EP0291835A2 - Temperaturbeeinflusste Vorrichtung und Ausschalter - Google Patents

Temperaturbeeinflusste Vorrichtung und Ausschalter Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0291835A2
EP0291835A2 EP88107560A EP88107560A EP0291835A2 EP 0291835 A2 EP0291835 A2 EP 0291835A2 EP 88107560 A EP88107560 A EP 88107560A EP 88107560 A EP88107560 A EP 88107560A EP 0291835 A2 EP0291835 A2 EP 0291835A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bimetal element
bimetal
housing
move
bimetallic
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP88107560A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0291835B1 (de
EP0291835A3 (en
Inventor
Bruce William Pickett
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.)
Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
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
Application filed by Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd filed Critical Crabtree Electrical Industries Ltd
Priority to AT88107560T priority Critical patent/ATE86789T1/de
Publication of EP0291835A2 publication Critical patent/EP0291835A2/de
Publication of EP0291835A3 publication Critical patent/EP0291835A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0291835B1 publication Critical patent/EP0291835B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01H71/74—Means for adjusting the conditions under which the device will function to provide protection
    • H01H71/7427—Adjusting only the electrothermal mechanism
    • H01H71/7436—Adjusting the position (or prestrain) of the bimetal
    • 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
    • H01H71/14—Electrothermal mechanisms
    • H01H71/16—Electrothermal mechanisms with bimetal element

Definitions

  • thermo-­responsive devices particularly of the kind (hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified) utilising the movement of a bimetal element to effect switching of an electric circuit.
  • Devices of the kind specified conventionally use a bimetal element in the form of a strip of two metals having differing coefficients of thermal expansion, the element being secured at one (fixed) end portion and arranged so that the other (free) end portion moves on variation in temperature, which may be the ambient temperature to which the bimetal element is subjected, or the temperature of the element due to passage of electric current therethrough, or the temperature of the bimetal element when heated by a resistive heating element or a combination thereof.
  • the free end portion of the bimetal element is provided with an engagement member so arranged that when the element moves into a specific position, the engagement member moves into engagement with an operating member, such as a trip latch, which operates to open the electric circuit.
  • an operating member such as a trip latch
  • the enagagement member conveniently in the form of an adjustable contact, may engage directly with a fixed contact of the circuit, closing or opening an electric circuit as the case may be.
  • a circuit branch is connected to the bimetal element, usually at a position separated from the engagement member, such as by a fixed tapping taken from the fixed end portion of the element, and a flexible tapping secured to a central region of the bimetal element.
  • a temperature responsive device of the kind specified wherein the bimetal element is pivotally mounted at a an intermediate region i.e. intermediate the ends, and adjustment means is provided to move the bimetal element about said pivotal mounting.
  • the adjustment means is such as to enable the position of one end portion of the bimetal element to be moved about the pivotal mounting in a manner such as to move the opposite end portion of the bimetal element towards or away from an operating member, such as a trip latch or fixed contact, advantageously in a manner in which a tool is used which is not in direct contact with the bimetal element, specifically direct contact either as would in itself tend to deflect the bimetal element, or providing electrically conductive contact with the bimetal element, or both.
  • an operating member such as a trip latch or fixed contact
  • the adjustment means comprises a screw-thread element mounted on a housing of the device and comprising a surface engagable with the bimetal element to move the bimetal element in response to positional adjustment of the screw-thread element.
  • said surface is engagable to move the bimetal element in one direction, a spring being utilised to urge the bimetal element into engagement with said surface and thus to be operative to move the bimetal element in response to reverse positional adjustment of the screw-thread element.
  • the device since adjustment of the device may be accomplished without deformation of the bimetal element, the device may be set up simply and quickly, in particular by positional adjustment of the screw-thread element under the desired operating conditions until the bimetal element opens or closes.
  • the pivotal mounting for the bimetal element is afforded by a mounting member secured to the housing of the device, advantageously supporting the bimetal element between knife edges.
  • circuit breaker comprising:
  • the temperature responsive device shown in Figure 1 is of the kind specified, being a minature circuit breaker (MCB) provided with thermal and magnetic overload protection, the device comprising a housing 6, a terminal 8 comprising a fixed terminal portion 10 within the housing, to which one end portion 12 a of a bimetal element 12 is secured, the opposite end portion 12 b of the bimetal element carrying a screw-thread adjustment device 16.
  • MBC minature circuit breaker
  • a flexible conductive element 13 which extends to a circuit branch of the circuit breaker, which is conventional, and not shown.
  • the position adopted by the bimetal element 12 within the housing will be dependent upon the temperature at the element, dependent upon the ambient temperature thereof in conjunction with the current flowing therethrough, namely from the connector 13 to the terminal 8, and under conditions of either thermal or current overload the bimetal will flex in a generally anti-clockwise direction about the fixed end portion 12 so that the adjustment device 16 engages an operating member such as an element 14 of a trip latch, to cause the circuit to open.
  • the device which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is similarly a minature circuit breaker, and similar numerals are used to indicate like parts.
  • the bimetal element 12 is pivotaly mounted at an intermediate region thereof on a mounting member 20, provided in the form of a metal pressing (shown in an enlarged view in Figure 2 b ) positioned in channels 19 provided in the housing 6, the mounting element providing flexible knife edges 22 between which the bimetal element 12 may be positioned.
  • the bimetal element 12 is engaged by an adjustment means 24, comprising a spindle 26 extending freely through a boss 28 captive within the housing and through a screw-threaded bore 30 spaced axially from the boss 28.
  • An aperture 18 is provided to enable the spindle 26 to be rotated by a tool such as a screwdriver, and hence moved axially by virtue of its engagement with the threaded bore 30.
  • the spindle 26 is provided with a flange 32 operative to engage one side of the bimetal element 12, the other side of the bimetal being engaged by a spring 34 pressing against the boss 28. In this manner rotation of the shaft 26 in one direction will cause the flange 32 to move the bimetal element pivotally in a clockwise direction about the mounting element 20, against the action of the spring 34, whilst rotation of the shaft 26 in the opposite direction will cause the bimetal element to be rotated in the opposite direction.
  • boss 28 may be substituted by a threaded nut with which the spindle may be threadedly engaged, the bore 26 being unthreaded.
  • Two flexible straps 13 a and 13 b are welded to outer regions of the bimetal element, the strap 13 a being connected to the terminal 8.
  • the bimetal element under normal operating conditions the bimetal element will adopt a position similar to that shown in Figure 2, i.e. with its end portion 12 b spaced from the trip latch 14. However on overload conditions the bimetal element will flex, with the engagement portion 12 b moving into engagement with and tripping the latch 14.
  • the invention may be utilised in temperature responsive devices in which the bimetal is responding solely to ambient temperature, and in devices in which the upper end portion 12 b of the bimetal element engages or is separated from an operating member in the form of a fixed contact to close or open an electric circuit.

Landscapes

  • Thermally Actuated Switches (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Temperature-Responsive Valves (AREA)
  • Non-Reversible Transmitting Devices (AREA)
  • Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)
  • Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
  • Control Of Combustion (AREA)
  • Control Of Temperature (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
EP88107560A 1987-05-19 1988-05-11 Temperaturbeeinflusste Vorrichtung und Ausschalter Expired - Lifetime EP0291835B1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT88107560T ATE86789T1 (de) 1987-05-19 1988-05-11 Temperaturbeeinflusste vorrichtung und ausschalter.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8711794 1987-05-19
GB8711794A GB2205998B (en) 1987-05-19 1987-05-19 Temperature responsive devices

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0291835A2 true EP0291835A2 (de) 1988-11-23
EP0291835A3 EP0291835A3 (en) 1989-07-26
EP0291835B1 EP0291835B1 (de) 1993-03-10

Family

ID=10617578

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88107560A Expired - Lifetime EP0291835B1 (de) 1987-05-19 1988-05-11 Temperaturbeeinflusste Vorrichtung und Ausschalter

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0291835B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH01105429A (de)
AT (1) ATE86789T1 (de)
DE (1) DE3878979T2 (de)
GB (1) GB2205998B (de)
MY (1) MY103275A (de)
ZA (1) ZA883336B (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995020236A1 (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-07-27 Square D Company A circuit breaker
EP0831510A1 (de) * 1996-09-23 1998-03-25 Schneider Electric Sa Thermische Auslöseeinrichtung für Schutzgerät
FR3045931A1 (fr) * 2015-12-21 2017-06-23 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Dispositif d'assemblage d'un bilame et d'une piece formant support de ce bilame et appareil de protection electrique le comportant.

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3213243A (en) * 1962-06-21 1965-10-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Thermal overload relay with reset means
US3249720A (en) * 1962-02-19 1966-05-03 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Thermal trip unit with calibrating adjustment
US3265837A (en) * 1964-10-22 1966-08-09 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker provide with an improved terminal strap for mounting a bimetal element
US3265832A (en) * 1964-01-16 1966-08-09 Gen Electric Electrical control device with adjustable calibration locking means
US3869688A (en) * 1974-01-24 1975-03-04 Westinghouse Electric Corp Customer adjustment switch assembly
US4030060A (en) * 1976-02-26 1977-06-14 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Thermally adjustable circuit breaker
EP0175976A2 (de) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Selbstschalter mit Bimetall und Einstellvorrichtung zum Eichen

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB565252A (en) * 1943-06-02 1944-11-02 Oliver Hawkes Goulstone Improvements in snap action mechanism applicable for making and breaking electric contacts
GB587807A (en) * 1945-01-13 1947-05-06 Brookhirst Switchgear Ltd Improvements in or relating to heat sensitive devices
GB778175A (en) * 1954-10-15 1957-07-03 Voigt & Haeffner Ag Improvements in or relating to arrangements for heating vehicles
DE2625716C3 (de) * 1976-06-09 1979-10-11 E.G.O. Elektro-Geraete Blanc U. Fischer, 7519 Oberderdingen Leistungssteuergerät

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3249720A (en) * 1962-02-19 1966-05-03 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Thermal trip unit with calibrating adjustment
US3213243A (en) * 1962-06-21 1965-10-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Thermal overload relay with reset means
US3265832A (en) * 1964-01-16 1966-08-09 Gen Electric Electrical control device with adjustable calibration locking means
US3265837A (en) * 1964-10-22 1966-08-09 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker provide with an improved terminal strap for mounting a bimetal element
US3869688A (en) * 1974-01-24 1975-03-04 Westinghouse Electric Corp Customer adjustment switch assembly
US4030060A (en) * 1976-02-26 1977-06-14 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Thermally adjustable circuit breaker
EP0175976A2 (de) * 1984-09-28 1986-04-02 Westinghouse Electric Corporation Selbstschalter mit Bimetall und Einstellvorrichtung zum Eichen

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995020236A1 (en) * 1994-01-21 1995-07-27 Square D Company A circuit breaker
EP0831510A1 (de) * 1996-09-23 1998-03-25 Schneider Electric Sa Thermische Auslöseeinrichtung für Schutzgerät
FR2753835A1 (fr) * 1996-09-23 1998-03-27 Schneider Electric Sa Dispositif de declenchement thermique pour appareil de protection
US5844466A (en) * 1996-09-23 1998-12-01 Schneider Electric Sa Bimetallic thermal triggering apparatus for a protection device
FR3045931A1 (fr) * 2015-12-21 2017-06-23 Schneider Electric Ind Sas Dispositif d'assemblage d'un bilame et d'une piece formant support de ce bilame et appareil de protection electrique le comportant.
EP3185275A1 (de) * 2015-12-21 2017-06-28 Schneider Electric Industries SAS Vorrichtung zur montage eines bimetallstreifens und eines teils, das einen träger dieses bimetallstreifens bildet, und elektrische schutzvorrichtung, die eine solche vorrichtung umfasst
US9916955B2 (en) 2015-12-21 2018-03-13 Schneider Electric Industries Sas Device for joining a bimetal strip and a component forming a support for said bimetal strip, and electrical protection unit comprising same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3878979T2 (de) 1993-06-17
GB2205998A (en) 1988-12-21
DE3878979D1 (de) 1993-04-15
MY103275A (en) 1993-05-29
GB8711794D0 (en) 1987-06-24
ATE86789T1 (de) 1993-03-15
ZA883336B (en) 1988-11-16
EP0291835B1 (de) 1993-03-10
EP0291835A3 (en) 1989-07-26
GB2205998B (en) 1991-03-13
JPH01105429A (ja) 1989-04-21

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