Vacuum Circuit Breaker Spring Module for Compact Airtight Drive Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum circuit breakers suffer from structural instability and require excessive space due to the distance between the pressure vessel and the driving unit, which is exacerbated by the installation of the contact pressure spring outside the pressure vessel.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum circuit breaker design that incorporates a spring module penetrating through the pressure vessel, maintaining airtightness, to transmit driving force to the movable electrode, integrating the movable rod and pressure spring into a single module, reducing the distance to the driving unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the contact pressure spring is installed in an end portion of the movable rod outside the pressure vessel, then the spring can apply contact pressure to the movable electrode, but the driving unit must be disposed considerably farther away from the pressure vessel, causing structural instability and increasing unnecessary space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact pressureVSAvoiddistance from pressure vessel to driving unit
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring module is nested within the pressure vessel, with the contact pressure spring housed inside a module that penetrates through the pressure vessel wall. This allows the spring to be positioned inside the pressure vessel while still maintaining airtightness, thereby reducing the distance from the pressure vessel to the driving unit and improving structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A spring module acts as an intermediary component that transmits the contact pressure force from the driving unit to the movable electrode while maintaining the airtight boundary of the pressure vessel. The spring module includes a case with a through-hole that allows the spring to penetrate through the pressure vessel wall, enabling force transmission without compromising the pressure vessel's integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the contact pressure spring is installed outside the pressure vessel, then the spring can transmit driving force to the movable electrode, but excessive space is required above the pressure vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving force transmissionVSAvoidspace above pressure vessel
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring module is nested within the pressure vessel structure, with the contact pressure spring housed inside a compact module that penetrates through the pressure vessel wall. This nested configuration allows the spring to transmit driving force effectively while occupying minimal space above the pressure vessel, thereby reducing unnecessary space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring module combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: it houses the contact pressure spring, maintains airtightness through the pressure vessel wall, and transmits driving force to the movable electrode. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate components and reduces the overall space required above the pressure vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design enhances structural stability and reduces unnecessary space by allowing the driving unit to be positioned closer to the pressure vessel, ensuring stable operation and eliminating excess space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a spring applying contact pressure to the movable electrode when the movable electrode is input

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4682924A1Vacuum circuit breaker
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HD HYUNDAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP4682924A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4682924A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4682924A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a vacuum circuit breaker that can increase structural stability and reduce required space by reducing the distance from a pressure vessel to a driving unit. A vacuum circuit breaker, according to one embodiment, may comprise: a pressure vessel that is filled with insulating gas at a predetermined pressure; a vacuum interrupter disposed inside the pressure vessel and having a fixed electrode and a movable electrode within a vacuum tube in a vacuum state; and a spring module that has one side connected to an end of the movable electrode through an insulating link, moves through the pressure vessel while maintaining airtightness to transmit driving force of a driving unit to the movable electrode, and is equipped with a spring that applies contact pressure to the movable electrode when closing the contacts.