EP0882301B1 - Protective switch with locking device to prevent switching-on - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective switch, in particular a power or motor protective switch, with a locking device (6) to prevent switching-on of the protective switch (1) by padlocks suspended in locking openings (60) which can only be cleared when the switch contacts of the protective switch (1) are completely open. The locking device (6) has a blocking device to prevent switching-on movement of the actuating handle (3), and a release device for the locking openings (60) which comprises a slide (61) and a disc (4) operatively connected to an operating shaft (5). Said disc prevents the slide (61) from moving when switch contacts are not completely open. The actuating handle (3) is freely rotatable on the operating shaft (5), and the disc (4) is connected to the operating shaft (5) and is free from play. The actuating handle (3) and the disc are operatively connected to each other by at least one flexible claw (42) with the result that rotation of the actuating handle (3) is transferred via the flexible claw (42) to the disc (4) and subsequently to the operating shaft (5), and the slide (61) acts on the disc (4) to block the switching-on movement of the operating shaft (5).

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a circuit breaker, in particular Circuit breaker or motor protection switch, with housing and an am Housing arranged rotatable operating handle for a Switching shaft of the circuit breaker and with a locking device against switching on the circuit breaker. Such Circuit breakers are, for example, in the connecting lines a machine drive, so that it is possible for example if you have to stay in the Danger area of the machine to the power supply to the drive interrupt and secure against switching on what usually by hanging padlocks in corresponding locking openings of the locking device he follows. In order to comply with the applicable security guidelines, such circuit breakers have an additional Device on that a circuit breaker only allowed in the event that the contacts of the circuit breaker have fully opened and not because of a for example previous high short-circuit current are welded together and therefore the circuit breaker can no longer interrupt the power supply.

State of the art

For this purpose it is known from EP 450 699 A2, a Blocking device for preventing the start-up movement of the operating handle and a release device for the Closing openings by means of a sliding slide and one with the switching shaft of the circuit breaker in operative connection to create a standing disc, the disc moving of the slide when the switch contacts are not opened properly of the circuit breaker prevented. The locking device with blocking and release device is in the operating handle of the circuit breaker, and the operating handle as well as the disc is in operative connection with the Switching shaft of the circuit breaker. A disadvantage of this known embodiment is that on the one hand the accommodation the locking device in the operating handle with high constructive and production-related effort is connected, but in particular through the operative connection with the shift shaft standing operating handle that all at the same time Elements of the locking device carries manipulation possibilities to overcome the welded as a result Contacts non-opening release device for the closing openings are given, for example if the operating handle with great effort is pressed and the movement of the Slider when the switch contacts of the Circuit breaker preventing effect of the pane canceled becomes.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore the known generic To further develop circuit breakers in such a way that manipulation possibilities on due to welded contacts no longer lockable circuit breakers are excluded and for other the circuit breaker as simple and inexpensive as possible can be produced.

To achieve this object, the invention proposes a circuit breaker before, with the operating handle on the selector shaft is freely rotatable, the disc with the control shaft without play is connected and the actuating handle and the disc by means of at least one elastic claw in operative connection with one another stand so that a rotation of the operating handle over the elastic claw on the disc and from there on the Shift shaft is transmitted, and the slide of the locking device to block the switch-on movement of the Switching shaft acts on the disc. Due to the free rotation of the operating handle on the control shaft and the indirect transmission of rotation by means of the elastic claw on the disc and from there on the selector shaft circuit breaker according to the invention no longer possible by corresponding effort by the locking device manipulate high force such that a locking of the circuit breaker despite the contacts not being opened properly is possible. If when the circuit breaker turns off the contacts, for example as a result of welding do not open fully, the strong spring forces in the Inside the circuit breaker a restoring torque on the Selector shaft so that it is not turned into position which it occupies when the switch contacts are fully open. The actuating handle can now be used with little effort, since it can be freely rotated on the selector shaft, in this off position continue to turn, but it follows without play on the Shift shaft not arranged disc of this further rotation, but remains together with the selector shaft in the consequence the restoring torque to the on position by a certain for example about 10 °, set back angle. Consequently it is despite the operating handle moved by hand to the off position not possible to operate the locking device, since the movement of the slide from the disc continues is prevented. Even greater effort on the operating handle does not lead to success because it is elastic Do not claw the disc and thus the selector shaft is passed on.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subclaims refer to.

To the design effort and manufacturing costs of to keep the circuit breaker according to the invention as low as possible, the invention further proposes the locking device to connect to the housing so that they are in a simple unit easily on standard circuit breakers Housing can be arranged. To block the switch-on movement the control shaft, it is then only necessary to Slide the locking device on the with the control shaft to let the active pane act and at the same time expose the closing openings, whereby the disc in its locked position using padlocks is lockable.

In an advantageous embodiment, the invention proposes that the disc is circular with a segment cut away is formed and with fully open switch contacts the disc is in such a position that the Slide into the free space of the cut circle segment is insertable and in this position the disc blocked and at the same time releases the closing openings. In this way is achieved by a single movement, namely that of the slide, at the same time blocking the disk and releasing the Closing openings causes if the Circuit breaker fully open the switch contacts and the Switch shaft and the disc arranged thereon without play take the appropriate off position so that the slide can be moved.

In another embodiment, the invention proposes that Disc at least partially circular with at least over part of the outer circumference extending raised edge form, wherein an insertion slot is formed in the edge and when the switch contacts are fully open, the disc is in such a position that the slide in the insertion slot is insertable and in this position Disc blocked and at the same time the closing openings releases. In this embodiment, too, there is only one Movement of the slide is necessary to block the disc and at the same time expose the closing openings.

Is advantageous on the housing outside of the operating handle Holder attached in which the slide is guided and in which at least one closing opening for hanging the Padlocks is formed.

Furthermore, the invention proposes when in the locking position located slide the operating handle against Secure pulling off the selector shaft. For example by a suitably trained projection on Slider are caused by pulling the operating handle prevented by the control shaft. That way another possibility of manipulating the circuit breaker canceled because it is not possible to lock the circuit breaker remove the operating handle and on the one below located switching shaft an unauthorized switching on of the Circuit breaker.

In one embodiment, the slide has one protruding spigot, which is cut off in the free space of the Circle slider inserted into an am Operating handle trained opening is insertable to the Operating handle in the closed position against one Secure pulling off the selector shaft.

In a further embodiment it is proposed that the Slider has a protruding pin, which in the Insertion slot of the disc inserted slide on the upper edge of the operating handle can be placed around the Operating handle in the closed position against one Secure pulling off the selector shaft.

To further secure the operating handle against Pulling off the shift shaft, the invention continues to propose before that hooks are attached to the housing, the operating handle grasp on its outer wall and the operating handle Secure against being pulled off the selector shaft. Through this The hook will be even more secure against manipulation circuit breaker according to the invention achieved because the hooks Continuously pulling the operating handle from the control shaft, i.e. regardless of the position of the operating handle and the Prevent locking device.

Brief description of the drawings

Figur 1:

in perspektivischer Darstellung die Ansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Schutzschalter mit von der Schaltwelle abgezogenem Betätigungsgriff und abgezogener Scheibe;

Figur 2:

eine Aufsicht auf den Schutzschalter nach Fig. 2;

Figur 3:

einen Schnitt B-B durch den Schutzschalter gemäß Fig. 2;

Figur 4:

in schematisierter Darstellung die Wirkungsweise der Verriegelungseinrichtung bei

Fig. 4a:

vollständig geöffneten und

Fig. 4b:

nicht vollständig geöffneten Schaltkontakten;

Figur 5:

eine Aufsicht auf eines weiteren Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzschalters;

Figur 6:

einen Schnitt C-C durch den Schutzschalter gemäß Fig. 5 und

Figur 7:

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine weitere Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Schutzschalters.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show it

Figure 1:

in a perspective view the view of a circuit breaker according to the invention with the actuating handle pulled off the control shaft and the disk pulled off;

Figure 2:

a supervision of the circuit breaker of FIG. 2;

Figure 3:

a section BB through the circuit breaker of FIG. 2;

Figure 4:

the operation of the locking device in a schematic representation

Fig. 4a:

fully open and

Fig. 4b:

not fully opened switch contacts;

Figure 5:

a supervision of another embodiment of the circuit breaker according to the invention;

Figure 6:

a section CC through the circuit breaker according to FIG. 5 and

Figure 7:

a perspective view of another embodiment of the circuit breaker according to the invention.

Best ways to carry out the invention

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the circuit breaker has 1 on its housing front 11 on a base plate 10. On the base plate 10 protrudes a switching shaft 5, which is not in with the interior of the circuit breaker 1 is in operative connection. At a radial distance from the Switch shaft 5 is a guide ring 2 on the base plate 10 attached, which for the axial guidance of an operating handle 3 is used when it sits on the control shaft 5. For this purpose, the operating handle 3 is cup-shaped with an annular Formed outer wall 31 and a bottom surface 32, from which a grip part 30 protrudes. When assembled is the actuating handle 3 with its over the outer wall 31 protruding top edge 39 on the top edge surface 22 of the guide ring 2 and is guided axially by this. Furthermore, a disc 4 is provided which runs along a String 44 circular with a segment cut away is trained. The disc 4 is on the base plate 10 placed and has a guide pin at its center 40, which is provided with a square bore 41, which correspond to a square section 50 on the selector shaft 5 is formed so that the washer 4 without play with the Switch shaft 5 via the bore 41 and the square section 50 enters into active connection. In contrast is the operating handle 3, which above the disc 4 on the selector shaft 5th is placed, freely rotatable on this control shaft 5. To has the control shaft 5 on its associated with the operating handle End region a round section 51, which in a corresponding bore 36 in the interior of the operating handle 3 is inserted without a torque being transmitted is. The rotation of the operating handle for switching on and off of the circuit breaker 1 does not act directly on the Switch shaft 5 on. Rather, it has the shift shaft 5 in Actively connected disc 4 on the operating handle 3 facing side a protruding elastic claw 42 which, for example, are made of spring steel can. This elastic claw 42 engages in a corresponding one Recess 35 in the operating handle 3, so that a rotation of the operating handle 3 via the elastic claw 42 on the Disc 4 and from there to the control shaft 5 on one indirect way is transmitted. The switching status of the circuit breaker 1 can through viewing openings 33, 43 in the operating handle 3 or in the disk 4 from on the base plate 10 attached switch markings can be read.

There is also a locking device 6 on the front 11 attached. The locking device 6 has one Holder 65 in which a closing opening 60 for hanging a padlock is formed. Im unlocked This locking opening is in the state of the locking device 6 60 by means of a release device 63, which on a Slider 61 is formed, closed, so that hanging a padlock in the lock opening 60 not is possible. The slide 61 also has a blocking device in the form of a finger 62 on the guide ring 2 with the disk arranged therein on the selector shaft 5 4 is aligned. With fully opened switch contacts, as shown in Fig. 2, the disc 4 takes one such a position that the slide 61 with his finger 62nd as a blocking device via an opening 21 in the guide ring 2 along the free space of the cut circle segment the tendon 44 can be inserted when the slide 61 in the direction of the arrow A is moved. In this position, finger 62 a blocking of the disc 4 in the off position by system on the chord 44 of the disc 4. At the same time by movement of the slide 61 in the direction of arrow A, the release device 63 moved out of this in the direction of the guide ring 2, so that hanging a padlock in the lock opening 60 is made possible when the slide 61 in the disc 4 blocked the off position. Moving the slider 61 in the direction of arrow A into the free space of the cut Circle segment of the disc 4 is chamfered by a Tip 67 of the finger 62 relieved and takes place against the Effect of a coil spring 64, which the slide 61 at not in the lock opening 60 inserted padlock in the in 2 unlocked position shown. To the Protection of the slide 61 can also be a cover strip 68 the base plate 10 may be provided, which along the Fingers 62 extends.

4a is the position of actuating handle 3, disc 4 and selector shaft 5 when the switch contacts are fully open shown. The shift shaft 5 and thus moves disc 4 in play-free operative connection completely to the off position so that the slide 62 inserted along the chord 44 of the disc 4 in the direction of arrow A. can be and a lock of the disc 4 and so that the switching shaft 5 in the off position. In this The locking device can be released by the position Locking openings closed with padlocks and secured against being switched on. In the case, that the switching contacts of the circuit breaker, for example, as a result of a short-circuit current are welded together and themselves does not open when the circuit breaker is switched off, the Switch shaft 5 and thus also the disc 4 in Fig. 4b shown position, which is compared to that in Fig. 4a shown correct off position by about 10 ° in the direction of the arrow B is turned back to the on position. In this Position, the tendon 44 and the finger 62 are not parallel to each other, so that insertion of the finger 62 in the direction of the arrow A to block disc 4 and simultaneously Unlocking the lock opening is not possible. Will the Operating handle 3, as shown in dashed lines in Fig. 4b, due to additional effort in its correct off position is moved, this movement is by the elastic claw 42 through a corresponding bend recorded and does not lead under any circumstances to a movement of the disc 4 and the shift shaft 5 against the Resistance of the inside of the circuit breaker Contact and / or switch lock springs, so that a Operation of the locking device is prevented. Also a strong use of force on the slide of the locking device and thus on the finger 62 in the direction of arrow A does not lead to overcome the slider preventing movement Disk 4, because this leads, as can be seen from FIG. 4b, for further rotation of the disc 4 and the selector shaft 5 in the direction of arrow B, i.e. in the direction of the on position, so that reaching the off position is counteracted and therefore the circuit breaker according to the invention manipulation security.

In the further embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 come modified compared to the embodiment just described Embodiments of disk 4 and locking device 6 for use. The basic function is retained, which is why the the same reference numerals as in the first-mentioned embodiment were used. The disc 4, which is also with her Guide pin 40, which carries a square bore 41, free of play in operative connection with the square section 50 of the selector shaft 5 stands, has a partially circular outer circumference at least partially with a raised edge 48 is trained. Again, there is a viewing opening 43 for the Reading the switching status of the circuit breaker by means of Base plate 10 provided markings provided. Farther has the disc 4 in the raised edge 48 one Insert slot 47 in which a finger 62 of a slide 61 can be inserted when the slide 61, as in FIG. 6 shown, is moved in the direction of arrow A. The insertion slot 47 in the disc 4 is formed at the point the disc 4 is when the switching contacts of the Circuit breaker are fully open. The locking device 6 in turn has a holder 65 in which the Slider 61 is guided. Furthermore, a 65 is on the holder Closure opening 60 formed by a bracket 69th is limited at the top. The slide 61 in turn has one Release device 63 for the closure opening 60, which when the slide 61 moves in the direction of arrow A, the closing opening 60 releases, so that a bracket 8 of a padlock is insertable into the closing opening 60 and the locking device 6 is lockable in this position. At the same time blocks the in the slot 47 of the Disc 4 inserted fingers 62 a switch-on movement of the Switching shaft 5 by fixing the disc 4 in the in Fig. 5th shown position. If the switch contacts of the circuit breaker not as a result of welding or the like open completely, takes the control shaft 5 and thus in Actively connected disc 4 analogous to that in Fig. 4b example shown in the direction of the on position retracted position so that the slide 61 with his Finger 62 rests on the upstanding edge 48 of the pane 4 and a movement of the slide 61 in the direction of arrow A to Block the switch-on movement and release the lock opening 60 is impossible. Also in this embodiment this effect cannot be manipulated like additional Use of force on the operating handle 3 can be overcome since again the actuating handle 3 with its recess 36 a corresponding round section 51 of the control shaft 5 free is rotatable and the rotational movement of the operating handle 3 over an elastic claw 42 on the disc 4 and thus on the Switching shaft 5 is transmitted indirectly. It is moreover recognizable that in contrast to the first Embodiment, the elastic claw 42 in a recess 38 is attached to the operating handle 3 and in a corresponding Recess 45 protrudes into the disc 4. For improvement the torque transmission can also in the Recess 45 on the disc 4 projecting pin 46th be formed, the additional contact surfaces for the claw 42 form.

The arrangements of elastic shown in the figures Claw 42 and the directions of movement of the slide 61 are but not to the respective embodiment limited, but can be combined with each other as desired.

To create a further increased security against manipulation of the completed circuit breaker is proposed Operating handle 3 against being pulled off the selector shaft 5 to back up. For this purpose, the one shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 Slide 61 parallel to the finger 62 a protruding pin 66, which has a recess 20 in the guide ring 2 Movement of the slide 61 in the direction of arrow A in the Guide ring 2 engages limited space. Furthermore, the Operating handle 3 on its outer wall 31 one with the protruding pin 66 corresponding opening 34 so that the slide 61 with its movement in the direction of arrow A. protruding pin 66 into the opening 34 in the operating handle 3 engages, simultaneously with his finger 62 the switch-on movement the disk 4 blocked and the release device 63 moved out of the closing opening, so that the locking device 6 can be completed and in this location the operating handle 3 by engaging the protruding pin 66 in the opening 34 against withdrawal from the selector shaft is secured.

It is also analogous to that in FIGS. 5 and 6 shown embodiment possible on the slide 61st a projection not shown for the sake of simplicity to train the in the locked position Slide 61 the actuating handle 3 against being pulled off the Switch shaft 5 secures. This lead can in turn be in shape a protruding pin to be carried out in the Insert slot 47 of the disc inserted slide 61 on the upper edge 39 of the operating handle 3 can be placed, so the operating handle 3 in the closed position against to secure a pulling off of the control shaft 5.

Furthermore, the invention proposes to secure the operating handle 3 against removal from the control shaft 5, as in 7, 1 hook on the housing of the circuit breaker 7 to attach the operating handle 3 on its outer wall reach around and the operating handle 3 against pulling secure from the selector shaft 5. For this purpose, the hooks 7 are for example by means of screws in screw holes 70 on the base plate 10 attached and reach around with their bent Hook surface 71 the upper edge 39 of the operating handle 3 and thus prevent the operating handle 3 from being pulled off the Switching shaft 5 in every switching state of the circuit breaker 1. The Hooks 7 can be at any suitable point on the housing the circuit breaker 1 are attached to which they Do not hinder the rotary movement of the operating handle 3. she can also be integral to the guide ring 2 be molded on, instead of screwed to the base plate 10 be so that when installing the circuit breaker when putting on the Operating handle 3 on the selector shaft 5 a snap connection between the upper edge 39 of the operating handle 3 and the bent hook surfaces 71 of the hook is caused is no longer solvable.

Claims (9)

1. Protective switch, especially power protection switches or motor circuit breakers, with a casing and a turnable operating handle (3) located at the casing for a switching shaft (5) of the protective switch (5), and with a locking device (6) preventing the switching on of the protective switch (1) by means of padlocks suspendible in locking eyelets (60), while the locking eyelets (60) may only be unblocked when the switching contacts of the protective switch (1) have been opened completely, and while the locking device (6) has a blocking device for preventing the switching-on movement of the operating handle (3) and an unblocking device for the locking eyelets (60), embracing a slidable slider (61) and a disk (4) which co-operates with the switching shaft (5), and which prevents the movement of the slider (61) when the switching contacts are not opened characterized in that the operating handle (3) is freely turnable on the switching shaft (5), in that the disk (4) is linked without play to the switching shaft (5), and in that the operating handle (3) as well as the disk (4) are so co-operating with one another by means of at least one elastic claw (42) that a rotation of the operating handle (3) is transmitted via the elastic claw (42) to the disk (4), and from there to the switching shaft (5), and that the slider (61) of the blocking device (6) acts upon the disk (4) for blocking the switching-on movement of the switching shaft (5).
2. Protective switch as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (6) is connected to the casing of the protective switch (1).
3. Protective switch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the disk (4) has a circular design with one segment being cut away, and in that the disk (4) is in such a position when the switching contacts have been completely opened that the slider (61) may be introduced into the free room of the cut-away circular segment and blocks the disk (4) in this position, while simultaneously unblocking the locking eyelets (60).
4. Protective switch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the disk (4) is designed at least partially in a circular way with a raised rim (48) running at least around a part of the external circumference, while a plug-in slot (47) is designed in the rim (48), and the disk is in such a position when the switching contacts have been completely opened that the slider (61) may be inserted in the plug-in slot (47), blocking the disk (4) in this position, and simultaneously unblocking the locking eyelets (60).
5. Protective switch as claimed in any claim 2 through 4, characterized in that a holder (65) is fixed to the casing outside the operating handle (3), this holder guiding the slider (61) and having at least one locking eyelet (60).
6. Protective switch as claimed in any claim 1 through 5, characterized in that the slider (61) has at least one projection which protects the operating handle (3) from being withdrawn from the switching shaft (5) when the slider (61) is in the locking position.
7. Protective switch as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the slider (61) has a projecting stud (66) forming a projection which may be introduced into an opening (34) designed at the operating handle (3) when the slider (61) has been inserted into the free space of the cut-away circular segment in order to protect the operating handle (3) from being withdrawn from the switching shaft (5) in the locked position.
8. Protective switch as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the slider (61) has a projecting stud which may be placed on upper rim (39) of the operating handle (3) when the slider (61) has been inserted into the plug-in slot (47) of the disk (4) in order to protect the operating handle (3) from being withdrawn from the switching shaft (5) in the locked position .
9. Protective switch as claimed in any claim 1 through 8, characterized in that hooks (7) are mounted at the casing, and embrace the operating handle (3) at its external wall, and protect the operating handle (3) from being withdrawn from the switching shaft (5).

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