Circuit Breaker Arc Guide Structure for Rapid Exhaustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers suffer from voltage leakage and reverse current phenomena due to inefficient arc exhaustion, as the arc is not rapidly guided from the exhaust port to the passage, leading to residual arcs.
Innovation Solution
The circuit breaker design includes an inner box with an arc exhaust port, an outer box with an arc passage, and an arc guide part comprising upper and lower guides connected by a connecting part, which narrows the distance between the exhaust port and passage to facilitate rapid arc exhaustion, and a second design featuring a power source arc guide part that protrudes to guide the arc into a passage with a decreasing cross-sectional area for enhanced arc removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the arc exhaust port is spaced apart from the arc passage, then the structural design is simpler, but the arc exhaustion speed decreases causing voltage leakage and reverse current
Solution Approach 1:
The arc guide part is pre-configured with upper and lower guides positioned to intercept and redirect the arc before it can escape laterally. This preliminary guiding action ensures the arc is channeled into the passage before exhaustion, increasing exhaustion speed without requiring post-generation arc manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The arc guide part acts as an intermediary component between the arc exhaust port and the arc passage. It mediates the arc's path by providing guided surfaces that redirect the arc from the port into the passage, solving the spacing issue while maintaining simple overall structure
2Reliability
If the arc guide part uses multiple inclined surfaces and connecting parts, then the arc guidance becomes more effective, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arc guide part is segmented into distinct functional surfaces: upper inclined surfaces for initial arc interception, lower inclined surfaces for continued guidance, and connecting parts for structural integration. Each segment performs a specific guidance function, improving overall reliability while allowing modular manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
Different surfaces of the arc guide part have different geometric properties optimized for specific functions. The upper inclined surfaces are configured for arc interception, the lower surfaces for channeling, and connecting parts for structural support. This local optimization enhances guidance effectiveness without requiring complex overall geometry
3Productivity
If the arc passage has a decreasing cross-sectional area, then the arc is more effectively directed outward, but the passage design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The arc passage employs curved surfaces and inclined planes that gradually change in cross-sectional area. This curved geometry naturally directs the arc flow outward while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece structure, avoiding the need for complex segmented passages
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 ensures rapid arc exhaustion, minimizing residual arcs and preventing voltage leakage and reverse currents, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of the circuit breaker.
Implementation Method 1
When a user operates a switch lever to control an operation of the circuit breaker, fixed and movable contactors placed in the circuit breaker are separated from each other, so that a high-temperature thermal arc is generated between both contactors
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes an arc exhaust port for exhausting an arc generated in the inner box; an outer box receiving the inner box and including an arc passage for exhausting the arc from the exhaust port to an outside; and an arc guide part for guiding the arc from the arc exhaust port into the arc passage, wherein the arc guide part includes: an upper guide; a lower guide spaced apart from the upper guide; and a connecting part connecting the upper and lower guides to each other in a longitudinal direction.