Circuit Breaker Sealed Enclosure With Rupturable Tamper Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers purchased from unauthorized sources can be counterfeit or improperly reconditioned, posing safety risks and liability challenges due to the lack of effective detection methods for authenticating original or tampered products.
Innovation Solution
A tamper detection system integrated into the circuit breaker assembly, featuring a sealed enclosure with a division interface, a protective assembly, and a rupturable construct that transforms from an intact to a ruptured configuration, indicating unauthorized access or tampering through a responsive unit and indicator assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If circuit breakers are purchased from unauthorized sources, then cost savings may be achieved, but the risk of receiving counterfeit or tampered products increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing a unique identifier tag and tamper-evident seal on circuit breakers during manufacturing before distribution. This allows end users to verify authenticity and detect tampering without needing complex detection equipment, resolving the contradiction by simplifying the detection process while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a unique identifier tag and tamper-evident seal as mediating elements between the manufacturer and the end user. These intermediaries carry authentication information that enables verification without requiring direct complex interaction between parties, thus improving reliability while keeping the system simple.
2Reliability
If tamper detection systems are added to circuit breakers, then product authenticity can be verified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tamper detection functionality into separate, modular components: a sealed enclosure, a protective assembly, and a rupturable construct with unique identifier tag. This modular approach enables tamper detection capability while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable, resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If a sealed enclosure is used to protect internal elements, then product integrity is maintained, but ease of operation for authorized access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the sealed enclosure with a protective assembly and rupturable construct that are designed to be broken or opened using specific tools or methods. This allows authorized personnel to access the enclosed space efficiently while maintaining strong protection against unauthorized access, resolving the contradiction between enclosure integrity and ease of authorized operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A circuit breaker assembly including a housing assembly and a tamper detection system. The housing assembly defines a sealed enclosure. The sealed enclosure includes a division interface. The sealed enclosure is structured to be in one of a closed, first configuration, wherein the sealed enclosure defines a generally enclosed space, and an open, second configuration, wherein the sealed enclosure allows access to the enclosed space, and wherein, as the sealed enclosure moves between the first configuration to the second configuration, the sealed enclosure is reconfigured at the division interface. The tamper detection system includes a protective assembly and an indicator assembly. The protective assembly is structured to be coupled to the sealed enclosure at the division interface. The indicator assembly includes a rupturable construct. The rupturable construct is structured to transform from an intact, first configuration to a ruptured, second configuration.