Telescopic Racking Handle for Circuit Breaker Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional draw out air circuit breakers have limited storage space for racking handles due to interference with other parts and require excessive force to rack higher ampere rated frames, making it difficult to efficiently store and operate the racking handle.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible telescopic racking handle that folds into a Z-shape for easy engagement with the breaker cassette's racking shaft, providing mechanical advantage and reducing storage space requirements by collapsing for compact storage within the breaker cassette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional racking handle is used, then the circuit breaker can be racked into and out of the breaker cassette, but the storage space required in the breaker cassette is limited due to interference with other moving or stationary parts
Solution Approach 1:
The racking handle is designed with collapsible sections that allow it to change its configuration dynamically. When not in use, the handle can be collapsed into a compact form that fits within the limited storage space in the breaker cassette, eliminating interference with other parts. When needed, it can be extended to its full operational length for effective racking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The racking handle incorporates nested or telescopic sections that allow one part to be placed inside another when collapsed. This nesting mechanism enables the handle to reduce its volume significantly for storage within the confined space of the breaker cassette, while maintaining full functional length during operation.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional racking handle is used, then the structure is simple, but it is difficult to rack higher ampere rated frames due to the number of primary disconnect contacts increasing with ampere rating and the external force required during rack-in operation
Solution Approach 1:
The racking handle incorporates a racking shaft arm that engages with a racking shaft, adding a rotational dimension to the racking operation. This allows the handle to leverage mechanical advantage through rotational motion, reducing the linear force required to rack in higher ampere frames with multiple disconnect contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The racking shaft acts as an intermediary between the racking handle and the circuit breaker. The handle engages the racking shaft, which then translates the applied force into the necessary motion for racking operations, providing mechanical advantage and reducing the direct force required on the breaker itself.
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 telescopic racking handle allows for easier storage and operation of higher ampere rated frames by providing a mechanical advantage while minimizing storage space, enhancing usability and efficiency in racking the circuit breaker in and out of the cassette.
Implementation Method 1
providing a mechanical advantage to enable ease in racking higher frames
Implementation Method 2
folding the collapsible telescopic racking handle into a Z-shape
Data Source
AI summary
A draw out circuit breaker assembly which includes a draw out circuit breaker having a plurality of contacts configured for connecting and disconnecting an electrical power source to an electrical load, a breaker cassette including a draw out support plate housing operational components of the draw out circuit breaker, and a port, and a collapsible telescopic racking handle stored collapsed in the port after the draw out circuit breaker is racked into the breaker cassette.