Circuit Breaker Interlocking Mechanism for Plug Status Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users cannot verify if the control power plug is properly inserted outside a switchgear, leading to potential electrical misoperations and accidents, as the insertion status is not easily checkable from a remote location.

Innovation Solution

An interlocking mechanism comprising a control power plug, connector, link, plug interlock assembly, and position switch assembly that visually indicates the plug's insertion status through a display unit, ensuring stable operation of the circuit breaker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the control power plug is made detachable for easy installation and maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because users cannot verify proper insertion from outside the switchgear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of plug installation and removalVSAvoidreliability of circuit breaker operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the interlocking system that provides visual indication (via position switch and display unit) of the plug insertion status. The position switch detects whether the control power plug is properly inserted and transmits this information to the display unit, allowing users to verify connection status from outside the switchgear without physical inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of the link mechanism, plug interlock assembly, and position switch. This intermediary system translates the physical state of plug insertion into a visible signal through the display unit, mediating between the plug connection status and user awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the switchgear box is designed as a closed enclosure for protection, then the protection against harmful factors is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot check plug insertion status from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of internal componentsVSAvoidease of checking plug insertion status

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for physical inspection of the plug connection with an automated detection and display system. The mechanical interlocking mechanism automatically detects plug insertion status and communicates it through the display unit, eliminating the need for users to open the switchgear box for verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the interlocking mechanism components are increased to provide reliable status indication, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of status indicationVSAvoidcomplexity of interlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the interlocking mechanism into distinct functional segments: the link connected to the control power connector, the plug interlock assembly with interlock lever, and the position switch assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable and easier to implement reliably.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10389093B2Interlocking mechanism for circuit breaker

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 LSIS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an interlocking mechanism interlocked with a control power of a circuit breaker. The mechanism includes a control power plug movably installed in a switchgear box, a control power connector detachably coupled to the control power plug, a link connected to the control power connector, a plug interlock assembly connected to and interlocked with the link, and a position switch assembly positioned to face and interlocked with the plug interlock assembly.