Circuit Breaker Shutter Mechanism for Terminal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC electrical systems with high voltages pose a risk of human contact with energized terminals, necessitating effective protection mechanisms to prevent undesirable contact.
Innovation Solution
A shutter system is integrated into circuit breaker receiving modules, featuring a shutter housing, pivot arms, and an activation rod that automatically opens and closes shutters to facilitate safe insertion and withdrawal of circuit breakers, ensuring terminal protection through mechanical communication and linear movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shutters are installed to protect terminals from human contact, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter system merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The pivot arms, activation rod, and shutters work as a unified system where one activation movement simultaneously controls both shutters through the shared pivot anchor and rod, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter system is segmented into modular components including individual shutters, pivot arms, and an activation rod that can independently move along the circuit breaker trolley. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the protection system.
2Ease of operation
If automatic shutter mechanism is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter system operates automatically through the mechanical interaction between the activation rod and pivot arms. When the circuit breaker trolley moves, the activation rod translates this motion into automatic shutter opening or closing through the pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for external control systems or manual operation while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot arms act as intermediary mechanical elements that translate the linear movement of the activation rod into the rotational movement required to open or close the shutters. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the control operation by converting simple linear motion into the complex coordinated movement of multiple shutters.
3Manufacturing precision
If linear movement mechanism is used for shutter control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the movement parameter from rotational to linear by allowing the activation rod to move linearly along the circuit breaker trolley. This linear movement is then converted to shutter rotation through the pivot mechanism, simplifying the manufacturing requirements while maintaining precise control over shutter positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a first shutter, a first pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first shutter, a second shutter, and a second pivot arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is disposed in mechanical communication with the second shutter and the first end is disposed in mechanical communication with the first end of the first pivot arm. Linear movement of the first ends of the first and second pivot arms results in linear movement of the first shutter and the second shutter.