Electronic Circuit Breaker Wireless Parameter Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic circuit breakers have become smaller, making it difficult to accommodate a variable resistance switch and a keypad, and users cannot check set characteristic values when the removable unit is detached.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit breaker design that allows adjustment and checking of tripping characteristics without a variable resistance switch or keypad, using a communication unit, a display unit capable of maintaining its state without power, and a storage unit for set values, enabling remote updating and display of set characteristic values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic circuit breaker size is reduced, then miniaturization is achieved, but space for setting units such as variable resistance switches and keypads is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical setting units (variable resistance switches, keypads) with a communication unit that receives parameter values wirelessly from external devices. This eliminates the need for physical adjustment mechanisms, allowing circuit breaker miniaturization while maintaining the ability to adjust tripping characteristics through wireless communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit serves multiple functions: it receives parameter values for adjusting tripping characteristics, transmits operational status, and enables remote monitoring. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate setting units, displays, and communication modules into a single integrated component.
2Ease of repair
If the removable unit is detached, then maintenance is facilitated, but the ability to check set characteristic values is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit transmits copies of the set characteristic values and operational status to external devices. This creates redundant information storage outside the circuit breaker, allowing users to check parameter values even when the breaker is detached or during maintenance operations, without compromising the original settings.
3Ease of operation
If a display and keypad are provided, then adjustment and checking of tripping characteristics is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of adjustment input (keypad), display output, and communication into a single communication unit that interfaces with external devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate physical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining full functionality for adjusting and checking tripping characteristics.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An electronic circuit breaker (1) includes a switch contact (3) that opens and closes a cable run (2), a current detecting unit (6) that detects current flowing through the cable run (2), a tripping device (4) that opens the switch contact (3), a communication unit (10) that receives, from an external device (50), a parameter value determining characteristics of tripping operation to open the switch contact (3), a display unit (11) capable of displaying the parameter value, and a control unit (20) that causes the tripping device (4) to open the switch contact (3) on the basis of the current detected by the current detecting unit (6) and the parameter value, and displays the parameter value on the display unit (11).