Flux Shifter Pin Assembly for Circuit Breaker Trip Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers and flux shifters have a high component count, leading to increased cost and weight, and experience undesirable vibrations and shocks during operation, which can impede or damage the circuit breaker and flux shifter.
Innovation Solution
A flux shifter for circuit protection devices featuring a trip arm and a pin assembly with a latch and biasing member, which enables the trip arm to rotate into engagement with the trip mechanism during a trip state while preventing engagement in operational and reset states, using a solenoid and permanent magnet to convert stored elastic energy into kinetic energy for trip activation and a dual-purpose pin assembly for robust and vibration-reducing functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of components are used in the flux shifter device, then the trip mechanism can be reliably activated, but the cost and weight of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into integrated assemblies. The pin assembly merges the pin, biasing member, and latch into a single functional unit that performs multiple functions (latching, releasing, and positioning) simultaneously. The flux shifter device integrates the solenoid, permanent magnet, plunger, and pin assembly into a unified structure, reducing overall component count while maintaining trip mechanism reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a latch to hold the trip arm in the latched position, provides a release mechanism when actuated by the plunger, and serves as a structural connector between components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing weight and cost.
2Reliability
If a large number of components are used in the flux shifter device, then the trip mechanism can be reliably activated, but the cost of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into integrated assemblies. The pin assembly merges the pin, biasing member, and latch into a single functional unit that performs multiple functions (latching, releasing, and positioning) simultaneously. The flux shifter device integrates the solenoid, permanent magnet, plunger, and pin assembly into a unified structure, reducing overall component count while maintaining trip mechanism reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a latch to hold the trip arm in the latched position, provides a release mechanism when actuated by the plunger, and serves as a structural connector between components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing weight and cost.
3Reliability
If the flux shifter device operates with multiple components, then trip activation can be achieved, but vibrations and shocks occur during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates damping elements and cushioning features into the flux shifter device design. The biasing member (spring) absorbs shock during the tripping action by compressing and expanding. The pin assembly includes features that cushion the impact when the plunger releases the latch, reducing vibrations and shocks during operation while maintaining reliable trip activation.
4Reliability
If the flux shifter device operates with multiple components, then trip activation can be achieved, but the operation of the circuit breaker and flux shifter may be impeded or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates damping elements and cushioning features into the flux shifter device design. The biasing member (spring) absorbs shock during the tripping action by compressing and expanding. The pin assembly includes features that cushion the impact when the plunger releases the latch, reducing vibrations and shocks during operation while maintaining reliable trip activation.
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 solution reduces the number of components, enhances robustness, and minimizes vibrations, providing effective trip activation and latching while maintaining operational efficiency and reducing the risk of damage from shocks and vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
The flux shifter device generally includes a solenoid that emits a magnetic field in response to a trip signal received from a trip unit
Implementation Method 2
The plunger is held in the latched position by a permanent magnet housed within a solenoid of the flux shifter
Implementation Method 3
a spring that is compressed such that spring elastic energy is stored
Data Source
AI summary
A flux shifter for a circuit protection device including a trip mechanism includes a trip arm and a pin assembly. The pin assembly includes a pin, a biasing member positioned proximate to the pin, and a latch coupled to the pin and to the biasing member. The pin assembly is configured to enable the trip arm to rotate into an engagement with the trip mechanism when the flux shifter enters a trip state and to prevent the trip arm from rotating into the engagement with the trip mechanism when the flux shifter is in one of an operational state and a reset state.