Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker Sliding Element Kinematic Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medium voltage circuit breakers have complex kinematic chains with many mechanical parts, leading to long and complicated production processes, high assembly times, and increased manufacturing, installation, and maintenance costs, as well as the need for different actuators and kinematic chains to accommodate varying travel curves of movable contacts.
Innovation Solution
A simplified kinematic chain with a sliding element connected to the actuator, allowing the movable contact to move without a permanent mechanical connection, featuring a sliding surface with variable slopes for adjustable speed and a compact design, enabling pre-assembly outside the production line and easy adaptation to different travel curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex kinematic chain with multiple mechanical parts is used to link the movable contact to the actuator, then the transmission of motion can be satisfactory, but the device complexity and number of components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex intermediate kinematic chain (levers, pins, screws, rings) from the system. Instead, it directly links the actuator to the movable contact through a simplified mechanism where the actuator rod directly pushes the movable contact, removing unnecessary mechanical components while maintaining motion transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate components (actuator, kinematic chain, movable contact) into a more integrated system. The actuator rod directly engages with the movable contact, combining what were previously separate functional elements into a unified motion transmission path, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex kinematic chain with many parts is used, then motion transmission can be achieved, but the production time and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the complex kinematic chain with its multiple parts (levers, pins, screws, rings), the patent dramatically reduces the number of components that need to be assembled. The simplified direct-link mechanism requires fewer assembly steps and less adjustment time, directly improving production efficiency and assembly speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the circuit breaker into modular components (fixed contact assembly, movable contact assembly, actuator) that can be manufactured independently and assembled more efficiently. The simplified kinematic chain allows for better modularization, reducing assembly complexity and time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different actuators and kinematic chains are used for different travel curves, then the circuit breaker can meet different application requirements, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains adaptability to different travel curves by changing geometric parameters (dimensions, positions, angles) of the fixed contact assembly and movable contact assembly rather than changing the entire actuator or kinematic chain. This allows a single standardized actuator design to serve multiple applications with different travel curve requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal actuator design that can accommodate different travel curve requirements through parameter adjustments rather than requiring different actuator models. The simplified kinematic chain structure serves multiple functions across different applications, reducing the variety of components needed and lowering manufacturing costs.
4Reliability
If a complex kinematic chain is permanently linked to the movable contact, then motion transmission is achieved, but the manufacturing cost, installation cost, and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing the complex kinematic chain with its multiple mechanical parts, the patent significantly reduces manufacturing complexity, material requirements, and assembly time. This directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential motion transmission function through a simpler direct-link mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, more cost-effective mechanical components in place of the complex kinematic chain. The simplified design uses fewer precision-machined parts and less expensive materials, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining adequate reliability for the application.
Data Source
AI summary
A Medium Voltage circuit breaker which comprises a pole assembly having, for each phase, a first fixed contact and a second movable contact reciprocally couplable/uncouplable between an open and close position. The circuit breaker further comprises an actuator to actuate the opening and closing operation of said circuit breaker, and a kinematic chain operatively connecting said actuator to said movable contact. The kinematic chain comprises a sliding element operatively connected to said actuator, said sliding element having a first sliding surface operatively coupled to said movable contact and being movable between a first, open, position and a second, closed, position.