Interlock Device for Withdrawable Circuit Breaker Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable-type circuit breakers face safety issues due to the risk of accidental withdrawal of the main body when the connection spring is compressed, leading to potential noise and secondary safety accidents during operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an interlock device that restricts the withdrawal of the main body when the circuit breaker is in a connected state, utilizing a support part, interlock lever, and interlock pin to prevent movement when the connection spring is compressed, ensuring safety by preventing insertion or withdrawal in a connected state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the main body is made withdrawable for easy maintenance and handling, then ease of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of accidental withdrawal when connection spring is compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock device applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the main body from being withdrawn when the connection spring is compressed. The interlock pin engages with the interlock lever to create a mechanical block that opposes any withdrawal attempt, thereby eliminating the safety hazard before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the connection spring and the main body withdrawal motion. It monitors the compressed state of the connection spring through the interlock lever and prevents withdrawal by engaging the interlock pin, thus mediating between the energy storage function and the mechanical movement function.
2Reliability
If an interlock device is added to prevent accidental withdrawal, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock device is segmented into distinct functional components: the interlock pin for blocking withdrawal, the interlock lever for detecting the compressed state, and the support part for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simple geometry, reducing overall complexity while achieving the safety function.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock device is designed to be self-activating based on the state of the connection spring. When the connection spring is compressed, the interlock lever automatically moves to engage the interlock pin, preventing withdrawal without requiring external control signals or additional actuators, thereby minimizing system complexity.
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 interlock device ensures safe operation by preventing withdrawal of the main body when the connection spring is compressed, thereby preventing accidents and ensuring immediate and safe operation, while also simplifying the system structure for economical implementation.
Implementation Method 1
a connection spring configured to perform a connection operation of the circuit breaker using an elastic force generated when released
Implementation Method 2
an interlock lever having a sliding hole at one end and a power transmission part at the other end, the interlock lever being hinge-coupled to one end of the support part
Implementation Method 3
an interlock pin having one end slidably coupled to the sliding hole and the other end configured to be movable upward and downward into the interlock pin hole formed on a bottom surface of the cradle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a withdrawable-type circuit breaker, including a cradle, a main body disposed to be inserted into and withdrawn from the cradle by a transfer device, and an interlock device for restricting a withdrawal of the main body when the circuit breaker is in a connected state, wherein the interlock device includes a support part vertically disposed on a bottom surface of the main body, an interlock lever, having a sliding hole at one end thereof and a power transmission part at another end thereof, hinge-coupled at its medium portion to one end of the support part, and an interlock pin having one end inserted into and coupled to the sliding hole and another end up and downwardly movable and insertable to an interlock pin hole formed in a bottom surface of the cradle.