Rotating Dual Break Point Contact for Miniaturized Circuit Breakers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Molded case circuit breakers with rotating dual break point contacts face challenges in miniaturization due to large width dimensions, which affect the overall volume, especially when multiple modules are cascaded, and struggle to maintain balanced contact pressure.

Innovation Solution

A compact rotating dual break point contact design utilizing a single contact spring and a rotor support with centrosymmetric components, including side plates, shafts, and connection rods, allows for balanced contact pressure and reduced width, enabling miniaturization while maintaining reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If two contact springs are arranged on both sides of the contact module, then the contact pressure balance is improved, but the width dimension increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressure balanceVSAvoidwidth dimension

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of two separate contact springs into a single contact spring. This single spring is positioned on one side of the contact bridge and provides contact pressure to both contact points through the rotor support structure, thereby reducing the width dimension while maintaining contact pressure balance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single contact spring performs multiple functions: it provides contact pressure to both contact points, maintains the rotor support in the initial position, and ensures balanced pressure distribution. The rotor support acts as a universal component that transmits the single spring's force to both sides of the contact bridge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of stationary object

If a single contact spring is used on one side of the contact bridge, then the width dimension is reduced, but the contact pressure balance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewidth dimensionVSAvoidcontact pressure balance

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangement where the single contact spring is positioned on one side of the contact bridge rather than symmetrically on both sides. The rotor support structure compensates for this asymmetry by transmitting the single spring's force to both contact points, achieving pressure balance through asymmetric design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor support acts as an intermediary component that receives the contact pressure from the single spring on one side and distributes it to both contact points. This mediator ensures that the contact pressure is balanced on both sides despite the single spring's asymmetric position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9837233B2Rotating dual break point contact

Publication Date: 2017.12.05 SEARI ELECTRIC TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A rotating dual break point contact includes a rotor support, a first shaft, a second shaft, a third shaft, a first connection rod, a second connection rod, a contact bridge and a contact spring. The contact bridge is provided in the rotor support, and the contact bridge rotates relative to the rotor support by means of the first shaft, the second shaft, the third shaft, the first connection rod and the second connection rod. The contact bridge rotates between an initial pressure position and a maximum repulsion position. A single contact spring is mounted on one side of the contact bridge and is located in the rotor support.