CA1135755A - Snap action circuit breaker - Google Patents
Snap action circuit breakerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1135755A CA1135755A CA000381036A CA381036A CA1135755A CA 1135755 A CA1135755 A CA 1135755A CA 000381036 A CA000381036 A CA 000381036A CA 381036 A CA381036 A CA 381036A CA 1135755 A CA1135755 A CA 1135755A
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- handle
- circuit breaker
- breaker according
- link
- spring
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
SNAP ACTION CIRCUIT BREAKER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed is a snap action circuit breaker with a compact one piece steel frame in a two part, telescoping molded circuit breaker case. The compact construction is combined with a symmetrical toggle actuator to provide a pleasing appearance suitable for mounting at readily accessible and visible locations on the front of an instrument panel. A
variety of handle constructions are usable with the same basic mechanism. By providing a snap actuated contact construction with substantial overcurrent trip delay the device combines the best features of modern manual switches and circuit breakers so that it is in effect a manual switch with nuisance free over-current trip protection.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Disclosed is a snap action circuit breaker with a compact one piece steel frame in a two part, telescoping molded circuit breaker case. The compact construction is combined with a symmetrical toggle actuator to provide a pleasing appearance suitable for mounting at readily accessible and visible locations on the front of an instrument panel. A
variety of handle constructions are usable with the same basic mechanism. By providing a snap actuated contact construction with substantial overcurrent trip delay the device combines the best features of modern manual switches and circuit breakers so that it is in effect a manual switch with nuisance free over-current trip protection.
Description
This invention rel~tes to an electrical circuit breaker in which the contacts open during overload with a snap action and when manually operated by the circuit breaker handle are both open~d and closed with a snap action. More particularly, the invention is directed to a simplified more compact and improved circuit breaker of this type incorporating an over-load current coil and armature tripping mechanism.
A snap action circuit breaker is disclosed in assignee's U.S. Patent No. 3,806,848. In this device a toggle mechanism ~10 is tripped by the attraction of an armature to an electro-magnet when the current through the electromagnet coil exceeds a predetermined value. Coupled to the movable contact of the circuit breaker is an over center spring so that upon tripping, the contacts open with a positive snap action to minimize contact-arcing.
The over center spring also acts on the movable contact ~hen the contacts of the circuit breaker are opened or closed by way of the toggle handle. This snap action opening and closing of the circuit breaker contacts during manual operation has the advantage that it makes it impossible for anyone to "tease" the contacts in such a way as to damage the circuit breaker.
Th~ present invention is directed to a snap action circuit breaker of this general type but one which is of simplified, more compact construction~ is more attra~tive in appearance, and one which may be utilized with a variety of different handle consiructions. The circuit breaker of the present in-vention is particularly constructed to be small and more pleas-ing in appearance so that it may be used in more visible locations 75~i ' such as on instrument panels and the like, and since it opens and closes during manual operation with a snap action, it may be manually operated much in the manner of a conven-tional electrical switch. It is designed to combine aspects of conventional electrical switch operation with electromag-netic type of current protection.
This is brought about by utilizing a novel, one piece frame construction for the operating mechanism in combination with a single basic ~ymmetrical case and linkage assembly compatible with a variety of operating handles. The sym-metrical construction provides a pleasing appearance as ~oes the availability of various operating handles. Additionally, different handle constructions may give different manual motions to the linkage mechanism such as conventional two 1~ position on-off or a push to open, push to close actuated operation.
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved snap ac~ion circuit breaker.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the invention relates to a circuit breaker comprising an electrically insulating housing, an overcurrent trip coil and armature in said housing, a stationary and movable contact in said housing, a latch mechanism coupled to said movable contact for manually moving it bet~7een contacts open and contacts closed positions, said latch mechanism having means for collapsing it in response to movement to said armature, means including an over-center spring, coupled to said movable contact for opening and closing said contacts with a snap action, a handle link ~ 30 coupled to said latch mechanism, and a one piece framesup-i porting said coil, armature, latch mechanism, spring, and handle link in said case.
These and further objects nd advantages o~ ~he inven~ion will be more apparent upon reference to the following specifi-cation, claims and appended drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating a toggle type handle.
Figure 2 is a view showing principal portions of the internal operating mechanism of the circuit breaker of Figure 1 with the con acts in the manual open position.
Figure 3 is an end Yiew &howing the structure of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the circuit breaker contacts in the manually closed position.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 4 showing the circuit breaker mechanism when the contacts are in the tripped open position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the over center spring assembly for the movable contact which produces the snap action.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the latch m~chanism of the circuit breaker.
Figure 8 is a side view of the cam link forming a portion of the latch mechanism of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an edge view of the cam link of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a side view of the housing link forming the sther collapsible link of the mechanism of Fiyure 7.
Figure 11 is a side edge view of the houslng link of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a view of the housiny link taken from the side opposite to that of Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a top edge view of the housiny link vf Figures 10 throu~h 12~
Figure 14 is a side vie~ of the handle link forming a part of the mechanism of Figures 2 through 5.
Figure 1~ is an end view of the handle lin}c of Figure 14~
Figure 16 is a side view of the one piece frame forming a major component of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 2 through 5.
o Figure 17 is a side edge view of the frame of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a top edge view of the frame.
Figure 19 is a side view of the armature illustrated in Figures 2 through 5.
Figure 20 is a front view of the armatuxe of Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a partial top view of the armature.
Figure 22 is a view of the armature from the oth~r side relative to Figure 19.
Figure 23 is a ~ront view with a portion in section of the circuit breaker of ~igure 1 showing the manual toggle construc-,~ tion~
Figure 24 is a partial cross section at right angles to the view of Figure 23, again showing the toggle handle ~perating mechanism.
Figure 25 is an exploded view of the toggle handle em~odi-ment of the present invention illustrating how some of the parts fit together.
Figure 26 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the circuit breaker case incorporating the circuit breaker terminal.
Figure 27 is an end view of the lower case section of 3~ Figure 26.
Figure 28 is a partial front elevation of a modified circuit brea}cer case constructed in accordance with the present invention 3575i5 - ~
and incorporating a rocker type handle.
Figure 29 is a partial cross section through the modified construction of Figure 28 showing the manner of connecting the rocker handle to the handle link.
Figure 30 is a partial cross section taken along lines 30-30 of Figure 29.
Figure 31 is a front plan view of a lamp bracket forming a part of the structure of Figures 29 and 30.
Figure 32 is an end view of the lamp bracket of Figure 31.
~igure 33 is a top plan view of the lamp bracket of Figure 31.
Figure 34 is a partial cross section showing a step in the process of attaching the rocker handle to the circuit breaker.
case.
Figure 35 is a view s-,milar to Figure 34 showing the rocker -~ handle mounted in the case and engaging a handle link.
Figure 36 is a front elevation of a further modified embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing a :~ push button type handle for the circuit breaker.
Figure 37 is a front elevation with a part in section show-ing the handle lin~ in the "on" position.
:. Figure 38 is a view similar to Figure 37 showing the handle link in the "off" position.
Figure 39 is a front elevation of the push button type handle of the embodiment of Figure 36.
Figure 40 is a bottom plan view of the handle of Figure 39.
Figuxe 41 is a front view of the handle illustrating the engagement of the actuator blade OL the handle with a handle link.
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Figure 42 is a front elevation o the spring support for the spring forming a part of the handle illustrated in Fiqures 39 through 41.
Figure 43 is a bottom plan view of the spring support of ~igure 42.
Figure 43A is a cross section taken along the line 43A-43A
of Figure 43.
Figure 44 is an enlarged front view of the actuator blade shown as part of the assembly in ~igure 41.
Figure 45 is an enlarged side view of the actuator blade o~ Figure 44.
Figure 46 is a cross section through the center of the push button of the embodiment of ~igure 36.
Figure 47 is a bottom plan view of the push button of Figure 46.
Figure 48 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a step in the assembly of the push button with the circuit breaker case and, Figure 49 is an exploded view showing the electrical lamp connections ~or the lamp carried in the push button of the embodiment of Figure 36.
Referring to the drawings~the novel circuit breaker of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in Figure 1.
The circuit breaker comprises a case 12 of molded elec~rically insulated plastic which is formed of an upper or outer case section 14 which is open at its lower end to receive a lower portion or lower case section 16. Lower section 16 carries a paix of electrically conductive terminals 18 and 20 and has two projections on each side,such as ~he projections 22 and 24, which are received in corresponding slots 26 and 28 in upper casin~ sectio~ 14. The upl~er section has t~70 grooves on each side such as the grooves 30 and32 to impart more flexibility to the upper section so that the lo~er section may be slipped into it until the projections 22 and 24 snap into the slots 26 and 28. Upper case section 14 includes a boss 32 from which extends a toggle type circuit breaker handle 34.
Figure 2 is a side view showing the lower case half 16 and the circuit breaker trip mechanism generally indicated at 36 and illustrated in Figure 2 in the manually open position.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the mechanism of Figure 2 taken at right angles to it, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the contacts in the manually closed position and Figure 5 is a similar view of the mechanism when the contacts have been tripped open by an over current. The construction is of the 1~ same general type as that disclosed in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,806,843 but is significantly improved to provide a more compact and symmetrical operating mechanism construction.
Referring to Figure 2, the mechanism 36 comprises a one piece frame 38 tshown in detail in Figures 16 through 18~ upon which is mounted an over current trip coil 40. The coil is connected to a terminal 18 by way of an electrical lead 42 and surrounds a delay tube 44 termina~ing in a pole piece 46 which is positioned adjacent one end of an armature 48 pivoted about a pin 50 secured to the frame 38.
Also pivoted to the frame by a pin 52, is a handle link 54 pivoted by a pin 56 at its lower end to a cam link 58. The cam linX 58 connects to a second pivotal link by a pin 60 which second ~?
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pivotal link is generally ref~rred to as a housing lin~ and is indicated at 62. ~rmature ~8 at its other end on one side, carries an enlarged portion 64 which forms a counterweig~t for the end near the pole piece 46 and on its other side, carries a curved projection 66 adapted to engage and rotate a sear 68 which permits the cam link 58 and housing link 62 to collapse relative to each other under the influence of a blade spring.
Contact terminal 20 is connected with a stationary contact 70 which completes a circuit through the two terminals 18 and 20 .o by way of a movable contact 72 mounted on and carried by a blade 74. Blade 7~ is acted on by an over center spriny 76 to have a snap opening and snap closing operation, the other end of the spring being wrapped around a pin 78 secured to the frame. The other end of blade 74, as more fully described below, is pivoted L5 to a blade carxier 80, which is pivoted by a pin 82 to the lower end of housing link 62. The two links, namely, the cam link 58 and the housing link 62 with the cooperating sear 68 are generally referred to as the latch mechanism. The electrical circuit is completed from the movable contact 72 by way of the blade and ~lade carrier, a braided wire 84.and a lead 86 to the other side of the coil.
~igure 4 shows the mechanism moved to the contacts "closed"
position with the handle link 54 having its upper end moved in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Figure 2.
This link acts through the latch mechanism previously described to bring movable contact 72 into engagement with stationary contact 70 to complete the circuit between terminals 18 and 20.
~andle link 54 is rotated by a handle, as more fully described belo~?, acting sn handle link pin 88.
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Figure 5 shows the circuit breaker in the tripped open position. The latch mechanism has been collapsed ~y engagement of the end 66 of the armature with the sear trip bar 68. Over center spring 76 has caused.the contact 72 to move away from contact 70. Figure 5 illustrates the latch mechanism in the "trip free" position, that is, the contacts have opened due to an overload while the handle link is manually restrained in the closed position illustrated, which it assumed in Fi~-ure 4.
The armature has returned under the influence of an armature spring tnot shown) to a position spaced from the pole piece 46.
By manually moving the handle link 54 from the position illus-trated in Fig. 5 to the position illustrated in ~igure 2~ the unit becomes completely reset and ready for operation if the fault has been removed. -Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the over current contact blade assembly~ Blade carrier 80 has a turned over end 90 with a tapered groove 92 receiving a knife edge at 94 of the blade 74 so that blade 74 pivots in groove 92. Turned over end 90 is an integral part of and extends downwardly from a flat top plate 802. A pair of upturned tabs 804 and 806 are formed from the opposite end portion of top plate 802. A
pair of side plates 808 and 810 extend downwardly from opposite sides of the top plate 802. A pair of pivot mounting tabs (Qnly tab 812 being shown in Fig. 6~ are formed from the forward bottom parts of side plates 808 and 810. Spring 76 has one end 96 wrapped around the pin 78 and its other end received through.an aperture in the blade 74. The operation of the blade and blade carrier is essentially the same as in U~S~ Patent 3,806,848 and will not fie described in further detail.
11~5755 Figure 7 is a perspective view of the collapsible latch mechanism. It comprises the cam link 58 and the housing link 62.
pivoted to each other by a pin 60. When the end 66 o~ the armature, as illustrated in Figure 2, hits the trip bar, commonly called the striker ~ar 68, it moves this bar causing - 9a -~35755 i a sear pin 98, mountea in the t~o sides of housing lin7~ 62, to rotate. Sear pin 98 has a central portion cut away to form a se~i-circular cross section and when it is rotated it releases the cam link and permits it to rotate in the direction of the arrow 100 ab~ut pin 60 relative to the housing link 62 produc-ing mechanism collapse.
Figure 8 is a side view and Figure 9 is a front edge view of the cam link 58. It is provided with upper and lower aper-tures 102 and 104 adapted to receive respective pivot pins, with a first cam surface 108 adapted to ~ear against the sear pin 98 before it is rotated and a second cam surface 106 which along with the identical surface of the ~pposite side of the cam link, en~ages the slot in the sear pin 98. This prevents excessive lateral movement of the sear pin and thereby keeps it captive in the housing link, both in the latched position and when the cam link is rotated in a counterclockwise direction indicated by th~ arrow 100 in Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a side view and Figure 11 is a front view o~ the housing link 62 forming a part of the toggle mechanism of Figure 7. Figure 12 is a view of the housing link 62 from the opposite side and Figure 12 is a bottom plan view. It comprises a pair of parall~l spaced plates 110. and 112 joined by a pair of integral straps 114 and 116 and with respective upper apertures 118 and 120 and respective lower apertuxes 122 and 124 for appropriate pivot pins. Formed in the parallel projections 126 and 128 are the apertures 120 and 132 for receiving the sear pin. ~ab 134 7S~;;
acts as a stop for striker ~ar 68 in Figure 7.
Figure 14 is a side view of the handle link 54 and Figure 15 is an edge view. The handle link again comprises what is sub-stantially a pair of parallel plates 136 and 138 with respective upper pivot apertures 140 and 142 and lower respective pivot apertures 144 and 146. The two plates are joined by a central portion 148 in Figure 15 and with a laterally extending boss 150 having a central aperture 152 adapted to receive a pivot pin which secures the handle link to the frame as indicated, 0 for example, at 52 in Figure ~.
Figure 16 is a side view of the one piece frame as it is shown in Figure 2. Figure 17 is an edge view and Figure 18 is a top plan view of the one piece frame. Again, ~he frame com-prises essentially, a pair of parallel plates 154 and 156 joined L5 by a central strap 158 having a projection 160 at its upper end and an outwardly bent tab 162 at its lower end, which tab supports the coil 40 in Figure 2. This tab is apertured at 164 to receive the lower end of the delay tube 44 in Figure 2. The two plates, 154 and 156 of the frame have corresponding apertures 166 and 168 adapted to receive the pivot pin 50 of Figure 2 which pivots the armature to the frame. Above these are further correspond-ing apertures 170 and 172 which receive the pivot pin 52 of Figure 2 about which the handle llnk 54 rotates or pivots. An outward projection on plate 38 indicated at 174 in Figures 16 and 18 is provided with an aperture 176 adapted to rotatably receive an inertia wheel of the type illustrated particularly in Figures 10 and 11 of assignee's U.S. patent 3,497,838. This inertia wheel is operated by the counterweight portion 64 of the armature through a slot and pin coupling of the type disclosed in that patent. The inertia wheel construction is optional in ! ~ 1 ~1~3S~5S
the circuit breaker of the present invention and is normally only incorporated in those devices used in situations where nuisance tripping is a serious problem. The lower end of each plate 154 and 156 is notched as indicated at 178 in Figure 16 t~ engage a projection on the molded circuit breaker case such as that indicated at 180 in Figure 2 to properly position and align the frame in the case.
The forward face o~ each side plate 154 and ]56 is provided with a part circular opening or notch 157 to receive tab 812 of the carrier 80 to permit pivotal movement of the carrier 80 against frame side plates 154 and 156. The rear face of each side plate 154 and 156 is provided with a part circular opening or notch 159 to receive the overcenter spring support pin 78. As seen in Fig. 16, the center of opening 157 is located below that of opening 159 to permit proper snap action opening and closing of contacts 70 and 72~
Figure 19 is a side view of the armature generally indicated at 180. Figure 20 is a front view of the entire armature, Figure 21 is a partial top plan view and ~igure 22 is a view from the other side showing the other leg of the armature, while the position of the armature in Figure 19 corresponds to the position illustrated, for example, in Figure 2. The latch tripping leg extends downwardly and terminates in a curved end 182 and this leg is provided with a pivot aperture 184. The other leg of the armature forming the counterweight 64 h~s a corresponding pivot aperture 186 and includes an elongated slot 188 near its lower end adapted to engage a pin on an inertial wheel to form an inertial delay couplin~ of the t~pe shown in assi~nee7s patent 3,~97,838 as ~13~i75~
previously described. In the device of this invention, the slo~
188 is formed in that portion of the armature removed as far as possible from the pivot aperture 186. This makes it possible to form the frame 38 out of a single piece of relatively inexpen-sive magnetic material, such as steel. This permits the inertial wheel to operate in the manner describea in the above patent to provide an inertial tripping delay to the armature which is in addition to the tripping delay provided by the delay tube 44, - 12a -~L3S7~i5 3~
Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 1 with parts in section, ill~strating how the toggle handle 34 is connected to the handle link pin 88~ Figure 24 is a partial cross section through the circuit breaker 10 of Figure 23 taken at right angles to the view in the previous figure. The assembly technique is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 of assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873. Similar to that arrangement, the boss 32 of the molded case, is provided with a pair of cooperating circular projections 190 and 192, which snap in to corresponding recesses 194 and 196 in the sides of toggle handle 34. These recesses axe continuous with grooves 198 at 200. The pins snap into the recesses by snapping by ~he projections 202 and 204 on each side, best seen for example, in the exploded view of Figure 25, which have sufficient resiliency to open slightly to permit passage of the corresponding rouna projection and then closes sufficiently to hold the handle relative to the case.
The toggle handle ~4 carries a central portion in the form of an actuator 206 which has a slot 208 in its lower end which slides over and enga~es the handle link pin 8B carried by the . 20 handle link 54. In order to insert the ~oggle handle, the ; mechanism, during assembly,is placed in the manually open position illustrated in Figure 2 with the handle link 88 in the position illustrated in ~igure 2, which is also the position in which it is sho~7n in Figures 23 through 25. The toggle handle 34 is then tilted in a slightly clockwise direction as illustrated in - Figure 25 and inserted into the boss 32 with the molded plastic material of the case having sufficient resiliency such that the projections 190 and 192 slide up the grooves and into the recesses 19~ and 19~ as the slot 208 of the actuator slides over the handle link pin at 88. Once the handle has been inserted in this manner, , .
~135~S5 it is very difficult to remove and for all practical purposes, is permanently attached to the upper portion 14 of the circuit bre~ker case by rocking it back and forth be~ween right ana left positlons. The toggle mechanism may be manually actuated to s move between the contact open position of Figure 2 and the contact closed position of Figure 4.
Figures 26 and 27 show the detail~ of the lower molded case section 16. This is illustrated in Figure 26 as having a central protrusion 210 which has been omitted from the previously described figures for the sake of clarity. It also shows projections 212 and 214 adapted to be received in corresponding slots in the upper case s~ction 14 and which projec~ions correspond on the other side of th~ lower case section 16 to the projections 22 and 24 previously described. Each one of the sides 216 and 218 is provided with a corresponding set of three arc chute slots 220 in Figure 26 and 222 in Figure 25 adjacent the contact terminal 20 and remote from that portion of the case receiving the coil terminal 18. ~agnetic metallic arc baffle elemen~s are simply slipped into the case through grooves 220 and 222 and are retained in position by the upper or outer case section 14 when molded circuit bxeaker case sections 14 and 16 are slipped together.
Figu~e 2B shows a modified case construction and this embodi-ment is generally designated at 220. The upper case se~tion 222, comprises a pair of resilient mounting "wings" o the type shown in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873, preferably serrated a~ 22g and 230 to provide roughened outer surfaces which assist in mounting it to an instrument panel along with the integral rim 232. This embodiment is characteri~ed principally by the fact that it inc~rporates a rocker handle 234.
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Referring to Figure 29, the circuit breaker 220 has a rocker handle which, as previously described, is received by a pair of circular projections formed integral with the inside of the breaker housing as indicated by dash lines at 236 and 238 in Figure 30. These are received in coopera~ing circular recesses in the handle 234 and communicate with grooves on each side such as the groove 240 in Figure 29. The handle structure is essentially the same as in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873.
At its lower end, it is provided with a slot 242 which engages and drives the pin 88 of the handle link 54. Beneath the - -rocker handle 234 is a lamp 244 mounted on a lamp bracket or holder genexally indicated at 246. The lamp is connected by leads 248 and 250 to lower case center terminals 252 and 254 which pass through suitable apertures in the lower case central pro-jection 210. As best seen in ~igure 30, the two sides of the .
frame 38 support the lamp bracket 246 on which, in turn, is mounted the lamp 240. This i9 retained in ~he hollow space portion 256 in the underside of rocker handle 234.
Figure 31 is an enlarged view of the lamp bracket 246, 20. Figure 32 is an end view of the lamp bracket and Figure 33 is a top plan YieW of it The bracket comprises a pair of bow shaped support arms 248 and 250 each with central slots, 252 and :: 254, by means of which the b~acket is secured to the pin 52.
These support arms are formed integral with a pair of cross bars 256 and 258 which, i~ turn, support an elongated, shallow substan-tially U-snaped member 260 having a central recess curved in the shape of a portion of a circle, as illustrated at 262 to conform -; with and support the underside of the lamp 240. A member 260 is provided with reenforcing ribs 264 and 266 and a pair of holes 268 and 270. In normal practice, the lamp just sits in the shallow 135'7S5 ~J
semicircular groove 262 but, if desired, it ma~ actually be attached to as well as supported by the bracket thr~ugh the use of a small amount of QpoXy adhesive.
Figures 34 and 35 illustrate how the rocker handle 234 is inserted into the circuit breaker housing. The handle is first inserted in a rightward and downward direction, as illustrated by the arrow 272 in Figure 34 so that the circular projection 238 slides into and along groove 240 and the corresponding pro- ' jection on the other side of the outer case 222 slides along its similar corresponding groove. In order to ge~ the projection into the corresponding rocker handle'recesses, such as the recess 274 in Figure 34, the rocker handle is then movea more vertically downwardly and to the left as indicated by ~he arrow 276 in Figure 34, so that the projection 238 snaps'past the lips 278 and 280 and groove, or slot, 2~6 slips over the handle link at 88. As before, this is done with the mechanism of the circuit'breaker set in the manually open contact position of Pigure 2.
Figure 36 shows a further modified embodiment generally indicated at 282, in which like parts again bear like reference numerals~ This circuit breaker embodiment has an upper case 222 similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 28 but is characterized by a push button type handle 284. In this embodiment, the circuit bxeaker operation is push to open, push to close and this action is'illustrated in Figures 37 and 38, the former illustrating the circuit breaker mechanism in the manually "sn" position with the contacts closed, while Figure 38 shows the "off" position or ~ manual contacts open position of Figure 2. Handle 28~ is provided '~ with an actuator, a portion of which is illustrated at 28~ in Figures 37 and 38 and the mechanism is provided with a modified handle link 288 having a pair of semicircular grooves or .
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recesses 290 and 292. When the device is in the position illustrated in Figure 37, downward pressure on ~he button 284 causes the actuator to enter groove 290 rotating the handle link 288 in a counterclockwise direction into the position illustrated in Figure 38. A second depression of the button 284 when the device is in the position illustrated in Figure 38, causes the actuator 286 to enter the recess 292, rotating the handle link 288 in a clockwise direction about a pivot pin 52 back into the closed or on position of Figure 37. Successive depressions o~ the push button handle similarly cause the handle link to rotate back ana forth by alternate entrance of the actuator 286 into the respective grooves 290 and 292.
: Figure 39 is a front view to an enlarged scale with portions in dash lines showing the push to open, push to close handle 284 of Figures 37 and 38. Figure 40 is a bott~m plan : . view of the push button handle 284 and Figure 41 is a front view similar to Figure 39 with a portion in section showing the dis-tortlon of the actuator spring during operation.
Referring to Figures 39 and 40, ~he push button handle 284 similar to the rocker handle previously described, has a hollow interior 294 which receives a lamp indicated by dash lines at 296 in Figure 39. This lamp is connected by electrical leads 298 and 300 to electrically conductive spring guide pins 302 and 304. Carried by the push button,there is an actuator spring support 306 which carries an elongated coiled actuator spring 308. The spring is retained by the support at each end and is .
free to deflect in the middle as indicated in Figure 41. It is engaged by actuator blade 286 which comprises at its upper end, a pivot 310 haviny its ends rotatably re~eived in apertures 312 and 314 (Figure 40) in the side walls 316 and 318 of the push i 113~7S5 button. This pi~ot is connected by a centerpiece 319 to a lower pin or actu~tor blade 320 which engages in the resp~ctive grooves 290 and 292 of the handle link as illustrated in Figure 41.
Extending from the centerpiece 319 are a pair of wings 322 and 324 whose upper edges or shoulders engage and deflect the center portion of spring 308 as the shoulder of wing 324 is shown doing in Figure 41. It is understood that when the actuator 286 pi~ots in the opposite direction with the actuator blade.or pin 320 re-ceived in the slot Z90, the shoulder-of the other wing, 322 similarly engages and deflects a corresponding central portion of spring 308. Also forming a part of the handle 284 ana formed integral with it are the four ribs, 326, 328, 330 and 332, ~hich are involved in the joining of the handle to the circuit breaker case as more fully described below.
Figure 42 is a central cross section through the spring support 306 of Figure 40, Figure 43 is a bottom plan view of the spring support and Figure 43~ is a cross section.taken along line.
43A-43A of Figure 43. The spring support 306 is shown as having a pair of projections 334 and 336 at one end engaging one end wall 338 of the pushbutton in Figure 40 and a similar pair of projections 340 and 342 engaging the other end wall 344. The center of the support 306 has a rectangular aperture at 346 to permit upward de-flection of the center portion of the spring as illustrated in Figure 41. The ends of the spring are receivea in semicircular cxoss section cutaways 348 and 350 co~municating with the central aper-ture 346. Ons cutaway 350, is sho~m in Figure 43A and it is under-stood tha~ ~he other cutaway 348 is a mirror image of cutaway 350.
Figure 44 is a front view and Figure 45 is a side view of the actuator 286. As can be seen in Figure 45, the top pivot 3~ 310 is, in fact, made of two separate pivot portions 352 and 354.
L3S7~5 Figure 46 is a central tr~nsverse cross s~ction through th~
handle 284 and Figure 47 is a bottom plan view of the handle by itself coxresponding to the plan view of Figure ~0. The push-button is preferably made of a suitable plastic such as a clear lexan type 141 and is preferably rou~hened or knurled on its inside surface as indicated at 356 in Figures 46 and 47. Each end of the handle is provided with a pair of recesses such as the recesses 358 and 360 in the end 338 for receiving the cor-responding projections 334 and 336 of the spring support illus-trated in Figure 43. The other edge wall 344 is ~imilarly pro-vided with recésses 362 and 364 for receiving the projections 340 and 342 of the spring support 306 of Figure 43, These recesses act to limit the upward movement of the spring support relative to the interior of the push button.- The end walls also contain apertures 366 and 368 for receiving the spring pins 30~ and 304 of Figure 39.
, Figure 48 is a diagrammatic vîew showing $he manner of originally inserting the button into the top of the case. The case top is apertured as at 370 and the lower portion,of the button including the ribs, such as those illustrated at 328 and 332 in Figure 48, are squeezed together as the button is pushed down-,wardly in the direction o the arrow 372 in Figure 48. The plas~ic of the handle and the plastic of the case are both sufficiently resilient that the button can be pushed in till the tops of the ribs, such as those illustrated at 374 and 376 --in Figure 48 snap outwardly underneath the ledges or inner rim portions 378 and 380 of the case to limit the outward ~ovement o~ the handle and to prevent it from being removed once it has been inserted int-o the upper section of the circuit breaker case.
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Figure 49 is an exploded vie~7 illustratiny the complete assembly of the pushbutton embodiment of the circuit breaker case. The assembly is accomplished in two principal steps, namely, the lower case section with the mechanism mounted on it-is first snapped into place through the lower end of outer case section 22~. Once this has been done with the mechanism in the proper position, i.e., on the handle link positionea in the manually contacts open location, the handle is then inserted into the upper end of the outer case section 222 with the actuator mechanism of the handle properly engaging the handle link. This sequence of assembly holds true for all embodiments.
In Figure 49, the push button handle 284 is proper~y aligned by receipt of the ribs in corresponding grooves on the inside surface of the case such as the grooves illustrated at 382 and-~5 384. Electrical connection tc the lamp in this embodiment is by way of the handle spring 3~6 and 388 whose ~pper ~nds receive the spring guide pins 302 and 304. Springs 386 and 388 urge the handle in the upward direction with the upper edges of-the ribs engaging the upper end of the corresponding slots or grooves such as those jus~ mentioned at 382 and 384. In ad~ition~
the springs and pins provide an electrical circuit which is completed by way of a pair of wire connectors 390 and 392 which ~; engage the bottom ends of handle springs 386 and 388 tCoil com-pression springs) and also electrically connecting to the leads 394 and 396 much in the manner of the rocker handle embodiment previously described which ultimately lead to the lamp terminals 352 and 354.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides an improved snap action circuit breaker mechanism which 1~3S7~
may be very compactly constructed with a symmetrical arrange-ment and a variety of handle mechanisms utilizing the same basic structure. This makes it possible for the circuit breaker to be used in visible locations such as on an instru-ment panel, much in the manner of a conventional switch. The attractive and symmetrical appearance of the various circuit breaker handles is consistent with modern instrument panel design and the manual snap action makes it impossible to "tease" the circuit breaker and is consistent with the on-off operation o-f most conventional switchesO In this way, the device of this invention provides the advantages of a simple switch but adds to that , overcurrent protection in the form of an overcurrent sensing coil and collapsible mechanism By incorporating the delay tube construction and inertial delay, nuisance tripping is, for all practical purposes, eliminated and the device may be used as a switch and relied upon for its operation in the manner of a conventional switch but with the added feature of electrical circuit protection~
~he invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereo. The present émbodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
~hat is claimed and desired to be secured by Uni~ed Stat~s Letters Patent is:
A snap action circuit breaker is disclosed in assignee's U.S. Patent No. 3,806,848. In this device a toggle mechanism ~10 is tripped by the attraction of an armature to an electro-magnet when the current through the electromagnet coil exceeds a predetermined value. Coupled to the movable contact of the circuit breaker is an over center spring so that upon tripping, the contacts open with a positive snap action to minimize contact-arcing.
The over center spring also acts on the movable contact ~hen the contacts of the circuit breaker are opened or closed by way of the toggle handle. This snap action opening and closing of the circuit breaker contacts during manual operation has the advantage that it makes it impossible for anyone to "tease" the contacts in such a way as to damage the circuit breaker.
Th~ present invention is directed to a snap action circuit breaker of this general type but one which is of simplified, more compact construction~ is more attra~tive in appearance, and one which may be utilized with a variety of different handle consiructions. The circuit breaker of the present in-vention is particularly constructed to be small and more pleas-ing in appearance so that it may be used in more visible locations 75~i ' such as on instrument panels and the like, and since it opens and closes during manual operation with a snap action, it may be manually operated much in the manner of a conven-tional electrical switch. It is designed to combine aspects of conventional electrical switch operation with electromag-netic type of current protection.
This is brought about by utilizing a novel, one piece frame construction for the operating mechanism in combination with a single basic ~ymmetrical case and linkage assembly compatible with a variety of operating handles. The sym-metrical construction provides a pleasing appearance as ~oes the availability of various operating handles. Additionally, different handle constructions may give different manual motions to the linkage mechanism such as conventional two 1~ position on-off or a push to open, push to close actuated operation.
It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved snap ac~ion circuit breaker.
In accordance with another broad aspect, the invention relates to a circuit breaker comprising an electrically insulating housing, an overcurrent trip coil and armature in said housing, a stationary and movable contact in said housing, a latch mechanism coupled to said movable contact for manually moving it bet~7een contacts open and contacts closed positions, said latch mechanism having means for collapsing it in response to movement to said armature, means including an over-center spring, coupled to said movable contact for opening and closing said contacts with a snap action, a handle link ~ 30 coupled to said latch mechanism, and a one piece framesup-i porting said coil, armature, latch mechanism, spring, and handle link in said case.
These and further objects nd advantages o~ ~he inven~ion will be more apparent upon reference to the following specifi-cation, claims and appended drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a circuit breaker constructed in accordance with the present invention and incorporating a toggle type handle.
Figure 2 is a view showing principal portions of the internal operating mechanism of the circuit breaker of Figure 1 with the con acts in the manual open position.
Figure 3 is an end Yiew &howing the structure of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the circuit breaker contacts in the manually closed position.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 4 showing the circuit breaker mechanism when the contacts are in the tripped open position.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the over center spring assembly for the movable contact which produces the snap action.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the latch m~chanism of the circuit breaker.
Figure 8 is a side view of the cam link forming a portion of the latch mechanism of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an edge view of the cam link of Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a side view of the housing link forming the sther collapsible link of the mechanism of Fiyure 7.
Figure 11 is a side edge view of the houslng link of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is a view of the housiny link taken from the side opposite to that of Figure 10.
Figure 13 is a top edge view of the housiny link vf Figures 10 throu~h 12~
Figure 14 is a side vie~ of the handle link forming a part of the mechanism of Figures 2 through 5.
Figure 1~ is an end view of the handle lin}c of Figure 14~
Figure 16 is a side view of the one piece frame forming a major component of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 2 through 5.
o Figure 17 is a side edge view of the frame of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a top edge view of the frame.
Figure 19 is a side view of the armature illustrated in Figures 2 through 5.
Figure 20 is a front view of the armatuxe of Figure 19.
Figure 21 is a partial top view of the armature.
Figure 22 is a view of the armature from the oth~r side relative to Figure 19.
Figure 23 is a ~ront view with a portion in section of the circuit breaker of ~igure 1 showing the manual toggle construc-,~ tion~
Figure 24 is a partial cross section at right angles to the view of Figure 23, again showing the toggle handle ~perating mechanism.
Figure 25 is an exploded view of the toggle handle em~odi-ment of the present invention illustrating how some of the parts fit together.
Figure 26 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the circuit breaker case incorporating the circuit breaker terminal.
Figure 27 is an end view of the lower case section of 3~ Figure 26.
Figure 28 is a partial front elevation of a modified circuit brea}cer case constructed in accordance with the present invention 3575i5 - ~
and incorporating a rocker type handle.
Figure 29 is a partial cross section through the modified construction of Figure 28 showing the manner of connecting the rocker handle to the handle link.
Figure 30 is a partial cross section taken along lines 30-30 of Figure 29.
Figure 31 is a front plan view of a lamp bracket forming a part of the structure of Figures 29 and 30.
Figure 32 is an end view of the lamp bracket of Figure 31.
~igure 33 is a top plan view of the lamp bracket of Figure 31.
Figure 34 is a partial cross section showing a step in the process of attaching the rocker handle to the circuit breaker.
case.
Figure 35 is a view s-,milar to Figure 34 showing the rocker -~ handle mounted in the case and engaging a handle link.
Figure 36 is a front elevation of a further modified embodiment in accordance with the present invention showing a :~ push button type handle for the circuit breaker.
Figure 37 is a front elevation with a part in section show-ing the handle lin~ in the "on" position.
:. Figure 38 is a view similar to Figure 37 showing the handle link in the "off" position.
Figure 39 is a front elevation of the push button type handle of the embodiment of Figure 36.
Figure 40 is a bottom plan view of the handle of Figure 39.
Figuxe 41 is a front view of the handle illustrating the engagement of the actuator blade OL the handle with a handle link.
~ 5~7SS
Figure 42 is a front elevation o the spring support for the spring forming a part of the handle illustrated in Fiqures 39 through 41.
Figure 43 is a bottom plan view of the spring support of ~igure 42.
Figure 43A is a cross section taken along the line 43A-43A
of Figure 43.
Figure 44 is an enlarged front view of the actuator blade shown as part of the assembly in ~igure 41.
Figure 45 is an enlarged side view of the actuator blade o~ Figure 44.
Figure 46 is a cross section through the center of the push button of the embodiment of ~igure 36.
Figure 47 is a bottom plan view of the push button of Figure 46.
Figure 48 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a step in the assembly of the push button with the circuit breaker case and, Figure 49 is an exploded view showing the electrical lamp connections ~or the lamp carried in the push button of the embodiment of Figure 36.
Referring to the drawings~the novel circuit breaker of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 in Figure 1.
The circuit breaker comprises a case 12 of molded elec~rically insulated plastic which is formed of an upper or outer case section 14 which is open at its lower end to receive a lower portion or lower case section 16. Lower section 16 carries a paix of electrically conductive terminals 18 and 20 and has two projections on each side,such as ~he projections 22 and 24, which are received in corresponding slots 26 and 28 in upper casin~ sectio~ 14. The upl~er section has t~70 grooves on each side such as the grooves 30 and32 to impart more flexibility to the upper section so that the lo~er section may be slipped into it until the projections 22 and 24 snap into the slots 26 and 28. Upper case section 14 includes a boss 32 from which extends a toggle type circuit breaker handle 34.
Figure 2 is a side view showing the lower case half 16 and the circuit breaker trip mechanism generally indicated at 36 and illustrated in Figure 2 in the manually open position.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the mechanism of Figure 2 taken at right angles to it, Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the contacts in the manually closed position and Figure 5 is a similar view of the mechanism when the contacts have been tripped open by an over current. The construction is of the 1~ same general type as that disclosed in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,806,843 but is significantly improved to provide a more compact and symmetrical operating mechanism construction.
Referring to Figure 2, the mechanism 36 comprises a one piece frame 38 tshown in detail in Figures 16 through 18~ upon which is mounted an over current trip coil 40. The coil is connected to a terminal 18 by way of an electrical lead 42 and surrounds a delay tube 44 termina~ing in a pole piece 46 which is positioned adjacent one end of an armature 48 pivoted about a pin 50 secured to the frame 38.
Also pivoted to the frame by a pin 52, is a handle link 54 pivoted by a pin 56 at its lower end to a cam link 58. The cam linX 58 connects to a second pivotal link by a pin 60 which second ~?
~3~i75~ ~
pivotal link is generally ref~rred to as a housing lin~ and is indicated at 62. ~rmature ~8 at its other end on one side, carries an enlarged portion 64 which forms a counterweig~t for the end near the pole piece 46 and on its other side, carries a curved projection 66 adapted to engage and rotate a sear 68 which permits the cam link 58 and housing link 62 to collapse relative to each other under the influence of a blade spring.
Contact terminal 20 is connected with a stationary contact 70 which completes a circuit through the two terminals 18 and 20 .o by way of a movable contact 72 mounted on and carried by a blade 74. Blade 7~ is acted on by an over center spriny 76 to have a snap opening and snap closing operation, the other end of the spring being wrapped around a pin 78 secured to the frame. The other end of blade 74, as more fully described below, is pivoted L5 to a blade carxier 80, which is pivoted by a pin 82 to the lower end of housing link 62. The two links, namely, the cam link 58 and the housing link 62 with the cooperating sear 68 are generally referred to as the latch mechanism. The electrical circuit is completed from the movable contact 72 by way of the blade and ~lade carrier, a braided wire 84.and a lead 86 to the other side of the coil.
~igure 4 shows the mechanism moved to the contacts "closed"
position with the handle link 54 having its upper end moved in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Figure 2.
This link acts through the latch mechanism previously described to bring movable contact 72 into engagement with stationary contact 70 to complete the circuit between terminals 18 and 20.
~andle link 54 is rotated by a handle, as more fully described belo~?, acting sn handle link pin 88.
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Figure 5 shows the circuit breaker in the tripped open position. The latch mechanism has been collapsed ~y engagement of the end 66 of the armature with the sear trip bar 68. Over center spring 76 has caused.the contact 72 to move away from contact 70. Figure 5 illustrates the latch mechanism in the "trip free" position, that is, the contacts have opened due to an overload while the handle link is manually restrained in the closed position illustrated, which it assumed in Fi~-ure 4.
The armature has returned under the influence of an armature spring tnot shown) to a position spaced from the pole piece 46.
By manually moving the handle link 54 from the position illus-trated in Fig. 5 to the position illustrated in ~igure 2~ the unit becomes completely reset and ready for operation if the fault has been removed. -Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the over current contact blade assembly~ Blade carrier 80 has a turned over end 90 with a tapered groove 92 receiving a knife edge at 94 of the blade 74 so that blade 74 pivots in groove 92. Turned over end 90 is an integral part of and extends downwardly from a flat top plate 802. A pair of upturned tabs 804 and 806 are formed from the opposite end portion of top plate 802. A
pair of side plates 808 and 810 extend downwardly from opposite sides of the top plate 802. A pair of pivot mounting tabs (Qnly tab 812 being shown in Fig. 6~ are formed from the forward bottom parts of side plates 808 and 810. Spring 76 has one end 96 wrapped around the pin 78 and its other end received through.an aperture in the blade 74. The operation of the blade and blade carrier is essentially the same as in U~S~ Patent 3,806,848 and will not fie described in further detail.
11~5755 Figure 7 is a perspective view of the collapsible latch mechanism. It comprises the cam link 58 and the housing link 62.
pivoted to each other by a pin 60. When the end 66 o~ the armature, as illustrated in Figure 2, hits the trip bar, commonly called the striker ~ar 68, it moves this bar causing - 9a -~35755 i a sear pin 98, mountea in the t~o sides of housing lin7~ 62, to rotate. Sear pin 98 has a central portion cut away to form a se~i-circular cross section and when it is rotated it releases the cam link and permits it to rotate in the direction of the arrow 100 ab~ut pin 60 relative to the housing link 62 produc-ing mechanism collapse.
Figure 8 is a side view and Figure 9 is a front edge view of the cam link 58. It is provided with upper and lower aper-tures 102 and 104 adapted to receive respective pivot pins, with a first cam surface 108 adapted to ~ear against the sear pin 98 before it is rotated and a second cam surface 106 which along with the identical surface of the ~pposite side of the cam link, en~ages the slot in the sear pin 98. This prevents excessive lateral movement of the sear pin and thereby keeps it captive in the housing link, both in the latched position and when the cam link is rotated in a counterclockwise direction indicated by th~ arrow 100 in Figure 7.
Figure 10 is a side view and Figure 11 is a front view o~ the housing link 62 forming a part of the toggle mechanism of Figure 7. Figure 12 is a view of the housing link 62 from the opposite side and Figure 12 is a bottom plan view. It comprises a pair of parall~l spaced plates 110. and 112 joined by a pair of integral straps 114 and 116 and with respective upper apertures 118 and 120 and respective lower apertuxes 122 and 124 for appropriate pivot pins. Formed in the parallel projections 126 and 128 are the apertures 120 and 132 for receiving the sear pin. ~ab 134 7S~;;
acts as a stop for striker ~ar 68 in Figure 7.
Figure 14 is a side view of the handle link 54 and Figure 15 is an edge view. The handle link again comprises what is sub-stantially a pair of parallel plates 136 and 138 with respective upper pivot apertures 140 and 142 and lower respective pivot apertures 144 and 146. The two plates are joined by a central portion 148 in Figure 15 and with a laterally extending boss 150 having a central aperture 152 adapted to receive a pivot pin which secures the handle link to the frame as indicated, 0 for example, at 52 in Figure ~.
Figure 16 is a side view of the one piece frame as it is shown in Figure 2. Figure 17 is an edge view and Figure 18 is a top plan view of the one piece frame. Again, ~he frame com-prises essentially, a pair of parallel plates 154 and 156 joined L5 by a central strap 158 having a projection 160 at its upper end and an outwardly bent tab 162 at its lower end, which tab supports the coil 40 in Figure 2. This tab is apertured at 164 to receive the lower end of the delay tube 44 in Figure 2. The two plates, 154 and 156 of the frame have corresponding apertures 166 and 168 adapted to receive the pivot pin 50 of Figure 2 which pivots the armature to the frame. Above these are further correspond-ing apertures 170 and 172 which receive the pivot pin 52 of Figure 2 about which the handle llnk 54 rotates or pivots. An outward projection on plate 38 indicated at 174 in Figures 16 and 18 is provided with an aperture 176 adapted to rotatably receive an inertia wheel of the type illustrated particularly in Figures 10 and 11 of assignee's U.S. patent 3,497,838. This inertia wheel is operated by the counterweight portion 64 of the armature through a slot and pin coupling of the type disclosed in that patent. The inertia wheel construction is optional in ! ~ 1 ~1~3S~5S
the circuit breaker of the present invention and is normally only incorporated in those devices used in situations where nuisance tripping is a serious problem. The lower end of each plate 154 and 156 is notched as indicated at 178 in Figure 16 t~ engage a projection on the molded circuit breaker case such as that indicated at 180 in Figure 2 to properly position and align the frame in the case.
The forward face o~ each side plate 154 and ]56 is provided with a part circular opening or notch 157 to receive tab 812 of the carrier 80 to permit pivotal movement of the carrier 80 against frame side plates 154 and 156. The rear face of each side plate 154 and 156 is provided with a part circular opening or notch 159 to receive the overcenter spring support pin 78. As seen in Fig. 16, the center of opening 157 is located below that of opening 159 to permit proper snap action opening and closing of contacts 70 and 72~
Figure 19 is a side view of the armature generally indicated at 180. Figure 20 is a front view of the entire armature, Figure 21 is a partial top plan view and ~igure 22 is a view from the other side showing the other leg of the armature, while the position of the armature in Figure 19 corresponds to the position illustrated, for example, in Figure 2. The latch tripping leg extends downwardly and terminates in a curved end 182 and this leg is provided with a pivot aperture 184. The other leg of the armature forming the counterweight 64 h~s a corresponding pivot aperture 186 and includes an elongated slot 188 near its lower end adapted to engage a pin on an inertial wheel to form an inertial delay couplin~ of the t~pe shown in assi~nee7s patent 3,~97,838 as ~13~i75~
previously described. In the device of this invention, the slo~
188 is formed in that portion of the armature removed as far as possible from the pivot aperture 186. This makes it possible to form the frame 38 out of a single piece of relatively inexpen-sive magnetic material, such as steel. This permits the inertial wheel to operate in the manner describea in the above patent to provide an inertial tripping delay to the armature which is in addition to the tripping delay provided by the delay tube 44, - 12a -~L3S7~i5 3~
Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 1 with parts in section, ill~strating how the toggle handle 34 is connected to the handle link pin 88~ Figure 24 is a partial cross section through the circuit breaker 10 of Figure 23 taken at right angles to the view in the previous figure. The assembly technique is somewhat similar to that illustrated in Figures 1 through 3 of assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873. Similar to that arrangement, the boss 32 of the molded case, is provided with a pair of cooperating circular projections 190 and 192, which snap in to corresponding recesses 194 and 196 in the sides of toggle handle 34. These recesses axe continuous with grooves 198 at 200. The pins snap into the recesses by snapping by ~he projections 202 and 204 on each side, best seen for example, in the exploded view of Figure 25, which have sufficient resiliency to open slightly to permit passage of the corresponding rouna projection and then closes sufficiently to hold the handle relative to the case.
The toggle handle ~4 carries a central portion in the form of an actuator 206 which has a slot 208 in its lower end which slides over and enga~es the handle link pin 8B carried by the . 20 handle link 54. In order to insert the ~oggle handle, the ; mechanism, during assembly,is placed in the manually open position illustrated in Figure 2 with the handle link 88 in the position illustrated in ~igure 2, which is also the position in which it is sho~7n in Figures 23 through 25. The toggle handle 34 is then tilted in a slightly clockwise direction as illustrated in - Figure 25 and inserted into the boss 32 with the molded plastic material of the case having sufficient resiliency such that the projections 190 and 192 slide up the grooves and into the recesses 19~ and 19~ as the slot 208 of the actuator slides over the handle link pin at 88. Once the handle has been inserted in this manner, , .
~135~S5 it is very difficult to remove and for all practical purposes, is permanently attached to the upper portion 14 of the circuit bre~ker case by rocking it back and forth be~ween right ana left positlons. The toggle mechanism may be manually actuated to s move between the contact open position of Figure 2 and the contact closed position of Figure 4.
Figures 26 and 27 show the detail~ of the lower molded case section 16. This is illustrated in Figure 26 as having a central protrusion 210 which has been omitted from the previously described figures for the sake of clarity. It also shows projections 212 and 214 adapted to be received in corresponding slots in the upper case s~ction 14 and which projec~ions correspond on the other side of th~ lower case section 16 to the projections 22 and 24 previously described. Each one of the sides 216 and 218 is provided with a corresponding set of three arc chute slots 220 in Figure 26 and 222 in Figure 25 adjacent the contact terminal 20 and remote from that portion of the case receiving the coil terminal 18. ~agnetic metallic arc baffle elemen~s are simply slipped into the case through grooves 220 and 222 and are retained in position by the upper or outer case section 14 when molded circuit bxeaker case sections 14 and 16 are slipped together.
Figu~e 2B shows a modified case construction and this embodi-ment is generally designated at 220. The upper case se~tion 222, comprises a pair of resilient mounting "wings" o the type shown in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873, preferably serrated a~ 22g and 230 to provide roughened outer surfaces which assist in mounting it to an instrument panel along with the integral rim 232. This embodiment is characteri~ed principally by the fact that it inc~rporates a rocker handle 234.
3L~3S~5S
Referring to Figure 29, the circuit breaker 220 has a rocker handle which, as previously described, is received by a pair of circular projections formed integral with the inside of the breaker housing as indicated by dash lines at 236 and 238 in Figure 30. These are received in coopera~ing circular recesses in the handle 234 and communicate with grooves on each side such as the groove 240 in Figure 29. The handle structure is essentially the same as in assignee's U.S. Patent 3,749,873.
At its lower end, it is provided with a slot 242 which engages and drives the pin 88 of the handle link 54. Beneath the - -rocker handle 234 is a lamp 244 mounted on a lamp bracket or holder genexally indicated at 246. The lamp is connected by leads 248 and 250 to lower case center terminals 252 and 254 which pass through suitable apertures in the lower case central pro-jection 210. As best seen in ~igure 30, the two sides of the .
frame 38 support the lamp bracket 246 on which, in turn, is mounted the lamp 240. This i9 retained in ~he hollow space portion 256 in the underside of rocker handle 234.
Figure 31 is an enlarged view of the lamp bracket 246, 20. Figure 32 is an end view of the lamp bracket and Figure 33 is a top plan YieW of it The bracket comprises a pair of bow shaped support arms 248 and 250 each with central slots, 252 and :: 254, by means of which the b~acket is secured to the pin 52.
These support arms are formed integral with a pair of cross bars 256 and 258 which, i~ turn, support an elongated, shallow substan-tially U-snaped member 260 having a central recess curved in the shape of a portion of a circle, as illustrated at 262 to conform -; with and support the underside of the lamp 240. A member 260 is provided with reenforcing ribs 264 and 266 and a pair of holes 268 and 270. In normal practice, the lamp just sits in the shallow 135'7S5 ~J
semicircular groove 262 but, if desired, it ma~ actually be attached to as well as supported by the bracket thr~ugh the use of a small amount of QpoXy adhesive.
Figures 34 and 35 illustrate how the rocker handle 234 is inserted into the circuit breaker housing. The handle is first inserted in a rightward and downward direction, as illustrated by the arrow 272 in Figure 34 so that the circular projection 238 slides into and along groove 240 and the corresponding pro- ' jection on the other side of the outer case 222 slides along its similar corresponding groove. In order to ge~ the projection into the corresponding rocker handle'recesses, such as the recess 274 in Figure 34, the rocker handle is then movea more vertically downwardly and to the left as indicated by ~he arrow 276 in Figure 34, so that the projection 238 snaps'past the lips 278 and 280 and groove, or slot, 2~6 slips over the handle link at 88. As before, this is done with the mechanism of the circuit'breaker set in the manually open contact position of Pigure 2.
Figure 36 shows a further modified embodiment generally indicated at 282, in which like parts again bear like reference numerals~ This circuit breaker embodiment has an upper case 222 similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 28 but is characterized by a push button type handle 284. In this embodiment, the circuit bxeaker operation is push to open, push to close and this action is'illustrated in Figures 37 and 38, the former illustrating the circuit breaker mechanism in the manually "sn" position with the contacts closed, while Figure 38 shows the "off" position or ~ manual contacts open position of Figure 2. Handle 28~ is provided '~ with an actuator, a portion of which is illustrated at 28~ in Figures 37 and 38 and the mechanism is provided with a modified handle link 288 having a pair of semicircular grooves or .
57SS;
recesses 290 and 292. When the device is in the position illustrated in Figure 37, downward pressure on ~he button 284 causes the actuator to enter groove 290 rotating the handle link 288 in a counterclockwise direction into the position illustrated in Figure 38. A second depression of the button 284 when the device is in the position illustrated in Figure 38, causes the actuator 286 to enter the recess 292, rotating the handle link 288 in a clockwise direction about a pivot pin 52 back into the closed or on position of Figure 37. Successive depressions o~ the push button handle similarly cause the handle link to rotate back ana forth by alternate entrance of the actuator 286 into the respective grooves 290 and 292.
: Figure 39 is a front view to an enlarged scale with portions in dash lines showing the push to open, push to close handle 284 of Figures 37 and 38. Figure 40 is a bott~m plan : . view of the push button handle 284 and Figure 41 is a front view similar to Figure 39 with a portion in section showing the dis-tortlon of the actuator spring during operation.
Referring to Figures 39 and 40, ~he push button handle 284 similar to the rocker handle previously described, has a hollow interior 294 which receives a lamp indicated by dash lines at 296 in Figure 39. This lamp is connected by electrical leads 298 and 300 to electrically conductive spring guide pins 302 and 304. Carried by the push button,there is an actuator spring support 306 which carries an elongated coiled actuator spring 308. The spring is retained by the support at each end and is .
free to deflect in the middle as indicated in Figure 41. It is engaged by actuator blade 286 which comprises at its upper end, a pivot 310 haviny its ends rotatably re~eived in apertures 312 and 314 (Figure 40) in the side walls 316 and 318 of the push i 113~7S5 button. This pi~ot is connected by a centerpiece 319 to a lower pin or actu~tor blade 320 which engages in the resp~ctive grooves 290 and 292 of the handle link as illustrated in Figure 41.
Extending from the centerpiece 319 are a pair of wings 322 and 324 whose upper edges or shoulders engage and deflect the center portion of spring 308 as the shoulder of wing 324 is shown doing in Figure 41. It is understood that when the actuator 286 pi~ots in the opposite direction with the actuator blade.or pin 320 re-ceived in the slot Z90, the shoulder-of the other wing, 322 similarly engages and deflects a corresponding central portion of spring 308. Also forming a part of the handle 284 ana formed integral with it are the four ribs, 326, 328, 330 and 332, ~hich are involved in the joining of the handle to the circuit breaker case as more fully described below.
Figure 42 is a central cross section through the spring support 306 of Figure 40, Figure 43 is a bottom plan view of the spring support and Figure 43~ is a cross section.taken along line.
43A-43A of Figure 43. The spring support 306 is shown as having a pair of projections 334 and 336 at one end engaging one end wall 338 of the pushbutton in Figure 40 and a similar pair of projections 340 and 342 engaging the other end wall 344. The center of the support 306 has a rectangular aperture at 346 to permit upward de-flection of the center portion of the spring as illustrated in Figure 41. The ends of the spring are receivea in semicircular cxoss section cutaways 348 and 350 co~municating with the central aper-ture 346. Ons cutaway 350, is sho~m in Figure 43A and it is under-stood tha~ ~he other cutaway 348 is a mirror image of cutaway 350.
Figure 44 is a front view and Figure 45 is a side view of the actuator 286. As can be seen in Figure 45, the top pivot 3~ 310 is, in fact, made of two separate pivot portions 352 and 354.
L3S7~5 Figure 46 is a central tr~nsverse cross s~ction through th~
handle 284 and Figure 47 is a bottom plan view of the handle by itself coxresponding to the plan view of Figure ~0. The push-button is preferably made of a suitable plastic such as a clear lexan type 141 and is preferably rou~hened or knurled on its inside surface as indicated at 356 in Figures 46 and 47. Each end of the handle is provided with a pair of recesses such as the recesses 358 and 360 in the end 338 for receiving the cor-responding projections 334 and 336 of the spring support illus-trated in Figure 43. The other edge wall 344 is ~imilarly pro-vided with recésses 362 and 364 for receiving the projections 340 and 342 of the spring support 306 of Figure 43, These recesses act to limit the upward movement of the spring support relative to the interior of the push button.- The end walls also contain apertures 366 and 368 for receiving the spring pins 30~ and 304 of Figure 39.
, Figure 48 is a diagrammatic vîew showing $he manner of originally inserting the button into the top of the case. The case top is apertured as at 370 and the lower portion,of the button including the ribs, such as those illustrated at 328 and 332 in Figure 48, are squeezed together as the button is pushed down-,wardly in the direction o the arrow 372 in Figure 48. The plas~ic of the handle and the plastic of the case are both sufficiently resilient that the button can be pushed in till the tops of the ribs, such as those illustrated at 374 and 376 --in Figure 48 snap outwardly underneath the ledges or inner rim portions 378 and 380 of the case to limit the outward ~ovement o~ the handle and to prevent it from being removed once it has been inserted int-o the upper section of the circuit breaker case.
`~ ~3L3~;7~
Figure 49 is an exploded vie~7 illustratiny the complete assembly of the pushbutton embodiment of the circuit breaker case. The assembly is accomplished in two principal steps, namely, the lower case section with the mechanism mounted on it-is first snapped into place through the lower end of outer case section 22~. Once this has been done with the mechanism in the proper position, i.e., on the handle link positionea in the manually contacts open location, the handle is then inserted into the upper end of the outer case section 222 with the actuator mechanism of the handle properly engaging the handle link. This sequence of assembly holds true for all embodiments.
In Figure 49, the push button handle 284 is proper~y aligned by receipt of the ribs in corresponding grooves on the inside surface of the case such as the grooves illustrated at 382 and-~5 384. Electrical connection tc the lamp in this embodiment is by way of the handle spring 3~6 and 388 whose ~pper ~nds receive the spring guide pins 302 and 304. Springs 386 and 388 urge the handle in the upward direction with the upper edges of-the ribs engaging the upper end of the corresponding slots or grooves such as those jus~ mentioned at 382 and 384. In ad~ition~
the springs and pins provide an electrical circuit which is completed by way of a pair of wire connectors 390 and 392 which ~; engage the bottom ends of handle springs 386 and 388 tCoil com-pression springs) and also electrically connecting to the leads 394 and 396 much in the manner of the rocker handle embodiment previously described which ultimately lead to the lamp terminals 352 and 354.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides an improved snap action circuit breaker mechanism which 1~3S7~
may be very compactly constructed with a symmetrical arrange-ment and a variety of handle mechanisms utilizing the same basic structure. This makes it possible for the circuit breaker to be used in visible locations such as on an instru-ment panel, much in the manner of a conventional switch. The attractive and symmetrical appearance of the various circuit breaker handles is consistent with modern instrument panel design and the manual snap action makes it impossible to "tease" the circuit breaker and is consistent with the on-off operation o-f most conventional switchesO In this way, the device of this invention provides the advantages of a simple switch but adds to that , overcurrent protection in the form of an overcurrent sensing coil and collapsible mechanism By incorporating the delay tube construction and inertial delay, nuisance tripping is, for all practical purposes, eliminated and the device may be used as a switch and relied upon for its operation in the manner of a conventional switch but with the added feature of electrical circuit protection~
~he invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereo. The present émbodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
~hat is claimed and desired to be secured by Uni~ed Stat~s Letters Patent is:
Claims (14)
1. A circuit breaker comprising an electrically insulating housing, an overcurrent trip coil and armature in said housing, a stationary and movable contact in said housing, a latch mechanism coupled to said movable contact for manually moving it between contacts open and contacts closed positions, said latch mechanism having means for collapsing it in response to movement to said armature, means including an overcenter spring, coupled to said movable contact for opening and closing said contacts with a snap action, a handle link coupled to said latch machanism, and a one piece frame supporting said coil, armature, latch mechanism, spring, and handle link in said case.
2. A circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein said armature comprises a pair of legs remote from said coil, one of said legs operating as a trip for said latch mechanism, and the other of said legs acting as a counterweight for the portion of the armature adjacent said coil.
3. A circuit breaker according to claim 2 wherein said counterweight leg of said armature carries a portion of a pin and slot combination for coupling said counterweight leg to an inertial time delay wheel.
4. A circuit breaker according to claim 3 wherein said inertial time delay wheel includes a pin located thereon and said counterweight leg of said armature is provide with said slot at a location adjacent the portion of it most remote from said coil for coupling to the pin of said inertia wheel.
5. A circuit breaker according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a boss surrounding a handle opening, said boss including opposing interior projections, said breaker further comprising a toggle-type handle with a recess on each side receiving a corresponding projection, and a handle link including a drive pin for coupling said handle to said latch mechanism, said handle having a slot in its lower end received over said handle link pin.
6. A circuit breaker according to claim 5, in which said handle has a groove on each side communicating with said recess on each side of said handle whereby said handle may be assembled to said housing by sliding it into said boss until said projections snap into said recesses.
7. A circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein said housing includes opposing interior projections, adjacent a handle opening, said breaker further comprising a rocker type handle with a recess on each side receiving a corresponding projection and a handle link including a drive pin for coupling said handle to said latch mechanism, said handle having a slot in its lower end received over said handle link pin and the interior underside of said rocker handle is hollow, a lamp bracket is carried by said frame, and a lamp is supported partly within said hollow interior of said rocker handle by said lamp bracket.
8. A circuit breaker according to claim 7, including a projection on the central bottom of a lower section of said housing a pair of lamp terminals extending outwardly from said projection, and a pair of electrical leads coupling said lamp to said terminals.
9. A circuit breaker according to claim 8, wherein said bracket has an elongated semicircular recess in which said lamp rest.
10. A circuit breaker according to claim 1, further including a push button type handle, said handle link coupling said push button type handle to said latch mechanism and cooperating to impart a push-to-open and push-to-close manual action to said circuit breaker,wherein said handle link is provided with a pair of spaced grooves, said handle having an actuator which is received in each of said grooves with successive depressions of said handle to rock said handle link back and forth about its pivot axis.
11. A circuit breaker according to claim 10, comprising a coiled tension spring in said handle, said actuator being privoted for rocking movement and having a pair of shoulders which alternately engage a central area of said handle spring.
12. A circuit breaker according to claim 11, comprising a spring support in said handle, said spring support receiving the opposite ends of said spring and having a central opening permitting deflection of the central portions of said spring.
13. A circuit breaker according to claim 12 wherein said spring support has projections on each end received in recesses in said handle.
14. A circuit breaker according to claim 13, wherein said handle has a hollow center, and a lamp in said center.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000381036A CA1135755A (en) | 1977-08-19 | 1981-07-02 | Snap action circuit breaker |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/826,060 US4117285A (en) | 1977-08-19 | 1977-08-19 | Snap action circuit breaker |
| US826,060 | 1977-08-19 | ||
| CA307,731A CA1114867A (en) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-07-19 | Snap action circuit breaker |
| CA000381036A CA1135755A (en) | 1977-08-19 | 1981-07-02 | Snap action circuit breaker |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1135755A true CA1135755A (en) | 1982-11-16 |
Family
ID=27165757
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000381036A Expired CA1135755A (en) | 1977-08-19 | 1981-07-02 | Snap action circuit breaker |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1135755A (en) |
-
1981
- 1981-07-02 CA CA000381036A patent/CA1135755A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |