Moulded Case Circuit Breaker Dual Housing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Moulded case circuit breakers with integrated residual current protection modules result in bulky and costly assemblies due to the need for separate units and increased height, leading to high production and management costs for manufacturers.
Innovation Solution
A moulded case circuit breaker design featuring two coupled cases made of insulating material, with fastening elements like screws for stable fixation, allowing for modular assembly and integration of trip systems and contact branches, enabling the production of various types without the need for separate units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an external residual current protection module is connected to the moulded case circuit breaker, then residual current protection function is provided, but the assembly becomes bulky and expensive due to increased height and need for separate units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the residual current protection module with the moulded case circuit breaker housing into a single integrated unit. The second housing contains both the residual current protection device and the actuating mechanism, eliminating the need for separate external modules and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The second housing serves multiple functions: it houses the residual current protection device, contains the actuating mechanism for trip operations, and provides structural coupling with the first housing. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed in the assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate units are used for moulded case circuit breaker and residual current protection, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but production costs increase due to need for multiple cases and interconnections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines what would traditionally be separate units into a single integrated housing structure. The first and second housings are coupled together to form one unified assembly, reducing the number of separate cases that need to be manufactured, handled, and interconnected during assembly.
3Device complexity
If integrated design is used, then production costs and assembly complexity are reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for coupling cases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate but precisely coupled parts (first housing and second housing). This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances, while the coupling mechanism ensures proper alignment and integration, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with assembly simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A moulded case circuit breaker is described comprising at least a first contact branch (C1) comprising at least a first contact element (P1) and at least a first support element (S1) of the first contact element (P1), at least a first connection terminal (T1) electrically connected to, or integrated into, the first support element (S1); - an actuating mechanism (15) of the first support element (S1) adapted to move the latter so that the first contact element (P1) can be moved from a rest position to a working position and vice versa; - a first case (10) housing and supporting the first contact branch (C1) and the actuating mechanism (15); - a second contact branch (C2) comprising at least a second contact element (P2), adapted to be contacted by the first contact element (P1) when this is in the working position, at least a second support element (S2) of the second contact element (P2) and at least a second connection terminal (T2) electrically connected to, or integrated into, the second support element (S2); - a second case (20) coupled to the first case (10) housing and supporting the second contact branch (C2); - at least one fastening element (31, 32) adapted to couple and maintain the first (10) and the second (20) case integral to each other.