Circuit Breaker Operating Device Torsion Bar Nesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional operating devices for circuit breakers, especially those with three-phase separation, face challenges in miniaturization and structural complexity due to the need for additional support structures for torsion bars, leading to increased size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first lever, an opening shaft, a torsion bar, a drive shaft, and second levers connected to the drive shaft, allowing for a compact configuration by utilizing the stored energy from torsion to operate the circuit breaker contacts within the existing tank structure, eliminating the need for extensive protrusions and support structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the torsion bar protrudes out of the tank to enable operation, then the operating device can function properly, but the size of the circuit breaker increases and the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating device functionVSAvoidcircuit breaker size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The torsion bar is nested inside the drive shaft, with the drive shaft surrounding the periphery of the torsion bar. This nested configuration allows the torsion bar to be contained within the drive shaft structure, eliminating the need for the torsion bar to protrude from the tank while maintaining its operational function for opening and closing contacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention repositions the torsion bar from a protruding configuration to an internal configuration within the drive shaft. By utilizing the internal space of the drive shaft, the design transitions from a one-dimensional protrusion to a three-dimensional integrated structure, reducing the overall footprint and eliminating external support structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the torsion bar protrudes out of the tank, then the operating device can function, but additional support structures are required which complicates the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating device functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The torsion bar is nested inside the drive shaft, eliminating the need for separate support structures. The drive shaft itself serves as the supporting structure, integrating the support function into the existing component rather than requiring additional external supports.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The support function is merged with the drive shaft structure. Instead of having separate support structures and drive shaft, the drive shaft is designed to inherently support the torsion bar, combining multiple functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the operating device is attached to three-phase separation type circuit breaker with torsion bar protrusion, then each tank can operate independently, but the overall size increases to secure space for protruding torsion bars

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-phase separation operationVSAvoidcircuit breaker size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Each torsion bar is nested within its respective drive shaft in each tank, allowing independent operation of three-phase circuits while minimizing the space required. This nested configuration eliminates the need for external protrusions, enabling compact design of three-phase separation type circuit breaker.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enables miniaturization and simplification of the circuit breaker structure while maintaining efficient operation of three-phase circuit contacts, reducing the overall size and enhancing the operational speed of the circuit breaker.

Implementation Method 1

an operating device that opens and closes a contact by using energy stored by torsion of a torsion bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3493234B1Operating device and circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3493234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493234B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493234B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operating device (52) includes: a first lever (15) rotatable around a rotation axis (60); a torsion bar (12) having a columnar shape or a tubular shape with the rotation axis (60) as a central axis and connected to the first lever (15); and a support (14) that fixes and supports one end of the torsion bar (12). Further, the operating device (52) includes: a drive shaft (3) having a tubular shape with the rotation axis (60) as a central axis and surrounding a periphery of the torsion bar (12), one end serving as the first lever (15) side being connected to the first lever (15), and another end opposite to the one end serving as the first lever (15) side being rotatably supported around the rotation axis (60); and a plurality of second levers (6) connected to the drive shaft (3) and rotatable around the rotation axis (60) on the support (14) side rather than the first lever (15).