Modular Working Cylinder Base for Circuit Breaker Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydromechanical drives for electric circuit breakers have complex structures and high production costs due to the need for diverse components, leading to cavitation damage and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A working cylinder with a base body formed from two separate components, a cylinder head and a cylinder body, connected in a non-positive locking manner, which allows for a modular and cost-effective production process, reducing complexity and enabling easier integration with existing drives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single-part working cylinder with complex structure is used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the device complexity and production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidworking cylinder complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The working cylinder base body is divided into two separate components: a cylinder head and a cylinder body. These components are connected through a non-positive locking connection, allowing them to be manufactured independently and assembled together. This segmentation reduces the complexity of manufacturing a single complex part while maintaining the required structural integrity through the connection between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If diverse components are used in the working cylinder, then the functional requirements are met, but the production process complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirements fulfillmentVSAvoidproduction process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cylinder head is designed as a universal component that serves multiple functions: it forms the closure of the working cylinder, provides mounting surfaces for additional components, and enables the non-positive locking connection with the cylinder body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby simplifying the production process while meeting diverse functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Weight of moving object

If aluminum material is used for the working cylinder, then the weight is reduced, but cavitation damage occurs causing technical problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking cylinder weightVSAvoidresistance to cavitation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The working cylinder is constructed using a composite approach where the base body consists of two components (cylinder head and cylinder body) that can be made from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The cylinder body, which is exposed to hydraulic pressure and susceptible to cavitation, can be made from cavitation-resistant materials, while the cylinder head can use lighter materials, achieving an optimal balance between weight and cavitation resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If running surfaces are anodized to improve durability, then the wear resistance is improved, but the production costs and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidproduction cost and time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of anodizing the entire working cylinder, the patent applies protective measures only to the specific running surfaces that require wear resistance. The non-positive locking connection between the cylinder head and body allows for localized treatment of only the critical contact areas, reducing the overall production cost and time while maintaining the necessary wear resistance where it is most needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables a cost-effective and reliable production process with a long service life, avoiding cavitation damage and simplifying the assembly of the working cylinder, while ensuring secure and reversible connections for the piston rod, thus enhancing the overall performance and maintenance efficiency of the drive.

Implementation Method 1

a mechanical resilient energy storage device; and a hydraulic device for transferring energy that can be stored in the mechanical resilient energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical spring energy storage: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a hydraulic device for transferring energy that can be stored in the mechanical resilient energy storage device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic energy transfer: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS9837222B2Working cylinder for a drive of an electric circuit breaker

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 HITACHI ENERGY LTD

AI summary

An exemplary working cylinder for a drive of an electric circuit breaker includes a base that includes a cylinder head and a cylinder body that are connected to one another. Additional components are fastened to the cylinder head as a core piece of the drive, and a thrust ring is guided on an outer surface of the cylinder body. The thrust ring compresses mechanical springs in the mechanical resilient energy storage device by way of a storage piston in a storage module.