Circuit Breaker Fuse Switching for Fast Low- and High-Current Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric circuit breakers struggle to quickly and effectively break currents across a wide range, including both relatively low and high currents, due to issues with fuse operation and arc extinguishing.
Innovation Solution
The electric circuit breaker employs a moving body that cuts a cut piece between base pieces on both sides of a cut portion, using a first power source to disconnect the fuse function portion at low currents and connect it at high currents, with paired electrodes and a regulating unit to manage movement, and includes an arc-extinguishing material to handle arc discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fuse is used to break the circuit, then the arc can be extinguished effectively for high currents, but the response time is long or the current cannot be broken for low currents
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the current breaking function into two segments: a moving body that mechanically cuts the circuit for low currents, and a fuse that handles arc extinguishing for high currents. The moving body includes a moving blade that physically separates contact pieces to break the circuit, while the fuse with arc-extinguishing material handles the arc suppression when high currents are present. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific current range.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a dynamic switching mechanism where the moving body can move between different positions to either connect or disconnect the fuse function portion from the cut portion. When low current is detected, the moving body disconnects the fuse and performs mechanical cutting. When high current is detected, the moving body connects the fuse to handle arc extinguishing. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond appropriately to different current conditions.
2Reliability
If the fuse function portion is always connected to the cut portion, then high current arcs can be extinguished, but low current breaking becomes slow or ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The moving body dynamically changes the connection state between the fuse function portion and the cut portion based on the detected current level. For low currents, the moving body disconnects the fuse from the cut portion, allowing rapid mechanical breaking without fuse interference. For high currents, the moving body connects the fuse to the cut portion to enable effective arc extinguishing. This dynamic connection management optimizes performance across different current ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving body acts as an intermediary component that controls the electrical connection between the fuse function portion and the cut portion. It includes a moving blade that can bridge or separate these two portions, effectively switching the fuse in or out of the circuit based on current conditions. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to adapt its breaking characteristics to match the actual current being interrupted.
3Productivity
If the moving body directly cuts the cut portion without fuse connection, then low current breaking is fast, but high current arcs cannot be extinguished effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the configuration of the moving body based on current magnitude. When low current is detected, the moving body is positioned to disconnect the fuse function portion from the cut portion, enabling fast mechanical breaking. When high current is detected, the moving body repositions to connect the fuse function portion to the cut portion, ensuring effective arc extinguishing. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize for either speed or arc control depending on conditions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a regulating unit is added to control moving body movement, then current range adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving body is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple tasks: it mechanically cuts the circuit, switches the fuse connection, and detects current conditions. The single moving body integrates the functions of a cutter, a switch, and a sensor, eliminating the need for separate components for each function. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability across different current ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the fuse function portion and the cut portion into a single integrated structure where the moving body can selectively connect or disconnect them. Rather than having separate mechanisms for fuse operation and mechanical cutting, the design combines these functions into one unified system controlled by the moving body's position. This merging reduces the number of independent components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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 circuit breaker efficiently breaks currents from low to high ranges by quickly disconnecting or connecting the fuse function portion and extinguishing arcs, ensuring safe and immediate circuit disruption.
Implementation Method 1
a moving body that moves in the housing between a first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, the electric circuit breaker including a fuse function portion that includes a fusion portion and an arc-extinguishing material, wherein the moving body is configured to cut a cut piece positioned between base pieces on both sides of the cut portion
Implementation Method 2
the arc generated by the induced current is effectively, quickly, and safely extinguished in the fuse
Implementation Method 3
A current (fault current) flowing through the electric circuit when the electric circuit is broken is induced in the fuse
Data Source
AI summary
An electric circuit breaker that includes a housing, a cut portion that is disposed in the housing and constitutes a part of an electric circuit, a first power source that is disposed on a side of a first end portion of the housing, and a moving body that moves in the housing between the first end portion and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, the electric circuit breaker including a fuse function portion that includes a fusion portion and an arc-extinguishing material, wherein the moving body is configured to cut a cut piece positioned between base pieces on both sides of the cut portion at a part of the moving body while moving from the first end portion toward the second end portion by the first power source.