  The one-dimensional quantum breakdown model, which features spatially
asymmetric fermionic interactions simulating the electrical breakdown
phenomenon, exhibits an exponential U(1) symmetry and a variety of dynamical
phases including many-body localization and quantum chaos with quantum scar
states. We investigate the minimal quantum breakdown model with the minimal
number of on-site fermion orbitals required for the interaction, and identify a
large number of local conserved charges in the model. We then reveal a mapping
between the minimal quantum breakdown model in certain charge sectors and a
quantum link model which simulates the $U(1)$ lattice gauge theory, and show
that the local conserved charges map to the gauge symmetry generators. A
special charge sector of the model further maps to the PXP model, which shows
quantum many-body scars. This mapping unveils the rich dynamics in different
Krylov subspaces characterized by different gauge configurations in the quantum
breakdown model.
