Latch-Free Circuit Breaker Actuator Using Yieldable Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional circuit breakers rely on latch mechanisms, which are complex, costly, and difficult to manufacture, and do not allow for independent control of contact closure speed, limiting their performance and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A latch-free mechanism using a yieldable support that transitions between rigid and flexible configurations, allowing for quick and independent control of electrical contact closure and opening, utilizing a movable arm, biasing means, and a blocking member to facilitate a quick-make and quick-break feature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism is used to maintain electrical contacts in closed position, then the contacts can be reliably held closed, but the mechanism becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the latch mechanism entirely from the circuit breaker design. Instead of using a separate latch component to hold the contacts closed, the design relies on the yieldable support's ability to maintain a charged state and the interlocking relationship between the movable arm and blocking member, thereby eliminating the complexity of traditional latch mechanisms while maintaining reliable contact closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The yieldable support serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores energy, maintains the charged state, and enables the quick-make feature. The movable arm and blocking member work together in a self-contained manner where the blocking member automatically engages with the movable arm to prevent opening, eliminating the need for separate latching components and reducing overall mechanism complexity.
2Speed
If a traditional toggle mechanism is used to achieve quick-make, then contact closure speed is improved, but the contact speed becomes dependent on handle movement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The yieldable support transitions between two distinct states: charged (rigid) and discharged (flexible). In the charged state, it provides rigid support that prevents movement of the movable arm, enabling rapid contact closure independent of handle speed. This dynamic state change allows the system to achieve quick-make without being constrained by traditional toggle mechanism limitations where contact speed depended on handle movement speed.
3Reliability
If a latch mechanism with separate engageable members is used, then the contacts can be held closed, but the mechanism requires multiple components increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the latch mechanism into the existing yieldable support and movable arm assembly. The yieldable support's rigid configuration inherently provides the holding capability traditionally requiring separate latch members. By merging these functions into fewer components, the design reduces part count, simplifies manufacturing, and lowers cost while maintaining reliable contact holding through the interlocking relationship between the movable arm and blocking member.
4Speed
If the yieldable support transitions from rigid to flexible configuration, then the movable arm can move rapidly to close contacts, but the support must withstand compression forces in rigid configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The yieldable support dynamically transitions between rigid and flexible states based on operational requirements. In the rigid (charged) state, it is designed to withstand compression forces from the biasing means while preventing movement of the movable arm. When tripped, it transitions to a flexible (discharged) state that allows rapid movement of the movable arm for contact closure. This dynamic state change enables the support to fulfill both strength and speed requirements.
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 provides a simplified, cost-effective, and efficient mechanism for maintaining and opening electrical contacts, enabling rapid closure and opening independent of handle speed, with enhanced performance characteristics compared to conventional latching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a yieldable support having a rigid configuration defining a generally straight axis and a flexible configuration defining a non-straight axis. The yieldable support is operable in the rigid configuration to support a compression force along the straight axis due to and countering the first biasing means
Implementation Method 2
a first biasing means operable to apply a force to move the movable arm in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
A latch-free actuator includes, for example, a movable arm, a first biasing element operable to apply a force to move the movable arm in a first direction, and a yieldable support having a rigid configuration defining a generally straight axis and a flexible configuration defining a non-straight axis. The yieldable support is operable in the rigid configuration to support a compression force along the straight axis due to and countering the first biasing element so that the movable arm is prevented from movement in the first direction, and the yieldable support is operable, by applying a tripping force, to the yieldable support to transition the rigid configuration to the flexible configuration to withdraw support of the compression force and allow the movable arm to be moved by the first biasing element in the first direction.