resistance based on the relative motion and position, providing precise control over the delay time without requiring large mass bodies, thus resolving the contradiction between delay sufficiency and timing accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If a spring member is used to apply elastic force for rotation, then the structure is simplified and fabrication is easier, but the force control precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the spring member and the rotating components. The spring provides the driving force, but the magnetic field acts as a mediator to precisely control the force transmission and timing. This intermediary allows the simple spring structure to achieve precise force control through magnetic field modulation, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and force control precision.
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 apparatus ensures a reliable and accurate delay time generation even in narrow spaces, simplifying the structure, reducing fabrication time and costs, and preventing re-rotation errors due to collision with other components.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (170) to apply an elastic force to the second rotating unit (150)
Implementation Method 2
a mass body 39 causing a predetermined delay time due to inertia upon a rotation of the main shaft 10
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A delay time generation apparatus for an air circuit breaker according to the present invention can provide an effect of ensuring a delay time as long as possible even in a narrow space upon outputting a signal related to a conductive state, by virtue of interaction of a main shaft, a pin portion, a first rotating unit, a second rotating unit and a spring member.