Flexible Breaker Retention Bracket for Back-Fed Load Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breakers do not adequately secure back-fed or reverse-fed breakers, which can remain energized and pose safety risks if they become loose from the load tray.
Innovation Solution
A breaker retention bracket mechanism with a flexible truss-structure and retention fingers that can be easily installed and removed without tools, securely holding back-fed breakers in place by overlapping their retention fingers and coupling to the load tray.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a back-fed breaker is installed in a load tray, then it can provide power to conventional breakers, but it may become loose and pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
A retention bracket is introduced as an intermediary component between the back-fed breaker and the load tray. The bracket includes retention fingers that engage with features on the breaker and attach to the load tray, providing a mechanical connection that prevents the breaker from becoming loose while maintaining the back-fed functionality.
2Reliability
If a retention mechanism is added to secure back-fed breakers, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention bracket is designed to be self-installing through a snap-fit mechanism. The bracket includes flexible retention fingers that automatically engage with corresponding features on the breaker when the bracket is placed over it, eliminating the need for additional fasteners, tools, or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention bracket incorporates flexible retention fingers made from elastomeric material that can deform during installation and then spring back to engage with the breaker features. This flexibility allows the bracket to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and breaker variations without requiring precise alignment or additional fastening steps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a retention bracket is designed to be widely compatible with different breaker manufacturers, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retention fingers are made from elastomeric material whose physical properties (flexibility, durometer) are optimized to accommodate variations in breaker dimensions from different manufacturers. The material's elastic deformation capability allows the retention fingers to adapt to a range of breaker sizes and feature locations without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on the bracket itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention fingers are designed as dynamic, flexible elements rather than rigid structures. They can deform during installation and operation to accommodate variations in breaker positioning and dimensions, providing universal compatibility across different breaker manufacturers while maintaining secure retention through elastic recovery.
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 breaker retention bracket effectively prevents back-fed breakers from becoming loose, ensuring safety and compliance with electrical standards by providing a secure, toolless, and widely compatible solution for various breaker manufacturers and applications.
Implementation Method 1
The breaker retention bracket also includes a flexible truss-structure with a top surface. The truss-structure can be compressed to cause flexing of the top surface to facilitate coupling or uncoupling of the breaker retention bracket to the load tray.
Data Source
AI summary
A breaker retention bracket is disclosed, including: a retention portion comprising one or more retention fingers that are positioned to overlap at least a portion of a breaker installed in a load tray; a footer portion that couples the breaker retention bracket to the load tray; and a flexible truss-structure with a top surface, wherein compression of the flexible truss-structure causes flexing of the top surface to facilitate coupling or uncoupling of the breaker retention bracket to the load tray.