Circuit Breaker Locking Device Using Magnetic Actuation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit breakers lack effective locking mechanisms, compromising safety by allowing reactivation after a fault, and complex locking devices reduce reliability.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker with a locking device featuring a rotatable executing lever, elastic piece, and magnetic actuator that forms a stable locking connection between the lever and pressing plate, preventing the operating mechanism from resetting until a fault is resolved.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no locking device is provided, then the circuit breaker can be switched on easily, but safety is compromised allowing reactivation after fault

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlocking device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based locking system. The magnetic field acts on a magnetic piece to achieve locking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interlocks while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of the magnetic piece between attracted (locked) and released (unlocked) states by controlling the magnetic field. This parameter change approach simplifies the locking mechanism while ensuring reliable safety control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a complex locking device is provided, then safety is improved, but the stability of locking parts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidlocking parts stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based locking system. The magnetic field acts on a magnetic piece to achieve locking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interlocks while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex mechanical structures, isolating the magnetic piece and magnetic field interaction as the core locking mechanism. This simplification improves stability by removing unnecessary mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a locking device is provided to prevent reactivation, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidmechanical structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with a magnetic field-based locking system. The magnetic field acts on a magnetic piece to achieve locking, eliminating the need for complex mechanical interlocks while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides locking action, indicates locking state, and can be controlled through the tripping mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution provides a firm, stable, and reliable locking mechanism that ensures safety by preventing accidental reactivation after a fault, improving the stability and reliability of the locking process.

Implementation Method 1

A magnetic actuator 5 which can drive the pressing plate 2 to oscillate is also arranged above the pressing plate 2 correspondingly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an elastic piece 111 is arranged between one end of the executing lever 1 and the base 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic energy: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3229257B1Circuit breaker locking device

Publication Date: 2020.05.13 ZHEJIANG CHINT ELECTRIC CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

A circuit breaker locking device comprises an executing lever and a pressing plate, wherein a hole shaft of the executing lever is rotatably mounted in a base of a circuit breaker. An elastic piece is arranged between one end of the executing lever and the base, and the other end of the executing lever is provided with a locking end which can be connected with a locking portion at one side of the pressing plate in a locking manner. The pressing plate is mounted in the base and can rotatably oscillate relative to the base. The locking portion at one side of the pressing plate comprises an unlocking surface and a locking surface which correspond to the locking end respectively and are adjacent to each other, and a sliding step is arranged between the unlocking surface and the locking surface. A contact portion which is in contact connection with a circuit breaker operating mechanism is arranged at the other side of the pressing plate. A magnetic flux which can drive the pressing plate to oscillate is also arranged above the pressing plate correspondingly. The circuit breaker locking device provided by the utility model is firm in locking structure, stable in action process and simple in mechanical structure.