Modular Breaker Assembly for Single-Path Replacement and Arc Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breakers with multiple phases/poles in a single housing are inflexible, leading to high design and maintenance costs due to the need to replace the entire unit when one contact is damaged, and they occupy a large volume with inefficient space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A modular breaker design that controls only one current path, featuring a contact assembly with two stationary contacts and a movable contact, along with an actuating member and housing, which allows for modular replacement and flexible assembly, and includes arc extinguishing devices and guiding pieces to enhance compactness and arc extinguishing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If multiple phases/poles are integrated in one housing, then device integration is improved, but flexibility and maintenance cost worsen due to requiring replacement of the entire unit when one contact is damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The breaker is divided into independent modular units, each housing containing a single contact assembly with its own actuating member. This segmentation allows individual replacement of damaged modules without replacing the entire breaker assembly, resolving the contradiction between integration density and maintenance cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If multiple phases/poles are integrated in one housing, then device integration is improved, but design flexibility worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The breaker system is segmented into standardized modular units that can be independently configured. Each module maintains full functionality with complete contact assemblies, allowing flexible arrangement and combination to meet different design requirements while preserving integration benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular breaker design creates universal building blocks that can serve multiple functions and configurations. Each standardized module can be used in various arrangements to create different breaker assemblies, enhancing design flexibility while maintaining integration efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of moving object

If multiple phases/poles are integrated in one housing, then device integration is improved, but volume efficiency worsens due to relatively large volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration densityVSAvoidvolume efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The modular breaker design allows compact nesting of standardized units. Multiple breaker modules can be arranged in space-efficient configurations, reducing overall volume compared to traditional integrated designs while maintaining high integration density through systematic arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Reduces maintenance costs by enabling single-path replacement and improves space utilization with a compact design, while enhancing arc extinguishing efficiency and reducing arc dead time.

Implementation Method 1

the breaker further includes an arc extinguishing device, an arc running piece and an arc guiding piece. The arc extinguishing device includes a plurality of arc extinguishing grid sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc extinguishing: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

the breaker further includes a first magnetic resistance piece and a second magnetic resistance piece. The first magnetic resistance piece is positioned between the first parallel section and the second parallel section of the first stationary contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic resistance: Magnetic Reluctance

Data Source

PatentEP4064306B1Breaker, breaker assembly, and contactor
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4064306B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4064306B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A breaker only used for controlling one current path. The breaker comprises a contact head assembly, an actuating member (130), and a shell (190). The shell (190) accommodates the contact head assembly and the actuating member (130). The contact head assembly comprises: a first static contact head (110) having a first static contact part (114); a second static contact head (110') having a second static contact part (115); and a moving contact head (120) having a first moving contact part (121) and a second moving contact part (122) respectively positioned at two ends of the moving contact head (120). The actuating member (130) is connected to the moving contact head (120) in order to actuate the moving contact head (120) along a first direction to move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first moving contact part (121) and the first static contact part (114) are separated and the second moving contact part (122) and the second static contact part (115) are separated in order to turn off the current path. In the closed position, the first moving contact part (121) and the first static contact part (114) are in contact and the second moving contact part (122) and the second static contact part (115) are in contact in order to turn on the current path. Also disclosed are a breaker assembly comprising said breaker and a contactor.