Circuit Breaker Sealing Pane Sensor for Parameter Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers in low-voltage systems face unauthorized changes to protective parameters, which can lead to system component destruction, as existing security measures like passwords and mechanical seals are not sufficient to prevent unauthorized access and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A circuit breaker design that includes a sensor to ascertain the state of a sealing pane, allowing changes to protective parameters only when the sealing pane is in a specific state, ensuring that modifications can only be made by authorized personnel, using an electronic trip unit with a control unit and sensor to enforce this security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing pane with mechanical seal is provided to protect against unauthorized access, then protection against physical manipulation is improved, but the device complexity increases and authorized access becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical seal system with an electromechanical system that uses a sensor to detect the sealing pane state and an electronic trip unit to control parameter changes. This substitution maintains security while reducing mechanical complexity and enabling more flexible access control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary between the sealing pane state and the electronic trip unit, translating physical seal status into electrical signals that control parameter modification permissions. This intermediary layer enables intelligent decision-making about access without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If protective parameters can be changed via electronic interfaces, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary check of the sealing pane state before allowing parameter changes through electronic interfaces. The sensor detects whether the seal is intact, and only if the seal is broken (indicating authorized access) does the electronic trip unit permit parameter modifications. This preliminary action ensures security is verified before enabling ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the sealing pane state via the sensor and provides feedback to the electronic trip unit, which then adjusts its acceptance of parameter changes accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that ease of operation is granted only when security conditions are met, dynamically balancing accessibility with protection.
3Ease of operation
If rotary encoding switches are attached at the front for setting parameters, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized manipulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the exposed mechanical rotary encoding switches with an electronic parameter setting interface that is protected by the sealing pane and sensor system. Parameters can still be set electronically, but the physical switches are either protected or replaced, eliminating the vulnerability while maintaining ease of operation through electronic means.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing pane and sensor system act as intermediaries between the parameter setting interface and unauthorized access. Even if the interface remains accessible, the intermediary security layer ensures that parameter changes are only accepted when the seal indicates authorized access, protecting against manipulation while preserving ease of legitimate operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit breaker is for interrupting an electric circuit if settable protective parameters are exceeded. In an embodiment, the circuit breaker includes an electronic trip unit, in which the set protective parameters are stored, with a movable sealing pane, which covers at least part of the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker further includes a sensor with which a first state of the sealing pane can be ascertained. The electronic trip unit is designed such that changes to the protective parameters are accepted by the electronic trip unit only in the first state of the sealing pane.