Magnetic Trip Device Failure State Indication Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air circuit breakers lack a mechanism to indicate a failure state externally until the causation of a fault current is removed, leading to a high probability of accidents during the transition state.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic trip device with a lever, trip bar, and latch mechanism that uses an actuator coil to indicate a failure state when a fault current flows in and is maintained until the fault is resolved, utilizing a reset member to return to a steady state upon removal of the fault current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional magnetic trip device is used without a failure state indication mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but the reliability is reduced because the failure state cannot be indicated until the fault current is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the indication mechanism in advance before fault occurrence. The lever is pre-positioned to be movable between normal and failure states, and the switching part is pre-configured to change state when the lever moves. This allows the system to immediately indicate failure state when fault current flows, without requiring additional complex mechanisms to be activated during the fault event.
2Reliability
If a complex indication mechanism is added to maintain failure state indication, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the failure state indication function with the existing magnetic trip device structure. The lever, which is already part of the magnetic trip device, is utilized to simultaneously perform its original function and indicate failure state by moving to a specific position. The switching part is integrated into the same mechanism, eliminating the need for separate indication mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever serves multiple functions: it participates in the magnetic trip operation and simultaneously acts as an indication mechanism for failure state. By making the lever multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components for indication, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the magnetic trip device does not maintain indication until fault removal, then the structure is simpler, but the safety is reduced due to high probability of accidents during transition state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing continuous visual indication of the failure state through the lever position and switching part state. The indication remains active as long as the fault current is flowing, giving real-time feedback to operators about the hazardous condition. This allows operators to take appropriate safety measures during the transition state, significantly reducing accident probability.
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism is added to maintain lever position, then the reliability of failure indication improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex latch mechanism to hold the lever in place, the patent inverts the approach by using the lever's own weight and magnetic forces to maintain its position. The lever naturally stays in either the normal or failure state position without requiring additional latching components, thereby improving reliability while minimizing device 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 magnetic trip device effectively maintains a failure state indication without errors, simplifying the structure and reducing the likelihood of accidents by ensuring the indication is sustained until the fault is cleared.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic trip device with a lever, trip bar, and latch mechanism that uses an actuator coil to indicate a failure state when a fault current flows in
Implementation Method 2
an magnetic trip device disposed between the switching mechanism and the overcurrent relay and configured to generate a mechanical operation force and transfer the mechanical operation force to the switching mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a magnetic trip device. The magnetic trip device maintains a failure state indication through a latch, a lever, and a trip bar which are provided in the magnetic trip device and thus a switching part can be operated or maintained with a more simplified structure.