Solid-State Circuit Breaker Switching Sequence With Dual Micro-Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state circuit breakers lack a mechanism to ensure that the mechanical switch is turned on before the electronic switch during the on operation and off after the electronic switch during the off operation, which is crucial for reliable and safe switching in DC applications.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of handle and contact micro-switches to detect the state of the handle and movable contact, allowing the mechanical switch to be turned on before the electronic switch during on operations and off after the electronic switch during off operations, with an electrically driven tripping unit to facilitate fast and controlled switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If micro-switches are added to detect handle and contact states, then control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through handle micro-switch and contact micro-switch that detect the states of the handle and movable contact respectively. These micro-switches provide real-time feedback to the control circuit, enabling the system to monitor and control the switching sequence automatically. The control circuit uses this feedback information to ensure the mechanical switch is turned on before the electronic switch and turned off after, thereby improving control reliability despite the added complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the mechanical switch structure is added with micro-switches and transmission assembly, then operational control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mechanical switch structure into distinct functional modules: the handle assembly, the transmission assembly, the movable contact bracket, and the micro-switch detection system. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled together. The transmission assembly acts as an intermediary that connects the handle operation to the movable contact movement, making the overall system easier to manufacture through modular assembly despite the increased operational control requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a solid-state circuit breaker including an electronic switch and a mechanical switch connected in series, the mechanical switch includes: a handle micro-switch, configured to be actuated upon the handle rotating to the on position and released upon the handle leaving the on position; a contact micro-switch, installed to the housing and configured to be actuated upon the movable contact moving to a closed position and released upon the movable contact leaving the closed position. By detecting a state of the handle micro-switch and a state of the contact micro-switch, it is achieved that, upon the solid-state circuit breaker being switched from off to on, the mechanical switch is turned on first, and then the electronic switch is turned on, upon the solid-state circuit breaker being switched from on to off, the electronic switch is turned off first, and then the mechanical switch is turned off.