Modular Electrical Protection with Static Switching and Pole Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical electrical protection devices, such as air circuit breakers and miniature circuit breakers, are inflexible and require physical modifications to change the characteristics of detectable faults, limiting their adaptability to varying electrical conditions and applications.

Innovation Solution

A modular electrical protection device comprising a control module and power modules, where the control module includes a tripping device and a main control circuit that communicates with local control circuits in the power modules, allowing for flexible adaptation to different numbers of poles and changing electrical fault characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If electromechanical protection devices use fixed physical components (bimetal strips, electromagnetic actuators), then the device structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different electrical fault characteristics is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different electrical fault characteristicsVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protection device is divided into modular components: power modules (with static switches and local control circuits) and control modules (with main control circuit), allowing independent configuration and replacement to adapt to different electrical fault characteristics without redesigning the entire device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control module with main control circuit can communicate with multiple local control circuits in different power modules, enabling a single control module to manage multiple poles and different fault types (AC/DC, overload, short-circuit) through software configuration rather than physical modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the protection device uses fixed number of poles design, then the manufacturing and installation is straightforward, but the adaptability to different installation configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different number of polesVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses separate power modules that can be independently assembled in different quantities (1, 2, 3, or 4 poles) to match installation requirements, simplifying manufacturing by producing standardized modules rather than customizing each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A universal control module can manage any number of power modules through standardized communication interfaces, allowing the same control module design to support single-phase or multi-phase installations without modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the protection device uses mechanical disconnectors with arc-extinguishing chambers, then the device is simple in structure, but the breaking performance and reaction time are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreaking performanceVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical arc-extinguishing chambers with static switches (semiconductor devices) that can interrupt currents much faster and more reliably, controlled by electronic circuits that detect faults and trigger disconnection without mechanical delay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The breaking function is separated into two independent systems: static switches for rapid current interruption and mechanical disconnectors for visible isolation, with each system optimized for its specific function rather than relying on a single mechanical mechanism to do both

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If the protection device requires physical modification to change fault detection characteristics, then the device structure remains simple, but the ease of adaptation to changing applications is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adaptation to changing applicationsVSAvoidease of modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device allows dynamic reconfiguration by adding or removing power modules and reprogramming control circuits to adapt to changing applications (AC to DC, different pole configurations) without physical modification or replacement of core components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuits can be reprogrammed to change detection parameters (current thresholds, fault types) and operational characteristics (breaking capacity, reaction time) through software configuration rather than physical modification of hardware components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250182992A1Modular electrical protection device with control and power modules

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

AI summary

A modular electrical protection device including at least a power module and a control module. In order for the device to be particularly effective and versatile, while being able to be modified easily, the power module includes a mechanical disconnector, a static switch and a local control circuit, for commanding the static switch into an off state, and the control module includes a tripping device, for mechanically tripping switching of the mechanical disconnector, and a main control circuit, for controlling the tripping device and communicating with the local control circuit.