EP0199579A2 - Mécanisme d'actionnement d'un interrupteur auxiliaire - Google Patents

Mécanisme d'actionnement d'un interrupteur auxiliaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0199579A2
EP0199579A2 EP86303017A EP86303017A EP0199579A2 EP 0199579 A2 EP0199579 A2 EP 0199579A2 EP 86303017 A EP86303017 A EP 86303017A EP 86303017 A EP86303017 A EP 86303017A EP 0199579 A2 EP0199579 A2 EP 0199579A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
actuator
arm
breaker
auxiliary switch
movable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP86303017A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0199579A3 (fr
Inventor
George S. C/O Airpax Corporation Harper
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Airpax Corp
Original Assignee
Airpax Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/852,147 external-priority patent/US4707674A/en
Application filed by Airpax Corp filed Critical Airpax Corp
Publication of EP0199579A2 publication Critical patent/EP0199579A2/fr
Publication of EP0199579A3 publication Critical patent/EP0199579A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
    • H01H2071/467—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts with history indication, e.g. of trip and/or kind of trip, number of short circuits etc.

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to circuit breakers with auxiliary switch mechariisms. More particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch mechanisms which indicate the status of the breaker. Still more particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch actuator mechanisms which, once set, operate only during an overcurrent condition to indicate an electrically tripped condition of the breaker, and which remain in - their set state during normal manual operation of the circuit breaker.
  • Circuit breakers having auxiliary switch mechanisms are known.
  • the auxiliary switch is usually connected in an alarm circuit with an indicating device (eg a light; bell, etc) to provide a remote indication of the condition of the breaker.
  • an indicating device eg a light; bell, etc.
  • Some of the more complex auxiliary circuits provide differing outputs responsive to the three basic breaker conditions: manually OFF, manually ON, and electrically tripped. Other common mechanisms provide an indication only when the breaker has been electrically tripped.
  • the auxiliary switch indicates whether the breaker is on or off, the latter state being indicated whether the breaker has been manually turned off or electrically tripped. Breakers of this type thus do not discriminate between manual operation and overcurrent conditions, and cannot be used effectively in applications which require an alarm signal to be generated when the breaker is tripped by an overcurrent condition occurring in the circuit.
  • breakers overcome this problem by providing an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which discriminates between on, manual off, and overcurrent tripped conditions.
  • breakers of this type one example of which is shown in U.S. Patent 3,742,402, issued June 26, 1973 to Nicol, require a complicated mechanical operating mechanism having a multitude of parts which must be closely fitted into a small space.
  • the present invention is directed to providing a circuit breaker auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which utilizes a simpler, more positive, and less critically dimensioned mechanism than known devices, which provides a signal which indicates whether the breaker is in normal operation (whether the breaker contacts are open or closed) or has tripped.
  • the invention comprises an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism for a circuit breaker.
  • the breaker has a frame, and a breaker mechanism mounted to the frame.
  • the breaker mechanism includes a manually operable handle, a breaker contact pivotably mounted to the frame and movable between open and closed positions, a collapsible linkage coupling the handle and movable contact, and a sear pin cooperating with the collapsible linkage to collapse the linkage upon detection of an overcurrent through the breaker.
  • the actuator mechanism includes an auxiliary switch having a movable contact and an actuator member coupled to the auxiliary switch movable between first and second positions for moving the auxiliary switch contact between normally-open and normally-closed positions, respectively.
  • the actuator member has a base member including a locking arm receiving recess.
  • the recess has a stepped bottom surface, including a lower bottom portion and an upper raised portion, having a definite edge.
  • An arm portion extends upwardly from the base member to abuttingly- engage the movable breaker rontact when the movable breaker contact is moved to its closed position. In this way, closing of the movable breaker contact also closes the auxiliary switch.
  • the actuator mechanism also includes a locking member having a central portion pivotably mounted directly to the frame, preferably coaxially with the movable breaker contact.
  • This locking member comprises- first and second arms extending outwardly from the central portion.
  • the first arm has its distal end portion disposed in the recess in the locking arm housing of the acuator member, and is biased thereagainst. Ldistal end of the first arm locks the actuator member when the actuator member is disposed in the closed position, locking the auxiliary switch.
  • the second arm extends into the path of movement of the sear pin when the sear pin is tripped.
  • the second arm When tripped, the second arm is pivoted by the sear pin to pivot the first arm out of locking engagement with the actuator member, thus releasing the auxiliary switch upon detection of an overcurrent condition.
  • the sear pin does not contact the second arm when the breaker is manually opened, such that the auxiliary switch is not thereby affected.
  • Shibuya et al US Patent 3,593,232 shows a circuit breaker including an auxiliary switch which provides an unambiguous indication of tripping due to overcurrent.
  • the device shown therein (and the commercial embodiment thereof) is unduly complex, has a large number of parts, and is difficult to manufacture.
  • the Shibuya device includes a first frame, not shown in the Shibuya patent, on which are mounted the coil 3 and the armature 31.
  • the pivot axis of the moving contact arm-5 is defined by a pin 30 carried in recesses in the two halves of the breaker housing. (This design is the source of some of the assembly difficulties mentioned above).
  • the collapsible linkage and sear pin triggering assembly 21, 24, 25 and 23 is carried between pin 30 and a second pin 20, which in turn is retained by a boss on the handle 18.
  • handle 18 includes two . pins 19 which fit into recesses in the casing halves. In the commercial device, these were molded integrally with the handle.
  • second frame 29 is located by pin 19.
  • the second frame in the commercial embodiment of the Shibuya device is located by pin 30 and by yet another pin fitting into recesses in the case halves, which is not shown in the patent.
  • FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary contact switch mechanism of the present invention as incorporated into a circuit breaker.
  • the circuit breaker 10 comprises a case 12 formed of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic.
  • the case contains a breaker mechanism, generally designated 14, which includes a collapsible linkage mechanism operatively connecting a handle 16 and a movable contact arm 18.
  • a trigger mechanism which includes a sear pin 20, comprises a portion of the breaker mechanism which controls the collapsible linkage.
  • the breaker mechanism 14, handle 16, and contact arm 18 are all mounted to a frame 22.
  • auxiliary switch 24 is mounted in the lower portion of casing 12.
  • casing 12 is composed of two halves, each of which contains pin members 26 which mate with holes 28 in the auxiliary switch 24 for mounting the auxiliary switch 24 in the proper position in the breaker 10.
  • the switch 24 comprises a microswitch assembly having a set of auxiliary contacts which are operated by an internal contact (not shown).
  • a movable pin 30 is spring biased to extend upwardly through the plastic housing of switch 24. Pin 30 engages the internal contact to control its on-off operation.
  • switches are known in the art and are exemplified by the switch shown in the Shibuya et al. U.S. Patent 3,593,232, discussed above. The disclosure of the '232 Shibuya patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference as though set forth in full.
  • actuator member 32 comprises a base plate 34 and an arm 36 extending upwardly from the base plate 34.
  • the distal end of the arm 36 terminates in a flange 38 having a downwardly bent lip 4.0 at its end..
  • a pair of pivot pins 42 extend laterally outwardly from the plate 34 near an end 44 thereof.
  • the longitudinally opposite end 46 of plate 34 has a channel 48 formed therein to thereby define a bifurcated or forkshaped end portion, whose purpose will be described in more detail below.
  • Pivot pins 42 seat in corresponding pivot mount openings 50 in the casing of switch 24.
  • Base plate 34 rests on movable pin 30.
  • An end portion 44 cooperates with the switch casing to act as a stop to limit the pivotal motion of actuator 32 in the direction away from pin 30.
  • the auxiliary switch actuating mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention also includes a locking member or arm, generally designated 52.
  • the locking member 52 has a central portion 54 which defines a central opening 55 therein.
  • a first arm 56 extends radially from central portion 54 in a first direction.
  • a finger 60 and a shoulder 62 are formed at the distal end of first arm 56.
  • Arm 56 of locking member 52 rides in channel 48 of actuator member 32.
  • a second arm 58 extends from central opening 54 at an angle to arm 56.
  • Second arm 58 has a generally J-shaped configuration.
  • Arm 58 has an intermediate body portion 64 and a hooked end portion 66, extending from the distal end of intermediate body portion 64.
  • a connecting leg portion 68 extends from the proximal end of the intermediate body portion 64 substantially at right angles thereto and connects it to the central portion 54 substantially at right angles to the first arm 56. Intermediate portion 64 therefore extends substantially parallel to the first arm 56.
  • the locking member 52 is mounted on frame 22 by means of a pivot pin 70 which passes through opening 55 and corresponding counting holes in the frame 22.
  • Pin 70 also mounts contact arm 18 to the frame 22.
  • Pin 70 thus defines an axis about which both contact arm 18 and locking arm 52 pivot.
  • a bias spring 72 also mounts on pin 70 over a spring bushing (not shown) and engages arm 56 to bias the locking member 52 toward a normally locked position. That is, spring 72 urges member 52 to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 1.
  • a second spring (not shown) is coaxial with spring 72, and acts similarly to bias contact arm 18 in the counterclockwise direction, to ensure that the contacts 7 and 8 are separated when the breaker is tripped.
  • Fig. 1 shows a side view of the auxiliary switch and switch actuator and breaker mechanism of this embodiment of the invention with the breaker in the ON position, i.e. the main contacts 7 and 8 are abutting.
  • Fig. 4 shows a partly cut-away perspective view of this breaker in the OFF position. Comparison of these two figures will make the operation of the breaker of the invention clear to those of skill in the art.
  • the breaker mechanism 14 acts on movable contact arm 18, causing it to pivot about the pivot axis defined by mounting pin.70, bringing the movable contact 7 on arm 18 into engagement with the fixed breaker contact 8 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the electrical circuit through the breaker is then completed and current can flow through the breaker in the normal manner.
  • the bottom surface 19 of arm 18 engages the flange 38 of actuator arm 36.
  • actuator member 32 pivots about the axis defined by mounting pins 42 against the spring pressure exerted by the internally sprung contact of the auxiliary switch, acting through movable pin 30.
  • actuator 32 causes the inward edge 48a of the slot 48 formed by the bifurcated end shape of actuator member 32 to slide past shoulder 62 of locking member 52.
  • shoulder 62 overrides the upper surface of base plate 34 at this.point, forming a stop and preventing movement of actuator member 32 in the opposite direction, i.e. upwardly in Fig. 1.
  • Finger 60 engages the back edge 48a of the slot 48, limiting the counterclockwise motion of arm 52.
  • the auxiliary switch is then held in the actuated position until the shoulder 62 of locking arm 56 is moved out of engagement with the actuator member 32.
  • auxiliary switch 24 will have three contact terminals: a common or “C” terminal (to which the spring contact is connected), a normally open or “N/O” terminal, and a normally closed or °N/C” terminal.
  • the actuator member 32 sets the auxiliary switch 24, in the manner described above, to close a circuit between the C and N/O terminals. This is the N/O state of auxiliary switch 24.
  • Operation of the auxiliary switch in the opposite sense, i.e. such that the C terminal is connected to the N/C terminal when the main breaker contacts abut, is, of course, also within the scope of this invention.
  • sear pin 20 engages the link members of the breaker mechanism 14 to prevent the linkage from collapsing.
  • the link mechanism 14 remains locked by the engagement of the sear pin 20.
  • sear pin 20 follows a first path of travel which keeps the sear pin 20 clear of contact with the arm 58 of locking member 52.
  • FIGS 5-8 show a second embodiment of the auxiliary switch mechanism of the present invention. Elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment retain the same reference numbers. Elements which are modified forms of those shown in the first embodiment are represented by primed reference numbers, and totally new elements are shown with new reference numbers.
  • Fig. 5 shows a side view of the breaker mechanism of the second embodiment with the main contacts closed
  • Fig. 8 shows a cutaway perspective view of the second embodiment with the main contacts open
  • Fig. 8 shows the auxiliary switch in the H/0 state, that is, after a manual opening of the main contacts. Except as discussed below, the operation of the breaker in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.
  • actuator member 80 comprises a base portion 82 and an arm 84. Arm 84 extends upwardly from the base portion 82.
  • the base portion 82. further has a box-shaped housing for receiving locking member 52 1 .
  • a recess 92 in housing 90 terminates in a floor portion 94 and a raised edge portion 96.
  • a lower wall portion 95 joins floor portion 94 and raised edge portion 96, and a back wall portion 97 joins raised edge portion 96 with the periphery of recess 92.
  • a step is thus formed at the junction of the bottom and back walls of the recess 92.
  • a shim 98 may be attached to the outer bottom surface of the actuator member 80, where it engages the movable pin 30.
  • the shim 98 can be used as needed to compensate for varying tolerances due to the fit of the auxiliary switch in the casing, or to increase the upward force exerted on the actuator member 80 by the spring biased movable pin 30.
  • a pair of pivot pins 86a and 86b extend laterally outward from the base portion 82 of the actuator-member 80 near an end 88 thereof opposite the end from which the arm 84 extends. Pivot pins 86a and 86b seat in corresponding pivot mounting openings in breaker casing 12.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show the locking member 52' of the second embodiment.
  • Locking member 52' has an arm 56' which terminates at a square end 63; whereas locking member 52 terminates in finger 60 and shoulder 62.
  • the second embodiment of the invention operates generally similarly to the first, with some differences as noted below:
  • the bottom surface 19 of arm 18 abuttingly engages arm portion 84 of actuator. member 80.
  • This causes the actuator member 80 to pivot about the axis defined by mounting pins 86a and 86b against the spring bias acting through movable pin 30.
  • actuator 80 is pivoted clockwise about the axis defined by pins 86a and 86b during resetting of the breaker, the end 63 of the locking member 52' slides upwardly along wall portion 95 connecting the floor 94 of recess 92 in actuator.80 toward the raised edge portion 96.
  • bias spring 72 urges member 52' to pivot about pin 70, so that end 63 overrides the raised edge portion 96, to abut the back wall 97 of ; recess 92, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • This locking action caused by the interaction between the squared end 63 and the raised edge portion 96 corresponds to the interaction between the finger 60 and shoulder 62 of locking arm 52 and the bifurcated end portion of actuator member 32 in the first embodiment of the invention.
  • sear pin 20 is pivoted by arm 46 to strike arm 58' of locking member 52' and rotate member 52' clockwise about the pivot pin 70 against the action of bias spring 72.
  • This causes end 63 of the locking arm 52' to be disengaged from raised edge portion 96 of recess 92.
  • the auxiliary switch actuator mechanism of this invention is composed of only three essential parts: the actuator member 32 or 80, the locking member 52 or 52 ', and the bias spring 72.
  • the actuator member 32 or 80 and locking member 52 or 52' are mountable to almost any standard breaker mechanism. Since the two parts are mounted in an interlocking arrangement, there is no need to manufacture them to close tole- ranee. By virtue of their interlocking arrangement, they provide essentially trouble-free, reliable operation over the normal life of the breaker. Further, the locking member 52 or 52' pivots on the same frame as does the contact arm, resulting in a simplified construction over known devices.

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  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
EP86303017A 1985-04-22 1986-04-22 Mécanisme d'actionnement d'un interrupteur auxiliaire Withdrawn EP0199579A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US72548685A 1985-04-22 1985-04-22
US725486 1985-04-22
US06/852,147 US4707674A (en) 1986-01-02 1986-04-15 Auxiliary switch actuator mechanism
US852147 1986-04-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0199579A2 true EP0199579A2 (fr) 1986-10-29
EP0199579A3 EP0199579A3 (fr) 1987-09-16

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EP86303017A Withdrawn EP0199579A3 (fr) 1985-04-22 1986-04-22 Mécanisme d'actionnement d'un interrupteur auxiliaire

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2221347A (en) * 1988-07-25 1990-01-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly
EP0439882A1 (fr) * 1988-10-03 1991-08-07 Eaton Corporation Interrupteur auxiliaire pour disjoncteur et membre actionneur
WO1995022161A1 (fr) * 1994-02-09 1995-08-17 Klöckner-Moeller Gmbh Coupe-circuit basse tension a commutateur auxiliaire relatif

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388357A (en) * 1964-10-08 1968-06-11 Texas Instruments Inc Magnetic type circuit breaker
US3593232A (en) * 1969-07-29 1971-07-13 Sanken Airpax Co Ltd Auxiliary contact interlocking device
US3720891A (en) * 1971-12-06 1973-03-13 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with improved auxiliary switch actuator
US3742402A (en) * 1970-10-01 1973-06-26 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3388357A (en) * 1964-10-08 1968-06-11 Texas Instruments Inc Magnetic type circuit breaker
US3593232A (en) * 1969-07-29 1971-07-13 Sanken Airpax Co Ltd Auxiliary contact interlocking device
US3742402A (en) * 1970-10-01 1973-06-26 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication
US3720891A (en) * 1971-12-06 1973-03-13 Heinemann Electric Co Circuit breaker with improved auxiliary switch actuator

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2221347A (en) * 1988-07-25 1990-01-31 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly
AU623153B2 (en) * 1988-07-25 1992-05-07 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly
GB2221347B (en) * 1988-07-25 1992-10-14 Westinghouse Electric Corp Electric circuit breaker
EP0439882A1 (fr) * 1988-10-03 1991-08-07 Eaton Corporation Interrupteur auxiliaire pour disjoncteur et membre actionneur
WO1995022161A1 (fr) * 1994-02-09 1995-08-17 Klöckner-Moeller Gmbh Coupe-circuit basse tension a commutateur auxiliaire relatif
US5774031A (en) * 1994-02-09 1998-06-30 Klockner-Moeller Gmbh Low-voltage power switch with relative auxiliary switch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0199579A3 (fr) 1987-09-16

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Inventor name: HARPER, GEORGE S.C/O AIRPAX CORPORATION