Universal Breaker Mounting Assembly for Mixed Load Center Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breaker mounting assemblies are limited to specific types of mounting mechanisms, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for customized load centers, which restrict the use of circuit breakers based on their mounting types.
Innovation Solution
A universal circuit interrupter mounting assembly that accommodates both first and second types of mounting mechanisms, allowing flexible installation of circuit breakers with either type, reducing the need for multiple load center designs and minimizing manufacturing and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If customized load centers are used for each mounting mechanism type, then the mounting compatibility is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The load center is designed with a universal mounting assembly that can accommodate both first type mounting mechanisms (with protrusions) and second type mounting mechanisms (with receptacles) through a single standardized interface. The mounting assembly includes mounting blocks with both protrusion and receptacle features, allowing circuit breakers of either type to be mounted on the same load center, thereby eliminating the need for customized load center designs for each mounting mechanism type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple load center designs are created for different mounting types, then the adaptability to different circuit breakers is improved, but the manufacturing costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized mounting assembly design is created that can mount both first type and second type circuit breakers. The mounting assembly includes mounting blocks with standardized dimensions and features that accommodate both mounting mechanism types, allowing manufacturers to produce only one type of load center for both circuit breaker types, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying production processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is segmented into modular mounting blocks that can be independently configured. Each mounting block contains both protrusion and receptacle features, allowing flexible combination and arrangement to accommodate different circuit breaker types and configurations within the same load center structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized mounting assemblies are used for each circuit breaker type, then the mounting precision is improved, but the space utilization and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The universal mounting assembly maintains precise mounting capabilities for both circuit breaker types through standardized mounting blocks with precisely engineered protrusions and receptacles. The standardized interface ensures accurate alignment and secure mounting while optimizing space utilization by allowing both first type and second type circuit breakers to be mounted in the same load center without requiring additional specialized structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A load center includes: a housing including a base and sidewalls; one or more circuit interrupters including a first circuit interrupter having a first type of mounting mechanism and a second circuit interrupter having a second type of mounting mechanism; and a universal circuit interrupter mounting assembly attached to the base and including a mounting frame and line terminals structured to connect the circuit interrupter line terminals and the power source, the mounting frame including (i) a first type mounting connector having a first protrusion and side edges thereof and structured to be coupled to the first type of mounting mechanism and (ii) a second type mounting connector having a second protrusion and transversely spaced-apart legs extending longitudinally therefrom and attached to the side edges of the first type mounting connector, the second type mounting connector being structured to be coupled to the second type of mounting mechanism.