3D DC Circuit Breaker Layout for High-Voltage Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Direct-current circuit breakers face challenges in providing adequate insulation between components with different potentials at higher rated voltages, leading to increased size and installation difficulties, as conventional techniques struggle to maintain a spatial distance for insulation while preventing configuration expansion.

Innovation Solution

A direct-current circuit breaker design that interrupts current at a zero point by superimposing an oscillating current, utilizing a circuit unit with a capacitor and reactor in series, a high-speed closer, and a lightning arrester, aligned in specific three-dimensional configurations to ensure insulation distances between components, preventing configuration size increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the spatial distance for insulation between components is increased to ensure insulation between sites having different potentials, then the insulation reliability is improved, but the configuration size of the direct-current circuit breaker increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies three-dimensional spatial arrangement by aligning circuit breaker unit and high-speed closer in a first direction, capacitor and lightning arrester in a second direction intersecting the first, and combinations in a third direction intersecting both first and second directions. This multi-dimensional layout optimizes insulation distances while minimizing overall configuration size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides insulation distances specifically where needed between components with different potentials, rather than uniformly increasing all distances. The design ensures minimum insulation distances are met at critical interfaces while maintaining compact overall dimensions through localized spacing optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If the rated voltage of the direct-current circuit breaker is increased, then the voltage handling capability is improved, but the spatial distance required for insulation increases making installation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage handling capabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses three-dimensional alignment of components along intersecting directions to accommodate the increased insulation requirements of higher voltages without proportionally increasing the footprint. This allows the circuit breaker to handle higher voltages while maintaining installation feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the circuit breaker into functionally independent units (circuit breaker unit, high-speed closer, capacitor, lightning arrester) that can be separately positioned to meet insulation requirements. This modular segmentation allows flexible arrangement to satisfy voltage-related insulation constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures insulation between sites with different potentials while maintaining a compact configuration, preventing the circuit breaker's size from increasing excessively, even at higher voltages.

Implementation Method 1

a resonance circuit which generates an oscillating current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a lightning arrester that reduces an overvoltage of the capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3896714B1Direct-current circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3896714B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3896714B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3896714B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A direct-current circuit breaker (1) includes a circuit breaker unit (11) and a circuit unit that generates an oscillating current. The circuit unit includes a capacitor (15) and a reactor (14) that generate the oscillating current, a high-speed closer (12) that performs closing for forming a current zero point, and a lightning arrester (13) that reduces an overvoltage of the capacitor (15). The circuit breaker unit (11) and the high-speed closer (12) are aligned in a first direction with a distance provided therebetween, the distance being equal to or longer than a certain spatial distance. The capacitor (15) and the lightning arrester (13) are aligned in a second direction that is a direction intersecting the first direction with a distance provided therebetween, the distance being equal to or longer than the spatial distance. A combination of the circuit breaker unit (11) with the high-speed closer (12) and a combination of the capacitor (15) with the lightning arrester (13) are aligned in a third direction that is a direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction with a distance provided therebetween, the distance being equal to or longer than the spatial distance.