Pyrotechnic Interrupter Layout for Faster Arc Quenching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit breakers require improvement in their electric circuit interrupting capability and arc quenching efficiency, particularly when handling abnormal currents.

Innovation Solution

The interrupter system employs a gas pressure mechanism using a gas producer with explosive fuel to drive an actuator pin, which breaks the electrical conductor at specifically designed weak points, and includes an arc quenching member to enhance arc quenching capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional circuit breaker design is used, then the basic circuit breaking function is achieved, but the electric circuit interrupting capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric circuit interrupting capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical conductor is divided into multiple segments including continuous portions and separable portions. The separable portions are designed with reduced breaking strength at boundary portions, allowing selective breaking at predetermined locations when actuated by the pyrotechnic actuator, thereby improving interrupting capability while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boundary portions of the separable portions are designed with locally reduced breaking strength compared to the continuous portions and other parts of the separable portions. This local weakness ensures that breaking occurs at specific predetermined locations rather than randomly throughout the conductor, enhancing reliability without requiring complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the electrical conductor is made stronger to handle higher currents, then current handling capacity improves, but the ability to quickly break the circuit during abnormalities worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent handling capacityVSAvoidcircuit breaking speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor is segmented into continuous portions for current carrying and separable portions for breaking. The separable portions have boundary portions with reduced breaking strength, enabling rapid failure at these weak points when actuated, thus achieving fast circuit breaking without compromising the overall strength and current handling capacity of the main conductor

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boundary portions are pre-designed with reduced breaking strength before any abnormal condition occurs. When the pyrotechnic actuator is triggered, it simply needs to apply sufficient force to break these pre-weakened boundary portions, enabling extremely rapid circuit interruption without requiring complex real-time analysis or control during the breaking event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional arc quenching methods are used, then basic arc control is achieved, but arc quenching efficiency is insufficient leading to excessive arc generation and voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearc quenching efficiencyVSAvoidarc generation and voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pyrotechnic actuator, which produces high-pressure gas as a byproduct of its explosive operation, is utilized to drive the separable portions away from the continuous portions after breaking. This converts the harmful high-pressure gas into a beneficial force that enhances arc quenching by rapidly separating the conductor ends, reducing arc generation and voltage without requiring additional arc quenching components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 system effectively interrupts the electric circuit with improved efficiency and arc quenching, allowing for better handling of abnormal currents and reducing arc generation and voltage.

Implementation Method 1

a gas producer (7) producing gas by burning fuel (74)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

the boundary portions (23), located between the separable portion (21) and the two terminal portions (22), respectively, of the electrical conductor (2) are broken by the actuator pin (8)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

an arc quenching member (13) having an arc quenching function and arranged in the housing space (98)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArc quenching:

Data Source

PatentEP3863036B1Circuit breaking apparatus and circuit breaking system

Publication Date: 2024.05.01 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

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AI summary

The problem to be overcome by the present disclosure is to provide an interrupter and interrupter system with improved electric circuit interrupting capability. An interrupter (1F) includes a gas producer (7), an actuator pin (8), and an electrical conductor (2F). The electrical conductor (2F) includes a first terminal portion (32), a first separable portion (31), a second terminal portion (42F), and a second separable portion (41). The second separable portion (41) is electrically connected to the first separable portion (31) in parallel. A first timing when the first separable portion (31) starts to be cut off from the first terminal portion (32) is earlier than a second timing when the second separable portion (41) starts to be cut off from the second terminal portion (42F).