Plug-In Miniature Circuit Breaker With Visible State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plug-in miniature circuit breakers lack clear visual indicators for switching-off and switching-on states, and do not have an in-place indicating mechanism, leading to potential instability and safety issues due to hidden operations and improper installation.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in miniature circuit breaker design with a switching-off and switching-on indicating member on the operating member, linked to a visible window, and an in-place indicating mechanism to ensure proper installation, using a housing with dedicated windows and mechanisms to visibly indicate states and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the switching-off and switching-on indicating member is arranged inside the operating member, then the structure is compact, but the switching states cannot be observed in time due to shielding of body
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating member is extracted from the interior of the operating member and repositioned to the side of the operating member, allowing it to be visible through the indicating window without being shielded by the operating member body, thus resolving the contradiction between compact structure and visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating member is positioned in a different spatial dimension (on the side rather than inside), enabling it to be observed through the indicating window while maintaining structural integration, solving the visibility issue without sacrificing compactness
2Device complexity
If only a switching state indication function is provided, then the device is simple, but it cannot indicate whether the circuit breaker is installed in place
Solution Approach 1:
The indicating mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can indicate both the switching state (on/off) and the installation status (installed/not installed) of the circuit breaker, thereby providing comprehensive information without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The switching state indication and installation status indication functions are merged into a single integrated indicating mechanism, allowing both types of information to be displayed through the same indicating window, thus avoiding the need for separate indicating systems
3Loss of information
If the indicating device comprises multiple blocking plates and transmission levers, then it can indicate switching states, but the structure becomes complex and requires large assembly space
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-component indicating device structure is simplified by extracting only the essential indicating function, using a single indicating member that directly responds to operating member movement, thereby reducing structural complexity and assembly space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple transmission levers and blocking plates to transmit motion, the design inverts the approach by having the indicating member directly coupled to the operating member, eliminating the need for complex transmission mechanisms while maintaining effective indication
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the field of low-voltage electric appliances, and more particularly, to a plug-in miniature circuit breaker, an operating mechanism thereof includes an operating member with one end inserted into a housing and the other end protruding outside the housing, and a contact system includes a moving contact with one end connected with the operating mechanism and a static contact matched with the moving contact for use; the housing includes a switching-off and switching-on indicating window arranged on the housing; the plug-in miniature circuit breaker further includes a switching-off and switching-on indicating member arranged in the housing and used for indicating switching-off and switching-on states of the plug-in miniature circuit breaker, and the switching-off and switching-on indicating member is arranged on one side of the operating member and is in linkage fit with the operating member; the operating member is pressed to make the plug-in miniature circuit breaker enter the switching-on state through the operating mechanism, and make the switching-off and switching-on indicating member act, and the switching-on state of the plug-in miniature circuit breaker is indicated through the switching-off and switching-on indicating window; and according to the plug-in miniature circuit breaker of the utility model, the switching-off and switching-on indicating member thereof is arranged on one side of the operating member, and is matched with the switching-off and switching-on indicating window on the housing, so that the switching-off and switching-on states of the circuit breaker can be visually and clearly indicated.