Control Terminal Connecting Device for Withdrawable Circuit Breakers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connecting devices for control terminals in withdrawable circuit breakers rely on transfer units, leading to potential malfunctions, complexity, instability, and inaccuracy due to dependency on these units.

Innovation Solution

A connecting device with a cradle-side and main body-side control terminal module, and a blocking unit comprising a latch release plate and a rotatable latch, allowing independent operation without a transfer unit, utilizing a contact surface with flat and inclined portions for smooth connection and disconnection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a transfer unit is used to connect control terminals in a withdrawable circuit breaker, then the control terminals can be connected automatically according to the moved position of the breaker main body, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to dependency on the transfer unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic connection of control terminalsVSAvoidcomplexity of locking device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the transfer unit from the system, making the locking device independent. The locking device now directly responds to the position of the breaker main body through its own sensing mechanism (detecting unit), rather than depending on the transfer unit's operation. This simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining automatic connection functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device performs its own function of detecting breaker main body position and controlling terminal connection independently, without requiring the transfer unit to mediate. The detecting unit directly monitors the position, and the locking unit autonomously adjusts the control terminal connection state based on this detection, making the system self-sufficient and reducing dependency on external components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a transfer unit is used to connect control terminals, then automatic connection is achieved, but operational stability and accuracy deteriorate due to potential malfunctions of the transfer unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic connection of control terminalsVSAvoidstability of locking device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the transfer unit from the control terminal connection mechanism, the patent eliminates the source of potential malfunctions. The locking device now operates independently based on direct position detection, ensuring more stable and accurate operation without the intermediary component that could fail or introduce errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The detecting unit provides real-time feedback on the position of the breaker main body to the locking unit, enabling accurate and reliable control of the terminal connection state. This direct feedback mechanism ensures that the locking device responds precisely to position changes without the delays or errors that could occur through a transfer unit intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If the cradle-side control terminal module is fixed, then connection stability is improved, but the ability to move with the breaker main body from test state to connect state is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stability of control terminalsVSAvoidmobility of control terminal module
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the cradle-side control terminal module dynamic by enabling it to move along the cradle rail. The module can transition between a locked position (for stable connection in disconnect state) and an unlocked position (for movement with the breaker main body in test and connect states). This dynamic capability allows the module to adapt its behavior based on the operational state, maintaining both stability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device acts as an intermediary mechanism that controls the movement of the cradle-side control terminal module. It locks the module in place when stable connection is required and unlocks it when movement is needed, mediating between the conflicting requirements of stability and mobility throughout the operational cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3319189B1Connecting device for control terminals in withdrawable type circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 LSIS CO LTD
  • EP3319189B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3319189B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3319189B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a connecting device for control terminals in a withdrawable type circuit breaker, and more particularly, a connecting device for control terminals in a withdrawable type circuit breaker, capable of automatically connecting or separating control power source terminals for controlling the circuit breaker upon pulling out or inserting a breaker main body. A connecting device for control terminals in a withdrawable type circuit breaker according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes a cradle-side control terminal module (25) horizontally installed on a cradle (10) to be slidable thereon, a main body-side control terminal module (40) provided on a breaker main body (30) to be contactable with or separated from the cradle-side control terminal module, and a blocking unit restricting or allowing a motion of the cradle-side control terminal module, wherein the blocking unit includes a latch release plate (50) fixed to a side surface of the breaker main body and provided with a contact surface on one surface thereof, the contact surface having a flat portion and an inclined portion, and a latch (60) rotatably disposed on a side surface of the cradle and performing a sliding or rotational motion along the contact surface.