Modular Drive System for Circuit Breaker Prefabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional medium and high voltage circuit breakers have complex drive mechanisms with many variants, leading to high logistics and production costs, limited prefabrication and storage possibilities, and a lack of flexibility in production and maintenance, as they are often linked to a single factory.
Innovation Solution
A modular drive system composed of separate energy storage, latching, interlocking, and connector modules, which are interconnected to support different circuit breaker ratings and pole distances, allowing for prefabrication and flexible assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical spring drive mechanisms are used with distributed parts, then the circuit breaker can achieve reliable operation, but the device complexity and logistics effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism is divided into separate functional modules: energy storage module (with spring), latching module, releasing module, and interlocking module. Each module is independently manufactured and then assembled into a complete drive unit, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The modular drive design creates universal components that can be used across different circuit breaker models and ratings. The standardized modules can be configured for various applications, reducing the number of unique parts needed and simplifying logistics and maintenance
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional distributed drive parts are used, then the circuit breaker can function properly, but production time and costs increase due to lack of prefabrication
Solution Approach 1:
Functional modules are pre-assembled and tested separately before final integration into the circuit breaker. The energy storage module, latching module, releasing module, and interlocking module can be manufactured and quality-checked independently, enabling parallel production and reducing overall manufacturing time
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the drive into manufacturable modules, each module can be produced in dedicated production lines and then assembled. This modular approach enables standardized manufacturing processes and facilitates quality control, reducing total production time
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-factory production is used, then quality control is maintained, but flexibility in production sites and assembly locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is segmented into standardized modules that can be manufactured at different production sites with consistent quality standards. Each module maintains its functional integrity and can be assembled into various circuit breaker configurations at different locations, enabling distributed production while preserving quality
4Adaptability or versatility
If many variants of circuit breaker drives are produced, then different circuit breaker ratings can be supported, but logistics and warehousing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular drive design uses universal components that can be configured for different circuit breaker ratings and applications. The same basic modules (energy storage, latching, releasing, interlocking) serve multiple purposes across different voltage levels and breaker types, significantly reducing the total number of unique parts needed in inventory
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 modular drive system reduces production time and costs by enabling prefabrication of drive modules, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and allowing for flexible production and assembly across multiple sites.
Implementation Method 1
Especially in circuit breakers with mechanical spring drive the parts of functional groups like energy storage-, latching-, releasing- and interlocking mechanism transmission parts and electrical connectors are more or less distributed within the drive housing
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to medium or high voltage circuit breaker for switchgear, with vacuum circuit breaker, with at least one fixed contact and at least one movable contact, driven by a drive, according to the preamble of claim 1. In order to result in a compact form with reasonable prefabrication of circuit breaker drive modules, and finally with flexibility of arranging such drive modules, the invention is, that the drive is embellished as modular drive, and that the modular drive consist of modules, which are combinable in such, that the modular drive is adaptable to at least different circuit breaker ratings and pole distances.