Curved Connector Finger Module Air Circuit Breaker
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing conductor base and finger module of air circuit breakers have a small contact area, leading to increased electric resistance and heat generation, as well as reduced lifespan due to mechanical difficulties in inserting and withdrawing the breaker terminal.
Innovation Solution
The conductor base and finger module are redesigned with a curved connector and contactors, featuring stepped jaws and elastic plate springs to increase the contact area and allow vertical movement, reducing electric resistance and mechanical stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector and contactor are redesigned with curved surfaces and stepped jaws, then the contact area is expanded and electric resistance is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector and contactor are designed with curved surfaces instead of flat surfaces. The curved surface on the connector engages with the corresponding curved surface on the contactor, creating a larger contact area that reduces electric resistance and improves electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is divided into multiple stepped jaws that engage with corresponding features on the contactor. This segmentation allows for distributed contact points across the interface, increasing the overall contact area and reducing current density at any single point, thereby reducing electric resistance.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the connector and contactor allow vertical elastic movement, then the lifespan is extended by reducing mechanical impact damage, but the stability of the electrical connection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector and contactor are designed to allow vertical elastic movement relative to each other. This dynamic capability enables the components to absorb mechanical impacts and thermal expansion forces through elastic deformation, preventing permanent damage and extending the lifespan of the electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic movement capability allows the connection parameters (position, force) to change dynamically in response to operational conditions. The plate spring mechanism provides controlled elasticity that maintains electrical contact while accommodating mechanical stresses, thus extending component lifespan without compromising connection stability.
3Ease of operation
If the breaker terminal can be easily inserted and withdrawn, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanical stress on the connector and contactor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surfaces on the connector and contactor provide smooth engagement and disengagement paths for the breaker terminal. The curved geometry guides the terminal during insertion and withdrawal, reducing mechanical stress concentrations and making operation easier while distributing forces more evenly across the contact interface.
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 redesign enhances the lifespan of the air circuit breaker components by reducing heat generation and mechanical impact damage, while enabling easier terminal insertion and withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
A plate spring provides elasticity so that both end portions of the contactor perform a vertical elastic movement relative to a longitudinal center of the contactor
Implementation Method 2
a contact area of the conductor base and the finger module can be expanded to reduce an electric resistance to thereby reduce the amount of heat generated
Implementation Method 3
the connector having a curved surface formed on a side of an end portion thereof and tooth-coupled with a contactor of a finger module
Data Source
AI summary
A conductor base coupled to a finger module of an air circuit breaker. Since the connector of the conductor base has the curved surface formed on a side of an end portion thereof and tooth-coupled with the contactor of the finger module, the contactor of the finger module has another curved surface corresponding to the curved surface of the connector and the contactor is elastically supported in a vertical direction by the plate spring to allow both end portions of the contactor to perform a vertical elastic movement relative to a longitudinal center of the contactor. The present invention can prevent damages due to a mechanical impact between the connector of the conductor base and the contactor of the finger module, which may occur while the breaker terminal is inserted into the finger module, to thereby extend the lifespan of the conductor base and the finger module.