Side Accessible Circuit Breaker Plug-On Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing load center circuit breaker installation methods require additional hardware such as screws and nuts, increasing costs and complexity, and necessitating more storage and manufacturing resources.
Innovation Solution
A side-accessible circuit breaker design featuring plug-on clips made of conductive material that removably connect with conductive contact points on the circuit breaker and bus plates, eliminating the need for screws and nuts by providing a direct electrical connection through openings in the circuit breaker's side wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional screw and nut hardware is used to connect circuit breakers to bus plates, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function and mechanical fastening function into a single integrated plug-on clip component. The plug-on clip simultaneously provides electrical conductivity and mechanical attachment, eliminating the need for separate screws and nuts, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The plug-on clip serves multiple functions: it acts as an electrical conductor, a mechanical fastener, and a mounting element. This multi-functional design replaces multiple single-function components (screw for fastening, nut for fastening, separate contact points for electricity), thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while ensuring reliable electrical connection
2Strength
If traditional screw and nut hardware is used for circuit breaker installation, then secure mechanical attachment is achieved, but manufacturing and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the fastening function and electrical connection function into the single plug-on clip component, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture, store, and manage multiple separate hardware items (screws, nuts, washers). This integration simplifies the supply chain and manufacturing processes, reducing costs while maintaining secure mechanical attachment through the clip's resilient engagement
3Reliability
If additional hardware components are used for circuit breaker connection, then reliable electrical and mechanical connection is achieved, but storage and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple hardware components into a single integrated plug-on clip that performs both electrical connection and mechanical fastening functions. This reduces the quantity of separate hardware items needed from multiple components (screw, nut, washer) to one unified element, thereby reducing storage and inventory requirements while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unnecessary intermediate hardware components (screws, nuts, washers) from the connection system, leaving only the essential plug-on clip that directly engages with the circuit breaker and bus plate. This extraction eliminates redundant parts, reducing the total quantity of hardware substances required
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 solution simplifies the installation process, reduces material usage, and lowers costs by eliminating the need for additional hardware, while enhancing reliability and ease of assembly, and is applicable to both single and three-phase systems.
Implementation Method 1
plug-on clips made of conductive material and removably connectable with the conductive contact points of the circuit breaker in the one or more openings, the plug-on clips being electrically connectable with the circuit breaker
Data Source
AI summary
A load center assembly comprising a main circuit breaker configured to be connected with bus plates through side openings in the main circuit breaker is described. The openings in the main circuit breaker comprise plug-on clips by which the bus plates connect. The plug-on clips are configured to use friction to grasp the bus plates as the bus plates are slidably inserted between the jaws of the plug-on clips.