Optimization of the Cam Profile of a Vacuum Circuit Breaker by Using Multibody Dynamics Techniques

Since the performance of a vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) mainly depends on the spring operating mechanism, an analysis of the spring operating mechanism is required in order to improve the design of a VCB. In this study, the static stiffness of the spring was determined by using a material testing machine, and the test results were used to model the spring through computer simulation. The multi-body dynamic model of the spring was established by using the RecurDyn program. The dynamic model was verified by comparing the results of stem displacements and rotating angles of the brake shaft obtained from the simulation and from the experiments. After verification of the dynamic model of VCB, the cam profile of the VCB was optimized through multi-body dynamics simulation in order to improve the performance of the closing mechanism.