Dual-Power Transfer Switch Reset Linkage for Both Breakers Open

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual-power transfer switches face challenges in reliably resetting tripped circuit breakers to both open states due to insufficient accuracy in handle stroke control, leading to low reliability and inability to meet customer needs for both circuit breakers to be in the open state.

Innovation Solution

A transfer apparatus for a dual-power transfer switch is introduced, featuring a pair of pushing members with limiting slots, a rotatable transmission arm, and elastic reset components, including wire springs with inclined sections and bent protrusions, which allow the circuit breakers to be reset to an open state without requiring the other circuit breaker to be closed, enhancing safety performance and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dual-power transfer switches are used without elastic reset components, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of resetting tripped circuit breakers to both open states is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of resetting circuit breakersVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic reset components are pre-installed on the pushing members to automatically reset tripped circuit breakers to the open state. When the transmission arm rotates and the pin presses against the elastic reset component, the circuit breaker is automatically reset without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems, thus improving reliability while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If elastic reset components are added to the pushing members, then the safety performance and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety performanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic reset components enable the pushing members to automatically reset tripped circuit breakers through self-service action. When the transmission arm rotates, the pin automatically presses against the elastic reset component, which in turn automatically resets the circuit breaker to the open state. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems or manual intervention, improving safety performance while keeping the device structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If the handle stroke control is made more accurate to ensure both circuit breakers are in the open state, then the manufacturing precision increases, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle stroke control precisionVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic reset component acts as an intermediary between the pin and the circuit breaker handle. Instead of requiring precise control of the pin's movement to achieve accurate handle stroke, the elastic reset component provides a compliant interface that ensures the handle is reliably driven to the open state. This intermediary mechanism tolerates variations in manufacturing precision while still achieving the desired control accuracy, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively resets tripped circuit breakers to both open states, improving safety performance and allowing for easy modification of conventional dual-power transfer switches to achieve more reliable performance, ensuring accurate control and preventing mis-operation.

Implementation Method 1

each of the pair of elastic reset components comprises a wire spring arranged on the respective pushing member and comprising an inclined section inclined to gradually approach another pushing member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240153720A1Transfer apparatus for dual-power transfer switch
Publication Date: 2024.05.09 ABB SPA
  • US20240153720A1 patent drawing
  • US20240153720A1 patent drawing
  • US20240153720A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A transfer apparatus for a dual-power transfer switch and an associated dual-power transfer switch. The transfer switch includes a pair of pushing members adapted to be moved in opposite directions to control circuit breakers for the dual-power transfer switch in a mutually different manner; a transmission arm rotatably arranged between the pair of pushing members; a pair of pins arranged on radial ends of the transmission arm; and a pair of elastic reset components arranged on the pair of pushing members.