Portable Circuit Interrupter With PCB Coil Contact Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-monitoring/power denial (AM/PD) devices lack efficient and portable solutions for interrupting electrical circuits in response to faults, particularly in portable applications.
Innovation Solution
A portable circuit interrupting device with a module that includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a bus bar, contact arms with moveable contacts, and a coil assembly actuated by an actuating device, allowing for physical separation of contacts to interrupt electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable circuit interrupting device is designed with a coil assembly and actuating device to separate contact arms, then the device achieves efficient fault interruption capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil assembly is integrated directly onto the PCB structure, and the actuating device is coupled to the contact arms through a compact mechanical linkage. This merging of components into a unified interrupting mechanism achieves reliable fault interruption while minimizing the overall device complexity that would otherwise result from separate, distributed components.
2Reliability
If the contact arms are designed to be physically separated from bus bar contacts during fault conditions, then circuit interruption effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The contact arms are pre-positioned and mechanically linked to the actuating device such that upon activation, the separation action is immediately and reliably executed. The PCB layout and mounting structures are designed in advance to ensure proper alignment and separation distance, eliminating the need for high-precision manual adjustment during assembly while guaranteeing effective circuit interruption.
3Ease of operation
If the device includes a threaded portion with compression tab for securing power cable, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural attachment for the compression tab mechanism, enables adjustable cable clamping force through threading, and allows for secure fastening of the power cable. This multi-functional design achieves ease of cable securing without adding separate dedicated components, thereby minimizing overall device complexity.
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 efficient and portable fault detection and interruption, enhancing safety and reliability in portable AM/PD applications by effectively isolating electrical circuits during fault conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the coil assembly, via the actuating device, moves the one or more moveable contacts from the first position to the second position
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a housing having a bottom portion. The device may include one or more plugs, wherein the bottom portion of the housing includes a threaded portion configured to receive a cap, and an aperture configured to receive a power cable having a first diameter, wherein the threaded portion includes a compression tab configured to compress the power cable as the threaded portion receives the cap.