Integrated Movable Contactor for Circuit Breaker Auxiliary Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breaker auxiliary contact apparatuses suffer from reliability issues due to complex structures and high manufacturing costs, with numerous components increasing the likelihood of malfunction and component breakage over time.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a straight-line shaped movable contactor inclined within the frame, integrated with a contact control member that moves up/down to control contact and separation between the movable and fixed contactors, reducing external influences and simplifying the structure by forming components as one unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the movable contactor is bent to a predetermined angle and multiple components (crossbar, lever, spring) are used to control contact separation, then the contactor can be positioned and restored, but the structure becomes complex, manufacturing cost increases, and reliability decreases due to more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the crossbar, lever, and spring components into a single integrated movable contactor structure. The contactor is formed as one piece with built-in elastic deformation capability, eliminating the need for separate restoring components and reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the movable contactor by designing it with a specific bent shape that incorporates both the positioning function and the restoring force mechanism. The predetermined angle and curvature are optimized to provide automatic restoration without additional components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components (crossbar, lever, spring) are used to enable contactor movement and restoration, then the functionality is achieved, but the number of components increases leading to higher manufacturing cost and more potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components (crossbar for movement, lever for rotation, spring for restoration) into a single integrated movable contactor. This reduces the component count from three or more separate parts to one unified structure, simplifying manufacturing and reducing assembly steps while lowering overall cost.
3Reliability
If the movable contactor is influenced by multiple factors (bending, restoring force from crossbar, self-bending) during contact separation, then the contactor can return to original position, but operational characteristics change over time and malfunctions occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the external crossbar component that applies restoring force to the movable contactor. By removing this external influence, the contactor is left to rely only on its own elastic properties, reducing the number of interacting factors and improving operational stability over time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus uses numerous components to achieve contactor control and restoration, then the functionality is comprehensive, but the likelihood of malfunction and component breakage increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional capabilities (movement control, restoration, positioning) into a single integrated movable contactor structure. This maintains comprehensive functionality while reducing the number of separate components from three or more to one, thereby reducing the statistical probability of malfunction and improving long-term reliability.
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
This design enhances reliability by minimizing external influences on contact separation, simplifies manufacturing, and reduces costs by integrating components, thereby preventing malfunctions and inferior product production.
Implementation Method 1
when the movable contactor 13 returns to the original position in the state in which the movable contactor 13 moves upward through the crossbar 14, a restoring force corresponding to bending of the movable contactor 13 through the crossbar 14
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An apparatus for auxiliary contact of a circuit breaker includes a frame, a fixed contactor fixed to the frame inside the frame, a movable contactor installed inside the frame to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor, and a contact control member installed inside the frame, the contact control member being formed in a straight line shape, the contact control member being pressurized upward as an overcurrent is applied to the circuit breaker to allow the movable contactor to be contacted with or separated from the fixed contactor.