Optical Push Rod Sensing for Vacuum Breaker Timing Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotary sensors in vacuum circuit breakers have a shorter mechanical lifespan than the circuit breaker itself, making it difficult to guarantee reliability over long-term use and detect abnormal operation or performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A movement sensing device with a sensor module and a sensing target, where the sensing target includes a slit body and slit plate, and a light-emitter and light-receiver system to detect movement characteristics of the push rod assembly, allowing for the detection of abnormal operation or performance degradation of the vacuum circuit breaker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotary sensor is used to detect the movement timing of the movable contact, then the measurement function is achieved, but the mechanical lifespan of the sensor is much shorter than that of the vacuum circuit breaker, compromising long-term reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotary sensor with an optical sensing system consisting of a light emitter, light receiver, and sensing target. The light emitter emits light toward the sensing target attached to the push rod assembly, and the light receiver detects the reflected or transmitted light to determine the position of the movable contact. This optical system has no mechanical contact parts, eliminating wear and extending the sensor lifespan to match or exceed the vacuum circuit breaker's lifespan while maintaining precise measurement of contact timing.
2Reliability
If a rotary sensor with mechanical contact is used, then the sensing function works reliably in the short term, but the sensor cannot detect abnormal operation or performance degradation over long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing system continuously monitors the position of the push rod assembly by detecting the position of the sensing target. The light receiver generates electrical signals that reflect the real-time position information, which can be analyzed to detect deviations from normal operation patterns. This continuous feedback mechanism enables the system to identify abnormal operations such as delayed contact closure, incomplete contact insertion, or unusual movement patterns, providing early warning of performance degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing target acts as an intermediary element that attaches to the moving push rod assembly but is separately detectable by the optical sensor. This intermediary allows the sensor to monitor the mechanical movement without direct mechanical contact, enabling long-term reliable detection of movement characteristics and abnormal operations while the sensor itself remains stationary and wear-free.
3Reliability
If an optical sensing system with light emitter and light receiver is used, then long-term reliability is achieved, but the device complexity increases compared to a simple rotary sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensing system is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects the position of the movable contact, monitors the movement characteristics of the push rod assembly, and enables identification of abnormal operations. By integrating the light emitter, light receiver, and sensing target into a unified optical measurement system, the patent achieves long-term reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same optical components serve multiple detection purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing target is designed as a simple reflective or transmissive element that can be easily manufactured and attached to the push rod assembly. Instead of using a complex mechanical sensor, the system uses a simple optical target that reflects or transmits light, creating a functional copy of the position information in optical form. This approach simplifies the overall system by replacing complex mechanical sensing components with simple optical elements.
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 device effectively monitors the movement characteristics of the vacuum circuit breaker, enabling reliable detection of abnormal operation or performance degradation, thereby ensuring long-term reliability and maintaining the vacuum circuit breaker's performance.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitter and light-receiver system to detect movement characteristics of the push rod assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker and a vacuum circuit breaker comprising same. In the present disclosure, the motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker is provided with a push rod assembly coupled to a movable electrode of a vacuum interrupter to elevate or lower the movable electrode, wherein the motion sensing device comprises: a sensor module spaced apart from the push rod assembly and arranged to face a side of a rod housing; and a sensing unit installed on a side of the push rod assembly and arranged to face the sensor module that senses the movement of the sensing unit.