Reversed Circuit Breaker Handle Assembly for Flipped Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-family residences lack sufficient electrical infrastructure to support EV charging stations, leading to overloading of existing circuit breakers and the need for additional load management devices, which increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device for reversed handle operation of a circuit breaker, allowing two circuit breakers to be stacked in a flipped orientation with a lever mechanism that ensures intuitive handle positioning regardless of the flipped orientation, eliminating the need for load management devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If circuit breakers are stacked in a flipped orientation to support EV charging stations, then electrical infrastructure capacity is improved, but handle positioning becomes non-intuitive and operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by providing a reversable handle assembly that can be installed in two orientations. The handle assembly includes a first configuration for standard orientation and a second configuration for flipped orientation, allowing the handle to maintain intuitive positioning regardless of how the circuit breaker is mounted. This resolves the contradiction by enabling flipped stacking (improving infrastructure capacity) while maintaining intuitive handle operation (preserving ease of operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed to be reversible and adaptable to different orientations. The reversable mounting mechanism allows the handle assembly to dynamically adjust its configuration based on whether the circuit breaker is installed in standard or flipped orientation, ensuring intuitive operation in both cases while supporting the flipped stacking arrangement for improved electrical infrastructure capacity.
2Reliability
If additional load management devices are added to prevent overloading, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple circuit breakers into a stacked configuration where they share common mounting infrastructure and electrical pathways. By stacking circuit breakers vertically and utilizing the reversable handle assembly, the design consolidates what would otherwise require separate load management devices into an integrated multi-circuit breaker system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining electrical safety through the inherent protection of each circuit breaker.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked circuit breaker configuration with reversable handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides separate circuit protection for different loads (including EV charging), enables flipped orientation installation to improve electrical infrastructure capacity, and eliminates the need for additional dedicated load management devices. This multi-functionality achieves electrical safety while reducing device complexity and cost.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective integration of EV charging stations by simplifying circuit breaker operation, ensuring user-friendly handle positioning and reducing complexity and costs associated with load management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a lever that is rotatably attached to the housing. The lever includes a body, and an arm and a second handle each extending away from the body. The lever is movable in a first direction relative to the housing in response to a force at the second handle
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reversed operation of a first handle is provided. The first handle is of a circuit breaker. The device includes a housing that is attachable to the circuit breaker, and a lever that is rotatably attached to the housing. The lever includes a body, and an arm and a second handle each extending away from the body. The lever is movable in a first direction relative to the housing in response to a force at the second handle, such that when the housing is attached to the circuit breaker and the lever moves in the first direction relative to the housing, the first arm is configured to press against and move the first handle of the circuit breaker in a second direction relative to the housing, the second direction being away from the first direction.