Light Guide Trip Indicator for Multi-Pole Circuit Breakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional circuit breakers lack effective visual indicators for tripping conditions, leading to unreliable fault detection and increased repair efforts due to manufacturing variations and misalignment issues during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A light guide system with retention features and light dispersion and capture pads is integrated into the circuit breaker assembly, securely transmitting light from internal sources to the exterior for clear indication of tripping conditions, with lower manufacturing tolerance requirements and improved intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical arc fault indicator is used, then fault indication is provided, but reliability is reduced due to parts binding, missing, or being worn out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical arc fault indicator system with an optical system consisting of a light source, light guide, and light dispersion pad. This substitution eliminates mechanical parts that can bind, wear out, or be lost, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the fault indication function.
2Reliability
If a visual arc fault indicator is used, then fault indication is provided, but manufacturing precision requirements are increased due to mating feature tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light emission and dispersion to create a visible fault indication. The light guide transmits light from the light source to the light dispersion pad, which disperses the light to provide visual feedback. This optical approach eliminates the need for tight mechanical tolerances in mating features while ensuring reliable fault indication.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional circuit breakers without indicators are used, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but fault detection accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary component that transmits light from the light source to the light dispersion pad. This simple optical intermediary enables accurate fault detection and clear visual indication without adding significant manufacturing complexity, as the light guide can be integrated into the existing circuit breaker structure.
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 light guide system provides a reliable and visually clear indication of tripping conditions, reducing misalignment issues and enhancing fault detection accuracy, while maintaining lower manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light conduits adapted to transmit light from two or more light sources within a circuit breaker assembly to an exterior of the circuit breaker assembly
Implementation Method 2
a beam that connects the light conduits
Implementation Method 3
a light dispersion pad coupled to the first end of each of the light conduits
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and system for visually indicating a circuit breaker, such as a multi-pole circuit breaker, has been tripped are provided. An exemplary light guide comprises a plurality of light conduits adapted to transmit light from two or more light sources within a circuit breaker assembly to an exterior of the circuit breaker assembly; a beam that connects the light conduits; and one or more retention features coupled to one or more of the light conduits, wherein each retention feature is adapted to mate with a retention feature interface of the circuit breaker assembly. Numerous other aspects are provided.