EP1387377B1 - Modular disconnector with snap closing mechanism - Google Patents
Modular disconnector with snap closing mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1387377B1 EP1387377B1 EP03010946A EP03010946A EP1387377B1 EP 1387377 B1 EP1387377 B1 EP 1387377B1 EP 03010946 A EP03010946 A EP 03010946A EP 03010946 A EP03010946 A EP 03010946A EP 1387377 B1 EP1387377 B1 EP 1387377B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- moving contact
- disconnector
- pusher
- slider
- 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
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 title description 6
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silver Chemical compound [Ag] BQCADISMDOOEFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010891 electric arc Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
- H01H23/02—Details
- H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
- H01H23/20—Driving mechanisms having snap action
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
- H01H23/02—Details
- H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H23/16—Driving mechanisms
- H01H23/164—Driving mechanisms with rectilinearly movable member carrying the contacts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
- H01H2300/046—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H using snap closing mechanisms
- H01H2300/048—Snap closing by latched movable contact, wherein the movable contact is held in a minimal distance from the fixed contact during first phase of closing sequence in which a closing spring is charged
-
- 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
- H01H71/50—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release
- H01H71/52—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a modular disconnector with independent moving contact closure, capable of interrupting and disconnecting one or more electric circuits, which can be mounted in control units or panels or containers suitable for the purpose.
- Disconnectors are electrical actuation devices provided with mechanisms that allow the opening and closure of one or more moving contacts by means of an external lever or handle that can be accessed by the user.
- a first problem is that of limiting the number of components that constitute the actuation mechanism, in order to contain both the costs of the individual parts and the costs of their assembly.
- Another important problem is to reduce the wear of the contacts during opening and closure, in order to ensure the correct operation of the product for a longer period of time.
- the closure speed is actually directly proportional to the speed of actuation of the actuation lever.
- Document DE 8905764 U discloses a modular disconnector according to the preamble of claim 1.
- the aim of the present invention is to provide a disconnector with independent moving contact closure that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
- An object of the invention is to provide a disconnector that is economical also from the point of view of production.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be installed inside control units, control panels, and containers in general suitable for the purpose.
- Another object is to provide a device that is reliable and durable.
- the disconnector generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a casing 11 that encloses various components including an actuation lever or handle 10, which can be operated from the outside and is associated with a linkage or cross-member 2, which is in turn connected to an intermediate member or pusher 3.
- a traction spring 4 and a compression spring 5 are applied respectively to the pusher 3 and are adapted to determine the contact pressure and the closure speed.
- a double moving contact 6 is rigidly coupled to a slider 7, which is connected to a double elastic hook 8.
- the double moving contact is adapted to make contact with fixed contacts 12, each being associated with a respective terminal 13 provided with a locking screw 14.
- An indicator 15 is kinematically associated with the slider 7 in order to indicate the position of the moving contact.
- the motion is transmitted, by means of the linkage 2, to the pusher 3, to which the springs 4 and 5 are applied.
- the first spring 4 determines the contact pressure and the closure speed, which is independent of the speed with which the handle is operated, while the second spring 5 causes the contacts to open.
- the moving contact 6 is rigidly coupled to the slider 7, which is retained in position by the double elastic hook 8.
- the pusher 3 has a wider portion 33, which is blended with inclined portions 16, so that by lowering the pusher the wider portion 33 divaricates the ends 18 of the double hook 8, moving them outside the step 17 of the slider 7.
- the closure speed of the contact is independent of the speed with which the actuation lever is operated.
- the motion is ensured by the spring 5, which during closure is kept compressed by passing beyond the dead center of the toggle constituted by the pusher 3, the linkage 2 and the actuation lever, while during the opening step, as soon as the conditions are restored, the spring 5 pushes the pusher 3, which in turn moves the slider 7, the moving contact 6, the linkage 2 and the actuation lever 10 into the open position, shown in Figures 1 and 2.
- the mechanism Since the mechanism has an independent closure action, it in fact allows the user to operate the actuation lever in any manner, ensuring in any case the maximum contact closure speed.
- the disconnector also reduces the formation of electric arcs, which as is known causes deterioration of the insulating parts.
Landscapes
- Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
- Gas-Insulated Switchgears (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a modular disconnector with independent moving contact closure, capable of interrupting and disconnecting one or more electric circuits, which can be mounted in control units or panels or containers suitable for the purpose.
- Disconnectors are electrical actuation devices provided with mechanisms that allow the opening and closure of one or more moving contacts by means of an external lever or handle that can be accessed by the user.
- Generally, the problems that occur in the design and manufacture of these devices are fundamentally of two kinds.
- A first problem is that of limiting the number of components that constitute the actuation mechanism, in order to contain both the costs of the individual parts and the costs of their assembly.
- Another important problem is to reduce the wear of the contacts during opening and closure, in order to ensure the correct operation of the product for a longer period of time.
- Generally, in order to obviate this last problem, the trend is to ensure that the mechanisms are capable of moving the contacts as rapidly as possible during closure.
- This allows to limit the generation of the electric arc which, as is known, is the main cause of contact wear.
- Since the actuation mechanism of the actuation lever is normally rigidly coupled to the contact supporting member, the closure speed is actually directly proportional to the speed of actuation of the actuation lever.
- Document
DE 8905764 U discloses a modular disconnector according to the preamble of claim 1. - The aim of the present invention is to provide a disconnector with independent moving contact closure that overcomes the drawbacks of the cited prior art.
- An object of the invention is to provide a disconnector that is economical also from the point of view of production.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be installed inside control units, control panels, and containers in general suitable for the purpose.
- Another object is to provide a device that is reliable and durable.
- This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a modular disconnector with independent moving contact closure, as claimed in the appended claims.
- Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 is a cutout perspective view of the disconnector according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a cutout side view of the disconnector, shown in the open-contact position;
- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but in which the disconnector is shown in an intermediate condition during transition from the open-contact position to the closed-contact position;
- Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but in which the device is shown in a closed-contact position.
- With reference to the cited figures, the disconnector according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a
casing 11 that encloses various components including an actuation lever orhandle 10, which can be operated from the outside and is associated with a linkage orcross-member 2, which is in turn connected to an intermediate member orpusher 3. - A
traction spring 4 and acompression spring 5 are applied respectively to thepusher 3 and are adapted to determine the contact pressure and the closure speed. - A double moving
contact 6 is rigidly coupled to aslider 7, which is connected to a doubleelastic hook 8. The double moving contact is adapted to make contact withfixed contacts 12, each being associated with arespective terminal 13 provided with alocking screw 14. - An
indicator 15 is kinematically associated with theslider 7 in order to indicate the position of the moving contact. - The operation of the disconnector according to the invention is as follows.
- By operating the
handle 10, the motion is transmitted, by means of thelinkage 2, to thepusher 3, to which thesprings first spring 4 determines the contact pressure and the closure speed, which is independent of the speed with which the handle is operated, while thesecond spring 5 causes the contacts to open. - The moving
contact 6 is rigidly coupled to theslider 7, which is retained in position by the doubleelastic hook 8. - The system remains open, as shown in Figure 3, until the
pusher 3 reaches the position that releases theslider 7 from the retention of thedouble hook 8. - The
pusher 3 has awider portion 33, which is blended withinclined portions 16, so that by lowering the pusher thewider portion 33 divaricates theends 18 of thedouble hook 8, moving them outside thestep 17 of theslider 7. - At this point the slider and the moving contact are moved, by means of the
spring 4, until the double movingcontact 6 and thefixed contacts 12 close together. The closed position is shown in Figure 4. - In this manner, the closure speed of the contact is independent of the speed with which the actuation lever is operated.
- For the opening step, the motion is ensured by the
spring 5, which during closure is kept compressed by passing beyond the dead center of the toggle constituted by thepusher 3, thelinkage 2 and the actuation lever, while during the opening step, as soon as the conditions are restored, thespring 5 pushes thepusher 3, which in turn moves theslider 7, the movingcontact 6, thelinkage 2 and the actuation lever 10 into the open position, shown in Figures 1 and 2. - In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a disconnector having been provided in which the dimensions of the most expensive active components, such as for example the silver plates, are reduced with respect to similar conventional systems.
- Since the mechanism has an independent closure action, it in fact allows the user to operate the actuation lever in any manner, ensuring in any case the maximum contact closure speed.
- Among the advantages of the invention, attention is drawn to the reduced wear of the active parts of the contacts and to the reduced dimensions of the active parts of the contacts, with consequent cost recovery.
- The disconnector also reduces the formation of electric arcs, which as is known causes deterioration of the insulating parts.
Claims (5)
- A modular disconnector with independent moving contact closure, comprising a casing that encloses various components including an actuation lever or handle (10) that can be operated from the outside in order to control a kinematic chain adapted to open and close at least one moving contact (6) and a respective fixed contact (12) each fixed contact being associated with a respective terminal (13), said kinematic chain comprising a lever system adapted to actuate a pusher (3) that is actuated by at least one elastic member (4) for controlling the closure speed of the contacts and the contact pressure in the closed position, characterized by a slider associated with said moving contact by the interposition of said pusher (3).
- The disconnector according to claim 1, characterized in that said lever system comprises a linkage (2) associated with said handle (10) and with said pusher (3).
- The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one elastic member comprises two springs: a traction spring (4), adapted to determine the contact pressure and the mutual contact closure speed, and a compression spring (5), adapted to determine the mutual opening of the contacts.
- The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said moving contact (6) is constituted by a double contact that is rigidly coupled to said slider (7), which is in turn connected to a double elastic hook (8), said double moving contact (6) being adapted to make contact with the fixed contacts (12), each of which is associated with a respective terminal.
- The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an indicator (15) that is kinematically associated with said slider (17) in order to indicate the position of the moving contact.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT2002MI001060A ITMI20021060A1 (en) | 2002-05-17 | 2002-05-17 | MODULAR DISCONNECTOR DEVICE WITH INDEPENDENT MOBILE CONTACT CLOSURE |
ITMI20021060 | 2002-05-17 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1387377A2 EP1387377A2 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
EP1387377A3 EP1387377A3 (en) | 2004-02-25 |
EP1387377B1 true EP1387377B1 (en) | 2007-08-15 |
Family
ID=11449921
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03010946A Expired - Lifetime EP1387377B1 (en) | 2002-05-17 | 2003-05-16 | Modular disconnector with snap closing mechanism |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1387377B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60315564D1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20021060A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102008062549B3 (en) * | 2008-12-16 | 2010-02-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Switching device for indirect closing or separation of contacts of movable contact bridge and fixed contact bearing, has guide rail between another rail and coupling element end, and switch rod with end supported in rail of switching device |
FR2974663B1 (en) * | 2011-04-27 | 2013-05-24 | Legrand France | ELECTRIC CURRENT CUTTING DEVICE WITH SIMPLIFIED STRUCTURE |
CN103050343B (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2015-12-16 | 上海电科电器科技有限公司 | Rapid switching-on mechanism |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE1175350B (en) * | 1962-01-26 | 1964-08-06 | Sursum Elek Zitaets Ges Leyhau | Small thermal circuit breaker |
DE8905764U1 (en) * | 1989-05-09 | 1989-08-10 | Lindner GmbH Fabrik elektrischer Lampen und Apparate, 96052 Bamberg | Manually operated electrical switch |
FR2685976A1 (en) * | 1992-01-07 | 1993-07-09 | Telemecanique | MECHANISM FOR CURRENT SWITCHING APPARATUS. |
-
2002
- 2002-05-17 IT IT2002MI001060A patent/ITMI20021060A1/en unknown
-
2003
- 2003-05-16 EP EP03010946A patent/EP1387377B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-05-16 DE DE60315564T patent/DE60315564D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1387377A2 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
EP1387377A3 (en) | 2004-02-25 |
ITMI20021060A0 (en) | 2002-05-17 |
ITMI20021060A1 (en) | 2003-11-17 |
DE60315564D1 (en) | 2007-09-27 |
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