EP0091040A2 - Protective excess current circuit-breaking switch - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Excess-current circuit-breaker 1. with an actuation element for manual switching on/off, 2. with a toggle lever element (extending lever 5, 6, knuckle joint 7) which is articulated at the housing-internal end of the actuation element and can be locked for instance in extended position by means of a latching lever (11) and 2.1 is pivotably connected on the contact side to a swivelling contact arm (9) for opening and closing of the main contact (48), and 2.2 in the case of excess current, can be moved from its locked extended position into its bent position by releasing the latching lever (11) by means of impingement by the hinged armature (16) of a magnetic overcurrent trip (15), 3. the contact arm (9) being locked in the switching-on closing movement before closure of the main contact (48) by means of a retention stop (28) which 3.1 is a component part of a retention latch (23) which is longitudinally displaceable substantially in closing direction (51) and 3.1.1 can be locked in retention position (Figs. 5, 6) behind a housing projection (bolt 25) and 3.1.2 can be unlocked when bringing the actuation element into the switching-on end position by impingement of the actuation element (rocker lever 1), whereby the contact arm (9) is released by the retention stop (28) for the abrupt closure of the main contact (48), characterized by the combination of the following features : 4. the retention latch (23) is a separate component decoupled in movement from the contact arm (9) in its opening direction and engages by its retention stop (28) underneath the contact arm (9) in the switching-on closing movement, between its contact end (49) and its joint end (50), and 5. the magnetic yoke (20) of the overcurrent trip (15) extends beyond the coil end on the side of the hinged armature (16) and has an L-shaped shunt-wound bent-off portion (22) engaging over the hinged armature (16).

Description

The invention relates to an overcurrent protection switch with the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such a switch is known from DE-PS 593 512. By means of a toggle lever element, the movement of the actuating element is transmitted to a pivotable contact arm which, together with a contact fixed to the housing, forms the main contact of the switch. A restraining stop cooperating with the actuating element ensures that the contact elements close suddenly (momentary activation) when the contact is switched on. The known switch has the disadvantage that relatively large masses are firmly coupled to the contact arm when it is switched on and off and thus influence its switching behavior. There is also a risk of false triggering due to fluttering movements of the armature of the magnetic release.

The invention has for its object to design a switch of the type mentioned in such a way that it has a defined switching behavior with a compact design and uncomplicated handling. These Object is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the contact arm rests in its central region on the retaining stop, which is part of a separate component that is independent of the contact arm, and takes it with it when it snaps into the closed position. This makes it possible to dispense with further parts of the switch lock which trigger the yielding closing movement of the restraint stop, which increases the operational reliability of the switch. In particular during the opening movement, the contact arm can freely move upwards into the open position, as a result of which the inertia of the locking mechanism does not have a negative effect on the switching time. A particularly simple and functional way of arranging and guiding the restraint stop teaches claim 2, it being emphasized that the release of the restraint stop is carried out directly and thus in a structurally simple manner by the actuating element itself.

Claims 4 and 5 ensure that when the switch is switched off or overcurrent tripped, the retaining pawl jumps back into its retaining position. The spring exerts a torque on the retaining pawl via the projection, which it engages under, such that when the main contact opens, the retaining pawl securely latches behind the housing projection holding it in the retaining position and simultaneously exerts a system pressure directed against the actuating element.

The characterizing features of claim 7 ensure that the hinged anchor remains quietly in its rest position and "sticks" to the shunt bend until the force exerted on it by the coil flow is greater than the holding force of the shunt bend. This prevents the armature from fluttering and thus prevents premature tripping if necessary.

By claim 9 several juxtaposed switches of the same type can be coupled to one another via "inner" parts in such a way that when at least one switch is triggered, the switches located next to it also trigger.

Claim 10 enables the switch lock according to the invention to be used in different switch housings, which simplifies the storage of components.

Claim 11 is concerned with a special, particularly functional design of the transmission of the axial movement of a push button on the stretching lever.

Claim 12 enables control of an auxiliary circuit switch known per se.

• Fig. 1 eine Gesamtansicht zweier, aneinander gekoppelter Schalter.
• Fig. 2 eine Innenansicht des Schalters in der Einschaltstellung.
• Fig. 3 eine Innenansicht in der Ausschaltstellung.
• Fig. 4 einen Querschnitt durch zwei gekoppelte Schalter mit der Darstellung der Kupplungsteile.
• Fig. 5 das Schaltschloß - schematisch in der Aus-Stellung.
• Fig. 6 das Schaltschloß - schematisch in der Stellung kurz vor der Momenteinschaltung der Hauptkontakte
• Fig. 7 das Schaltschloß - schematisch in der Ein-Stellung.
• Fig. 8 eine Ansicht des das Schaltschloß und den Magnetauslöser umfassenden einstückig vorgefertigten Baueinheit,
• Fig. 9 einen Schalter mit als Druckknopf ausgebildetem Betätigungselement,
• Fig. 10 eine weitere Bauform eines Schalters mit Kipphebelbetätigung.

The invention is described in more detail with reference to several exemplary embodiments shown in the figures of the drawing. Show it;

• Fig. 1 is an overall view of two coupled switches.
• Fig. 2 is an interior view of the switch in the on position.
• Fig. 3 is an interior view in the off position.
• Fig. 4 shows a cross section through two coupled switches with the representation of the coupling parts.
• Fig. 5 the switch lock - schematically in the off position.
• Fig. 6, the switch lock - schematically in the position just before the main contacts are turned on
• Fig. 7 the switch lock - schematically in the on position.
• 8 is a view of the one-piece prefabricated unit comprising the switching lock and the magnetic release,
• 9 shows a switch with an actuating element designed as a push button,
• Fig. 10 shows another design of a switch with rocker arm actuation.

The key switch (Fig. 2,3,5 to 7)

The switch lock is operated manually via the rocker arm 1. This is rotatably mounted in the two housing halves with its pins 3 on both sides. In the drawing, the lower housing part 2 is shown. A joint 4 is arranged in the inner region of the rocker arm. The toggle lever element, consisting of the first stretching lever 5 and the second stretching lever 6, is mounted on it, which in turn is rotatably connected by means of the knee joint 7. The lower end of the toggle lever element = is articulated to the contact arm 9 via the bolt 8. The stretching lever 5 is approximately triangular and has a further pivot point 10 in the third corner, in which a latching lever 11 is mounted. The latch lever can hook with a catch 12 of the extension lever 6, so that the knee joint 7 becomes stiff. The latched knee joint is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 5 to 7, whereas in FIG. 3 the latching is released. As soon as the knee joint 7 is stiff, the manual Operation of the rocker arm 1 of the contact arm 9 can be pivoted about its pivot point 13. Depending on the direction of actuation of the rocker arm, the contacts are opened or closed.

In the switched-on position, the force component is aligned so that a left-turning torque is exerted on the rocker arm 1. By the stop 14 in the housing, the rocker arm 1 comes to rest in this position. The key switch is cocked. The force component of the tensioned switch lock is greater than the counterforce of the torsion spring (not shown) on the rocker arm 1. During manual actuation, the knee joint 7 remains locked. The contacts are influenced solely by the rocker arm positions.

The switch lock is triggered automatically via the magn.-hydr. Trigger 15.

When there is a corresponding overcurrent, the hinged armature 16 picks up and rotates about the pivot point 17. The arm 18 of the hinged armature 16 presses against the latching lever 11 and moves it upward. The latching between the latch lever 11 and the catch 12 of the extension lever 6 is released and the knee joint 7 collapses. This is caused by the torsion spring 19, which moves the contact arm 9 upwards by its spring force.

The magn. The circle of the magnetic hydraulic release has a magnetic yoke 20 which is provided with a shunt bend 22 connected to the magnetic core 21. In the middle area, the yoke carries lateral tabs in which the parts of the key switch are stored and guided.

The magnetic flux that flows in when the current flows the solenoid forms, branches in the rest position also via the shunt bend 22 and the hinged armature 16. The rest of the magnetic flux goes from the hinged armature 16 to the core 21. By choosing an appropriate cross section of the shunt, the hinged armature 16 can be fixed in its rest position more or less long. Only with larger currents does the pulling force between the hinged armature 16 and the core 21 prevail and the hinged armature 16 can tear away from its contact point on the shunt bend 22.

The moment switching on of the contacts: When the rocker arm 2 is switched on, the contact lever 9 is held shortly before its final closing and released momentarily after the switch lock is tensioned.

• - Rückhalteklinke 23
• - Druckfeder 24
• - Bolzen 25
• - Bolzen 26
• - Rüchhalteanschlag 28

The following parts do this:

• - Retaining pawl 23
• - compression spring 24
• - bolt 25
• - bolt 26
• - Retention stop 28

The retaining pawl 23 is rotatably and displaceably mounted on the bolt 26. The retaining pawl 23 is pressed against the bolt 25 by the compression spring 24 (FIG. 5). If the key switch is moved to the switch-on position, the toggle lever element leads the contact arm 9 downwards. This movement is slowed down by the stop 28. The bolt 8 moves freely and unhindered in the backdrop 27. This position is shown in FIG. 7. When the rocker arm 1 moves further, the main contact 48 cannot close. The stop 28 acts as a fulcrum, so that the contact arm 9 is at its fulcrum 13 means of the bearing groove 57 moves. At the same time, however, the joint 4 of the rocker arm comes into contact with the release lug 29 and thereby moves the retaining pawl to the left until the catch on the pin 25 is released. The main contact closes momentarily. The retaining pawl 23 is carried by the contact arm 9 in the closing direction 51 through the stop 28 and can only return to its locked position after the contacts have opened.

The coupling mechanism

(Fig. 2, 3 and 4 as well as Fig. 1): The coupling of several individual devices to a functional unit takes place both with manual actuation and with overcurrent tripping.

The coupling for manual actuation takes place on the rocker arms 1 by interposing the coupling piece 30. The parts mentioned are connected to one another by suitable mechanical elements. This is shown in FIG. 1 using a two-pole device consisting of two individual devices (device 31 and device 32).

• - Festkontakt-Öffner 39 (von der Aus-Stellung betrachtet),
• - Festkontakt-Schließer 40 (von der Aus-Stellung betrachtet),
• - Kontaktfeder 41 in Schnappausführung,
• - Betätigungshebel 42.

The coupling for the overcurrent release is established by the coupling lever 33 and the coupling axis 34. The coupling levers 33 of the devices lying next to one another are connected to one another by the coupling axis 34, which projects through the housing side walls. At the pivot point 36, the coupling lever 33 is mounted in the housing. By means of the compression spring 35, it is moved downwards in a clockwise direction and comes to rest with its leg 37 on the bolt 8. Now triggers a switch automatically by its magnetic trigger, then the bolt 8 moves up with the contact arm 9 and takes the coupling lever 33 with it. Whose leg 37 strikes during its movement against the L-shaped tab of the latch lever 11 (Fig. 4) and thereby releases the latching of the knee joint 7. However, since the axis 34 couples the levers 33 to one another, the adjacent devices are also triggered. Auxiliary contacts are also inserted in the housing parts. (Figs. 2 and 3). In the example shown, it is a changer with the following parts:

• Fixed contact break contact 39 (viewed from the off position),
• Fixed contact make contact 40 (viewed from the off position),
• - snap spring contact spring 41,
• - operating lever 42.

The operating lever 42 has two attachment points. The stop point 43 is moved downward by the contact arm 9. With it, the stop point 44 moves against the contact spring and causes it to snap.

The current flow:

The current flows from the connection 45 to the coil of the magnetic hydraulic release 15, from this via a wire to the contact arm 9 and then via the contact pair to the connection 46. Quenching plates are arranged in the region of the contacts. The arc gases can be blown out via appropriate channels in the housing.

Fig. 8 again shows the switch lock with magnetic release, which can be used as a prefabricated component in the housing of different dimensions and designs (Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the actuating element is a push-pull button 60 which is axially displaceable in a screw sleeve 61 on the upper side 62 of the housing is arranged. Its inner end 63 interacts via an arm 64 by means of a pin 66 guided in an elongated hole 65 with a pivot lever 67 which converts the axial button movement into a pivoting movement and is pivotably mounted on an axis 68 fixed to the housing and with the first stretching lever 5 via a joint 69 connected is.

The unit 58 corresponds in function and components to the switch already described.

Auxiliary contacts 38 are arranged on the lower side of the housing facing away from the actuating element (push-pull button 60) and are actuated via an actuating lever 70 which interacts with the contact side of the contact arm 9.

The assembly 58 is also used in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 10 of a switch which can be placed on a switch rail, the actuating element also being designed as a rocker arm as in the first exemplary embodiment explained. However, the connection elements 71-74 for the main and auxiliary circuit are in the side area of the housing.

Item number list

• 1 rocker arm
• 2 lower housing part
• 3 cones
• 4 joint
• 5 first extension lever
• 6 second extension lever
• 7 knee joint
• 8 bolts
• 9 contact arm
• 10 pivot point
• 11 latch lever
• 12 notches
• 13 pivot point
• 14 stop
• 15 mangetic-hydraulic release
• 16 folding anchors
• 17 pivot point
• 18 arm
• 19 torsion spring
• 20 magnetic yoke
• 21 magnetic core
• 22 Shunt bend
• 23 retention pawl
• 24 compression spring
• 25 bolts
• 26 bolts
• 27 backdrop
• 28 Restraint stop
• 29 release lug
• 30 coupling piece
• 31 device
• 32 device
• 33 coupling lever
• 34 coupling axis
• 35 compression spring
• 36 pivot point
• 37 legs
• 38 auxiliary contacts
• 39 fixed contact break contact
• 40 fixed contact make contacts
• 41 contact spring
• 42 operating lever
• 43 anchor point
• 44 anchor point
• 45 connection
• 46 connection
• 47 Actors 6
• 48 main contact
• 49 contacts
• 50 hinge ends
• 51 closing direction
• 52 end of 23
• 53 end of actuation 23
• 54 middle range from 23
• 55 breakthrough
• 56 locking L-legs from 55
• 57 bearing groove
• 58 unit
• 60 push-pull button
• 61 screw sleeve
• 62 Top of housing
• 63 inner end
• 64 arm
• 65 slot
• 66 cones
• 67 swivel levers
• 68 axis
• 69 joint
• 70 control levers
• 71 connection elements

Claims (15)

1. Overcurrent protection switch with 1. an actuating element for manual switching on and off, 2. a toggle lever element which is articulated from the inside of the actuating element and which can be locked in the extended position 2.1. consists essentially of a first (5) and second stretching lever (6), wherein 2.1.1. the two stretching levers (5, 6) are connected by means of a knee joint (7), 2.1.2. the first stretching lever (5) is fastened with its end facing the actuating element to the end of the housing, 2.1.3. the second extension lever (6) is articulated with its end (47) to a pivotable contact arm (9) for opening and closing the main contact (48) and 2.2. the toggle lever element (parts 5, 6, 7) can preferably be acted upon in the region of the knee joint (7) in the event of an overcurrent beyond the dead center by the release lever of an overcurrent release (magnetic-hydraulic release 15), wherein 3. the contact arm (9) is locked during the closing closing movement before the main contact (48) is closed by means of a restraint stop which 3.1. releases the contact arm (9) when the actuating element is in the switch-on position for the abrupt closure of the main contact (48),
characterized in that 4. the contact arm (9) rests on the retaining stop (28) during the closing closing movement between its contact end (49) and its hinge end (50) and this - detached from the contact lever (9) - when the actuating element (rocker arm 1) is moved in The switch-on position in the closing direction (51) yields, and 5. the restraining stop (28) is part of a restraining pawl (23) which is essentially longitudinally displaceable in the closing direction (51), 5.1 which can be locked behind a housing projection (bolt 25) in the retention position (FIG. 5, 6) and 5.2 can be disengaged in the release position (Fig. 7) by acting on the actuating element (rocker arm 1). 2. Overcurrent protection switch according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the retaining pawl (23) extends essentially along the toggle lever element (extension lever 5, 6), at its main contact-side end (52) the retaining stop (28) engaging under the contact arm (9) and at its actuating end (53) a release lug (29) has which is laterally displaceable through the inner end (joint 4) of the actuating element (rocker arm 1). 3. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the retaining pawl (23) has an essentially L-shaped opening (55) in its central region (54), in its latching L-leg (56), which runs essentially at right angles to the closing direction (51), in the retaining position (Fig. 5, 6) the housing projection formed as a bolt (25) lies. 4. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterized,
that the retaining pawl (23) is biased by a spring (24) in the direction of the actuating element (rocker arm 1). 5. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the spring (compression spring 24) engages under a projection (58) projecting in the direction of the latching L-leg (56) of the opening (55) from the retaining pawl (23). 6. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterized,
that the contact lever (9) is mounted on a housing pin (pivot point 13) by means of a bearing groove (57) running essentially in the closing direction (51) in the joint end (50). 7. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims, having a trigger (15) consisting essentially of a coil with a magnetic core (21) and magnetic yoke (20) and having a folding armature (16) acting on the knee joint (7) of the switch,
characterized,
that the magnetic yoke (20) on the side of the hinged armature (16) projects beyond the coil end and has an L-shaped shunt bend (22) overlapping the hinged armature (16). 8. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the hinged armature (16) rests in the rest position on the side of the shunt bend (22) facing the coil. 9. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims
characterized,
that a coupling lever (33) is operatively connected to the contact arm (9), the operative end (leg 37) of which acts on the knee joint (7) in the release direction and the one coupling axis (34) for engagement in at least one overcurrent protection switch (devices 31, 32 in Fig. 1 and 4) carries and is connected to the coupling lever. 10. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the switch lock (essentially 5-13,23-29) and the trigger (essentially 15-22) can be used as a one-piece prefabricated unit (58) in housings of different types and functions. 11. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the handle of the actuating element is designed as an axially displaceable push button, the inner end of which is connected to a pivot lever which actuates the first stretching lever of the structural unit and converts the axial movement into pivoting movement. 12. Overcurrent protection switch according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that one or more auxiliary contact switches are arranged in the housing side facing away from the actuating elements and can be actuated via an actuating lever which interacts with the contact side of the contact arm.

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