Circuit Breaker Lock With Oblique Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breaker locks are difficult to install intuitively and often require tools, posing safety risks due to the possibility of unauthorized access and complex assembly, especially in dirty environments like construction sites.
Innovation Solution
A lock design featuring a projection that can be moved obliquely relative to its base body, which engages with the circuit breaker's openings or depressions to restrict movement, allowing for intuitive installation without tools, and an asymmetrical arrangement to ensure correct positioning, preventing installation in unintended positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional lock with cap screw and padlock is used, then the circuit breaker can be locked in off position, but unauthorized persons can still access and dismantle the lock using thin screwdriver
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the vulnerable cap screw from the locking mechanism and replaces it with a projection that engages directly with the circuit breaker body through a depression, eliminating the need for external fastening elements that can be accessed and manipulated by unauthorized persons
Solution Approach 2:
The projection is nested within the lock body and engages with the depression in the circuit breaker body, creating an integrated locking structure where the locking element is contained within the lock housing and cannot be accessed from the outside
2Reliability
If a multi-part lock with cap screw is used, then the lock can secure the circuit breaker, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming especially in dirty environments like construction sites
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lock body, projection, and locking function into a single integrated unit that can be installed as one piece, eliminating the need to assemble multiple separate components including cap screws, washers, and padlocks
Solution Approach 2:
The lock is designed as a single segmented unit with the projection integrated into the base body, allowing the entire locking mechanism to be installed in one action without handling separate fastening components that can be lost in dirty environments
3Reliability
If the lock is designed with multiple parts, then it can provide secure locking, but the lock requires alignment of multiple parts with the actuating element which requires specialist knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetrical design where the projection and depression are positioned and oriented in specific non-symmetrical configurations that naturally guide correct alignment during installation, making it intuitive and eliminating the need for specialist knowledge or complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetrical projection and depression design enables the lock to self-align with the circuit breaker actuating element during installation, with the geometry itself guiding the correct positioning without requiring external alignment tools or expert intervention
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a lock (7) for a circuit breaker (1), which lock comprises a main body (8) having a cutout (9) to accommodate an actuating element (6) of the circuit breaker (1). Moreover the lock (7) comprises a projection (13) which can be moved relative to the main body (8) and can be brought into engagement with at least one opening (14) / recess in the circuit breaker (1). To this end the projection (13) is mounted in a slide (15) which is displaceable relative to the main body (8) and which slide (15) extends obliquely relative to its direction of displacement and to the direction of displacement of the projection (13) or has at least one such section. The invention further relates to an arrangement which comprises such a lock (7) and a circuit breaker (1).