Circuit Breaker Terminal Fixing Structure Against Pullout and Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit breakers lack robust, simple, and cost-effective solutions for stabilizing terminals that prevent rotation and translation without using screws or clamping elements, leading to reduced pullout force and increased deformation during installation.

Innovation Solution

A circuit breaker design featuring fixed terminals with upper and rear tabs, a molded cover with lower rods, and a molded base with housings that prevent rotation and translation through tab housings and lower rods, enhancing mechanical resistance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional circuit breakers use simple terminal mounting without screws or clamping elements, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered, but the terminal stability and resistance to pullout forces deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal fixing structureVSAvoidterminal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is segmented into a body portion and multiple tabs (upper tabs and rear tabs) that can be independently positioned and constrained. The tabs are inserted into corresponding housings in the molded base, allowing each tab to be independently secured while the terminal body remains simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tabs of the terminal are nested within housings in the molded base, creating a nested structure where the terminal tabs fit into recesses in the base. This nesting provides mechanical constraint and stability without requiring additional fastening elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If conventional circuit breakers lack a robust terminal stabilization system, then the manufacturing process is simplified and assembly time is reduced, but the resistance to torque and pullout force of terminals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidresistance to torque and pullout force
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal tabs are pre-formed on the terminal body during manufacturing, and the molded base includes pre-formed housings with positioning features. During assembly, the terminal is simply inserted into the base where the tabs automatically engage with the housings, providing immediate mechanical constraint without requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal stabilization function is merged into the molded base structure itself. The housings in the base are designed to receive and constrain the terminal tabs, combining the functions of terminal mounting and mechanical stabilization into a single integrated component rather than requiring separate fastening elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If circuit breakers use molded covers with fixing rods and bases with housings to prevent terminal rotation and translation, then terminal positional stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal positional stabilityVSAvoidmolded cover and base structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The molded base serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the circuit breaker, contains the electrical components, and includes integrated housings that stabilize the terminals. The fixing rods in the molded cover also serve dual purposes as both structural elements and terminal positioning features, reducing the need for separate stabilization components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4576151B1Circuit breaker comprising fixed terminals
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 WEG DRIVES & CONTROLS AUTOMAC O LTDA
  • EP4576151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4576151B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4576151B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a circuit breaker (100) comprising a molded base (200) comprising: at least one housing (220) of a thermomagnetic set (600) comprising at least one terminal housing (201), a plurality of tab housings (202), a plurality of housings of a first rear tab (203) and a plurality of housings of a second rear tab (204). The present invention also relates to a circuit breaker (100) comprising a molded base (200) comprising: at least one arc extinguishing chamber (230) housing comprising at least one terminal housing (244), at least one pair of tab housings (245), at least one housing of a first rear tab (247) and at least one housing of a second rear tab (246).