EP0978858B1 - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Circuit breaker Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0978858B1
EP0978858B1 EP19990305863 EP99305863A EP0978858B1 EP 0978858 B1 EP0978858 B1 EP 0978858B1 EP 19990305863 EP19990305863 EP 19990305863 EP 99305863 A EP99305863 A EP 99305863A EP 0978858 B1 EP0978858 B1 EP 0978858B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
power supply
stationary contact
load side
movable contact
contact carrier
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19990305863
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0978858A2 (en
EP0978858A3 (en
Inventor
Yukihide Yamada
Toshihiro Sekiguchi
Kazuya Aihara
Eietsu Sato
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.)
Hitachi Ltd
Original Assignee
Hitachi 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 Hitachi Ltd filed Critical Hitachi Ltd
Priority to EP05015106A priority Critical patent/EP1600988A3/en
Publication of EP0978858A2 publication Critical patent/EP0978858A2/en
Publication of EP0978858A3 publication Critical patent/EP0978858A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0978858B1 publication Critical patent/EP0978858B1/en
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
    • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
    • H01H73/02—Details
    • H01H73/04—Contacts
    • H01H73/045—Bridging contacts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/18—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with subsequent sliding
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
    • H01H1/2016—Bridging contacts in which the two contact pairs commutate at substantially different moments
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
    • H01H1/2041—Rotating bridge
    • H01H1/205—Details concerning the elastic mounting of the rotating bridge in the rotor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H1/00—Contacts
    • H01H1/12—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage
    • H01H1/14—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting
    • H01H1/20—Bridging contacts
    • H01H1/2041—Rotating bridge
    • H01H1/2058—Rotating bridge being assembled in a cassette, which can be placed as a complete unit into a circuit breaker
    • 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
    • H01H71/02—Housings; Casings; Bases; Mountings
    • 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
    • H01H71/24—Electromagnetic mechanisms
    • 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
    • H01H71/24—Electromagnetic mechanisms
    • H01H71/2472—Electromagnetic mechanisms with rotatable armatures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H77/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting
    • H01H77/02—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism
    • H01H77/10—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening
    • H01H77/102—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by special mounting of contact arm, allowing blow-off movement
    • H01H77/104—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches operated by excess current and requiring separate action for resetting in which the excess current itself provides the energy for opening the contacts, and having a separate reset mechanism with electrodynamic opening characterised by special mounting of contact arm, allowing blow-off movement with a stable blow-off position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
    • H01H9/0264—Protective covers for terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
    • H01H9/34—Stationary parts for restricting or subdividing the arc, e.g. barrier plate
    • H01H9/342—Venting arrangements for arc chutes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a circuit breaker, more particularly to a circuit breaker provided with a contact suitable for performing proper wiping when the circuit breaker is turned on.
  • a circuit breaker is connected between a power source and a load in a circuit of a power distribution line or a bus line of a transforming station, and sometimes in a circuit connected to a machine, etc. for breaking the circuit automatically when a defect, such as short circuit or overcurrent, occurs therein.
  • the circuit breaker is used to manually turning on and off the circuit as a switch.
  • a circuit breaker in the related art as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.Hei-6-52777 (Priority: FR 92 03142), has a movable contact provided at each end of a rotational contact bridge (movable contact carrier) and a pair of stationary contact provided so as to face each of those movable contacts. Consequently, a set of movable contact and stationary contact pair is provided at each end of the movable contact carrier.
  • the set of those movable contact and the stationary contact pair are disposed symmetrically from a point (the rotational center) of the movable contact carrier so as to turn on or turn off the circuit at the same time practically.
  • a contact unit including a power side contact and a tripping unit including a tripping mechanism are formed separately and connected to each other with screws thereby to form a circuit breaker.
  • a converting portion for converting an electromagnetic force of the tripping mechanism to a mechanical output is an electrically charged portion.
  • the movable contact and the stationary contact pair are designed in such a manner that the movement of the movable contact carrier is stopped at a position where the movable contact comes in contact with the stationary contact, which prevents those contacts from sliding on their surfaces resulting in formation of an oxide film on the surface of the contacts.
  • the power side contact unit and the tripping unit are formed separately and they are connected together at an assembly step within a casing, an additional process is required for fastening the units, and an operation check is possible only when the assembling is over.
  • the tripping unit in the related art employs a converting mechanism, where an electromagnetic force is converted to a mechanical output, is electrically connected to an electrically charged portion within the circuit breaker, i.e., the tripping unit is also a charged portion, which brings about an accidental electrical shock by careless touch during maintenance or inspection.
  • the make-and-breaker mechanism is an electrically charged portion, though not written explicitly.
  • the make-and-break mechanism is screwed through screw holes formed at the bottom of the cabinet case. The screws are insulated with a cover made of an insulating material and provided at the bottom of the case. The bottom of the case is thus double-structured, resulting in expansion of the size, increase of the weight and the number of assembling processes.
  • EP-A-0788128 discloses a circuit breaker in which a housing of electrically insulating material is provided in a casing also of electrically insulating material.
  • the housing containing a power side stationary contact, a power side mountable contact, a load side stationary contact and a load side movable contact of the main circuit of the circuit breaker.
  • the casing also contains a make-and-break mechanism and a tripping mechanism for tripping the make-and-break mechanism when an abnormal current flows in the main circuit, that tripping causing the movement of a movable contact carrier of the main circuit.
  • the movable contact carrier is supported by a movable contact carrier holder of electrically insulating material located in the housing, which holder is itself rotably supported by a holding means, with means for transmitting the make/break operation of the make-and-break mechanism to the holder.
  • the main circuit has a power supply stationary contact carrier and a load side stationary contact carrier which are partially exposed outside of the housing to be electrically connected to a power supply side terminal and a load side terminal respectively.
  • EP-A-0788128 corresponds to the pre-characterising part of claim 1.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a circuit breaker which has excellent safety by electrically insulating the trip unit from the main circuit.
  • circuit breaker It is also desirable for the circuit breaker to perform correct wiping of the movable contact carrier, as this will result in reduction of electrical resistance at the contacts.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier and the load side stationary contact carrier are composed in such a manner that an amount of wipe between the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact differs from that between the load side movable contact and the load side stationary contact when the main circuit makes.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier and the load side stationary contact carrier may be composed in such a manner that a gap between contacts is formed at either one of the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact pair or the load side movable contact and the load side stationary contact pair when the other contact pair makes.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier and the load side stationary contact carrier may be composed in such a manner that the gap is formed between the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact when the load side movable contact and the load side stationary contact pair makes.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier (1) and the load side stationary contact carrier (7) may be composed in such a manner that an amount of wipe between the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact differs from that between the load side movable contact and the load side stationary contact when the main circuit makes in at least one of the plurality of poles.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier and the load side stationary contact carrier may be composed in such a manner that a gap between contacts is formed at either one of the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact pair or the load side movable contact and the load side stationary contact pair when the other contact pair makes in at least on of the plurality of poles.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier and the load side stationary contact carrier may be composed in such a manner that the gap is formed between the power supply side stationary contact and the power supply side movable contact when the load side movable contact (5) and the load side stationary contact pair makes in at least one of the plurality of poles.
  • Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the partial assembly of the tripping mechanism in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a front view of a complete assembly of a tripping mechanism further including a movable core and a spring in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is a front cross sectional view of a complete assembly of the unit including a main circuit and the tripping mechanism in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 11 is a front view showing a configuration of the contacts for performing a wipe in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 11(a) is a front view of the major portion showing a formation of a gap between the movable contact and the stationary contact.
  • Fig. 11(b) is a front view showing the state of the contacts after the wipe is performed.
  • Fig. 12 is a front view showing a first variation of the configuration of the contacts for performing a wipe in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 12(a) is a front view of the major portion showing a formation of a gap between the movable contact and the stationary contact.
  • Fig. 12 (b) is a front view showing the state of the contacts after the wipe is performed.
  • Fig. 13 is a front view showing a second variation of the configuration of the contacts for performing a wipe in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 13(a) is a front view of the major portion indicating a formation of a gap between the movable contact and the stationary contact.
  • Fig. 13(b) is a front view showing the state of the contacts after the wipe is performed.
  • Fig. 14 is a front cross sectional view showing a configuration of a make-and-break mechanism of the circuit breaker in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 15 is a side view showing a common tripping shaft attached to the make-and-break mechanism of the circuit breaker in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 16 is a front view showing an external shape of a movable contact carrier holder in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 17 is a front cross sectional view showing an internal configuration of the movable contact carrier holder in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a stopper frame in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 19 is a front cross sectional view showing an internal configuration of the movable contact carrier holder at its locked position after repulsion in this embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 through 18.
  • the present invention is applied to a circuit breaker having three-poles.
  • the circuit breaker in this embodiment is provided with a main circuit 100 that includes a power supply side stationary contact carrier 1, a power supply side stationary contact 2, a power supply side movable contact 3, a movable contact carrier 4, a load side movable contact 5, a load side stationary contact 6, and a load side stationary contact carrier 7; and a power supply side terminal 1a and a load side terminal 7c connected electrically to the main circuit 100 respectively in a casing 40 provided with a cover 40a and a case 40b.
  • the main circuit 100, the power supply side terminal 1a, and the load side terminal 7c are provided for each of the three poles.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are disposed so as to be substantially symmetrical from a point (the rotational center) of the movable contact carrier 4 held rotatably.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 has the power supply side stationary contact 2 at a position facing the power supply side movable contact 3 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 has the load side stationary contact 6 at a position facing the load side movable contact 5.
  • the movable contact carrier 4 has the power supply side movable contact 3 and the load side movable contact 5 disposed symmetrically from its rotation center.
  • the movable contact carrier 4 is supported rotatably by a pair of springs 8 within the movable contact carrier holder 20.
  • the movable contact carrier holder 20 is supported rotatably by the holding means 80.
  • the main circuit case 22 contains at least a section of the main circuit 100, which extended from the power supply side stationary contact 2 to the load side stationary contact 6 via the movable contact carrier 4, and the movable contact carrier holder 20 and the holding means 80, so as to compose a unit 90.
  • the holding means 80 made of an insulating material is formed unitedly with the main circuit case 22.
  • the tripping mechanism 50 is actuated for generating a mechanical output when an abnormal current such as overcurrent or short circuit current flows in the main circuit 100.
  • the tripping mechanism 50 is fixed unitedly with the load side terminal 7c at the end portion 7b opposite to the end portion 7a where the load side stationary contact 6 is fixed as shown in Fig. 9.
  • the main circuit case 22 has a part 22a for mounting the tripping mechanism 50 outside itself.
  • Units 90 are disposed side by side so that the rotational axis of the movable contact carrier holders 20 for the three poles are aligned practically on a line as shown in Fig. 2 while the power supply side terminal 1a, the load side terminal 7c, and the tripping mechanism 50 are disposed outside the main circuit case 22.
  • the word "practically” means that items whose positions and angles are shifted within the allowable ranges respectively are also included in this embodiment.
  • Fig. 2 when it is looked at with the power supply side terminals 1a positioned upward, the leftmost pole shows the main circuit 100 in the unit 90 where the main circuit case 22 and the tripping mechanism 50 are not illustrated.
  • the tripping mechanism 50 in this embodiment includes a coil 52 connected to between the load side contact carrier 7 and the load side terminal 7c; a cylindrical oil dash pot 53, which works as a fixed core, provided within the coil 52; an L-shaped yoke 54 to which this oil dash pot 53 is fixed at a horizontal side of the L-shaped portion; a movable core 55 attached rotationally to an end of the vertical side of the L-shaped portion; and a spring 56 for forcing the movable core 55 to be separated from the oil dash pot 53.
  • the movable core 55 forms a closed loop of a magnetic circuit together with the L-shaped yoke 54 and the oil dash pot 53 when it is attracted by the oil dash pot 53 due to the excitation of the coil 52.
  • the converting mechanism 51 converts an electromagnetic force generated in the oil dash pot 52 to a mechanical force for tripping when an abnormal current flows in the main circuit 100.
  • the converting mechanism 51 is composed of the oil dash pot 53; a yoke 54; a movable core 55; and a spring 56 in this embodiment.
  • a rising part 7d longer than the length of the coil 52 in the axial direction.
  • the diameter of the top portion 53a of the oil dash pot 53 is formed larger than the inner diameter of the coil 52, so the coil 52 is inserted in the oil dash pot 53 beforehand, then the yoke 54 is fixed by means of brazing, etc. at the end 53b of the oil dash pot 53.
  • the coil 52 is connected to both the rising part 7d of the load side stationary contact carrier 7 and the rising part 7e of the load side terminal 7c while the oil dash pot 53 is kept set in the coil 52.
  • this rising part 7d At the top end of this rising part 7d is connected one end of the coil 52, that is, either of the end or the start of the winding electrically by means of brazing, etc.
  • the rising part 7e is formed at the load side terminal 7c and at the top of this rising part 7e is connected the other end of the coil, that is, the end or start of the winding of the coil 52 electrically by means of brazing, etc. Consequently, the load side stationary contact carrier 7 and the load side terminal 7c are connected to each other via the coil 52.
  • the movable core 55 and the spring 56 are fixed to this yoke 54 so as to be put together as shown in Fig. 9.
  • Fig. 7 shows the assembly shown in Fig. 6, which is viewed from the top portion 53a of the oil dash pot 53.
  • Fig. 8 shows the assembly shown in Fig. 6, which is viewed from the bottom portion 53c of the oil dash pot 53.
  • the load side stationary contact carrier 7 is formed with a hole 7f through which the bottom 53c of the oil dash pot 53 passes.
  • This hole 7f is formed largely enough with respect to the diameter of the oil dash pot 53. This "largely enough” means that a proper difference is secured between the diameters of the hole 7f and the oil dash pot 53 thereby to keep the oil dash pot 53 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 separated and maintain an electrically insulating distance between them even when the attached oil dash pot 53 is shifted slightly.
  • an insulating material 58 is wound on the outer peripheral surface of the oil dash pot 53, which is facing the coil 52, so that the oil dash pot 53 is insulated electrically from the main circuit 100.
  • the oil dash pot 53 is composed so that its end 53b is fixed to the L- shaped yoke 54 by means of brazing, etc. and the movable core 55 is attached rotatably to the yoke 54.
  • the movable core 55 is urged by the spring 56 to be usually separated from the top portion 53a of the oil dash pot 53.
  • a magnetic circuit loop is formed from the oil dash pot 53 - the end 53b of the oil dash pot 53 - the yoke 54 - the movable core 55 to the top portion 53a of the oil dash pot 53.
  • the yoke 54 is mounted at the mounting part 22a for the tripping mechanism 50, which is formed outside the main circuit case 22, and is kept insulated from the main circuit 100 electrically. Consequently, a part of the tripping mechanism 50, i.e., the converting mechanism 51 for generating a mechanical output for tripping the make-and-break mechanism 30, is mounted at the mounting part 22a of the housing means or the main circuit case 22 so as to be insulated electrically from both of the coil 52 and the main circuit 100 as shown in Fig. 10.
  • the converting mechanism 51 which is insulated from the main circuit 100, is interposed between the coil 52, which is a electrically charged portion, and the make-and-break mechanism 30 as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the movable core 55 of the converting mechanism 51 is placed at longer distance from the load side stationary contact carrier 7 than the coil 52, the movable core 55 and the vertical side of the L-shaped portion of the yoke 54 functions as a cover of the coil 52, i.e. electrically charged portion, which reduces accidents of electrical shock by touching the coil 52 carelessly during inspection or maintenance.
  • the arc outlet 22b at the power supply side of the main circuit case 22 is extended over the portion of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 which projects from the main circuit case 22, the arc outlet 22b also functions as a cover of the electrically charged portion. This also prevents the electrically charged portion from being touched carelessly during inspection or maintenance.
  • the converting mechanism 51 and the arc outlet 22b intervenes between the electrically charged portion and a worker at the time of inspection or maintenance, and they have a function of protector against electrical shock in addition to their original functions. The safety of the circuit breaker can thus be improved in the maintenance work or in the inspection work.
  • the unit 90 for each of the three poles is composed by putting the main circuit 100 extending from the power supply side terminal 1a to the load side terminal 7c and a portion including the tripping mechanism 50 together, only combining the units 90 according to the number of necessary poles (three poles in this embodiment) is required to obtain a circuit breaker provided with a plurality of poles. It is thus possible to improve the workability in assembling processes significantly, as well as to obtain an excellent productivity.
  • the make-and-break mechanism 30 is mounted outside the unit 90 at the center pole.
  • the make-and-break mechanism 30, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, is composed of a lever 30t to which a handle 60 is attached; an upper link 30c and a lower link 30b combined to compose a toggle link; a hook 30d for keeping the toggle link linearly in the normal ON/OFF state (hereafter, to be described as normally) within a rated current range; a tripping latch 30h for attaching the hook 30d normally; a pin 30g for supporting the shaft of the tripping latch 30h rotatably; a common tripping shaft 30a for transmitting the action of the tripping mechanism 50 to the tripping member 30e; a tripping member 30e for transmitting the action of the common tripping shaft 30a to the tripping latch 30h; a pin 30f for supporting the shaft of the tripping hardware 30e rotationally; a spring 30s for urging the lever 30t and the toggle links 30 and 30c
  • the common tripping shaft 30a in this embodiment is extended over the units 90 provided for the three poles almost in parallel to the top surfaces thereof so that the operation of any of the tripping mechanisms 50 for the three poles, when started, is transmitted to the tripping member 30e.
  • the movable contact carrier 4 is connected mechanically to the lower link 30b of the make-and-break mechanism 30 via the movable contact holder 20 and a connecting member 25.
  • the main circuit 100 is turned on or off according to the rotation of the movable contact carrier 4.
  • the handle 60 is used to turn on/off the make-and-break mechanism 30 to turn on/off the main circuit manually.
  • the contact holder 20 is rotated up to a position where the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are connected electrically to each other according to the movement of the lower link 30b.
  • the main circuit 100 thus makes.
  • a connecting member 25 respectively for making/breaking each pole contact simultaneously by rotating the movable contact carrier holder 20 thereof simultaneously.
  • the "simultaneously” mentioned here means not only completely the same timing, but also timings that vary within an allowable time difference.
  • the make-and-break mechanism 30 is turned off, the contact holders 20 for the three poles are rotated together up to a position where the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are disconnected electrically from each other according to the movement of the lower link 30b.
  • the main circuit 100 thus breaks.
  • the tripping mechanism 50 When an abnormal current larger than a rated one flows in the main circuit due to a short circuit, overload, or the like, the tripping mechanism 50 is driven to trip (release) the make-and-break mechanism 30.
  • the tripping mechanism 30 for each pole is disposed at a position where its operation is transmitted to the make-and-break mechanism 30 via the common tripping shaft 30a, so that the make-and-break mechanism 30 is released when an abnormal current flows in the main circuit for at least one of a plurality of poles.
  • the make-and-break mechanism 30 When the make-and-break mechanism 30 is released, the movable contact carrier holders 20 for the three poles are rotated together up to a position where the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are disconnected electrically from each other to open the main circuit 100.
  • a circuit connected to the load side of the main circuit 100 is disconnected from the power supply side of the main circuit 100.
  • each unit 90 is provided with a recess 22g and a projection 22h formed respectively on the bottom surface of the main circuit case 22 for positioning the unit 90 within the .casing 40.
  • a projection 40g to be engaged with the recess 22g and a recess 40h to be engaged with the projection 22h are formed on the inner surface of the bottom of the case 40b.
  • the power supply side terminal 1a and the load side terminal 7c are provided with screw holes 1n and 7n respectively.
  • the units 90 for all the poles (three poles in this embodiment) are connected to each other via a connecting member 25 respectively while a make-and-break mechanism 30 is attached to one of those poles.
  • the units 90 in such a state are inserted in the case 40b from the opening side of the case 40b.
  • the recess 22g and the projection 22h for positioning of the each unit are engaged with the projection 40g and the recess 40h formed at the inside surface of the bottom of the case 40b respectively.
  • the movement or displacement of the main circuit 100 is thus restricted in the extending direction (from the power supply side terminal to the load side terminal or vice versa) of the main circuit 100.
  • both side walls 40s of the case 40b, as well as the partition wall 40k formed between poles also restrict the movement or displacement of the main circuit 100 in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the main circuit 100. Consequently, easy positioning of the units 90 within the case 40b in assembling processes is available, which improves workability in the assembling process as well. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, the unit 90 for each pole is fixed in the case 40b with screws 44 through the screw holes 1n and 7n from the bottom side of the case 40b. Consequently, the units 90 can be restricted or prevented from the movement toward the opening side from the bottom of the case 40b.
  • each unit 90 can be prevented from displacement in the extending direction of the main circuit 100 and in the direction perpendicular to the extension of the main circuit 100.
  • the unit 90 of each pole can be fixed with two screws in the case 40b. It is thus possible to reduce the number of assembling processes significantly. In addition, since those assembling processes can be replaced with drop-in processes, it is possible to assemble the components of the circuit breaker automatically using industrial robots, etc.
  • the circuit breaker comprises a main circuit 100 extending from the power supply side terminal 1a to the load side terminal 7c via contact portions which include the power supply side stationary contact 2, the power supply side movable contact 3, the load side movable contact 5, and the load side stationary contact 6; the make-and-break mechanism 30 for making/breaking the contact portions 2, 3, 5, and 6; the tripping mechanism 50 for generating a mechanical output used to release the make-and-break mechanism 30 when an abnormal current flows in the main circuit 100; the main circuit case 22, as housing means, formed with an insulating material and used for housing at least the contact portions 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the main circuit 100 therein; and the casing 40 formed with an insulating material and used for housing the main circuit 100, the make-and-break mechanism 30, the tripping mechanism 50, and the main circuit case 22.
  • the tripping mechanism 50 is united with the main circuit case 22 for composing a unit 90.
  • the unit 90 for the center pole is further provided with another make-and-break mechanism 30.
  • the power supply side terminal 1a and the load side terminal 7c are disposed so as to protrude from the main circuit case 22 respectively.
  • the power supply side terminal 1a and the load side terminal 7c are screwed at the terminal fixing part provided at an end of the case 40b of the casing 40, thereby the unit 90 is fixed in the casing 40.
  • each unit 90 is fixed only with screws at the terminal portion in the case 40b, it is not necessary to form screw holes at the bottom of the case nor have the bottom of the case double-structured. This enables to reduce both size and weight of the casing 40.
  • each unit 90 can be fixed with less screws, so the number of assembling processes can be reduced.
  • no through-holes such as screw holes, etc. are formed at the bottom of the case 40b in which each unit 90 is to be housed in this embodiment.
  • the bottom of the unit 90 is covered with the insulating material layer of the bottom of the case 40b, so the unit 90 in the case 40b can be dust-proof and moisture-proof, thereby improving the reliability of the circuit breaker more significantly.
  • the bottom of the casing 40 is composed only of the insulating material layer of the case 40b, the heat generated in the case 40b can be released through the bottom of the casing 40, thereby preventing the temperature in the case 40b from rising.
  • a direction of the current flowing through both of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 is opposite to that flowing through the movable contact carrier 4 in the main circuit 100, thereby electromagnetic repulsive forces are generated at the power supply side contacts 2, 3 and the load side contacts 5, 6.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are provided with raised tongue portions (hereinafter tongues) 1k and 7k , respectively. These tongues 1k and 7k are formed in the direction toward the power supply side terminal 1a and the load side terminal 7c respectively so as to reverse the direction of the current flowing through the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7.
  • the power supply stationary contact 2 and the load side stationary contact 6 are fixed at the tips of those tongues 1k and 7k respectively. Consequently, in the tongues 1k and 7k, the direction of the current is in the opposite to that in the movable contact carrier 4, thereby an electromagnetic repulsive force is generated between the stationary contact carriers 1, 7 and the movable contact carrier 4 when an abnormally large current such as a short-circuit current, etc. (more than 10 times the rated current) flows in the main circuit.
  • the circuit breaker in this embodiment is composed so that the amount of wipe between the contacts 2, 3 on the power supply side is different from that between the contacts 5, 6 on the load side in a normal ON/OFF operation.
  • the make-and-break mechanism when the make-and-break mechanism is turned on, the make-and-break mechanism begins to move the movable contact carrier beyond a position where the movable contact comes in contact with the stationary contact. This is to obtain a proper contact pressure or to remove the oxide film from the surface of the contact thereby keeping good contacting condition between those contacts.
  • the "wipe” is defined as the distance between the position where the movable contact reaches when neither the stationary contact nor the stationary contact carrier are mounted and the position where the movable contact comes in contact with the stationary contact when both of the stationary contact and stationary contact are mounted.
  • the circuit breaker is composed as shown in Fig. 11 so that the amount of wipe between the contacts 2, 3 at the power supply side becomes smaller than that between contacts 5, 6 at the load side when the main circuit 100 makes.
  • the angle of the tongue 7k of the load side stationary contact carrier 7 and the angle of the tongue 1k of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 are set respectively so that the angle between the load side stationary contact 6 and the load side movable contact 5 becomes larger than the angle between the power supply side stationary contact 2 and the power supply side movable contact 3 as shown in Figs. 11(a) and (b). Consequently, the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are formed so that the surface of the power supply side stationary contact 2, facing to the power supply side movable contact 3, is included in the plane making a predetermined angle with the plane, which is in parallel to the plane that includes the surface of the load side stationary contact facing to the load side movable contact 5. Therefore, as shown in Fig.
  • a gap G is formed between the pair of contacts 2, 3 at the power supply side when the pair of contacts 5, 6 at the load side makes (when both contacts 5, 6 come in contact with each other).
  • the movable contact carrier 4 is further rotated and the load side movable contact 5 slides on the surface of the load side stationary contact 6 keeping in contact with each other.
  • the contacts 2 and 3 are slid by the force of a spring 8 respectively, thereby the contacts on both power supply and load sides are turned on.
  • the main circuit is shifted from OFF to ON.
  • the amount of wipe between the load side movable contact 5 and the load side stationary contact 6 thus becomes larger than that between the power supply side stationary contact 2 and the power supply side movable contact 3, thereby the contact resistance between contacts 5, 6 at the load side can be reduced.
  • the heat generated at the load side stationary contact 6 is harder to be released than at the power supply side stationary contact 2 due to high thermal resistance within the coil 52.
  • the power supply side stationary contact 2 is connected to the power supply side terminal 1a via the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1, the heat generated at the contact 2 is released easily due to low thermal resistance within the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1.
  • Fig. 12 shows the first variation for composing the circuit breaker where the bending angles of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 is different from that of the load side stationary contact carrier 7.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are without the tongues, and the power supply side movable contact 3 and the load side movable contact 5 of the movable contact carrier 4 are composed so as to have a predetermined angle respectively to the parallel line as shown in Fig. 12 (b).
  • Fig. 13 shows the second variation for composing the circuit breaker where the bending angles of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 is different from that of the load side stationary contact carrier 7 similarly to the first variation.
  • the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 are without the tongues, and the power supply side movable contact 3 and the load side movable contact 5 of the movable contact carrier 4 are composed so as to have a predetermined angle respectively to the parallel line as shown in Fig. 13 (b).
  • a gap G is formed between the contacts of the set of the load side stationary contact 6 and the load side movable contact 5.
  • An arc chute (arc extinguisher) 24 is provided near each contact of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1, the load side stationary contact carrier 7, and the movable contact carrier 4 in the main circuit case.
  • the arc chute is used to absorb and cool down the arc generated when the main circuit breaks.
  • an arc horn 26 is provided for each of the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 in this embodiment.
  • arc outlets 22b and 22c are provided at both power supply side and load side of the main circuit case 22 in this embodiment so that the cooled arc gas is discharged.
  • the arc exhaust port 22b at the power supply side is extended toward the surface 40c side (where an operation handle 60 is provided) of the circuit breaker casing 40 and communicated with the arc exhaust port 40e at the power supply side opened near the surface of the end of the casing at the power supply side.
  • the arc exhaust port 22c at the load side is provided near the bottom 40d of an end face of the main circuit case 22 and communicated with the load side arc exhaust port 40f at the bottom of the casing load side. Consequently, when the circuit breaker breaks, the arc gas at the power supply side is jet out to the surface 40c side.
  • metallic melts included within the arc gas are prevented from sticking between the power supply side terminal 1a and a circuit breaker mounting plate (not illustrated).
  • this circuit breaker mounting plate is usually grounded electrically.
  • ground faults can be prevented after the main circuit breaks.
  • An electrical potential is kept applied to the power supply side terminal 1a even after the main circuit 100 breaks.
  • the arc gas jets out toward the bottom of the load side end face of the casing 40 via the load side arc exhaust port 40f at the bottom of the casing 40d.
  • the metallic melts included within the arc gas are prevented from sticking on the tripping mechanism 50, thereby improving the reliability of the circuit breaker more significantly.
  • the circuit breaker 100 is composed so that the movable contact carrier 4 is moved up to a position, where the arc is shut off, by an electromagnetic repulsive force working between the contacts when an abnormally large current flows in the main circuit 100, such as a short circuit current.
  • the movable contact carrier holder 20 is provided with a locking mechanism for preventing the movable contact carrier 4 from a rebound, i.e., a phenomenon that the movable contact carrier 4, once repulsed and separated, comes close to the power supply side stationary contact carrier 1 and the load side stationary contact carrier 7 again, which restarts the arc and makes the electric current to flow again.
  • the locking mechanism employed in this embodiment is the one disclosed in the applicant's Japanese Patent Application No.Hei-10-118110.
  • the movable contact carrier holder 20 is provided with a stopper frame 10 supported rotationally on a shaft by the first pin 16 and the second pin 14 supported rotationally on a shaft by this stopper frame 10.
  • the movable contact carrier 4, mounted on the movable contact carrier holder 20, is provided with an engaging part 4A to be engaged with the second pin 14.
  • the second pin 14 engages with the engaging part 4A so as to lock and hold the movable contact carrier 4 at a repulsive position.
  • the first pin 16 is inserted in the hole 20b opened at the movable contact carrier holder 20 as shown in Fig. 16.
  • the first pin 16 also passes through the hole 10d of the stopper frame 10 so as to support the stopper frame 10 rotatably in the movable contact carrier holder 20.
  • the first pin 16 is provided with a groove 16a, so that an E-ring 17 is fit in this groove 16a to prevent the stopper frame 10 from dropping while the stopper frame 10 is supported rotatably in the movable contact carrier holder 20.
  • the stopper frame 10 has U-shaped cross section and each of its rising parts 10a is provided with holes 10d and 10e. The first pin 16 is fit in the hole 10d and the second pin 14 is fit in the hole 10e rotationally.
  • a long hole 10b and a semicircular notch 10c for mounting one end of the spring 8 are provided at the bottom of the U-shaped part.
  • the other end of the spring 8 is fit in the recess 4B of the movable contact carrier 4 as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the movable contact carrier 4 When a large current, such as short circuit current, flows in the main circuit in this state, the movable contact carrier 4 repulses and opens(breaks) the circuit. After the repulsion, the movable contact carrier 4 is engaged with the pin 14 and held as shown in Fig. 19, thereby preventing the rebounding of the movable contact carrier 4. Consequently, in this embodiment, the second pin 14 can lock the engaging part 4A more strongly in the engaging state after the repulsion just as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application No.Hei-10-118110, which enables to obtain a circuit breaker excellent in the shutting-off performance and to surely prevent the rebounding of the movable contact carrier 4.
  • a circuit breaker capable of performing a proper amount of wipe at the movable contact carrier for a stable make/break performance is obtained.
  • a circuit breaker capable of preventing electrical shock by electrically insulating the converting mechanism, which converts the electromagnetic force to a mechanical output for tripping, from the main circuit is obtained.

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  • Breakers (AREA)
EP19990305863 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime EP0978858B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05015106A EP1600988A3 (en) 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP22009498 1998-08-04
JP22009498A JP3721266B2 (ja) 1998-08-04 1998-08-04 回路遮断器

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05015106A Division EP1600988A3 (en) 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0978858A2 EP0978858A2 (en) 2000-02-09
EP0978858A3 EP0978858A3 (en) 2000-10-25
EP0978858B1 true EP0978858B1 (en) 2006-04-12

Family

ID=16745841

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05015106A Withdrawn EP1600988A3 (en) 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker
EP19990305863 Expired - Lifetime EP0978858B1 (en) 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05015106A Withdrawn EP1600988A3 (en) 1998-08-04 1999-07-23 Circuit breaker

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1600988A3 (ja)
JP (1) JP3721266B2 (ja)
DE (1) DE69930795T2 (ja)

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10013161B4 (de) * 2000-03-17 2004-02-05 Aeg Niederspannungstechnik Gmbh & Co Kg Kombinierte Auslösevorrichtung für einen Leistungsschalter
DE10150550C1 (de) * 2001-10-12 2002-12-19 Moeller Gmbh Kontaktanordnung für strombegrenzende Schutzschalter
DE10219022B3 (de) * 2002-04-27 2004-03-18 Moeller Gmbh Kontaktanordnung für strombegrenzende Schutzschalter
JP4807963B2 (ja) * 2005-04-18 2011-11-02 日東工業株式会社 配線用遮断器
KR100662752B1 (ko) * 2005-10-04 2007-01-02 엘에스산전 주식회사 다극 배선용 차단기
ITMI20072204A1 (it) * 2007-11-21 2009-05-22 Abb Spa Dispositivo di interruzione uni-polare o multi-polare a doppia interruzione
KR101141537B1 (ko) 2011-01-03 2012-05-04 엘에스산전 주식회사 한류형 배선용차단기의 가동접촉자 어셈블리
DE102011076118A1 (de) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-22 Siemens Ag Kontaktarm eines elektrischen Schalters
CN103077856B (zh) * 2011-10-25 2015-03-04 施耐德电器工业公司 不对称的双触点断路器
KR200472735Y1 (ko) * 2012-11-01 2014-05-20 엘에스산전 주식회사 배선용 회로차단기의 가동접촉자 및 가동접촉자 어셈블리
JP6307373B2 (ja) * 2014-07-18 2018-04-04 株式会社日立産機システム 遮断器のワイプ量測定方法及びそのワイプ量測定装置
KR102464650B1 (ko) 2016-05-03 2022-11-10 엘에스일렉트릭(주) 배선용 차단기의 한류장치
CN108987138B (zh) * 2017-06-01 2024-02-02 泰科电子(深圳)有限公司 电触头系统

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FR2445011A1 (fr) * 1978-12-22 1980-07-18 Fligue Wladimir Dispositif electromagnetique perfectionne sensible aux courants forts
DD142621A1 (de) * 1979-03-23 1980-07-02 Dietrich Amft Brueckenkontaktanordnung fuer handschalter mit asymmetrischer schaltstueckoeffnung
US4614851A (en) * 1985-02-21 1986-09-30 Eaton Corporation Contact sequencing arrangement for rotary double break switch
FR2677807B1 (fr) * 1991-06-14 1993-09-03 Merlin Gerin Declencheur electromagnetique a percuteur.
FR2682531B1 (fr) * 1991-10-15 1993-11-26 Merlin Gerin Disjoncteur multipolaire a blocs unipolaires.
JPH09270225A (ja) * 1996-02-02 1997-10-14 Hitachi Ltd 回路遮断器及びその製造方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0978858A2 (en) 2000-02-09
JP2000057930A (ja) 2000-02-25
EP0978858A3 (en) 2000-10-25
DE69930795D1 (de) 2006-05-24
DE69930795T2 (de) 2006-11-30
EP1600988A2 (en) 2005-11-30
EP1600988A3 (en) 2006-08-23
JP3721266B2 (ja) 2005-11-30

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