Circuit Breaker Blocking Member Quick-Make Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breakers with latch mechanisms are complex, costly, and difficult to manufacture, and their quick-make and quick-break features often rely on over-center toggle mechanisms that are not independent of handle movement speed.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design employing a yieldable support with a rigid and flexible configuration, combined with a blocking member that restrains and releases the movable arm to achieve quick contact closure and opening, independent of handle speed, using a yieldable support that transitions between these configurations with minimal energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism with separate first and second engageable members is used to hold electrical contacts closed, then the circuit breaker can maintain reliable contact closure, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the first and second engageable members into a single blocking member that performs both latching and blocking functions. The blocking member integrates the role of maintaining closed contacts and preventing unauthorized opening, eliminating the need for separate latch components and reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a latch to hold contacts closed, a blocker to prevent handle movement, and a quick-make actuator when repositioned. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts needed and simplifies the overall circuit breaker mechanism
2Speed
If traditional over-center toggle mechanisms are used to achieve quick-make feature, then electrical contacts can close quickly, but the quick-make speed becomes dependent on handle movement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is pre-positioned in a first position that blocks handle movement and maintains contacts in the closed position. When the user operates the handle, the blocking member is automatically repositioned to a second position that permits handle movement, triggering the quick-make action. This preliminary positioning ensures quick closure occurs regardless of handle speed
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member serves as an intermediary between the user's handle operation and the contact closure action. It decouples the direct relationship between handle movement speed and contact closure speed by introducing a mechanical intervention point that can be triggered to release the contacts independently of the handle's velocity
3Device complexity
If a blocking member is used to restrain and release the movable arm for quick-make feature, then the mechanism is simplified and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the reliability of contact maintenance must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member incorporates localized engagement features such as cam surfaces, lugs, or notches that create specific geometric interlocking points with the movable arm. These localized features ensure reliable mechanical engagement and disengagement at precise positions, maintaining contact reliability while keeping the overall design simple
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 design simplifies the mechanism, reduces parts and manufacturing costs, and enhances performance by allowing rapid contact closure and opening, with the speed of contact closure being independent of handle movement speed, and reliable cycling between rigid and compliant modes.
Implementation Method 1
a blocking member configured so that the blocking member in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm to restrain movement of the movable arm by the main biasing means and maintain the electrical contacts open, and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm to permit movement of the movable arm by the contact biasing means to close the electrical contacts
Implementation Method 2
a main biasing means operable to apply a first force to move the movable arm in a first direction to open the electrical contacts
Implementation Method 3
a contact biasing means operable to apply a second force to move the movable arm in a second direction to close the electrical contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes, for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the elongated member is configured so that the blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.