Pivot Supporting Structure With Integrated Strain Gauges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current off-line monitoring methods for circuit breakers are inadequate for accurately measuring contact force and mechanical closing/opening time points under high voltage conditions, as they cannot withstand the severe environment and do not reflect real operational conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pivot supporting structure with integrated strain gauges and a printed circuit board that senses forces acting on the actuating mechanism, allowing for on-line monitoring of contact force and determining accurate closing/opening time points by identifying force variations, even in high voltage environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If off-line monitoring methods are used with electronic sensors, then the monitoring environment is safe and stable, but the monitored results cannot accurately reflect the practical operation condition of the circuit breaker under high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivot supporting structure as an intermediary component that transfers mechanical forces from the high voltage environment to strain gauges located in a safe zone. The structure includes a supporting body with a sensing hole where strain gauges are mounted, allowing force transmission while isolating the electronics from the harsh high voltage environment. This mediator approach enables accurate measurement of contact forces and mechanical characteristics without exposing the sensing electronics to damaging conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the circuit breaker operates under high voltage for accurate on-line monitoring, then the real operational conditions are reflected, but the high voltage easily damages the electronic sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into two distinct segments: a sensing segment that operates in the high voltage environment (the pivot supporting structure experiencing contact forces) and an electronics segment that operates in a safe zone (the strain gauges and signal processing circuits). The supporting body with its sensing hole creates a physical boundary that separates these two segments, allowing the sensing function to be exposed to high voltage while the electronics remain protected.
3Measurement precision
If strain gauges are mounted on the supporting body to sense contact force, then accurate on-line monitoring is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pivot support function with the force sensing function into a single integrated component. The pivot supporting structure serves dual purposes: it mechanically supports the circuit breaker's moving parts while simultaneously acting as the sensing element for contact forces. The sensing hole in the supporting body is specifically designed to mount strain gauges, combining structural support and measurement functions in one element, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the added sensing capability.
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
Enables accurate on-line monitoring of mechanical characteristics, improving the reliability of circuit breaker performance assessment and maintenance by withstanding severe operational conditions without impacting the sensing electronics.
Implementation Method 1
At least one strain gauge are mounted to the supporting body for sensing the force acting on the pivot supporting structure by the actuating mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A pivot supporting structure for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker. The pivot supporting structure (25) comprises: a supporting body (251) having a supporting hole (2511) for receiving and pivotally supporting a pivot pin connected to an actuating mechanism of the circuit breaker, wherein at least one strain gauge are mounted to the supporting body (251) for sensing the force acting on the pivot supporting structure by the actuating mechanism. This pivot supporting structure can accurately sense the characteristic force applied, such that the contact force and mechanical characteristics of the circuit breaker can be on-line monitored.