Miniature Circuit Breaker Automatic Switching Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional miniature circuit breakers are inadequate for intelligent power supply networks due to their complex structure, proneness to faults, and functional insufficiencies, failing to meet the requirements for remote control and automatic tripping and closing functions.

Innovation Solution

A miniature circuit breaker with an automatic opening/closing function is designed, incorporating a circuit breaker body and an automatic driving mechanism that includes a driving motor, linkage turbine, gear, and release linkage member, allowing for remote control of opening and closing operations, and preventing unauthorized manual closure in case of arrearage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional miniature circuit breakers are used, then the structure is simple, but the functional insufficiency prevents remote control and automatic tripping/closing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the manual opening/closing mechanism with an automatic opening/closing driving mechanism into a single integrated system. The driving mechanism includes a motor, turbine, gear, and linkage components that work together with the existing circuit breaker structure to enable both manual and automatic operations through a unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit breaker is designed to perform multiple functions: manual opening/closing, automatic opening upon tripping, and automatic closing after tripping. The single device accommodates different operating modes through the multi-functional driving mechanism that can respond to both user input and automatic control signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional miniature circuit breakers are used, then the structure is simple, but the proneness to fault increases due to insufficient functional design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault resistanceVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit breaker automatically performs opening and closing operations without requiring manual intervention. The driving mechanism self-activates in response to control signals, automatically engaging the turbine and gear system to operate the opening/closing handle, thereby reducing human error and improving operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control signal triggers the driving mechanism only when appropriate conditions are met. The linkage mechanism ensures that automatic opening or closing occurs only after proper signal reception and validation, preventing erroneous operations and enhancing system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual opening/closing operation is allowed, then the ease of operation is high, but unauthorized closing by users in case of arrearage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operation capabilityVSAvoidunauthorized closing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system prevents unauthorized closing by implementing a locked state mechanism. When the circuit breaker is opened due to arrearage, the linkage mechanism and opening/closing handle are configured to prevent manual reclosing until the proper payment condition is met and the system is reset through the designated procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The opening/closing handle transitions between different operational states: normal manual operation mode and locked mode preventing unauthorized closing. The dynamic mechanism allows flexible operation under normal conditions while automatically restricting manual intervention when arrearage conditions are detected, adapting its behavior based on system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables remote control of opening and closing, ensures secure automatic tripping in case of arrearage, and allows remote re-closure after prepayment, preventing unauthorized manual closure, thus enhancing the functionality and reliability of miniature circuit breakers for intelligent power supply networks.

Implementation Method 1

the driving motor drives the linkage turbine to do reciprocating rotation via the driving turbine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the linkage turbine drives the release linkage member to do reciprocating rotation within a preset angle range via the cam linkage portion; and the linkage turbine drives the linkage gear and the output spindle to do synchronous rotation via the driving teeth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical transmission: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3196915B1Automatic switching miniature circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 HONGXIU ELECTRIC
  • EP3196915B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3196915B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3196915B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention discloses a miniature circuit breaker with an automatic opening/closing function, comprising a circuit breaker body and an automatic opening/closing driving mechanism; the circuit breaker body comprises one to four circuit breakers each comprising a plastic housing, an opening/closing handle and a manipulation mechanism; a spindle hole is provided at the rotation center of each opening/closing handle; the automatic opening/closing driving mechanism comprises a case, a driving motor with a driving turbine, a linkage turbine, a linkage gear, an output spindle and a release linkage member; the driving motor drives the linkage turbine to do reciprocating rotation via the driving turbine, and the linkage turbine drives the release linkage member to do reciprocating rotation within a preset angle range via a cam linkage portion so that a lever portion of the release linkage member prods an opening release linkage rod to perform a rapid opening action; the linkage turbine drives the linkage gear and the output spindle to do synchronous rotation via driving teeth. The present invention can realize automatic tripping in arrearage and automatic power transmission with sufficient prepayment, so as to avoid the unauthorized closing by users in case of arrearage.