Collapsible Link Mechanism for Rapid Circuit Breaker Contact Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circuit breakers face damage and downstream equipment risk due to slow disconnection of electrical contacts during interrupt events like short circuits, necessitating a mechanism for rapid separation of electrical contacts.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible link device with a main contact arm, collapsible links, and a release mechanism, coupled with springs, that pivots to quickly disconnect electrical contacts during an interrupt event, utilizing electromagnetic forces and spring biasing to accelerate the separation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional circuit breaker contacts are used, then the structure is simple, but the separation speed is slow causing damage to equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is divided into multiple collapsible segments that can fold independently during separation. This segmentation allows the mechanism to achieve rapid contact separation through a compact folding motion, resolving the contradiction by enabling high speed without requiring a complex multi-component mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The link mechanism transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic collapsible structure that can change its configuration during operation. The link folds from an extended position to a collapsed position, dynamically adapting its shape to achieve rapid contact separation while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If the circuit breaker interrupts current flow quickly, then downstream equipment is protected, but the mechanism requires complex acceleration systems
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism incorporates a pre-compressed spring that stores elastic potential energy before the interrupt event. When separation is initiated, this pre-stored energy is rapidly released to accelerate the link's collapse and contact separation, achieving equipment protection without requiring complex active acceleration systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism converts the electromagnetic repulsive force that occurs during current interruption from a potentially harmful arc-producing effect into a beneficial force that assists the spring in accelerating contact separation. The electromagnetic force acts in conjunction with the spring force to rapidly separate contacts, protecting downstream equipment while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The collapsible link device effectively prevents damage to circuit breakers and downstream equipment by rapidly disconnecting electrical contacts during interrupt events, ensuring quick interruption of current flow and protecting the electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing electromagnetic forces and spring biasing to accelerate the separation process
Implementation Method 2
utilizing electromagnetic forces and spring biasing to accelerate the separation process
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible link device includes a side frame, a carrier, a main contact arm, a plurality of collapsible links, and a release mechanism. The carrier is pivotably coupled to the side frame. The main contact arm is pivotably coupled to the carrier and includes a first end including a first electrical contact. The plurality of collapsible links are pivotably coupled to the side frame and the carrier. The release mechanism is pivotably coupled to at least one of the collapsible links and the carrier. The plurality of collapsible links are movable between an uncollapsed position in which the first electrical contact contacts a second electrical contact and a collapsed position that results from the first electrical contact separating from the second electrical contact.