Wire Spring Circuit Breaker Button for Smooth Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push button operated circuit breakers with rocking control members experience resistance issues due to the elastic elements, leading to a lack of sliding fluidity when the pressure transmitting member contacts the rocking control member.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wire spring as the elastic element, which provides minimal resistance and facilitates smooth operation by rotating the pressure transmitting member back to its resting position, reducing the perceived resistance during button operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic elements (foil springs) are used to bring the pressure transmitting member back to the angular resting position, then the push button can be reset after operation, but the elastic elements oppose resistance during button pressing, reducing sliding fluidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the elastic element by transitioning from foil springs to wire springs. This parameter change includes altering the material form (from layered foil to coiled wire), which fundamentally changes the mechanical characteristics. The wire spring provides the necessary reset force while offering significantly reduced resistance during the pressing stroke, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the elastic element's resistance characteristic location-dependent. The wire spring is designed to provide minimal resistance during the initial pressing phase (when sliding fluidity is needed) while maintaining sufficient elastic force for the reset function. This localized differentiation of mechanical properties allows the system to satisfy both contradictory requirements at different stages of operation.
2Ease of operation
If foil springs are used as elastic elements, then the push button can be brought back to its initial position, but the resistance opposed reduces the user's feeling of sliding fluidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts wire springs which are simpler, more durable, and easier to manufacture compared to foil springs. The wire spring structure is more robust and less prone to degradation, effectively replacing the more complex foil spring assembly. This substitution reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving the operational characteristics.
3Productivity
If the pressure transmitting member rotates during button pressing, then the rocking control member can be actuated, but the elastic element's opposition to rotation creates resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the elastic element from foil spring to wire spring, which fundamentally alters the force characteristics. The wire spring provides significantly lower resistance force during the rotation of the pressure transmitting member, allowing smoother actuation of the rocking control member while maintaining the necessary reset function. This parameter change directly addresses the contradiction between productivity and force resistance.
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 use of a wire spring significantly reduces the resistance felt when pushing the button, enhancing the sliding fluidity and user experience by allowing easier manual operation of the circuit breaker.
Implementation Method 1
The push button includes at least an elastic element adapted to bring the pressure transmitting member back to the angular resting position after one rotation. The elastic element is for example implemented by means of one or more foil springs, for example made of metal foil, folded and sheared off. The invention incorporates a wire spring as the elastic element, which provides minimal resistance and facilitates smooth operation by rotating the pressure transmitting member back to its resting position.
Data Source
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AI summary
1. A push button operated circuit breaker (10) with rocking control member including: a case (20) made of electrically insulating material, having a bottom wall (21), lateral walls (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d) being joined to the bottom wall (21) and an open side (21') opposite to the bottom wall (21); a button (30) that can be operated to command an electrical switching of the circuit breaker (10) and having a body provided with lateral walls (30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) crossing said open side (21'), the push button (10) being adapted to slide with respect to the case (20) along a sliding axis (Z- Z), between a forward position and a backward position; a rocking control member (70) adapted to control an electrical switching; a pressure transmitting member (60) being rotatably fastened to the body of the push button (30) and adapted to rotate with respect to a rest angular position around a rotation axis (Al-Al); an elastic element (61) adapted to bring back the pressure transmitting member (60) in the rest angular position after its rotation; characterized in that the above-mentioned elastic element is, or includes, a wire spring (61).