Circuit Breaker Position Sensing With Non-Contact Cradle Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power devices cannot continuously detect the extended and retracted positions of a circuit breaker body, and frequent physical contact between components leads to deformation and inaccurate position detection.
Innovation Solution
A power device with a cradle and a sensor module that includes a non-contact or contact type sensor to detect the position of the circuit breaker body over its entire movement range, minimizing physical contact and using a position detected area portion such as a gradation sticker or inclined portion to facilitate accurate position detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional micro switches are used to detect position, then position detection is possible at specific points, but continuous position detection over the entire movement range cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical micro switch system with a non-contact sensor system. The sensor detects the position of the circuit breaker body by sensing the presence or characteristics of a detection object (such as a magnetic tag or reflective surface) attached to the moving body, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and enabling continuous position detection throughout the entire movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a detection object (intermediary element) attached to the circuit breaker body that mediates between the sensor and the body position. This intermediary allows the sensor to detect position indirectly through the detection object's characteristics (magnetic field, reflectivity, etc.), enabling continuous detection without direct sensor-to-body contact.
2Reliability
If physical contact between detection components is frequent, then position detection can occur, but deformation and damage to components occur leading to inaccurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based micro switch system with a non-contact sensor system. The sensor detects position through electromagnetic fields, light, or other non-contact means, eliminating mechanical wear and deformation that plague contact-based systems, thereby improving both reliability and component strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from the mechanical contact system and implements it separately through a non-contact sensor. This separation removes the harmful mechanical interaction between the detection system and the moving components, allowing the detection function to operate independently without causing wear or deformation.
3Loss of information
If multiple micro switches are used to detect different positions, then discrete position points can be detected, but continuous position detection cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple discrete micro switches with a single non-contact sensor system that can continuously track position throughout the entire movement range. This substitution reduces the number of components needed while providing complete position information, as the sensor can detect position at any point along the travel path rather than only at specific discrete locations.
Data Source
AI summary
A power device for continuously detecting entry and exit positions. The power device comprises: a cradle having a cradle terminal formed therein; a breaker main body mechanically and electrically connected to or separated from the cradle terminal; and a girder and a truck which are transfer devices for moving the breaker main body to a connection or separation position, wherein the power device comprises: a position detection area portion formed on a side surface of the breaker main body; and a sensor module provided with a non-contact sensor which faces the position detection area portion and detects the position of the breaker main body by sensing a moving position of the position sensing area portion, the sensor module being fixedly coupled to the inner surface of the cradle.