Circuit Breaker Linkage Mechanism for Stable Open Contact Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-linear double-motion high-voltage circuit breakers are energy-consuming, prone to mechanical failure due to numerous moving parts, and costly due to the need for silver-coated components, with potential misalignment issues from pin-slot connections.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker design featuring a linkage mechanism with a secondary pin slidably mounted on the driving rod, utilizing elastic components to maintain the movable contact in a steady opened position, and incorporating a driving fork with multiple slots to control the movement of the movable contact, ensuring it remains stationary during specific phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-linear double-motion circuit breaker with multiple movable contacts is used, then the circuit breaking capability is improved, but the energy consumption increases and mechanical failure risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit breaking capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple movable contacts into a single movable contact that performs both circuit breaking and circuit making operations. This consolidation reduces the number of moving parts and energy consumption while maintaining the required circuit breaking capability through the optimized linkage mechanism between the movable contact and driving rod.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single movable contact is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the breaking contact and the making contact for the circuit. The linkage mechanism enables this universal component to achieve the complex motion patterns previously requiring separate dedicated contacts for each function.

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

2Device complexity

If traditional pin and slot connections are used without additional constraints, then the device complexity is reduced, but the movable contact stability in opened position deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinkage mechanism simplicityVSAvoidmovable contact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic component is pre-loaded to urge the secondary pin toward engagement with the driving fork. This preliminary action ensures that when the movable contact reaches the opened position, the secondary pin is already positioned to engage with the driving fork, providing automatic stabilization without requiring additional complex constraint mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic component acts as an intermediary that mediates between the secondary pin and the driving fork. It provides the necessary force to ensure proper engagement while allowing for tolerance variations, thereby stabilizing the movable contact in the opened position without adding significant complexity to the linkage mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Reduces energy consumption, minimizes mechanical failures, and maintains the movable contact in a stable position, enhancing reliability and reducing costs by simplifying the design and eliminating the need for silver-coated components.

Implementation Method 1

cooperates with an elastic component urging the secondary pin towards the driving fork

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3985702B1Circuit breaker comprising an improved linkage mechanism
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3985702B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3985702B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3985702B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a circuit breaker (10) comprising a movable contact (14) a driving rod (16) slidably mounted in the circuit breaker (10), a linkage mechanism (18) for driving the movable contact (14), a pivoted driving fork (24) rotatably mounted in the circuit breaker (10) which cooperates with the driving rod (16) through the cooperation of a primary pin (28) provided on the driving rod (16) and a primary slot (30) provided on the driving fork (24), a driven lever (26) connecting the driving fork (24) to the movable contact (14), wherein the driving rod (16) supports a secondary pin (32) which cooperates with a secondary slot (34) of the driving fork (24) when the driving rod (16) in a position between a predetermined position and an extreme opened position of the circuit breaker (10).