Switchboard Shutter Assembly Driven by Circuit Breaker Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shutter assemblies for switchboards are complex and expensive, requiring significant time and resources for installation, and are prone to failure during use.

Innovation Solution

A shutter assembly with a simple structure that includes a shutter plate and a shutter driving unit, where the shutter plate is moved by a circuit breaker entering the switchboard case, utilizing a bracket and slider mechanism to control the opening and closing of the shutter plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional shutter assembly is used to block the main circuit unit when the circuit breaker is at the TEST position, then safety protection is provided, but the structure becomes diverse and complex, increasing manufacturing cost and installation time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety protectionVSAvoidshutter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter plate is merged with the circuit breaker body through a coupling protrusion and coupling groove mechanism. The shutter plate includes a coupling protrusion that engages with a coupling groove on the circuit breaker, causing the shutter plate to be automatically driven by the circuit breaker's insertion and withdrawal movements without requiring a separate driving mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit breaker itself serves as the driving force for the shutter plate operation. As the circuit breaker is inserted into or withdrawn from the switchboard case, it directly actuates the shutter plate to move between blocking and exposed positions through the coupling mechanism, eliminating the need for external motors or complex actuating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a conventional shutter assembly with complex configuration is used, then safety protection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses simple mechanical coupling elements (coupling protrusion and coupling groove) instead of expensive motors, sensors, or complex actuating mechanisms. These simple mechanical features can be easily manufactured into the circuit breaker and shutter plate structures using standard machining processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a conventional shutter assembly is installed in the switchboard, then safety function is provided, but installation time and resources are significantly consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety functionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Extent of automation

If the shutter plate is moved by circuit breaker insertion, then automatic operation is achieved, but the structure becomes complex requiring bracket and slider mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic operationVSAvoidbracket and slider mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary bracket and slider mechanisms from the conventional design. The shutter plate is directly coupled to the circuit breaker body through a simple coupling protrusion and groove, allowing the circuit breaker's own movement to directly drive the shutter plate without intermediate mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12470047B2Shutter assembly and switchboard comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 LS ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a shutter assembly and a switchboard comprising same, and provides a shutter assembly comprising: a shutter plate arranged to cover an outer terminal arranged on the rear surface of a switchboard case; and a shutter driving unit which is connected to one side of the shutter plate and which moves the shutter plate in the left and right directions, wherein the shutter driving unit has at least a portion pressed and rotated by means of a circuit breaker according to the entry of the circuit breaker into the switchboard case, so that the outer terminal covered by the shutter plate is exposed toward the inside of the switchboard, and thus the shutter plate is moved.