EP1218898A1 - Low-voltage power circuit breaker comprising a switching chamber and a displaceable contact unit - Google Patents
Low-voltage power circuit breaker comprising a switching chamber and a displaceable contact unitInfo
- Publication number
- EP1218898A1 EP1218898A1 EP00982938A EP00982938A EP1218898A1 EP 1218898 A1 EP1218898 A1 EP 1218898A1 EP 00982938 A EP00982938 A EP 00982938A EP 00982938 A EP00982938 A EP 00982938A EP 1218898 A1 EP1218898 A1 EP 1218898A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contact carrier
- bearing
- end position
- contact unit
- contact
- 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
Links
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
-
- 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
- H01H1/22—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact
- H01H1/221—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member
- H01H1/226—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member having a plurality of parallel contact bars
-
- 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
- H01H1/22—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact
- H01H1/221—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member
- H01H1/226—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member having a plurality of parallel contact bars
- H01H2001/228—Contacts characterised by the manner in which co-operating contacts engage by abutting with rigid pivoted member carrying the moving contact and a contact pressure spring acting between the pivoted member and a supporting member having a plurality of parallel contact bars with insulating spacers between the contact bars
Definitions
- the invention relates to a low-voltage circuit breaker with a switching chamber and a contact carrier arranged pivotably in the switching chamber for receiving contact levers with the following features: receiving openings for a bearing pin passing through the contact lever,
- a movable contact carrier of this type is due to the
- Movable contact carriers are also known, the bearing arms of which are attached to a central main body that receives the contact levers (DE 296 15 566 Ul).
- the bearing arms can consist of metal, while the central main body, which can be combined from sections, can consist of insulating plastic. Since the lever chain leading to the drive device acts on the main body, no separate isolating intermediate link is required if the main body consists of insulating plastic.
- the constructions composed of several individual components in the known manner described are simple and expedient, but result in a relatively large width tolerance due to the sum of several individual tolerances, namely a sheet metal tolerance on both sides and a tolerance of the central part.
- There is also the advantage of customized manufacturing processes for the individual parts in that several manufacturing steps are required to produce the contact carriers from the individual parts, and errors can occur.
- Furthermore, in the case of bearing arms made of metal or sheet metal there is the advantage of good strength with small dimensions that tension can be carried over from the contact levers to the area of the bearing pins, which may require additional measures to maintain the mutual insulation of adjacent poles of the circuit breaker that undesirably increase the pole spacing.
- the invention is based on the object of designing a low-voltage circuit breaker in such a way that the outlay for the movable contact carriers is markedly reduced and the inherent shadow of the circuit breaker is improved overall.
- the contact carrier for limiting a deflection transverse to the direction of the pivoting has lateral guide surfaces for interacting with counter surfaces of the circuit breaker of the circuit breaker, and the complete contact carrier with the above-mentioned features is produced in one piece from plastic as a multifunctional part is.
- the surprising advantage of the improved guidance of the contact carrier in the switching chamber is that lower resistance to movement when switching short circuits. This is due to the fact that the joints of the lever chain, which connects the contact carrier to its drive device, are also less stressed by tilting and are essentially only stressed by tensile and compressive forces. This therefore enables the entire drive chain to be dimensioned more favorably than previously used switching mechanisms.
- bearing arms of the contact carrier project laterally projecting cylindrical pins for engaging in adapted bearing openings of the switching have chamber.
- Such pins are in particular particularly suitable for the one-piece production of the contact carrier, especially since it has been shown that the increase in the diameter of the plastic pins required compared to metal pins can be kept in a frame compatible with the overall dimensions of the contact carrier.
- the contact carrier has receiving means for an end position retaining spring.
- the purpose of such a spring is to hold the contact carrier (s) and the connected parts of the drive device, in particular the selector shaft, in their switched-off state with a certain force in their end position.
- the end position retaining spring therefore acts in the sense of Switching, but because of its relatively low force, should not be confused with an opening spring, as is required for circuit breakers for other areas of application, for example medium or high voltage.
- an end position retaining spring in a low-voltage circuit breaker is significantly weaker than the other springs intended for switching on and off.
- US Pat. No. 5,731,560 shows the drive mechanism of a multipole low-voltage circuit breaker for high currents and high electrodynamic forces.
- an end position retaining spring acts on the selector shaft. This means that all poles are pulled to the OFF position.
- This arrangement is unsuitable for current-limiting circuit breakers with a single pole opening.
- receiving means for one end position retaining spring seem sufficient, it is advisable to provide receiving means for a second end position retaining spring and to arrange both receiving means symmetrically on the contact carrier.
- This symmetrical arrangement can preferably be realized in that the receiving means are arranged in the side bearing arms of the contact carrier.
- the end position holding spring is designed as a helical compression spring and the receptacle provided for its support is designed as a receiving pocket for one end of the end position holding spring.
- the advantage is achieved that the end position holding spring can be arranged as a compression spring between a rear wall of the switching chamber and the contact carrier, so it can be easily assembled or disassembled when the rear wall is removed for maintenance becomes.
- the receiving means can be designed with the same effect and when using the same springs (helical compression spring) as a receiving pin. This means no difference for the manufacture of the contact carrier as a multifunctional part.
- the bearing arm in question can have a recess on one narrow side with wall surfaces arranged opposite one another in such a way that the end position retaining spring also includes protruding on both sides over the wall thickness of the bearing arm is recorded centering.
- a fiber-reinforced plastic is particularly suitable as the material for producing the contact carrier as a multi-functional part, it being possible for both mineral and organic fibers to be used.
- Figure 1 shows a switching chamber of a low-voltage circuit breaker with a contact carrier and adjacent parts, partly in section.
- FIG. 2 shows a contact carrier in a perspective view with a view of the side provided for receiving contact levers.
- the contact carrier is also in perspective with a view of the opposite side, which is provided for connection to a drive device.
- the switching chamber 1 of a low-voltage circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a rear wall 2 and a front part 2.
- the rear wall supports connecting rails for connecting the circuit breaker to an external circuit.
- a schematically indicated drive device 6 and a lever chain 7 connecting the drive device 6 to the contact carrier 5 serve to contact the contact carrier 5 Switch the circuit breaker on and off to pivot bearing 4.
- the contact carrier 5 serves to receive contact levers 8 (FIG. 1) which are arranged parallel to one another in a number corresponding to the rated current of the circuit breaker.
- the contact lever 8 is penetrated by a bearing pin 10, 5 bearing openings 12 are provided for receiving it in the lateral cheeks 11 of the contact carrier.
- Each two contact force springs 13 act on a contact lever 8 and ensure an adequate contact force when the circuit breaker is switched on.
- the contact force springs rest in pockets 14 on the contact carrier 5.
- the lateral cheeks 11 mentioned merge downward (in the direction of the bearing points 4) into bearing arms 15, which have laterally projecting pins 16 for engaging in the bearing points 4.
- Below the area of the contact lever 8 contain the bearing arms 15 receiving means 17 for end position retaining springs, one of which is visible in FIG. 1.
- These receiving means 17 are designed as receiving pockets for the ends of the end position retaining springs 18 designed as helical compression springs.
- the end position retaining springs 18 have a diameter that is greater than the wall thickness of the bearing arms 15, they are centered by the receiving means 17. This is done by means of oppositely arranged wall surfaces 20, the radius of which is adapted to the end position retaining spring 18. Between these wall surfaces 20, the receiving pocket is open laterally, so that the spring can protrude beyond the bearing arm 15, but its force is introduced centrally into the bearing arm.
- the end position holding springs 18 are supported with their ends facing away from the contact carrier on the rear wall 2 of the switching chamber 1. End position retaining springs 18 are therefore easily accessible for assembly and disassembly when the rear wall 2 is removed. Despite their position in the switching chamber, influences of switching arcs are kept away from the end position holding springs, since an apron 19 shown in FIG. 1 reflects the switching gases or prevents the passage downwards (in the direction of the bearing points 4).
- the contact carrier 5 is connected to the drive device by the lever chain 7.
- the lever chain 7 As a means for coupling the lever chain 7 to the contact carrier 5, the latter has on its side facing the drive device 6 bearing means 21 in the form of two molded bearing eyes, in which there are openings for receiving the ends of a hinge pin 22 shown in FIG.
- the lever chain 7 can consist entirely of metal parts, because the contact carrier 5 consists of insulating plastic and is ensured by the electrical insulation of the drive device from the live contact levers ( Figure 1).
- the contact carrier 5 has lateral guide surfaces 23 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which interact with counter surfaces 24 (FIG. 1) on the walls of the switching chamber 1.
- the contact carrier is manufactured as a one-piece multifunctional part so that the guide surfaces 23 face the counter surfaces 24 with only a small tolerance.
- the counter surfaces 24, one of which is partially visible in FIG. 1, are arranged in an arc shape around the bearing journal 16 in accordance with the swivel radius of the contact carrier 5.
- the arrangement described is equally suitable for single-pole or multi-pole circuit breakers.
- the explained support of the contact carrier against lateral forces has a particularly advantageous effect in the case of multi-pole circuit breakers with a small distance between the adjacent switching chambers, because in these circuit breakers the mutual influence of the adjacent poles by forces originating from the current is pronounced.
Landscapes
- Breakers (AREA)
- Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE1999148695 DE19948695B4 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 1999-09-30 | Low-voltage circuit breaker with a movable contact carrier with end-position retaining spring |
DE19948692 | 1999-09-30 | ||
DE19948695 | 1999-09-30 | ||
DE19948692 | 1999-09-30 | ||
PCT/DE2000/003433 WO2001024207A1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2000-09-27 | Low-voltage power circuit breaker comprising a switching chamber and a displaceable contact unit |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1218898A1 true EP1218898A1 (en) | 2002-07-03 |
EP1218898B1 EP1218898B1 (en) | 2003-03-26 |
Family
ID=26055236
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00982938A Expired - Lifetime EP1218898B1 (en) | 1999-09-30 | 2000-09-27 | Low-voltage power circuit breaker comprising a switching chamber and a displaceable contact unit |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1218898B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1187772C (en) |
DE (1) | DE50001582D1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1046586B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001024207A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10048659A1 (en) * | 2000-09-27 | 2002-04-11 | Siemens Ag | Switch contact arrangement of a low-voltage circuit breaker with contact force springs |
DE10114745A1 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2003-01-30 | Siemens Ag | Contact carrier for low-voltage circuit breakers |
US6570116B2 (en) * | 2001-08-16 | 2003-05-27 | Square D Company | Current carrying assembly for a circuit breaker |
DE10222011C1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-20 | Moeller Gmbh | Circuit breakers for high currents and low voltage |
DE10344652A1 (en) * | 2003-09-25 | 2005-04-28 | Siemens Ag | Low-voltage circuit breaker with radial contact movement by integration of the contact carrier in the switching shaft |
DE102004020654A1 (en) | 2004-04-22 | 2005-11-10 | Siemens Ag | Switching contact arrangement |
CN100514525C (en) * | 2007-08-08 | 2009-07-15 | 常熟开关制造有限公司(原常熟开关厂) | Movable contact of circuit breaker |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2552926B1 (en) * | 1983-10-04 | 1985-12-27 | Hager Electro | IMPROVEMENTS ON SWITCHES WITH TILTING CONTACT HOLDER |
FR2686453B1 (en) * | 1992-01-17 | 1994-04-08 | Legrand | DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH. |
-
2000
- 2000-09-27 EP EP00982938A patent/EP1218898B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-27 WO PCT/DE2000/003433 patent/WO2001024207A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-09-27 DE DE50001582T patent/DE50001582D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-09-27 CN CNB00812423XA patent/CN1187772C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2002
- 2002-11-08 HK HK02108099.1A patent/HK1046586B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO0124207A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1218898B1 (en) | 2003-03-26 |
CN1187772C (en) | 2005-02-02 |
DE50001582D1 (en) | 2003-04-30 |
HK1046586A1 (en) | 2003-01-17 |
CN1372692A (en) | 2002-10-02 |
WO2001024207A1 (en) | 2001-04-05 |
HK1046586B (en) | 2005-05-13 |
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