Electrical Fuse Device Locking Mechanism Automatic Reclosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical fuse devices are either large and expensive, making them impractical for managing faults in electricity supply networks, or require manual replacement of blown fuses, leading to prolonged outages. Additionally, there is a need for a device that can automatically restore power after a fault without interrupting the supply.
Innovation Solution
An electrical fuse device with a primary and secondary fuse configuration, where the secondary fuse is automatically connected to the circuit upon detection of a primary fuse failure, allowing for seamless power restoration and enabling replacement of the primary fuse without interrupting the supply. The device includes a locking mechanism to prevent the secondary fuse from being disconnected until the primary fuse is replaced and a status indicating mechanism to monitor the fuse states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic circuit reclosers are used to manage faults, then fault management capability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a fixed portion and a removable portion, allowing the complex automatic reclosing functionality to be separated from the fuse replacement functionality. This segmentation enables the device to achieve automatic fault management while keeping the overall system compact and cost-effective by distributing complexity across modular components.
2Device complexity
If manual fuse replacement is required, then device simplicity is maintained, but outage duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removable portion is pre-configured with a new fuse before being detached from the fixed portion. This preliminary preparation allows the fuse replacement to occur without requiring technical personnel to work on the live circuit, significantly reducing outage duration while maintaining overall device simplicity through the modular design.
3Speed
If secondary fuse is automatically connected upon primary fuse failure, then power restoration speed is improved, but risk of accidental disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the removable portion and the fixed portion, controlling the connection state of the secondary fuse. It automatically locks the removable portion in its engaged position after fault clearance, preventing accidental disconnection while enabling rapid power restoration when the primary fuse is replaced, thus balancing speed and reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
An electrical fuse device having a primary fuse, a secondary fuse and a connecting device operable to bring the second fuse in-circuit in response to a failure of the primary fuse, wherein a holder for the primary fuse is provided on a removable part of the device. A locking mechanism is co-operable with the connecting device and with the removable part of the device such that, in response to removal of the removable part, the locking mechanism prevents the connecting device from being operated to disconnect the secondary fuse.