Circuit Interrupter Visual Status Indication via Rocker Actuator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit interrupters, particularly those using rocker actuators, lack a visual indication to differentiate between the On, Off, and Tripped/Fault states, making it difficult to determine the status without physical inspection, especially in space-constrained environments like server rooms.
Innovation Solution
A circuit interrupter design incorporating a visual indicator, such as a colored tag or rotating lens, coupled to the rocker actuator, providing clear visual differentiation between the On, Off, and Tripped states through a window, allowing easy identification without requiring complex interlinking of parts or significant physical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a rocker actuator is used in a circuit interrupter, then the device achieves a low-profile design suitable for space-efficient installations, but it becomes difficult to visually determine the status (On, Off, or Tripped) without physical inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded indicators (green for On, red for Off, yellow for Tripped) that are visible through a window on the housing. This allows users to quickly identify the circuit interrupter status without physical inspection, resolving the contradiction by maintaining the low-profile rocker actuator design while adding clear visual status indication through color changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that mediates between the internal rocker actuator position and the user's need for status information. The indicator mechanism translates the internal mechanical state into external visual signals visible through the window, allowing status detection without direct physical inspection of the actuator.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional circuit breakers are used with lateral handle movement, then status indication is visually apparent, but the device requires more space and is less suitable for compact rack-mounted installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from lateral handle movement (horizontal dimension) to vertical rocker actuator movement with color-coded indicators visible through a window (vertical dimension and optical dimension). This dimensional change allows status indication to be achieved within a compact footprint suitable for rack-mounted installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color-coded indicators visible through a window to provide clear visual status indication without requiring lateral handle movement. This allows the circuit interrupter to maintain a compact design while still providing apparent visual status indication through color changes rather than handle position.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
A circuit interrupter having a status indicator providing a current status of the circuit interrupter, the status indicator presenting one of: an On state, an Off state or a Fault state. The status indication is provided as a visual status and is color coded to one of the three circuit interrupter states. The circuit interrupter further including, in one configuration, a rocker actuator that rotates about an axis and the status indication mechanism is coupled to the rocker actuator.