DE1513156A1 - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

GENERAL ELECORIC COMPANY, Scheneotady, NY, ¹ USA circuit breaker

The invention relates to a circuit breaker and in particular on an improved actuation mechanism with a disengageable contact lever system for small, by hand to be actuated, current-dependent, freely releasable, an air gap circuit breakers that establish contacts between private or commercial consumer feed lines can be used to monitor lighting and power circuits,

To make small breakers economical at the distributors from consumer supply lines and to other distribution switchboards To be able to use, it is necessary that the individual breakers can be produced easily and inexpensively and that they are in large numbers at a low cost using very few and only cheaper parts can be grouped. On the other hand, such breakers must be stable, reliable and continuously operational even if not used for long periods of time have been. You must have a reliable circuit

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ORiQINALlNSPECTED

interruption both manually and automatically Ensure actuation and accurate for overload respond even if they have been inactive for a long time. A maximum use of space on the switchboard should be a such interrupter lie with its largest dimension in the front-back orientation.

Accordingly, it is the main object of the present invention to a simple, inexpensive operating mechanism for to create a circuit breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism, which with its main dimensions oriented in the front rear wall alignment of the interrupter is.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a mechanism, at dam there is a relatively low pawl pressure, so that the current-dependent Actuation takes place reliably.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-resetting mechanism. ' }

Other objects and advantages of the invention go for the Those skilled in the art will emerge from the following description of the accompanying drawings.

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In implementing the invention is a preferred AusfUhrungsform provided a housing that consists of a suitable plastic insulating material cast in one piece and is designed in such a way that all parts of the actuating mechanism according to their interaction on the respectively. can be stored in the housing. The breaker mechanism has a contact arm that is releasably attached to a The end of a middle pawl is rotatably mounted, which thus forms a pivot bearing support. A movable contact member can be rotated at one end of the contact arm. '■ -...' supports and includes a first section pointing towards the first end of the contact arm, and a second 'th Absohnitt, the first end of the contact arm is opposite. A spring is between the housing and the first section of the contact member clamped, which tries to rotate the contact member about its pivot bearing, and it is a device for limiting the rotation of the contact member provided opposite the contact arm such that the spring temporarily the contact arm and the

• Contact link as a unit between the open and closed Switch position moved.

If the contact arm and contact member are different from the Move the open to the closed switch position, then the spring will lower the first section of the contact element in abutment on the contact arm, so that the contact member

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and move the contact arm as a unit until the second Section of the contact member touches a stationary contact arranged in the housing. When moving on of the contact arm, the first section of the contact member is lifted from the stop and the spring continues compressed so that the spring seeks to rotate the contact member around its pivot bearing on the contact arm, whereby Locking pressure is created between the contact member and the stationary contact. When the contact arm initially moved in the direction of the open switch position, then the spring rotates the contact member to be Pivot bearing until the first section of the contact member comes to rest against the stop, after which the spring pushes the contact arm and the contact member leads as a unit in the direction of the open switch position.

According to a special embodiment of the invention, the Means for moving the contact arm and the contact member between the open and closed Switching position on a tab pawl hinged on the contact arm so that it can rotate. The end of the facing away from the contact arm The pawl is connected to a manual operating member which has a curved part that fits into a slot in the housing is arranged, and comprises a lever which extends through an opening of the housing and which of the Operator to be gripped element forms.

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By this arrangement it is achieved that the mechanism is oriented as a whole within the housing with its largest dimension in the Eront rear wall orientation.

The invention also provides a new current operated device by which the member normally is held in a stationary position, and by which the member is released upon the occurrence of predetermined conditions will. The! ^! Trigger mechanism speaks both ^ on relatively low and relatively high overcurrents in such a way that he the middle pawl, so the Pivot bearing carrier, releases and thereby the first end of the contact arm disengages so that the Seder the contact arm and the contact member as a unit in the open switch position leads.

The erection release mechanism, which responds to the current, points a pawl that engages the pivot bearing carrier with a predetermined pawl overlap dimension, and a pawl in the fe- " steη spaced bimetallic release member on. A The connecting piece is slidably arranged on the pawl and extends over the pear-shaped release element, to effectively the bimetallic release element with the pawl to connect "A 'flat spring is attached around the connector to the latch and also engages on the pivot bearing carrier. The position of the latch is through

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determines the predetermined amount of pawl overlap. the The position of the bimetal link is determined by its fixed connection Order determined. The flat spring has a dual purpose in that it brings the connecting piece into effective contact with the bimetal element despite changes in position and by they also move the rotary bearing carrier to its normal position after automatic actuation of the circuit breaker returns.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the interrupter according to of the invention with one side of the housing removed to reveal the circuit breaker mechanism to show in its open switch position j

Fig. 2 is a side view similar to that in Fig. 1, at

However, the mechanism is in the closed) switch position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the disassembled parts of the Pig circuit breaker. Ij -. _;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the mechanism in open Switching position shows j

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/■.-.- ⁷ ■ "'■■ ■■"' ■

Pig. 5 is a schematic diagram in which the movable. Contact just in attachment to the stationary contact is brought

6 is a schematic diagram showing the breaker mechanism in the closed switch position shows and.

Pig. 7 is a schematic diagram in which the mechanism in Release position is shown.

• · ... '. ■■

The circuit breaker 10 shown in the figures, in particular in FIGS. 1 to>, is arranged in a simple housing 11, which is preferably cast from a suitable plastic insulating material. The breaker has a receiving plug 11 12 into which a plug part connected to the mains is inserted and which is arranged in a slot IJ on the underside of the housing 11, and a connection terminal Ik which is arranged in a slot 15 on one end wall of the housing is and /! is used to screw a consumer line. The receiving plug-in part 12 sits on a busbar 16> the one

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Part of a suitable not shown scarf tbrejes.

In the conduction path between parts 12 and 14 is a pair of separable switch contacts I7 and 18 are arranged.

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The contact I7 is fixed to one arm of the female connector 12 and the contact 18 is arranged on a movable contact member I9. On the movable one Contact l8 opposite end, the contact member 19 is provided with a hook-shaped part 20, which fits loosely over a pin 21 which is integrally formed on a tab pawl 22.

To move the contact member I9 between the open ^ and closed switch position is used by a contact arm. One end of the contact arm is provided with an opening 24, in which a pin 25 fits, which is formed on the central part of the contact member I9, while a central one Part of the contact arm 23 has an opening 26 on white which closely encloses the pivot pin 21 provided on the pawl 22. A coil spring 27 is between a clamped middle point of the contact member I9 and a recess or an abutment 2δ, which is in the cast | Senen housing 11 is provided. The spring is preloaded in such a way that that they close the contact member I9 around the pivot point determined by the pin 25 and the opening 24 tried to turn.

For a movement of the contact member I9 and contact arm 23 between the open and closed switch position by hand, is a pivotable manual operating member

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intended. This has a curved part JO that in a slot 30 a of the housing 11 between a Housing wall 50 b and a raised part j50 c provided is. A lever 31 extends radially through an im Housing provided opening and forms that of the operator Element to be gripped with manual operation. The end of the farther away from the lever j5l bent part j50 carries a pin 32, which is of a Longitudinal slot 55 at one end of the pawl 22 added ™ will. This training of the manual operating member 29 and the pawl 22 produces one of: manually operated. Mechanism with which the circuit breaker, with its largest dimension built in the front-rear wall alignment can be. ~ ".

Perform a rotary or pivoting movement around the contact arm 23 when the circuit breaker is opened or closed Let ζμ, the pivot pin 21 is curved by a | Slot 55 is received in the housing 11. Furthermore the end of the contact arm 25 opposite the opening 24 is provided with a bend j6 which is attached to a Shoulder 37 attacks, which is at one end of a middle Tab 38 is provided. Thus, the contact arm 2j and the contact member I9 for a rotary or pivoting movement within the housing 11 suitably mounted to by the latch 22 to open and close the circuit to be moved *

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To move the breaker mechanism from its open position (Flg. 1) To move into its closed position (Flg. 2), the manual operating member 29 is rotated clockwise, whereby the pawl 22, the contact arm 25 and the Contact member I9 moved in a clockwise direction x ^ erdän, where the contact arm 23 is rotated about the pivot bearing that is created by the abutment of the bend 36 on the shoulder 37. The spring 27 holds the hook-shaped ΊΗ.1 20 φ of the contact member I9 against the pivot pin 21 until the

Contact 18 touches contact I7; a further movement of the The manual operating member 29 is then transferred to the contact member 19 via the pawl 22 and the pin 25 and causes the hook-shaped part 20 to lift off the pivot 21. The compressed spring 27 exerts the contact member I9 generates a torque about the pivot point formed by the pin 25 and the opening 24 and thus ensures a sufficient contact pressure between the contacts 18 and I7. The mechanism is in the closed switching position by the contact of the end 34 the pawl 22 on a cam surface 39 on the housing 11 locked.

To move the breaker mechanism to the open switch position to move, the manual operating member 29 is pivoted counterclockwise, whereby the pawl 22 in a counterclockwise direction is rotated until the end 34 of the pawl leaves the cam surfaces 39. Another move

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of the manual operating member 29 counterclockwise causes the spring 27 to move the contact member 19 clockwise around the contact member formed by the pin 25 and the opening 24 Pivot begins to rotate until the hook-shaped Part 20 engages the pivot pin 21, after which the spring 27 * the contact member 19 and the contact arm 2j5 operative locked together to open them as a unit Position to move. Rotates during the movement of the contact arm 23 and the contact member 19 into the open position the contact arm 23 in turn around the pivot bearing, the ™ by the angled portion 36 acting on the shoulder 37 is formed. "·

The middle pawl or pivot bearing bracket 38 is open mounted on a pin 40 attached to the housing 11 and is normally operated by a current-dependent facility with a total of 41 paid in its normal, in the Fig. 1 and 2 held position shown. To the middle one Holding the pawl in this position is an electromagnet | . 42 arranged in the housing, an anchor or a Latch 43 carries. ' One end of the armature 43 is connected to a opening 44 is provided, which is normally provided with an abutment 45 cooperates, the one opposite to the shoulder 37 End of the middle pawl 38 is arranged. the Plant of the armature 43 on the abutment 45 holds the middle Pawl 38 normally in the one shown in FIGS

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position shown so that the contact arm 23 to the pivot bearing can rotate, which is formed by the attacking on the shoulder 37 A ^ angle 36 when the manual operating member is rotated to move the breaker mechanism between the open and closed positions to lead back and forth.

To enable automatic opening of the circuit breaker mechanism A bimetallic element can be achieved depending on a relatively low overcurrent provided next to the electromagnet. One end of the bimetal element is conductively attached to the consumer terminal 14. A flexible line 37 electrically connects the bimetal member to the hook-shaped part 20 of the contact member 19. The bimetallic member 46 is connected to the armature, around the anchors from the abutment 45 via a To be able to lift off connecting piece 48, which is pivoted as a function of temperature ■ and which is displaceable on the armature is arranged. One end 49 of the connector that is inclined at an angle significantly less than 90 ° with respect to the bimetal member, engages the bimetal member 46 while the other end 50 is covered by a slot 5I in the Anchor 43 is added. The connector 48 is provided with a shoulder 52 which engages the armature 43 to the armature depending on the movement of the Bimetal link 46 to be adjusted.

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An anchor spring 53 is supported on the armature 4j5 and abuts against the connecting piece 48 and thereby holds it in Contact with the bimetal member 46. One end 54 of the spring is received by a recess 55 in the middle Latch next to the abutment 45 is provided.

In order to automatically open the mechanism of the circuit breaker in response to relatively high overcurrents, the armature 4j5 is provided with an extension 6 at the end opposite its opening 44, which is located next to a magnetic pole surface 57 of the electromagnet 42. When the interrupter mechanism is in its closed position (Fig. 2), the current flows through the receiving part 12, the contacts 17 and 18, the contact member 19, the flexible line 47 and the bimetal member 46 to the terminal 14. Since the bimetal member 46 through If the U-shaped magnet 42 engages, this works as an excitation winding of the magnet. Therefore draw in. a relatively high overcurrent of the electromagnet 42, the armature extension 56 towards the pole face 57 and rotates the armature 43 counterclockwise so that the opening 44 lifts off the abutment 45 on the middle pawl 38. If so, the force exerted by spring 27 through contact arm 23 on central pawl 38 will cause central pawl 38 to rotate counterclockwise until the

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Angling j6 of the contact arm 23 leaves the shoulder 37 » The bend 36 then abuts against the extension 22 a the pawl 22 and rotates it counterclockwise so that the end 34 of the pawl 22 from the cam surface 39 removed. The spring 27 then turns the contact member I9 around that formed by the pin 25 and the opening 424 Pivot point until the hook-shaped part 20 detects the pivot 21, after which the spring 27, the contact member I9 and the Konlaktarm 23 as a unit in the open switch position (Fig. 1) leads.

When the middle pawl 38 rotated counterclockwise is, it deflects the armature spring 53, and after the Interrupter mechanism has completed its movement to the open switch position, the armature spring brings the middle one Tab back to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that the circuit breaker can be closed by hand is set.

In the event of a relatively low overcurrent, the bimetal member 46 bends counterclockwise and moves the connecting piece 48 in the same direction. Since the shoulder 52 engages the anchor 43, this is also conducted in _f Oegenuhrzeigersinn. As a result, the opening 44 disengages from the abutment 45 and the middle pawl 38 is free. Then it rotates in the same way

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as in the case of a relatively high overcurrent, the lere latch counterclockwise, and the breaker meohanism moves into the open switch position, after which the middle pawl 38 into that shown in FIGS Position returns so that the breaker is set for a * closing by hand.

The armature spring 53 thus fulfills two tasks. Through her System on connector 48 ensures that the Connector in contact with bimetal member 46 is held so that this with the. Jack is coupled within a certain range of variation,; regardless of their original distance. Furthermore, it also serves to open the middle pawl 38 after each automatic release in the in Figs. 1 and 2 position shown to reset the circuit breaker for manual closing. It note that the circuit breaker mechanism is self-resetting, since it is after every opening process . is ready to be closed by hand again, no matter, whether it was opened manually or automatically.

It is understandable that the magnetic actuation is dependent from a relatively high overcurrent and the thermal actuation depending on one relatively low overcurrent does not affect each other

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exclude and that an automatic trip-free of the interrupter mechanism also - as a result of the Cooperation of electromagnet 42 and bimetal member 46 can occur.

The mode of operation of the interrupter mechanism is easy to understand with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, in which the different parts of the mechanism in their principal Design and shown with the same reference number, but with a comma are.

In Fig. 4, which shows the open switch position, the spring 27 'presses the end 20' of the contact member 19 'against the contact arm 23 'such that the contact member 19' ■ and the contact arm 23 'move as a unit.

In FIG. 5, the pawl 22 'has guided the contact arm 23 * and the contact member 19' into a position in which the contact 18 'just touches the contact 17' and in which the spring 27 'just touches the end 20' the contact arm 23 * holds. 6 shows that further movement of the pawl 22 'causes the contact arm 23' to load the contact member 29 'via the pin 25', so that it pivots about the contact 18 'and the end 20' moves away from the contact arm 23 * lifts off, whereby the spring 27 'is much more

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is pressed. In this position the spring 27 exercises ^! on the contact member 19V clockwise as can be seen, a torque about the pin 25 ^f and produces the contact pressure between the contacts 18 'and 17'. It will be noted that the load exerted by the spring 27 * on the movable contact 18 'is reversed in Figures 5 and 6.

In Fig. 7 the middle pawl j8V has been moved away with the release of the left end of the contact arm 2J ¹ in order to produce a release of the interrupter mechanism j the spring 27 'has the contact member 19' rotated about the pin 25 'such that the end 20 ^f is brought into contact with the contact arm 2p ', whereby the contact arm 2J> ' and the contact member 19 * have been guided as a unit into the open switch position. It should be noted that this process occurs even if the actuator 22 * is manually held in the closed position. If member 22 * is not held, the spring pushes the contact assembly upward and moves the hand-operated member back to the "open" position. At the same time, the end 'of the contact member 19' engages the surface 11 A ^{1 of} the housing, and then the spring 27 pivots ^! the contact arrangement around this point of application and lifts its opposite end into a position in which the middle one is again attached to it

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Can attack the pawl or the rotary bearing support 38 '. As a result, the mechanism is self-resetting.

Even if a particular embodiment of the invention is shown is, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can make some modifications. For example, it's just required that the spring 27 on the contact member I9 any point between pin 25 and the end attacks. It is also not necessary for the hook-shaped part 20 to turn around the pivot pin 21 in this context it is only necessary to make the contact member I9 such that it is on the contact arm 2 ^ engages so that a rotation of the contact member relative to the contact arm in a clockwise direction as shown is limited, so that the spring 27, the contact arm 2> and the contact member I9 after reaching such a limit moved as a unit.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, it is not necessary for the pawl 22 _{y to} engage the contact arm 2J at the same point as the hook-shaped part 20; in this connection, only the condition that the pawl 22 engages the contact arm 23 at any point between the _middle} pawl 58 and the line of action of the spring 27th

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If only one preferred embodiment of the invention is described for the purpose of explanation, then the person skilled in the art can make further modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Claims (1)

Claims 1. Circuit breaker with a contact fixed to the housing and one provided on a lever-like contact member movable contact, which is adjustable by a manual operating member, characterized by: a) that the contact member (19) in its central area (at 25) rotatably mounted on a contact arm (23) and locked in rotation by a spring (27) Connection with the contact arm is held until the contacts (17, 18) touch, b) that the contact arm (23) is mounted on a pawl (38) on a pawl (38) facing away from the contacts so that it can pivot about an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the contact member and between its end (36) and the line of action of the spring ( 27) is pivoted directly or indirectly to the manual control element (29) so that it can rotate, c) that the pawl (36) releasing the contact arm (23) can be moved away, after which the spring (27) the contact member (Iy; and the contact arm (23) in Fre! Trigger position leads. ο circuit sub-switch according to claim 1, characterized in that iaö the latch (38) on a pin (40) 0098 11/0581 ORsGiMAL INSPECTED pivoted and secured by a lock (at 44, 45) is held in their position, which is triggered by a Jireiauströseeinrichtung responding to overcurrent (42, 43> 46) is solvable. 3 - circuit breaker according to claims 1 and / or 2, characterized in that the manual operating member (29) from a part rotatably mounted in the housing (11) (30) consists of a handle (31) to which a tab pawl (22) is hinged and carries a pin (21), on which the contact arm (23) is pivotally seated and the through a latching opening on the hook-shaped end (20) of the contact member opposite the contact (18) (19) protrudes when the contact position is open, from which locking opening the pin (21) when the Manual operating member disengages after the contacts are closed and into which the pin engages again when the manual operating member is moved backwards. 4. Circuit breaker according to claim 3 * characterized in that that the manual operating member (29) by means of a pin (32) in a Längäsehlitz (33) of the Latch latch (22) engages. 5. Circuit breaker according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that a cam surface (39) 0098 11/0581 -33, - on the housing (11) is provided, on which the tab pawl (22) with one end locking the Closing position opens. 6. Circuit breaker according to claims 1 to 5. » characterized in that the responsive to overcurrent Slurry release device consists of a bimetallic element (46) through which the current flows, which when heated the locking member (43) lifts off the pawl (3 &). 7. Circuit breaker according to. Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pear joint (46) is coupled to the locking member (43) via a connecting piece (48) and a spring (52), this spring at the same time in a recess (55) egg latch (38) engages and a return of the pawl (38) after Trip-free causes. 8. Circuit breaker according to claims dL to 5 * characterized in that the responsive to overcurrent Release device consisting of an electromagnet (42) with an excitation winding through which the current flows (46) and an anchor (43) consists, outer as a locking member, engages on the pawl (38). 009811/0581 -tt- 9. Circuit breaker according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bimetal and electromagnet -Free release devices provided at the same time are, where-the bulb type for lower and the electromagnet device are designed for higher overcurrents that the pear-shaped element (4β) and the Electromagnet (42) act on the same locking member (4j) and that the binetallic element is used as an excitation winding of the electromagnet is arranged. 0098 11/058 1 ·, mqpfcteD KAL INSPECTtU Empty soap