CN111755288A - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a circuit breaker. An object of the present disclosure is to achieve miniaturization and to achieve an improvement in ease associated with positioning of resistors. The circuit breaker (1) comprises a resistor (R1), a holding structure (H1), and a body (5). The holding structure (H1) is in a block shape and holds the resistor (R1). The body (5) houses at least the resistor (R1) and the holding structure (H1).

Description

Circuit breaker

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to circuit breakers, and more particularly, to circuit breakers including resistors.

Background

JP2015-103411a (hereinafter referred to as "document 1") describes an earth leakage breaker including an opening and closing mechanism portion, a zero-phase current detection circuit portion, and an earth leakage trip coil portion. The opening/closing mechanism section opens and closes the movable contact of the movable contact and the fixed contact of the fixed contact, thereby opening and closing the power source side circuit and the load side circuit. The zero-phase current detection circuit unit is composed of a circuit board and a zero-phase current transformer mounted on the circuit board. The earth leakage trip coil part is mounted on the circuit board and connected to the opening/closing mechanism part.

According to the earth leakage breaker described in document 1, since the zero-phase current transformer and the earth leakage trip coil part are mounted on the same circuit board, the workability of assembling the components becomes easy, and the connection work can be simplified.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In addition, a circuit breaker (earth leakage circuit breaker) may include a resistor inside a case (body) thereof. When the circuit breaker is to be downsized, if the resistor is mounted on the circuit board, the storage space of the circuit board is limited, which may hinder the downsizing of the circuit breaker. On the other hand, if the resistor is not mounted on the circuit board, there is a possibility that the positioning of the resistor is not easy.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a circuit breaker that can be miniaturized and can improve the ease of positioning a resistor.

Means for solving the problems

A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a resistor, a holding structure, and a body. The holding structure is in a block shape and holds the resistor. The body houses at least the resistor and the holding structure.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

With the present disclosure, there is an advantage that miniaturization can be achieved and improvement in ease related to positioning of the resistor can be achieved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a state where a 1 st block is removed from a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a view of closing a 1 st contact portion.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the circuit breaker with the 1 st block removed, and shows the 1 st contact portion open.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the circuit breaker.

Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the circuit breaker.

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a main part of the circuit breaker including the holding structure.

Fig. 6B is a perspective view of a main part of the circuit breaker including the holding structure.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a main portion of the circuit breaker including two torsion springs.

Fig. 8A is a plan view of a main portion of a left wall of a body of the circuit breaker as viewed from the inside.

Fig. 8B is a plan view of a main portion of the right wall of the case body as viewed from the inside.

Fig. 9A is a perspective view of a main portion including the 2 nd contact portion of the circuit breaker, and is a view in which the 2 nd contact portion is closed.

Fig. 9B is a perspective view of a main portion including the 2 nd contact portion, and is a view in which the 2 nd contact portion is open.

Fig. 10A is a plan view of a main portion of fig. 9A.

Fig. 10B is a plan view of a main portion of fig. 9B.

Fig. 11A is a perspective view of a main portion including the 3 rd contact portion of the circuit breaker, and is a view in which the 3 rd contact portion is open.

Fig. 11B is a perspective view of a main part including the 3 rd contact portion, and is a view in which the 3 rd contact portion is closed.

Fig. 12A is a diagram of a state in which the breaker is attached to an installation target, and is a diagram of a state in which the breaker is being connected to a power supply-side electric wire.

Fig. 12B is a diagram of a state in which the breaker is attached to an attachment object, and is a diagram of reverse connection to an electric wire on the power supply side.

Description of the reference numerals

1. A circuit breaker; 11. the 1 st contact portion (contact portion); 12. a 2 nd contact portion; 121. a movable contact; 122. a fixed contact; 2. a leak detection unit; 21. a zero-phase current transformer; 22. a control unit; 4. a trip mechanism; 42. a leakage trip coil; 5. a body; 50. a holding section; b1, an operation unit; c1, a main circuit; c2, a power supply circuit; c4, a simulated leakage generator; h1, a holding structure; h10, storage section; l1, power-on circuit; m1, a conductor member; r1, a resistor; r2, body; r3, lead terminal; t1, 1 st torsion spring (torsion spring); t2, 2 nd torsion spring (torsion spring); w1, electric wire.

Detailed Description

(1) Summary of the invention

The drawings described in the following embodiments are schematic drawings, and the ratio of the size and thickness of each component in each drawing is not limited to a certain ratio reflecting the actual dimensions.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 1 of the present embodiment includes a resistor R1, a holding structure H1, and a body 5. The holding structure H1 is in a block shape, and holds the resistor R1. The body 5 houses at least the resistor R1 and the holding structure H1.

As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 5, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a 1 st contact portion 11 and a 2 nd contact portion 12.

The 1 st contact portion 11 is opened in response to the occurrence of the abnormal current, and switches the main circuit C1 (see fig. 5) from the energized state to the disconnected state. The abnormal current referred to herein includes, for example, a leakage current. That is, in the present disclosure, it is assumed that the breaker 1 is an earth leakage breaker, as an example. The 1 st contact point 11 is switched from closed (on) to open (off) in response to the occurrence of the leakage current, and cuts off the main circuit C1. The abnormal current also includes, for example, an overcurrent (short-circuit current and overcurrent). The circuit breaker 1 is switched from on to off in response to the occurrence of an overcurrent, and cuts off the main circuit C1.

As shown in fig. 5, the circuit breaker 1 includes a pair of 1 st contact portions 11, and the 1 st contact portion 11 is inserted into each of the 1 st circuit C11 and the 2 nd circuit C12 constituting the main circuit C1. Hereinafter, a state in which the pair of 1 st terminals 71 (see fig. 5) of the circuit breaker 1 are connected to the pair of electric wires 103 (see fig. 12A) on the power supply side and the pair of 2 nd terminals 72 (see fig. 5) of the circuit breaker 1 are connected to the pair of electric wires 104 (see fig. 12A) on the load side may be referred to as a "positive connection state". For example, the 1 st circuit C11 may be an L phase to which the electric wire 103A on the L pole (LINE) side is connected, and the 2 nd circuit C12 may be an N phase to which the electric wire 103B on the N pole (NEUTRAL LINE) side is connected.

However, in the circuit breaker 1, the pair of 1 st terminals 71 may be connected to the pair of load-side electric wires 104, and the pair of 2 nd terminals 72 may be connected to the pair of power-source-side electric wires 103, and this connection state (see fig. 12B) may be referred to as a "reverse connection state". Hereinafter, the case where the circuit breaker 1 is in the forward connection state or the reverse connection state may be simply referred to as "in-use of the circuit breaker 1".

The 2 nd contact unit 12 is turned off in conjunction with the turning off of the 1 st contact unit 11, and switches the power supply circuit C2 (see fig. 5) branched from the main circuit C1 from an energized state to a cut-off state. That is, the 2 nd contact portion 12 is switched from on to off (off) in conjunction with the 1 st contact portion 11 being switched from on to off (off), and the power supply circuit C2 is turned off.

Thus, the circuit breaker 1 includes the holding structure H1 that holds the resistor R1. Therefore, for example, the circuit breaker 1 can be downsized compared to a case where the resistor R1 is mounted on the circuit board 6 (see fig. 1) having a limited storage space in the case 5. In addition, improvement in the ease associated with the positioning of the resistor R1 can be achieved.

(2) Detailed description of the invention

Next, the circuit breaker 1 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 1 to 12B.

(2.1) integral construction

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 includes the holding structure H1, the body 5, the pair of 1 st contact portions 11, and the 2 nd contact portions 12. In addition, as shown in fig. 5, the circuit breaker 1 further includes an analog leakage current generation section C4 having the above-described resistor R1 and a leakage detection section 2 (sensor). As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a trip mechanism 4, a circuit board 6, two pairs of terminal portions 7 (4 in total), an arc extinguishing device 8, and a link mechanism 15 (an operation handle 16 and the like). The circuit breaker 1 further includes a pair of braided wires D1 (connecting wires), an operating portion B1 (for testing), and the like.

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 is an earth leakage circuit breaker having a function (earth leakage detection function) of detecting a leakage current and interrupting the conduction of the main circuit C1, and can be used, for example, in a distribution board installed in a house (or not). As shown in fig. 12A and 12B, the circuit breaker 1 is attached to an attachment surface 102 of an object 100 to be attached. The object 100 is assumed to be a structural member (e.g., a DIN rail) or the like in the distributor. The mounting surface 102 is, for example, a surface of the DIN rail opposite to the circuit breaker 1.

The circuit breaker 1 has a function (overcurrent detection function) of detecting an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current or an overcurrent and interrupting the energization of the main circuit C1, in addition to the leakage detection function. The circuit breaker 1 has a function (test function) of generating a leakage current in a simulated manner to perform a test as to whether or not the contact portions (11, 12) are normally operated by the trip mechanism 4.

The circuit breaker 1 is configured to be capable of switching the contact portions (11, 12) from closed to open and from open to closed in response to a manual operation of the operating handle 16. For example, when the user opens the contact portions (11, 12) by detecting an abnormal current and then confirms safety, the user can return the contact portions (11, 12) to the closed state by operating the operation knob 16.

In fig. 1, 2, and 4, the electric wires in the body 5 are appropriately omitted (see fig. 5 for electrical connection).

(2.2) base body

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the entire body 5 has a flat, substantially rectangular box shape. Hereinafter, a direction along the thickness direction of the base 5 may be referred to as a "left-right direction" of the circuit breaker 1. In the following, as shown in fig. 12A, a description will be given assuming that a direction perpendicular to (orthogonal to) a horizontal plane in a state where the circuit breaker 1 is mounted on the mounting surface 102 of the mounted object 100 is an "up-down direction", and a downward direction (vertical direction) when the circuit breaker 1 is viewed from the front is a "downward direction". The right side of the breaker 1 when viewed from the front will be referred to as the "right side", and the left side will be referred to as the "left side". Further, a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, that is, a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 102 is referred to as a "front-rear direction", and the back side of the mounting surface 102 is referred to as a "rear". However, the above-mentioned directions are not intended to limit the direction of use of the circuit breaker 1.

As shown in fig. 4, the body 5 has a 1 st block 5A (right block), a 2 nd block 5B (left block), and a 3 rd block (core) 5C. In fig. 4, the 1 st block 5A and the 2 nd block 5B are indicated by dot hatching. The 1 st block 5A, the 2 nd block 5B, and the 3 rd block 5C are formed of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material.

The body 5 houses a pair of the 1 st contact portion 11, the 2 nd contact portion 12, the leak detection portion 2, the trip mechanism 4, the circuit board 6, the 4 terminal portions 7, the arc extinguishing device 8, the link mechanism 15, the simulated leakage current generation portion C4, the pair of braided wires D1, the holding structure H1, and the like therein. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, base 5 supports a part of handle 16 (lever 160) and a part of operating portion B1 (protrusion B10) so as to be exposed to the outside from front wall 55 thereof. The front wall 55 projects forward so that its vertical center portion is convex, and the lever 160 and the projection B10 are exposed to the outside from this projected center portion.

The 1 st block 5A and the 2 nd block 5B are formed in a substantially rectangular box shape with the surfaces on the sides facing each other open. The 3 rd block 5C is formed in a substantially plate shape. The 3 rd block 5C has a plurality of recesses, ribs, protrusions, grooves, and the like so as to stably hold a plurality of components housed in the base 5 together with the 1 st block 5A and the 2 nd block 5B. The base body 5 is formed by butt-joining the 1 st block 5A and the 2 nd block 5B with the 3 rd block 5C interposed therebetween from the left and right, respectively. Fig. 1 and 2 are plan views of the circuit breaker 1 with the 1 st block 5A removed, as viewed from the right side.

Hereinafter, the space of the body 5 for housing the circuit board 6 may be referred to as a 1 st housing portion S1 (see fig. 1 and 2). In other words, the body 5 has the 1 st housing portion S1.

(2.3) terminal portion

The 4 terminal portions 7 include a pair of 1 st terminal portions 7A and a pair of 2 nd terminal portions 7B (see fig. 1 and 2). In fig. 1 and 2, only the right 1 st terminal portion 7A of the pair of 1 st terminal portions 7A is shown, and similarly, only the right 2 nd terminal portion 7B of the pair of 2 nd terminal portions 7B is shown. Each 1 st terminal portion 7A corresponds to the 1 st terminal 71 in fig. 5. Each 2 nd terminal portion 7B corresponds to the 2 nd terminal 72 in fig. 5.

The pair of 1 st terminal portions 7A are accommodated in the upper end portion of the case 5 in a row in the left-right direction. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the positive connection state, a pair of electric wires 103 on the external power supply (e.g., commercial ac power supply) side are connected to the pair of first terminal portions 7A, respectively.

The pair of 2 nd terminal portions 7B are accommodated in the lower end portion of the case 5 in a row in the left-right direction. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the positive connection state, a pair of electric wires 104 on the load side are connected to the pair of second terminal portions 7B, respectively. Hereinafter, the space of the device body 5 in which the 2 nd terminal portion 7B is housed is also referred to as a 2 nd housing portion S2 (see fig. 1 and 2). In other words, the base 5 has the 2 nd storage portion S2. The body 5 has a pair of 2 nd receiving portions S2 to separately receive the pair of 2 nd terminal portions 7B. The pair of 2 nd receiving parts S2 are located beside (lower side) the 1 st receiving part S1. However, the base body 5 has a partition wall 53A that separates the 1 st housing portion S1 from the pair of 2 nd housing portions S2. The body 5 also has a pair of receiving portions for individually receiving the pair of first terminal portions 7A, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Here, an electrical path from the pair of 1 st terminal portions 7A to the pair of 2 nd terminal portions 7B corresponds to a main circuit C1. As described above, the main circuit C1 is constituted by the 1 st circuit C11(L phase) and the 2 nd circuit C12(N phase).

Each terminal portion 7 is, for example, a so-called post terminal (screw terminal) that can be wired with a screw. As shown in fig. 1, 2, and 4, each terminal portion 7 includes a terminal plate 73, a terminal fitting 74, and a terminal screw 75.

Terminal plate 73 is formed in a substantially L-shaped plate shape from a conductive metal plate. The terminal plate 73 is fixed inside the base body 5.

The terminal fitting 74 is formed in a square tube shape from a metal plate having conductivity. The terminal fittings 74 have vertical axes, and have both ends open in the vertical direction. The terminal fitting 74 is movable within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction in a state where a part (protruding piece 730: see fig. 4) of the terminal plate 73 is inserted into the base 5. In addition, the terminal fitting 74 has a screw hole into which the terminal screw 75 is screwed. The body 5 has (4 in total) insertion ports 51 through which the power supply line (103 or 104) is inserted in a region facing the gap SP1 (see fig. 4) between the protruding piece 730 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 74.

The terminal screw 75 is housed in the body 5 with its screw tip screwed into the screw hole of the terminal fitting 74. The body 5 has hole portions 57 (4 in total) in which the head portions of the terminal screws 75 are exposed so that the terminal screws 75 do not fall off, in a region of the front wall 55 thereof that faces the head portions.

In a state where the electric wire (103 or 104) is inserted into the space SP1 from the insertion port 51, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted from the hole 57 and the terminal screw 75 is tightened, so that the terminal fitting 74 moves forward, and the distance between the protruding piece 730 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 74 is reduced. As a result, the electric wire (103 or 104) inserted into the space SP1 can be connected to the terminal portion 7.

In the case where the electric wire 103 and the electric wire 104 (conductive portion) are insulated electric wires in which core wires made of conductors are covered with an insulating sheath, only the core wires at the tip end portions of the electric wires from which the insulating sheath is stripped are inserted from the insertion opening 51. The electric wires 103 and 104 may be either single wires whose core wires are 1 conductor or twisted wires whose core wires are a plurality of wires. Alternatively, at least one of the electric wires 103 and 104 may be a square conductive rod (conductive portion) which is not covered with an insulating sheath.

The gap SP1 and the insertion port 51 of the two upper and lower terminal portions 7 corresponding to the leading end and the terminating end of the 1 st circuit C11 are arranged at positions slightly shifted forward from the gap SP1 and the insertion port 51 of the two upper and lower terminal portions 7 corresponding to the leading end and the terminating end of the 2 nd circuit C12 (see the insertion port 51 in fig. 3). Therefore, erroneous connection of the conductive portions (the electric wires 103 and 104, the conductive bars, and the like) can be suppressed.

(2.4) the 1 st contact part

The pair of first contact portions 11 are configured to open in response to occurrence of an abnormal current (here, leakage current, short-circuit current, and overcurrent, as an example), and to switch the main circuit C1 from the energized state to the cut-off state. The pair of 1 st contact portions 11 are provided in the 1 st circuit C11 and the 2 nd circuit C12 of the main circuit C1, respectively. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, each 1 st contact portion 11 has a fixed contact 11A and a movable contact 11B that is in contact with or separated from the fixed contact 11A. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the pair of 1 st contact portions 11 are closed, and fig. 2 shows a state in which the pair of 1 st contact portions are opened. However, in fig. 1 and 2, only the 1 st contact portion 11 on the right side is illustrated.

The fixed contact 11A is fixedly attached to the fixed contact plate 110, for example. In other words, the fixed contact 11A is a member separate from the fixed contact plate 110. However, the fixed contact 11A may be integrated with the fixed contact plate 110 as a part of the fixed contact plate 110. The fixed contact plate 110 is made of a low resistance material such as iron or copper. The fixed contact plate 110 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

The movable contact 11B is located at one end of an arm 111 (movable contact) formed by punching and bending a metal plate. Movable contact 11B is integrated with arm 111 as a part of arm 111. However, the movable contact 11B may be a member separate from the arm 111 and fixedly attached to one end of the arm 111. The arm 111 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

Arm 111 is rotatable, with shaft 112 provided on one side of the other end thereof as a fulcrum, between a position where movable contact 11B contacts fixed contact 11A and a position where movable contact 11B is separated from fixed contact 11A. One end of the braided wire 113 is fixedly attached to the intermediate portion of the arm 111. The braided wire 113 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

Of the two braided wires 113 of the 1 st circuit C11 and the 2 nd circuit C12, the braided wire 113 of the 1 st circuit C11 has the other end fixedly attached to an intermediate portion of a bimetal plate 17 of a trip mechanism 4 described later. An end portion of the bimetal plate 17 is fixedly attached to one end of the braided wire 114, and the other end of the braided wire 114 is fixedly attached to the terminal plate 73 of the corresponding (right) 1 st terminal portion 7A. The bimetal 17 and the braided wire 114 constitute a part of the main circuit C1.

On the other hand, the other end of braided wire 113 of 2 nd circuit C12 is directly fixed to terminal plate 73 of corresponding (left) 1 st terminal portion 7A.

(2.5) Link mechanism

The link mechanism 15 is configured to open or close both the pair of first contact point portions 11 together in accordance with an opening operation (off operation) or a closing operation (on operation). As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the link mechanism 15 has an operating handle 16 and a plurality of link members 150. The operation handle 16 is rotatably supported by the base 5 in a state where a rod (operation grip) 160 protrudes outward from the base 5 through a window 58 (see fig. 3) provided in the front wall 55 of the base 5. Each link member 150 connects the operation handle 16 and the arm 111, and links the arm 111 with the rotational operation of the operation handle 16. The operating knob 16 is rotatable between an on position for closing the pair of 1 st contact portions 11 and an off position for opening the pair of 1 st contact portions 11.

In fig. 1, the 1 st contact portion 11 is in a closed state, and the lever 160 of the operating handle 16 is in an upwardly inclined state. On the other hand, in fig. 2, the 1 st contact portion 11 is in the off state, and the lever 160 of the operating handle 16 is in a state of being inclined downward.

The operating handle 16 is configured to open or close the 2 nd contact portion 12, which will be described later, together with the pair of 1 st contact portions 11. Specifically, the link mechanism 15 has the pressing portion 14 as 1 of the plurality of link members 150. The pressing portion 14 (push rod) is formed by integrating a substantially rectangular plate-like portion and a portion protruding from the rear end of the portion in a rod shape. The pressing portion 14 has one end rotatably inserted into the shaft hole of the link member 150 of the holding arm 111 and the other end opposed to the 2 nd end portion 322 of the shank portion 32A of the 1 st torsion spring T1 (described later) of the 2 nd contact portion 12. The pressing portion 14 has a relief hole 140 (see fig. 9A and 9B) penetrating in the thickness direction on one side of the other end thereof. For example, when the operating handle 16 is rotated from the off position to the on position, the one end side of the pressing portion 14 is lifted forward while rotating in the shaft hole of the link member 150 of the holding arm 111. On the other hand, the other end of the pressing portion 14 inserts the 2 nd end 322 of the shank portion 32A of the 1 st torsion spring T1 into the escape hole 140, and presses the 2 nd end 322. Conversely, when the operating handle 16 is rotated from the on position to the off position, the pressing portion 14 is returned to the original position, and the pressing force on the 1 st torsion spring T1 is released.

In fig. 1, the 1 st contact portion 11 is in a closed state, and the 2 nd contact portion 12 is also in a closed state. In fig. 2, the 1 st contact portion 11 is in an open state, and the 2 nd contact portion 12 is also in an open state.

(2.6) trip mechanism

The trip mechanism 4 is configured to drive the link mechanism 15 to forcibly open (i.e., trip) the pair of the 1 st contact part 11 and the 2 nd contact part 12 when an abnormal current is detected.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the trip mechanism 4 includes a main circuit coil 41, an earth leakage trip coil 42 (see fig. 5), a yoke 43, a fixed iron core, a movable iron core 44, a knock pin 45, a return spring, and a bimetal plate 17. The main circuit coil 41, the earth leakage trip coil 42, the yoke 43, the knock pin 45, and the return spring constitute an electromagnetic trip device 4A. The bimetal plate 17 constitutes a thermal trip device 4B.

First, the electromagnetic trip device 4A is explained.

The main circuit coil 41 is housed in the case 5 such that the axial direction thereof is oriented in the vertical direction. As shown in fig. 5, the main circuit coil 41 is inserted into the 1 st circuit C11 of the main circuit C1. Specifically, the main circuit coil 41 has a 1 st end 411 and a 2 nd end 412, the 1 st end 411 is electrically connected to (the fixed contact plate 110 of) the 1 st contact part 11, and the 2 nd end 412 is electrically connected to a branch point P1 that branches from the main circuit C1 to the power supply circuit C2. The main circuit coil 41 forms part of (the 1 st circuit C11 of) the main circuit C1.

The earth leakage trip coil 42 is housed in the case 5 so that its axial direction is directed vertically and is disposed inside the main circuit coil 41. The circumferential surface of the earth leakage trip coil 42 is externally wrapped with an adhesive tape or the like. The earth leakage trip coil 42 is inserted into an electric wire W2 (see fig. 5) and electrically connected to the control unit 22 of the leakage detecting unit 2.

The fixed core is made of a magnetic material and is housed in the bobbin of the earth leakage trip coil 42. The movable core 44 is formed of a magnetic material, and is disposed in the bobbin so as to be slidable between a position in contact with the fixed core and a position spaced apart from the fixed core. The return spring is formed of, for example, a coil spring, and is accommodated between the movable core 44 and the fixed core in the bobbin. When the movable iron core 44 moves in a direction of contacting the fixed iron core, the return spring is deflected, and an elastic force is generated to move the movable iron core 44 in a direction of separating from the fixed iron core. The top pin 45 is coupled to the movable core 44, and its tip projects outward from the bobbin. The top pin 45 is configured such that when the movable core 44 is attracted by the fixed core, the top end thereof operates together with a part of the link member 150.

The yoke 43 is formed of a magnetic material and is formed to be bent so as to cover the periphery of the main circuit coil 41. However, the yoke 43 of the present embodiment is formed by a part of one (right) of the pair of fixed contact plates 110.

When the short-circuit current flows through the 1 st electric circuit C11, which is the main circuit coil 41, the movable iron core 44 is displaced upward against the spring force of the return spring to reduce the magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit formed by the yoke 43 and the movable iron core 44. The knock pin 45 protrudes upward in conjunction with this. At this time, the pushing force of the knock pin 45 is transmitted to the arm 111 via the link mechanism 15, and the arm 111 is driven so as to pull the movable contact 11B from the fixed contact 11A. Namely, the pair of 1 st contact portions 11 is tripped. At the same time, the pressing portion 14 is also driven by the operating handle 16 to release the pressing force applied to the 1 st torsion spring T1, and the 2 nd contact portion 12 also trips. When the short-circuit current stops, the movable iron core 44 is displaced downward by the spring force of the return spring, and the knock pin 45 is also returned to the original position.

Alternatively, when the leakage current is detected by the leakage detecting unit 2, the leakage detecting unit 2 changes (for example, increases) the current value of the current flowing through the 1 st power supply line C21 to flow as the driving current to the earth leakage trip coil 42. As a result, as in the case of the main circuit coil 41, the knock pin 45 protrudes upward, and the pair of 1 st contact portions 11 and, at the same time, the 2 nd contact portion 12 are tripped. Since the supply of the operating power to the leakage detecting unit 2 is cut off by the trip of the 2 nd contact unit, the driving current flowing through the earth leakage trip coil 42 is also stopped, the movable iron core 44 is displaced downward by the spring force of the return spring, and the knock pin 45 is also returned to the original position.

Next, the thermal trip device 4B is explained.

As the bimetal 17, a straight heating type bimetal bent by self-heating or a side heating type bimetal bent by heating by a heater can be used. One end of the bimetal plate 17 is configured to act together with a part of the link member 150 when the bimetal plate 17 is bent. One end of the braided wire 114 is fixedly attached to the other end of the bimetal plate 17. The other end of the braided wire 114 is fixedly attached to the terminal plate 73 of the corresponding (right) 1 st terminal portion 7A.

When an overcurrent flows due to an overload, for example, the bimetal 17 rises in temperature and is deformed so as to bend in a direction in which one end thereof is displaced upward. When one end of the bimetal 17 is deformed, the urging force of the bimetal 17 is transmitted to the arm 111 via the link mechanism 15, and the arm 111 is driven so as to pull the movable contact 11B from the fixed contact 11A. Namely, the pair of 1 st contact portions 11 is tripped. At the same time, the pressing portion 14 is also driven via the operating handle 16, the pressing force on the 1 st torsion spring T1 is released, and the 2 nd contact portion 12 is also tripped. When the overcurrent due to the overload is stopped, the temperature of the bimetal 17 is lowered to return to its original shape.

(2.7) arc extinguishing device

The arc extinguishing device 8 is configured to quickly extinguish an arc generated when the 1 st contact portion 11 is opened. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the arc extinguishing device 8 includes an arc traveling plate 81 and an arc extinguishing grid 82.

The arc traveling plate 81 is formed by bending a metal plate having a plate shape, and one end thereof is coupled to one end (rear end) of the bimetal 17. The arc runner 81 extends along the bottom wall 56 of the base body 5. The arc-extinguishing grid 82 has a support portion and a plurality of arc-extinguishing plates. The arc extinguishing plates are made of a conductive material and are arranged in parallel at intervals in the front-rear direction. The support portion is formed of an electrically insulating material and supports the plurality of arc extinguishing plates.

The arc extinguishing device 8 breaks and extinguishes an arc generated when the movable contact 11B is pulled away from the fixed contact 11. Further, in the case body 5, a path 83 for discharging gas generated by the arc is provided near the bottom wall 56 on the lower side of the arc extinguishing device 8, and an exhaust port 84 serving as an outlet of the path 83 is provided in the bottom wall 56.

(2.8) 2 nd contact part

The 2 nd contact unit 12 is turned off in conjunction with the turning off of the 1 st contact unit 11, and switches the power supply circuit C2 branched from the main circuit C1 at the branch point P1 from the energized state to the cut-off state.

As shown in fig. 5, the power supply circuit C2 includes a 1 st power supply line C21 and a 2 nd power supply line C22, and is a circuit for supplying operating power to the control unit 22 of the leak detector 2 described later. One end of the 1 st power supply line C21 is electrically connected to the 2 nd end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 of the 1 st circuit C11. The other end of the 1 st power line C21 is electrically connected to the control unit 22. The 2 nd contact portion 12 is inserted halfway in the 1 st power supply line C21. One end of the 2 nd power supply line C22 is electrically connected to a connection point P3 between the 1 st terminal 71 of the 2 nd circuit C12 and the 1 st contact portion 11. The other end of the 2 nd power supply line C22 is electrically connected to the control unit 22.

Here, the 2 nd contact portion 12 includes a contact mechanism 3 (see fig. 9A to 10B) for maintaining the energized state of the power supply circuit C2 by a plurality of point contacts. Specifically, contact mechanism 3 has conductor 31 and conductive balance spring 32, and balance spring 32 has at least 1 shank 32A. The balance spring 32 is formed of, for example, stainless steel (SUS). In the present embodiment, as an example, as shown in fig. 7, the balance spring 32 is a torsion spring (1 st torsion spring T1) having a coil portion 32B in addition to the shank portion 32A. In particular, the balance spring 32 of the present embodiment is a double torsion spring in which the tips of two shanks 32A are connected to each other by a connecting portion 32C to form a U shape, and coil portions 32B (two in total) are provided at both ends of the U shape.

The contact mechanism 3 has a plurality of shanks 32A. Each shank 32A makes at least 1 point contact with the conductor 31. However, as mentioned above, balance spring 32 is a double torsion spring, and the number of shanks 32A is two. In other words, the number of balance springs 32 is 1, and this 1 balance spring 32 has two shanks 32A, in contact with conductor 31 at a plurality of points.

However, the number of the balance spring 32 is not limited to 1. For example, it is also possible to have more than two hairsprings 32 independent of each other, each hairspring 32 having at least 1 shank 32A.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the 2 nd contact part 12 has a movable contact 121 and a fixed contact 122, and the fixed contact 122 is closed by being in contact with the movable contact 121 and opened by being separated from the movable contact 121. Here, the two shank portions 32A of the 1 st torsion spring T1 are members constituting the movable contact 121, and the conductor 31 is a member constituting the fixed contact 122.

As shown in fig. 6B, the conductor 31 is formed in a substantially L-shaped linear shape having a long axis portion 310 from a wire rod of a metal (e.g., a copper alloy). The conductor 31 is fixed so that the long axis portion 310 is along the thickness direction (left-right direction) of the base 5. In particular, the conductor 31 is held by a holding structure H1 described later in the body 5. One end of the conductor 31 is soldered to one end of a wire W2 (see fig. 5: a part of the 1 st power supply line C21), and the other end of the wire W2 is soldered or welded to the 2 nd end 412 of the main circuit coil 41.

The 1 st torsion spring T1 is disposed behind the conductor 31 in such a manner that the two shanks 32A oppose the conductor 31. Here, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a support portion 13, and the support portion 13 supports the 1 st end 321 of the long axis of each lever portion 32A (see fig. 9A and 9B). The support portion 13 is formed in a substantially U-shaped plate shape as a whole by, for example, punching a conductive plate material (e.g., a metal plate).

As shown in fig. 7, the support portion 13 includes a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 130, a 1 st protrusion 131 that protrudes from a rear end of a right side surface of the main body portion 130 in a prism shape to the right, and a 2 nd protrusion 132 that protrudes from a front end of the same right side surface in a prism shape to the right. The left end of main body 130 is fitted into groove 590 of left wall 59A of body 5 shown in fig. 8A and positioned on body 5. On the other hand, the tip ends of both the 1 st projection 131 and the 2 nd projection 132 are fitted into the two recesses 591 of the right wall 59B of the base 5 shown in fig. 8B, respectively, and positioned on the base 5. In other words, the base 5 has a configuration for positioning the support portion 13. In fig. 8A and 8B, the support portion 13 is indicated by dot hatching.

With respect to the support portion 13, the 1 st protrusion 131 is fitted into the two coil portions 32B of the 1 st torsion spring T1, and the 2 nd protrusion 132 is fitted into the coil portion T22 of the 2 nd torsion spring T2 (described later). In summary, the bearing portion 13 supports the 1 st torsion spring T1 and the 2 nd torsion spring T2, and the two torsion springs (T1, T2) are electrically connected to each other via the bearing portion 13. The support portion 13 is soldered to one end of a wire W3 (see fig. 5: the other part of the 1 st power line C21), and the other end of the wire W3 is soldered to the conductor pattern of the circuit board 6 and electrically connected to the control portion 22.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, the 1 st end 321 is supported by the support portion 13, and the 2 nd end 322 of the major axis of each shank portion 32A of the 1 st torsion spring T1 is arranged to be pressed by the pressing portion 14 of the link mechanism 15. Specifically, each shank 32A is disposed so that the 2 nd end 322 faces the pressing portion 14 located on the rear side thereof. When the 2 nd contact portion 12 is in the off state (see fig. 9B and 10B), the 2 nd end portion 322 may be slightly in contact with the pressing portion 14 or may be separated from the pressing portion 14. However, when the 2 nd contact portion 12 is in the closed state (see fig. 9A and 10A), the larger the degree to which the shank portion 32A is elastically deformed and bent, the more the 2 nd end portion 322 receives a sufficient pressure from the pressing portion 14, and the shank portion 32A comes into contact with the conductor 31. In other words, each shank 32A has a contact portion 323 that comes into contact with the conductor 31 by being pressed by the pressing portion 14. The contact portion 323 corresponds to the movable contact 121 described above. The 1 st torsion spring T1 has two shanks 32A and thus also two contacts 323. The contact portion 323 is located between the 1 st end 321 and the 2 nd end 322. The 1 st end 321 serves as a fulcrum, the 2 nd end 322 serves as a force point, and the contact portion 323 serves as a working point.

In the present embodiment, the contact mechanism 3 is arranged apart from the 1 st contact point portion 11 by a predetermined distance, in addition to the configuration in which the energized state of the power supply circuit C2 is maintained by the contact of a plurality of points. In other words, the contact mechanism 3 is disposed at a place different from the members (the fixed contact plate 110 and the arm 111) constituting the 1 st contact portion 11. Specifically, for example, when viewed in the thickness direction of the base 5 (see fig. 1), the electromagnetic trip device 4A including the main circuit coil 41 and the like is interposed between the 1 st contact portion 11 and the 2 nd contact portion 12.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the contact mechanism 3 maintains the energized state of the power supply circuit C2 by the contact of a plurality of points, and therefore, even if an abnormality such as disconnection of the contact of any 1 point among the plurality of points occurs, for example, there is a high possibility that the contact of the remaining points is maintained. Thus, contact reliability can be improved.

The contact mechanism 3 is disposed apart from the first contact portion 1 by a predetermined distance. As a result, for example, as compared with the case where the 2 nd contact portion 12 is provided adjacent to the 1 st contact portion 11, it is possible to reduce the influence on the arc generated when the 1 st contact portion 11 is opened (for example, the members constituting the contact mechanism 3 are consumed by the arc). Therefore, the reliability of the contact portion (the 2 nd contact portion 12) of the power supply circuit C2 for the sensor (for example, the leak detection portion 2) can be improved. In particular, since the 1 st end 411 of the main circuit coil 41 is electrically connected to the 1 st contact point 11 and the 2 nd end 412 is electrically connected to a branch point P1 branching from the main circuit C1 to the power supply circuit C2, the main circuit coil 41 is interposed between the 1 st contact point 11 and the 2 nd contact point 12. Therefore, the contact mechanism 3 can be easily arranged at a predetermined distance from the 1 st contact portion 11.

In the contact mechanism 3, the balance spring 32 and the conductor 31 are in contact at a plurality of points, and therefore, the multipoint contact can be achieved with a simple configuration. In particular, since the balance spring 32 is a torsion spring (1 st torsion spring T1), it is inexpensive and both the reliability of holding the balance spring 32 of the contact mechanism 3 and the reliability of the multipoint contact can be further improved.

Each shank 32A is held in the body 5 in a state of a natural length so as to be separated from the conductor 31 and to be disconnected from the 2 nd contact portion 12. In addition, in the 1 st torsion spring T1, the shorter shank portion located on the opposite side of the coil portion 32B from the shank portion 32A is in contact with the wall of the base 5. Then, in a state where each of the lever portions 32A is pressed and bent, the 2 nd contact portion 12 is closed. Therefore, for example, the contact reliability of the 2 nd contact 12 can be further improved as compared with a case where the shank 32A is in contact with the conductor 31 in a natural length state, the 2 nd contact 12 is closed, and the 2 nd contact 12 is opened in a state where the shank 32A is bent by being pressed.

(2.9) leak detection function

The following describes the leakage detecting function of the circuit breaker 1. The leak detection unit 2 (sensor) has the following functions: when the leakage current is detected, the electromagnetic trip device 4A of the trip mechanism 4 forcibly opens the 1 st contact portion 11 together with the 2 nd contact portion 12.

Specifically, the leakage detector 2 includes a Zero-phase-sequence Current Transformer 21 (ZCT) for detecting a leakage Current as a physical quantity, and a controller 22 for outputting an electric signal in accordance with the leakage Current.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the zero-phase current transformer 21 is mounted on the 1 st mounting surface 601 (one mounting surface: upper surface) of the circuit board 6. The circuit board 6 is housed in the base 5 in a slightly inclined state in a state of standing on the bottom wall 56 of the base 5. A through hole having substantially the same shape and substantially the same size as the hole at the center of the zero-phase current transformer 21 is formed in the circuit board 6, and the pair of braided wires D1 (connecting wires) are inserted through the hole of the zero-phase current transformer 21 and the through hole of the circuit board 6. The pair of braided wires D1 constitute a part of the main circuit C1.

One end of the pair of braided wires D1 is fixedly attached to the 2 nd end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 of the 1 st circuit C11, and the other end thereof is fixedly attached to the terminal plate 73 of the 2 nd terminal portion 7B of the 1 st circuit C11. The other of the pair of braided wires D1 has one end fixed to the fixed contact plate 110 of the 1 st contact portion 11 of the 2 nd electric circuit C12 and the other end fixed to the terminal plate 73 of the 2 nd terminal portion 7B of the 2 nd electric circuit C12.

The control unit 22 includes, for example, a computer system having a processor and a memory. The processor executes the program stored in the memory, and the computer system functions as the control unit 22. The program executed by the processor is stored in advance in the memory of the computer system, but may be stored in a storage medium such as a memory card or may be provided via a telecommunication line such as the internet. The control unit 22 is not limited to a digital IC-based configuration such as a processor, and may be configured by an analog IC.

The circuit board 6 is, for example, a double-sided mounting type printed wiring board, and has a conductor pattern formed of copper foil or the like. A plurality of circuit components constituting various circuit blocks including a control block, an excitation block, and a power supply block of the control unit 22 are mounted on the 1 st mounting surface 601 or the 2 nd mounting surface 602 (lower surface) of the circuit board 6. An overvoltage absorbing element Z1 (see fig. 1) is mounted on the circuit board 6 as a varistor for protecting circuit blocks such as the control unit 22 from lightning strikes and the like. The overvoltage absorbing element Z1 is, for example, znr (zinc oxide Nonlinear resistor).

The control unit 22 receives operating power from the main circuit C1 via the power supply circuit C2. Specifically, the power supply block on the circuit board 6 converts the ac power received from the power supply circuit C2 into a dc voltage having a predetermined voltage value and supplies the dc voltage to the control unit 22.

When the circuit breaker 1 is in use and no leakage occurs, magnetic fluxes generated by the back-and-forth currents to the load (currents flowing through the 1 st circuit C11 and the 2 nd circuit C12) cancel each other out, and the output from the output line 23 (see fig. 5) of the zero-phase current transformer 21 becomes zero. On the other hand, when the leakage occurs, the currents flowing through the 1 st circuit C11 and the 2 nd circuit C12 become unbalanced, and a current corresponding to the degree of the unbalance flows through the output line 23 of the zero-phase current transformer 21. Therefore, the control unit 22 can detect whether or not leakage (leakage current) occurs based on the output of the zero-phase current transformer 21. When detecting an electric leakage, the control unit 22 causes the excitation block to generate a drive current (excitation current) and causes the drive current to flow through the leakage trip coil 42, thereby causing the trip mechanism 4 to perform a trip operation. In other words, the control unit 22 outputs a drive signal as an electrical signal to the earth leakage trip coil 42, and the trip mechanism 4 forcibly opens the 1 st contact portion 11 and the 2 nd contact portion 12 when receiving the drive signal and flowing a drive current through the earth leakage trip coil 42.

In addition, even when the control unit 22 detects the current flowing through the overvoltage absorbing element Z1, the driving current is supplied to the earth leakage trip coil 42 to forcibly open the 1 st contact point 11 and the 2 nd contact point 12.

(2.10) test function

Hereinafter, the test function of the circuit breaker 1 will be described. The simulated leakage current generator C4 is configured to cause a simulated leakage current to flow through the wire W1 penetrating the zero-phase current transformer 21 in response to the generation of a current flowing through the current-carrying circuit L1 branched from the main circuit C1, and to open the 1 st contact point 11.

As shown in fig. 5, the energizing circuit L1 includes a 1 st circuit L11 extending from the branch point P1 to the connection point P4 including the 2 nd contact portion 12, and a 2 nd circuit L12 extending from the connection point P4 to the circuit board 6 including the 3 rd contact portion 18. The 1 st circuit L11 also serves as a part of the power supply circuit C2. "the current flowing through the energizing circuit L1" is generated when all the contact portions (11, 12, 18) are closed. The analog leakage current generation unit C4 includes a resistor R1 (see fig. 5, 6A, and 6B) and a conductor member M1 (see fig. 7). The resistor R1 is inserted into the energizing circuit L1. As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the resistor R1 is held by the holding structure H1. Details of the holding structure H1 will be described later.

Of the pair of lead terminals R3 of resistor R1, lead terminal R3 protruding from the front surface of main body R2 of resistor R1 was cut in advance in the vicinity of the root and the axis was shortened. Hereinafter, the lead terminal R3 may be referred to as a short-axis lead terminal R31. The lead terminal R31 having a short axis is soldered to one end of a wire W1 (see fig. 5) constituting a part of the 2 nd circuit L12 of the current-carrying circuit L1, and the other end of the wire W1 is electrically connected to the conductive pattern on the circuit board 6. Similarly to the pair of braided wires D1, the wire W1 penetrates a hole in the center of the zero-phase current transformer 21 and a through hole in the circuit board 6.

On the other hand, of the pair of lead terminals R3 of resistor R1, lead terminal R3 protruding from the rear surface of main body R2 of resistor R1 is held in holding structure H1 in a state folded back from main body R2 of resistor R1. Hereinafter, the lead terminal R3 may be referred to as a long-axis lead terminal R32. The lead terminal R32 of the long axis is a member constituting the fixed contact 181 of the 3 rd contact portion 18.

For example, the conductor member M1 is a torsion spring (2 nd torsion spring T2). The 2 nd torsion spring T2 is formed of, for example, stainless steel (SUS). The 2 nd torsion spring T2 has 1 shank portion T21 and 1 coil portion T22. As described above, the 2 nd torsion spring T2 is held by the support portion 13 by the 2 nd protrusion 132 of the substantially U-shaped support portion 13 being fitted into the coil portion T22. The support portion 13 corresponds to a connection point P4 of fig. 5.

The stem portion T21 of the 2 nd torsion spring T2 is a member that constitutes the movable contact 182 of the 3 rd contact portion 18. In short, the movable contact 182 (stem T21) comes into contact with the fixed contact 181 (lead terminal R32) to close the 3 rd contact portion 18 (see fig. 11B), and when the movable contact 182 separates from the fixed contact 181, the 3 rd contact portion 18 opens (see fig. 11A). The handle portion T21 is disposed so as to oppose the exposed central portion of the lead terminal R32 located on the rear side thereof. Further, the shorter stem portion located on the opposite side of the stem portion T21 with respect to the coil portion T22 is held in contact with the rib protruding from the 2 nd block 5B.

Here, the 2 nd torsion spring T2 (conductor member M1) is brought into contact with a part (central part) of the lead terminal R32 exposed from the holding structure H1 in accordance with an operation of the operation portion B1 by a tester who performs an operation test of the circuit breaker 1, and switches the energizing circuit L1 from the off state to the energized state.

The operation unit B1 is configured to receive an operation from the outside. As shown in fig. 7, the operation portion B1 is formed in a block shape from an electrically insulating synthetic resin material. The operating portion B1 is supported by the body 5 such that its projection B10 projects outward from an exposure window 550 (see fig. 3) provided in the front wall 55 of the body 5.

The stem portion T21 of the 2 nd torsion spring T2 is located apart from the lead terminal R32 in a state of a natural length, and is pressed rearward by a fingertip of a tester or the like against the protrusion portion B10 of the operation portion B1 and is received from the operation portion B1. Specifically, as shown in fig. 7, the operation portion B1 includes a main body portion B11 housed in the case 5. The body portion B11 is integrally formed with the protrusion portion B10. The body B11 has a groove B12 cut into a substantially V-shape at the lower end thereof. The handle T21 is configured to be received within the slot B12. Then, by pushing the protrusion B10 rearward, the bottom of the groove B12 is pushed rearward into the center portion in the axial direction of the shank T21, and as a result, the shank T21 bends so as to bend due to elastic deformation, and the tip end portion of the shank T21 comes into contact with the lead terminal R32.

Therefore, when the contact portions (11, 12) are in the closed state during use of the circuit breaker 1, the 3 rd contact portion 18 is closed when the tester presses the operating portion B1 in order to test whether or not the opening of the contact portions (11, 12) by the trip mechanism 4 is operating normally. As a result, the energization circuit L1 switches from the off state to the on state. Then, due to the occurrence of the current flowing through the electric wire W1 penetrating the zero-phase current transformer 21, a current corresponding to the degree of unbalance flows through the output line 23 of the zero-phase current transformer 21. The control unit 22 determines the occurrence of leakage (leakage current) based on the output of the zero-phase current transformer 21 (detection of a pseudo leakage current), and supplies a drive current to the leakage trip coil 42 via the magnetic exciting block to forcibly open the contact portions (11, 12). Thus, when the circuit breaker 1 is normal, the contact portions (11, 12) trip.

In the present embodiment, as described above, the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1 constitutes the 3 rd contact portion 18 together with the conductor member M1. In other words, since the lead terminal R32 also functions as the fixed contact 181, it is possible to share the components.

(2.11) holding Structure

The holding structure H1 will be described below. The holding structure H1 is in a block shape and configured to hold the resistor R1. The holding structure H1 is a single molded article made of, for example, a synthetic resin material having electrical insulation properties. As shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the holding structure H1 includes a housing H10 into which the resistor R1 is inserted from the right side, for example, to hold the resistor R1. The housing portion H10 is substantially cylindrical and has a through hole H11 with both ends open in the front-rear direction. The cylindrical body R2 of the resistor R1 is inserted into the through hole H11 of the housing portion H10 in the front-rear direction. The outer diameter of the main body R2 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole H11, and the main body R2 is fixed to the holding structure H1 by press fitting, for example.

The holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 such that the axis (axis) of the main body R2 of the resistor R1 is along the thickness direction of the base 5. Therefore, the ratio of the main body R2 of the resistor R1 occupied inside the body 5 can be reduced when viewed from the thickness direction of the body 5.

A lead terminal R31 of the short axis of the resistor R1 is exposed from the front of the housing H10. On the other hand, lead terminal R32 having the long axis is folded back so as to sandwich the upper wall of holding structure H1 with main body R2 (see fig. 6B). Specifically, the lead terminal R32 is inserted into the hole of the boss H12 protruding forward from the right front end of the housing portion H10 in a state of being bent twice in total from the rear surface of the main body R2 to the front at a right angle and further to the left at a right angle. Since lead terminal R32 is held in a bent state by holding structure H1, lead terminal R32 is less likely to become an obstacle in case body 5, for example, compared to a case where lead terminal R32 is held in holding structure H1 in a straight state with respect to main body R2.

Most of the lead terminal R32 is parallel to the axis of the main body R2 in front of the main body R2. The tip end of the lead terminal R32 is inserted into and held in a hole of a boss H13 protruding forward from the left front end of the housing portion H10 in a state of being bent upward at a right angle.

Most of the lead terminal R32 parallel to the axis of the main body R2 is exposed between the boss H12 and the boss H13. In other words, the holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 in a state where the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1 is partially exposed.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the circuit breaker 1 is in a block shape, and the holding structure H1 that holds the resistor R1 is provided, so that it is possible to achieve downsizing and to improve the ease of positioning the resistor R1. Further, since the holding structure H1 includes the housing portion H10 into which the resistor R1 is inserted and holds the resistor R1, workability in an assembling operation of the resistor R1 to the holding structure H1 at the time of manufacturing the circuit breaker 1 is improved.

Further, since the holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 in a state where the lead terminals R31 and R32 are partially exposed, a decrease in stability associated with holding of the resistor R1 can be suppressed. In addition, the easiness of contact between the 2 nd torsion spring T2 and the lead terminal R32 and the operability of the connection work (for example, the work of soldering connection or the like) with respect to the lead terminal R31 can be improved.

The holding structure H1 holding the resistor R1 is configured to also hold the fixed contact 122 of the 2 nd contact part 12. In other words, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the holding structure H1 also holds the conductor 31 as a member constituting the fixed contact 122.

The holding structure H1 further includes a pair of holding protrusions H14 for exposing the center of the long axis portion 310 of the conductor 31 and holding both ends of the long axis portion 310 of the conductor 31 in the left-right direction. The pair of holding projections H14 project rearward from the rear ends of the left and right sides of the housing portion H10. Each holding projection H14 has a through hole for holding both ends of the long-axis portion 310 of the conductor 31 in the left-right direction by insertion from the left.

In this way, since the holding structure H1 holds not only the resistor R1 but also the conductor 31 (fixed contact 122), it is possible to share components and improve the ease of positioning the fixed contact 122.

In the present embodiment, the holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 such that the main body R2 of the resistor R1 is arranged between the conductor 31 (fixed contact 122) and the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the lead terminal R32 in contact with the 2 nd torsion spring T2 (conductor member M1) and the conductor 31 (fixed contact 122) in contact with the shank portion 32A (movable contact 121) of the 1 st torsion spring T1 are separated by the main body R2, and therefore the possibility of mutual interference can be reduced.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the 2 nd contact part 12 has a torsion spring (the 1 st torsion spring T1) having the movable contact 121, and the 3 rd contact part 18 also has a torsion spring (the 2 nd torsion spring T2) having the movable contact 182. Therefore, the contact reliability with the fixed contacts (122, 181) can be improved at low cost.

As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, base 5 includes holding portion 50 for holding structure H1. For example, the holding portion 50 includes a T-shaped projection 50A, a 1 st land 50B, and a 2 nd land 50C. The T-shaped projection 50A and the 1 st projection 50B are provided on the left wall 59A of the base 5. The T-shaped projection 50A and the 1 st boss 50B project from the inner surface of the left wall 59A toward the right wall 59B. The 2 nd boss 50C protrudes from the inner surface of the right wall 59B toward the left wall 59A.

The T-shaped projection 50A is configured to be able to be fitted into a T-shaped groove H130 formed in the boss H13 of the holding structure H1 from the left. The 1 st land 50B is configured to be able to be inserted into the through hole H11 of the receiving portion H10 of the holding structure H1 from the left side in a state where the resistor R1 is held by the holding structure H1. The holding structure H1 has a recess H15, and the wire W1 soldered to the lead terminal R31 of the short axis and connected to the recess H15 is retracted in a state where the 1 st boss 50B is fitted into the through hole H11 (see fig. 6A and 6B).

The 2 nd land 50C is configured to be able to be fitted into the through hole H11 of the receiving portion H10 of the holding structure H1 from the right side in a state where the resistor R1 is held by the holding structure H1. The 2 nd boss 50C has a groove 50D for retreating the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1.

In this way, since the base 5 has the holding portion 50, the ease of positioning the holding structure H1 with respect to the base 5 can be improved.

(2.12) regarding the reverse connection State

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 can also be used in the reverse connection state.

Further, consider a case where the circuit breaker 1 does not have the 2 nd contact portion 12, and the 2 nd power supply line C22 is connected to the connection point P7 (see the imaginary line X1 in fig. 5). When the circuit breaker 1 is connected in the reverse connection state, that is, when the pair of wires 103 on the power supply side is connected to the pair of 2 nd terminals 72 and the pair of wires 104 on the load side is connected to the pair of 1 st terminals 71, the control unit 22 may continue to operate even if the 1 st contact portion 11 is disconnected after the electric leakage detection. Specifically, there is a possibility that a current flows through the 2 nd terminal 72 of the 1 st circuit C11 and the branch point P1, further flows through the 1 st power line C21 of the power supply circuit C2, reaches the circuit board 6, and flows through the 2 nd power line C22 to the connection point P7 and the 2 nd terminal 72 of the 2 nd circuit C12. Further, even if the 1 st contact portion 11 is opened, the control portion 22 receives operating power, and therefore, it is assumed that a driving current is supplied to the earth leakage trip coil 42 every time the operation portion B1 for the test is pressed.

Since such a situation is not desirable, in the present embodiment, the 2 nd power supply line C22 is connected to the connection point P3. However, if the circuit breaker 1 does not have the 2 nd contact portion 12, when a ground or the like occurs on the load side, the currents flowing through the pair of braided wires D1 become unbalanced, and a current corresponding to the degree of the unbalance may flow through the output line 23 of the zero-phase current transformer 21. Even if the 1 st contact part 11 is opened, the control part 22 receives operating power, and therefore, the driving current can be continuously supplied to the earth leakage trip coil 42. In short, if the circuit breaker 1 does not have the 2 nd contact portion 12, there is a possibility that the earth leakage trip coil 42 burns out when the circuit breaker 1 is connected in the reverse connection state. In addition, there is also a possibility that a potential is applied to the load side.

In contrast, in the circuit breaker 1, the 2 nd power supply line C22 is connected to the connection point P3, and the circuit breaker 1 has the 2 nd contact portion 12, so that the possibility of burning out of the earth leakage trip coil 42 and the possibility of carrying a potential on the load side can be reduced. Further, since the 2 nd contact unit 12 includes the contact mechanism 3 for maintaining the energized state of the power supply circuit C2 by the contact of a plurality of points, the reliability can be improved.

(3) Modification example

The above embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above embodiment can be variously modified according to design and the like as long as the purpose of cost disclosure can be achieved. The same functions as those of the circuit breaker 1 of the above embodiment can be realized by a control method of the circuit breaker 1, a computer program, a non-transitory recording medium on which a computer program is recorded, or the like.

Modifications of the above embodiment will be described below. The modifications described below can be applied in appropriate combinations. Hereinafter, the above-described embodiment may be referred to as a "basic example".

The control portion 22 of the circuit breaker 1 of the present disclosure includes a computer system. The computer system has a processor and a memory as hardware as main structures. The processor executes a program recorded in a memory of the computer system, thereby realizing the function of the control unit 22 of the circuit breaker 1 of the present disclosure. The program may be recorded in advance in a memory of the computer system, may be provided via a telecommunication line, or may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. A processor of a computer system is constituted by one to a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor Integrated Circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuits such as ICs and LSIs referred to herein are named differently depending on the degree of Integration, and include integrated circuits called system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ulsi (ultra Large Scale Integration). As the processor, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) programmed after the manufacture of the LSI, or a logical disk capable of reconstructing a connection relationship inside the LSI or reconstructing circuit division inside the LSI can be used. The plurality of electronic circuits may be collected in 1 chip, or may be provided in a plurality of chips in a distributed manner. The plurality of chips may be collected in 1 device, or may be provided in a plurality of devices in a distributed manner. The computer system described herein includes a microcontroller having more than 1 processor and more than 1 memory. Thus, the microcontroller is also constituted by one to a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large scale integrated circuit.

In the circuit breaker 1, a configuration in which a plurality of functions of the circuit breaker 1 are collected in 1 case is not essential, and the components of the circuit breaker 1 may be provided in a plurality of cases in a dispersed manner. Further, at least part of the functions of the circuit breaker 1, for example, the functions of the circuit breaker 1 may be realized by cloud (cloud computing) or the like. Conversely, as in the basic example, a plurality of functions of the circuit breaker 1 may be integrated in 1 case.

In the present example, all of the 4 terminal portions 7 are screw terminals, but there is no particular limitation. At least 1 of the 4 terminal portions 7 may be a terminal portion of a so-called quick connection structure that can be wired without using a screw.

In the basic example, the balance spring 32 is a torsion spring (1 st torsion spring T1), but may be configured of only 1 or more stem portions 32A without the coil portion 32B, for example.

Similarly, in the basic example, the conductor member M1 is a torsion spring (2 nd torsion spring T2), but may be constituted only by the shank portion T21 without the coil portion T22, for example. The conductor member M1 may be a double torsion spring, like the 1 st torsion spring T1. In other words, the conductor member M1 may also have a configuration in which it contacts the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1 at a plurality of points.

(4) Summary of the invention

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 of the 1 st embodiment includes the resistor R1, the holding structure H1, and the body 5. The holding structure H1 is in a block shape, and holds the resistor R1. The body 5 houses at least the resistor R1 and the holding structure H1. With the embodiment 1, the size can be reduced, and the ease of positioning the resistor R1 can be improved.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to embodiment 2, in addition to embodiment 1, the holding structure H1 preferably includes a housing H10 into which the resistor R1 is inserted and which holds the resistor R1. In the embodiment 2, the workability of the assembly work of the resistor R1 to the holding structure H1 is improved.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to embodiment 3, in addition to embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, it is preferable that the holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 in a state where at least a part of the lead terminal R3 of the resistor R1 is exposed. In the embodiment 3, it is possible to suppress a decrease in stability associated with holding of the resistor R1, and to improve, for example, easiness of contact with the lead terminal R3 and workability of a work of connection with the lead terminal R3 (for example, a work of soldering connection or the like).

In the circuit breaker 1 according to embodiment 4, in addition to embodiment 3, it is preferable that the lead terminal R3 be held in the holding structure H1 in a state folded back from the main body R2 of the resistor R1. In the 4 th embodiment, for example, the lead terminal R3 is less likely to be an obstacle in the body 5, compared to the case where the resistor R1 is held in the holding structure H1 in a state where the lead terminal R3 is straight with respect to the body R2.

In addition to any one of the 1 st to 4 th aspects, the circuit breaker 1 according to the 5 th aspect preferably further includes: a leakage detection unit 2 including a zero-phase current transformer 21 for detecting a leakage current; a contact portion (1 st contact portion 11); and a simulated leakage current generation section C4. The contact portion (the 1 st contact portion 11) is opened in response to the occurrence of the leakage current, and the main circuit C1 is switched from the energized state to the disconnected state. The simulated leakage current generator C4 causes the contact point unit (the 1 st contact point unit 11) to open by passing a simulated leakage current through the wire W1 penetrating the zero-phase current transformer 21 in response to the generation of a current through the energizing circuit L1 branched from the main circuit C1. The case 5 also houses the zero-phase current transformer 21, the contact portion (the 1 st contact portion 11), and the analog leakage current generating portion C4. The resistor R1 is inserted into the energizing circuit L1. With the configuration of the 5 th aspect, for example, in the circuit breaker 1 in which leakage current can be generated in a simulated manner for a test, it is possible to achieve downsizing and to improve the ease of positioning the resistor R1.

As for the circuit breaker 1 of the 6 th aspect, in addition to the 5 th aspect, it is preferable that the circuit breaker 1 further includes: an operation unit B1 that receives an operation from the outside; and a conductor member M1. The holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 in a state where at least part of the lead terminal R3 of the resistor R1 is exposed. The conductor member M1 makes contact with the exposed part of the lead terminal R3 in accordance with the operation of the operation portion B1, and switches the energizing circuit L1 from the off state to the energized state. In the embodiment 6, for example, the tester can easily simulate the occurrence of the leakage current by operating the operation unit B1. Further, the lead terminal R3 of the resistor R1 constitutes a contact portion (the 3 rd contact portion 18) together with the conductor member M1. In other words, the lead terminal R3 also functions as a fixed contact, and thus, the components can be shared.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to the 7 th aspect, in addition to the 6 th aspect, the conductor member M1 is preferably a torsion spring (2 nd torsion spring T2). In the 7 th embodiment, the reliability of contact with the lead terminal R3 can be improved at low cost.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to the 8 th aspect, in addition to any one of the 5 th to 7 th aspects, it is preferable that the circuit breaker 1 further includes a 2 nd contact portion 12, a trip mechanism 4, and a control portion 22. The 2 nd contact unit 12 is turned off in conjunction with the turning off of the 1 st contact unit 11, which is the above-described contact unit, and switches the power supply circuit C2 branched from the main circuit C1 from the energized state to the cut-off state. The trip mechanism 4 has a leakage trip coil 42. The control unit 22 supplies a drive current to the earth leakage trip coil 42 based on the leakage current detected by the zero-phase current transformer 21. When the driving current flows through the earth leakage trip coil 42, the trip mechanism 4 opens the 1 st contact part 11 and the 2 nd contact part 12. The control unit 22 receives operating power from the main circuit C1 via the power supply circuit C2. The 2 nd contact portion 12 has: a movable contact 121; and a fixed contact 122 that is closed by being in contact with the movable contact 121 and opened by being separated from the movable contact 121. The holding structure H1 also holds the fixed contact 122. In the 8 th aspect, since the holding structure H1 holds not only the resistor R1 but also the fixed contact 122, it is possible to share components and improve the ease of positioning the fixed contact 122.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to embodiment 9, in addition to embodiment 8, it is preferable that the holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 such that the main body R2 of the resistor R1 is disposed between the lead terminal R3 of the resistor R1 and the fixed contact 122. In the 9 th embodiment, the lead terminal R3 in contact with the conductor member M1 and the fixed contact 122 in contact with the movable contact 121 are separated by the body R2, and therefore the possibility of mutual interference can be reduced.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to the 10 th aspect, in addition to the 8 th or 9 th aspect, the 2 nd contact portion 12 preferably includes a torsion spring (1 st torsion spring T1) having the movable contact 121. With the embodiment 10, the contact reliability with the fixed contact 122 can be improved at low cost.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to embodiment 11, it is preferable that the base 5 includes the holding portion 50 for holding the holding structure H1 in addition to any one of embodiments 1 to 10. In embodiment 11, the ease of positioning holding structure H1 with respect to base 5 can be improved.

In the circuit breaker 1 according to the 12 th aspect, it is preferable that the base 5 has a flat box shape in addition to any one of the 1 st to 11 th aspects. The holding structure H1 holds the resistor R1 such that the axis (axis) of the main body R2 of the resistor R1 is along the thickness direction of the base 5. In the 12 th aspect, the ratio of the main body R2 of the resistor R1 occupied inside the body 5 can be reduced when viewed from the thickness direction of the body 5.

The configurations of embodiments 2 to 12 are not essential to the circuit breaker 1 and can be omitted as appropriate.

Claims (12)

1. A circuit breaker, wherein,

the circuit breaker includes:

a resistor;

a holding structure which is in a block shape and holds the resistor; and

and a body that houses at least the resistor and the holding structure.

2. The circuit breaker of claim 1,

the holding structure has a housing portion into which the resistor is inserted and holds the resistor.

3. The circuit breaker of claim 1 or 2,

the holding structure holds the resistor in a state where at least a part of the lead terminals of the resistor is exposed.

4. The circuit breaker of claim 3,

the lead terminal is held by the holding structure in a state of being folded back from the main body of the resistor.

5. The circuit breaker of claim 1 or 2,

the circuit breaker further comprises:

a leakage detection unit including a zero-phase current transformer for detecting a leakage current;

a contact unit that is disconnected in response to the occurrence of the leakage current and switches the main circuit from a current-carrying state to a disconnected state; and

a simulated leakage current generation unit that causes a simulated leakage current to flow through a wire passing through the zero-phase current transformer in response to generation of a current through a current-carrying circuit branched from the main circuit, and opens the contact unit,

the body further houses the zero-phase current transformer, the contact portion, and the simulated leakage generating portion,

the resistor is inserted into the power-on circuit.

6. The circuit breaker of claim 5,

the circuit breaker further comprises:

an operation unit that receives an operation from the outside; and

a conductor member is provided on the outer surface of the conductor member,

the holding structure holds the resistor in a state where at least a part of the lead terminals of the resistor is exposed,

the conductor member is brought into contact with the exposed partial portions of the lead terminals in accordance with an operation performed on the operation portion, and switches the energizing circuit from a cut-off state to an energizing state.

7. The circuit breaker of claim 6,

the conductor member is a torsion spring.

8. The circuit breaker of claim 5,

the circuit breaker further comprises:

a 2 nd contact unit that is disconnected in conjunction with disconnection of the 1 st contact unit that is the contact unit, and switches a power supply circuit branched from the main circuit from an energized state to a disconnected state;

a trip mechanism having a leakage trip coil; and

a control unit for supplying a drive current to the earth leakage trip coil based on the leakage current detected by the zero-phase current transformer,

the trip mechanism opens the 1 st contact part and the 2 nd contact part when the driving current flows to the earth leakage trip coil,

the control unit receives operating power from the main circuit via the power circuit,

the 2 nd contact part has:

a movable contact; and

a fixed contact that is closed by being brought into contact with the movable contact and is opened by being separated from the movable contact,

the holding structure also holds the fixed contact.

9. The circuit breaker of claim 8,

the holding structure holds the resistor such that the main body of the resistor is disposed between the lead terminal of the resistor and the fixed contact.

10. The circuit breaker of claim 8,

the 2 nd contact point portion has a torsion spring having the movable contact point.

11. The circuit breaker of claim 1 or 2,

the body has a holding portion for holding the holding structure.

12. The circuit breaker of claim 1 or 2,

the body is in the shape of a flat box,

the holding structure holds the resistor such that an axis of a main body of the resistor is along a thickness direction of the body.

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