Circuit Breaker Projectile Alignment for Arc Extinguishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric circuit breaker devices face challenges in effectively interrupting electric circuits while minimizing mass and structural complexity, particularly when using polymer or stainless steel housings, and in extinguishing arcs caused by conductor separation.
Innovation Solution
An electric circuit breaker device with a housing made of synthetic resin, featuring a rod-like projectile and conductor portion configured to form an electric circuit within a cylindrical space, where the conductor portion has a cut section orthogonal to the housing axis, and the projectile is aligned with the cut section, with specific width relationships between the insulating closed space and the projectile to ensure efficient arc extinguishing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of stationary object
If a polymer material (resin material) is used for the housing, then the mass is reduced and insulation properties are improved, but the housing must be thick to ensure the required strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining synthetic resin housing with a metal reinforcement member (cylinder or mesh) to achieve both weight reduction and strength enhancement. The resin provides insulation and basic structural support, while the metal component provides additional mechanical strength, allowing the housing to be thinner while maintaining required strength properties.
2Strength
If a casing made of stainless steel is used, then the strength is improved, but the mass is increased and an insulation case is required to be a part of the assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional stainless steel casing with a synthetic resin housing combined with a metal reinforcement member. This composite approach provides sufficient mechanical strength while reducing mass and eliminating the need for separate insulation cases, as the resin itself provides electrical insulation properties.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gap between the projectile and the insulating space is increased, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but arc extinguishing effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the gap width parameter to a specific range (0.05mm to 0.5mm) between the projectile end and the insulating closed space. This parameter optimization achieves a balance between manufacturing feasibility and arc extinguishing effectiveness, allowing sufficient manufacturing tolerance while maintaining reliable arc extinction through controlled electrical field distribution.
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 device effectively interrupts electric circuits and quickly extinguishes arcs by minimizing the gap between the projectile and the insulating space, preventing current leakage and arc formation, while maintaining a lightweight and simplified structure.
Implementation Method 1
an igniter, a rod-like projectile
Implementation Method 2
an insulating closed space formed between a second end portion of the housing and the conductor portion
Data Source
AI summary
An electric circuit breaker device includes in a housing, an igniter, a rod-like projectile, and a conductor portion configured to form a portion of an electric circuit disposed in a cylindrical space formed in the housing; and an insulating closed space formed between a second end portion of the housing and the conductor portion. The conductor portion is a plate portion having first and second connection portions at opposing ends and a cut portion in an intermediate portion between the first and second connection portions. A surface of the cut portion is orientated orthogonal to the housing axial direction; the rod-like projectile is disposed aligned with a surface of the cut portion in the housing axial direction; and a width (W1) of the insulating closed space and a width (W2) of an end portion of the rod-like projectile have relationships W1>W2 and W1−W2≤0.25 mm.