Air Circuit Breaker Link Structure for Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air circuit breakers suffer from abrasion and damage to their links due to high loads and impacts during charging, closing, and breakage operations, leading to reduced operation reliability and shortened lifespan, with thickening the links complicating fabrication and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The air circuit breaker employs a link structure composed of multiple coupled members, with strategic coupling points at different portions to enhance intensity, preventing abrasion and damage, and facilitating low-cost fabrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the link is thickened to withstand high loads and impacts, then the strength and durability are improved, but the fabrication complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The link is divided into multiple thin members (first link member, second link member, third link member) coupled together through connection portions, replacing a single thick link. This segmentation allows each member to be manufactured separately with standard processes while collectively providing the required strength through distributed load bearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The link structure functions as a composite system where multiple members are coupled together to create a composite structural element. The connection portions join these members to form an integrated assembly that achieves superior strength-to-manufacturability ratio compared to a monolithic thick link.
2Ease of manufacture
If the link structure is simplified for easy fabrication, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the link becomes susceptible to abrasion and damage under high loads
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the link into multiple members, each member can be manufactured using simple, cost-effective processes. The segmented structure inherently distributes mechanical stresses and abrasion across multiple contact points, enhancing reliability without requiring complex manufacturing for individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection portions are strategically positioned at specific locations where loads and impacts are transmitted. This local reinforcement at critical zones provides enhanced durability precisely where needed, while the rest of the link members can maintain simple, easy-to-manufacture geometries.
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
This configuration enhances the reliability and extends the lifespan of the air circuit breaker by distributing loads effectively across coupled members, reducing wear and tear, and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a closing spring 125 having one end connected to a lower end portion of the driving lever 124 and the other end supported at the frame 109 to accumulate elastic energy generated by being compressed
Implementation Method 2
having a latch roller 130 contacted with an upper surface of the first link 129, rotated by the rotation of the first link 129, and restrained when the latch roller 130 is locked by the recess 149 of the first link 129
Data Source
AI summary
An air circuit breaker comprising: a cam (22) connected to a rotational shaft (21) to be rotated; a driving lever (24) connected to the cam to be rotated; a closing spring (25) connected to the driving lever to be compressed by the rotation of the driving lever; and a plurality of links (29,34,35) for transferring a tensile force generated when the closing spring is tensioned to a switching shaft connected to a movable contact, wherein at least one (29) of the plurality of links has a structure that a plurality of members are coupled to one another, whereby operation reliability of the air circuit breaker can be enhanced and a lifetime thereof can be elongated by preventing abrasion or damage from being occurred on the links during the operation of the air circuit breaker.