EP2597669B1 - Switching mechanism for an electric switching device and electrical switching apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a switching mechanism for an electrical switching device, in particular for a low-voltage circuit breaker, and an electrical switching device, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker, with a switching mechanism.

The invention relates to electrical switching devices, in particular to circuit breakers in the low voltage range. By "low voltage" is meant typically voltages of up to about 1000 volts. With appropriate structural design of the switching separation sections, such switching devices can also be designed for switching voltages over 1000 volts, such as. up to 6.3 kV. In particular, such electrical switching devices, such as low-voltage circuit breaker, designed for interrupting current paths in an overcurrent case or in a short circuit case. They can be single-pole or multi-pole, in particular three-pole.

From the European patent application EP 0 555 158 A1 (or DE 693 06 822 T2 ), a switching mechanism for a low-voltage circuit breaker is known. It has a movable contact whose manual switching on and off as well as automatic switching off is controlled by the switching mechanism due to a fault such as a short circuit. The switching mechanism also has a, on a fixed axis hinged and a cam surface having clamping lifts. Furthermore, the switching mechanism comprises a toggle joint, which consists of a toggle lever joint axis, one, on the one hand connected to the movable contact and the other with the toggle joint axis, coupling lug, and on the one hand hinged to the clamping lever and on the other hand to the axis of the toggle joint pivot lever. Furthermore, the switching mechanism on a spring, on the one hand to the axis the toggle joint and on the other hand is mounted on a switch knob for switching off and on the contacts. The switching mechanism comprises a latch which serves to cooperate with said clamping lever to hold it in the locking position. It further comprises a cam roller which is driven via the switch knob and serves to cooperate with the cam surface of the clamping lever to bring the clamping lever in the locked position, said switch knob can take three different positions. A switch-on, in which the spring acts on the toggle lever joint in the direction of extended position, a hand-off and re-tensioning position in which the spring acts on the toggle joint in the direction of Ausknickstellung and the clamping lever is in the locked position, and a release position in which the The clamping lever is unlocked and the toggle joint is disengaged. The cam surface has a tilt reversal point defining two consecutive sections, a first section approximately corresponding to the path of the switch knob between the released position and the stretched position and a second section of the stretched position, the inclination of the first section being such that the resultant is the forces exerted from the spring and acting on the switch knob forces the switch knob towards the release position, and the inclination of the second portion is designed so that the switching knob is acted upon in the direction of the reproduced position, which represents a stable position in which the clamping lever retained becomes. A disadvantage of such a switching mechanism for an electrical switching device is that there may be an unwanted triggering of the switching mechanism when the clamping lever in the locked position and the switch knob are in the off position. So it may happen in improper transport of the electrical switching device that a triggering mechanism of the electrical switching device acts on the bolt, so that the clamping lever his Releases locking position and thus triggers the electrical switching device.

From the DE 693 06 822 T2 a switching mechanism for a circuit breaker is known. In this switching mechanism, the switch knob and the clamping lever can be kept in an unwanted release in the tensioned position. The switching mechanism is characterized in that a cam surface of the clamping lever has a, two successive sections limiting inclination reversal point, wherein a first portion approximately corresponds to the path of the switch knob between the release position and the stretched playback position and a second portion of the stretched position, the inclination of the first Section is formed so that the resultant of the force exerted by the spring and acting on the switch knob forces the switching knob acts in the direction of the release position, and the inclination of the second portion is formed so that the switching knob is acted upon in the direction of the stretched position, which stable position in which the clamping lever is retained. Due to the profile of the cam surface, the re-tensioning position of the switch knob becomes a stable position in which the switch knob retains the cocking lever independently of the position of the bolt. Although a release action of a release mechanism that releases the latch can not be prevented, but remains without effect, since the clamping lever is retained by the switch knob. In this way, any risk of destruction of the triggering and locking system is excluded, which may occur if these systems are mechanically blocked to prevent unwanted relaxation action.
The object of the invention is to provide a switching mechanism for an electrical switching device in which a clamping lever and a Verklinkungselement of the switching mechanism can be securely held in a Gespanntstellung when the lever of the electrical switching device is in an off position located. The Gespanntstellung should be kept especially if, for example, by external influences, the triggering mechanism of the electrical switching device is at least partially actuated.

This object is achieved by a switching mechanism for an electrical switching device having the features of claim 1 and by an electrical switching device having the features of claim 17. Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings. In this case, features that are described in connection with the switching mechanism according to the invention, of course, also in connection with the electrical switching device according to the invention and in each case vice versa, so that with respect to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always reciprocal reference is or may be.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a switching mechanism for an electrical switching device, in particular for a low-voltage circuit breaker, comprising a hinge mechanism for moving a moving contact, a shift lever for manually switching off and on the moving contact via the hinge mechanism, wherein the shift lever a Has handle and a tiltable about a fixed bearing point switch bracket, a rotatably mounted about a fixed clamping lever axis and a tension curve having clamping lever, which cooperates with a Verklinkungselement the switching mechanism end for locking and unlocking of the clamping lever on the Verklinkungselement, wherein the clamping lever for movement the Bewegkontaktes via the hinge mechanism is in operative contact with this, a tension roller which can be driven via the shift lever such that upon movement of the shift lever, this by rolling along the S Pannkurve the clamping lever is in operative contact with the clamping lever, a clamping element for tensioning the shift lever, a trigger mechanism, which is used to move the Verklinkungselementes with this can be brought into operative contact, as well as a force element which is arranged between the Verklinkungselement and the trigger mechanism and this presses apart, wherein the force element acts on the Verklinkungselement with a force in the direction of the end of the clamping lever solved. The switching mechanism is characterized in that the clamping lever has a bearing point and a slotted guide that a rotary member is mounted on the bearing and guided along the slotted guide, wherein the rotational movement of the rotary member is limited by the slotted guide that the rotary member is designed such that it on the one hand with the tensioning roller and on the other with the Verklinkungselement in operative contact can be brought and that it holds the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement in a Gespanntstellung after completion of a clamping operation of the shift lever. Furthermore, the clamping lever, the rotary member and the Verklinkungselement are formed such that during the clamping operation of the shift lever, the Verklinkungselement immersed in a recess of the Verklinkungselementes, so that the Verklinkungselement can move towards the end of the clamping lever and the trigger mechanism, so that in the Gespanntstellung a gap between the Verklinkungselement and the triggering mechanism is present.

Such a trained switching mechanism for an electrical switching device, in particular for a low-voltage circuit breaker allows the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement remain in an unwanted release in the cocked position when the lever is in the off position. In the tensioned position of the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselementes there is a gap between the Verklinkungselement and the trigger mechanism, so that in an unwanted triggering operation of the trigger mechanism can not touch the Verklinkungselement and the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement remain in the tensioned position. Due to this special design of the switching mechanism, the tensioned position of the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselementes to a stable position, in the unwanted triggering, for example, by a blow to the electrical switching device can be prevented. That is, a triggering operation in which the triggering mechanism is moved can not be prevented but remains ineffective because, due to the gap between the latching member and the triggering mechanism, the triggering mechanism does not contact the latching member. As a result, the risk of damage to the switching mechanism of the electrical switching device can be prevented.

Such a trained switching mechanism for an electric switching device makes it possible to keep the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement in the tensioned position when the shift lever of the switching mechanism is in the off position. Such a positioning of the switching mechanism is particularly desirable when electrical switching devices are supplied by the manufacturer to a customer. The customer can bring the release mechanism back into operative contact with the latching element by manually transferring the shift lever from the lockout to enable the electrical switchgear in the connected state to reliably protect a consumer in the event of a fault.

At least one moving contact of the switching mechanism can be moved via the joint mechanism. This at least one moving contact can be brought into contact with at least one fixed contact of the electrical switching device, so that a current flow through the electrical switching device is made possible. To interrupt the flow of current, the moving contact can be separated from the fixed contact by means of the hinge mechanism. With the hinge mechanism, the shift lever of the switching mechanism is in operative contact. The shift lever has a tiltable about a fixed bearing point switch bracket and a handle. The handle can be gripped by a user of the electrical switching device to manually switch the shift lever between an off and an on position. The clamping lever of the switching mechanism is responsible for the movement of the Moving contact on the hinge mechanism with the moving contact in operative connection. The clamping lever is rotatably mounted about a fixed clamping lever axis. In this case, the clamping lever axis may be arranged at one end of the clamping lever or else in the middle or approximately the middle of the clamping lever. The tensioning lever has an end cooperating with the latching element of the switching mechanism. About this end of the clamping lever with the Verklinkungselement is latched. That is, in the latched state, the so-called tensioned position, the end of the clamping lever is located on the Verklinkungselement and is held by this. In the unlatched state, the Verklinkungselement releases the movement of the clamping lever so that it is rotated due to the forces acting on it around the fixed clamping lever axis. The tensioning lever also has a tensioning curve. The tension curve is formed by the contour of the tension lever on one side itself. At this clamping curve of the clamping lever is located on a tension pulley, which can be driven via the shift lever such that during a movement of the shift lever, the tension roller rolls along the clamping curve of the clamping lever and this pivots. Advantageously, the tension roller is rotatably mounted on the shift lever, in particular the tiltable shift bar of the shift lever arranged. Upon movement of the clamping lever due to the unwinding of the tensioning roller on the tensioning curve of the tensioning lever, the tensioning element of the switching mechanism is tensioned or relaxed. That is, depending on the direction in which the tension roller rolls along the tensioning curve of the tensioning lever, the tensioning element is tensioned or relaxed. In the Gespanntstellung of the clamping lever and Verklinkungselementes the clamping element is stretched, so that it moves the clamping lever back to its relaxed position at a unlatching of the clamping lever of the Verklinkungselement. The clamping element is therefore in operative contact with the clamping lever. The triggering mechanism of the switching mechanism can be brought into operative contact with it for movement of the Verklinkungselementes. The triggering mechanism is moved mechanically. Between the trigger mechanism and the Verklinkungselement a force element is arranged, which pushes both elements away from each other. That is, the force element acts on the Verklinkungselement with a force in the direction of the end of the clamping lever.

Advantageously, a rotary element is provided in the switching mechanism, which is mounted on a bearing point of the clamping lever and is additionally guided along a slotted guide of the clamping lever. Due to the bearing and the guidance of the rotary element at the bearing point or within the slotted guide, the rotational movement of the rotary element is limited or predetermined relative to the clamping lever. In this case, the rotary element is designed such that it can be brought into operative contact with the tensioning roller and with the latching element on the one hand. That is, in a rolling operation of the tension roller along the tensioning curve of the tensioning lever, the tensioning roller comes into contact with the rotating element and rotates this relative to the tensioning lever. Due to the pivotal movement of the clamping lever and the shape of the rotary element, the rotary element can also come into operative contact with the Verklinkungselement. After completion of the clamping operation of the shift lever, the rotary member holds the cocking lever and the Verklinkungselement in a tensioned position. In this case, the clamping lever, the rotary member and the Verklinkungselement are formed and matched such that during the clamping operation of the shift lever, the rotary member is immersed in a recess of the Verklinkungselementes, so that the Verklinkungselement can move towards the end of the clamping lever and the trigger mechanism, so that in the Gespanntstellung a gap between the Verklinkungselement and the trigger mechanism is formed. In other words, during the clamping operation of the clamping lever, the rotary element is first guided along the latching element. As soon as the rotary element reaches the recess of the latching element, the latching element moves in the direction of the end of the clamping lever due to the prestress which the force element exerts on the latching element, whereby the latching element is removed from the triggering mechanism of the switching mechanism and the gap is created. immersion of the rotary member means in the context of the invention that not the rotary member is actively immersed by its own movement in the direction of Verklinkungselementes in the recess of the Verklinkungselementes, but passively, namely by a movement of the Verklinkungselementes in the direction of the rotary member or the end of the clamping lever. In this case, the Verklinkungselement slides due to the force acting on it on the rotary member or along the contour of the rotary member along.

During the tensioning operation of the electrical switching device, that is, the movement of the shift lever from "TRIP" to "RESET", the tension roller pushes away the rotary element or rotates the rotary element. In this case, the rotating element is designed such that upon reaching the tensioned position, the tensioning roller releases the rotary element, so that it springs back under the force of Verklinkungselementes in its original position. In the original position of the rotary element, the rotary element overlaps the clamping curve of the clamping lever. In the tensioned position of the tensioning lever, the torque due to the force acting on the Verklinkungselement, held in the original position. In this case, the rotary member, the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement are coordinated such that after releasing the shift lever or the handle of the shift lever, the rotating element holds the tension roller and thus the tensioning lever in the tensioned position. That is, when the handle of the shift lever is released, the tension roller remains under pressure on the rotary member or a blocking surface of the rotary member. In this case, the rotary member is in its original position in which it overlaps the clamping curve of the clamping lever. The rotary element or the locking surface on the rotary member is designed so that the forces acting in the entire switching mechanism are in equilibrium when the tension roller is applied to the rotary member, whereby the handle or the lever inevitably stops in this position. In this tensioned position, the triggering mechanism can be confirmed without a triggering operation due to a movement of the clamping lever completed becomes. Due to the present in the tensioned gap between the Verklinkungselement and the trigger mechanism no pressure from the triggering mechanism can be exerted on the Verklinkungselement. In the tensioned position, the rotary element holds the shift lever in its off position. This ensures that the switching mechanism of the electrical switching device, in particular the contacts of the electrical switching device, for example, during transport of the electrical switching device is not damaged.

In this case, the switching mechanism of the electrical switching device is designed such that upon movement of the shift lever from the off position to the on position triggered by a manual operation of the handle of the shift lever by a user, the tension roller is separated from the rotary member, whereby the Tension lever can be pivoted under the action of the clamping element. However, this pivotal movement of the clamping lever is limited by the contact of the clamping lever with the Verklinkungselement. That is, after the transfer of the shift lever from the off position to the on position, the so-called switch-on of the electrical switching device, the Verklinkungselement is in operative contact both with the end of the clamping lever, as well as with the trigger mechanism. In the on position of the shift lever the Verklinkungselement is applied directly to the trigger mechanism, so that it can release the latch between the Verklinkungselement and the clamping lever in a movement of the trigger mechanism, so that the electrical switching device can perform a tripping operation in which due to a movement the clamping lever of the moving contact separates from the fixed contact of the electrical switching device and thus the current flow is interrupted by a consumption by the electrical switching device.

According to a preferred development of the invention may be provided in a switching mechanism that the rotating element has a blocking surface and that in the tensioned position of the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselementes the tension roller rests against the locking surface. The rotary member may be formed variously. In this case, the rotary member is advantageously arranged on the bearing point and the sliding guide of the clamping lever, that this can be performed parallel to the clamping lever along this. The blocking surface of the rotary element is formed by the part of the rotary element which overlaps the clamping curve of the clamping lever in the original position of the rotary element. The blocking surface of the rotary element is designed so that the forces, that is frictional forces between the tension roller and the locking surface and forces exerted by the clamping element on the clamping lever, are kept in equilibrium when the tension roller bears against the locking surface under pressure. By applying the tension roller to the locking surface of the rotary element, the shift lever stops. In this position, that is, the Gespanntstellung of the clamping lever and the off position of the shift lever, the switching mechanism remains. The blocking surface of the rotary element is in particular designed such that it prevents unwinding of the tensioning roller along the clamping curve of the clamping lever, against the force of the clamping element, which acts on the clamping lever. Advantageously, the rotary member is formed and held at the bearing point and the slotted guide, that after completion of the clamping operation of the shift lever at least the locking surface of the rotary element overlaps the clamping curve of the clamping lever to rest the tensioning roller on the blocking surface. The blocking surface of the rotary element advantageously has a flat or approximately planar course. This ensures that there is a sufficiently large friction between the tension roller and the locking surface of the rotary element in the tensioned position of the clamping lever.

Particularly advantageous is a switching mechanism in which the rotary member is in operative contact with the Verklinkungselement that after completion of the clamping operation of the shift lever, that is, a movement of the clamping lever due to a manual movement of the shift lever, the Verklinkungselement the rotary member presses in an original position, in which at least the blocking surface of the rotary element overlaps the clamping curve of the clamping lever for conditioning the tensioning roller. That is, as soon as during the tensioning operation of the shift lever and thus the tensioning lever, the tensioning roller, which initially pivoted the rotary member from its original position, loses contact with the rotary member, the rotary member jumps back under the force of Verklinkungselementes back to its original position, so that at a reverse movement of the tension roller along the clamping curve of the clamping lever, the tensioning roller on the rotating element or on the blocking surface comes to a standstill due to the balance of the prevailing forces. That is, after releasing the handle of the shift lever, the tension roller moves on the clamping curve of the clamping lever, under the action of the clamping element, back and remains on the locking surface of the rotary element under pressure.

According to a further preferred development of the invention may be provided in a switching mechanism that the shift lever is acted upon by a force of the clamping element, that after completion of the clamping operation of the shift lever and a final release of the shift lever, the tensioning roller under the action of the clamping element along the clamping curve of the clamping lever can roll until it comes to the locking surface of the rotary element in balance of the forces acting in the switching mechanism to the plant. That is, the frictional forces between the tensioning roller and the rotating element produced on the blocking surface counteract the force of the tensioning element that is exerted on the tensioning lever so that upon contacting the tensioning roller on the blocking surface of the rotating element, the rotating element engages the handle or the shifting lever holds in the off position and the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement are tensioned.

The clamping lever has both a bearing point, as well as a slotted guide for the rotary member in order to guide this relative to the clamping lever. The depository can be attached to or be arranged in the Verklinkungselement facing the end of the clamping lever. Preferably, the bearing is formed by an angled portion or an undercut at the end of the clamping lever. The slide guide in which the rotary member is additionally mounted, only allows a certain relative movement of the rotary member to the clamping lever. In this case, the slotted guide, the bearing point and the rotary element are designed such that the rotary element overlaps in its original position, at least with its locking surface, the clamping curve of the clamping lever. In this original position of the rotary element, the rotary element or a bolt of the rotary element abuts against one end of the slotted guide. The slotted guide can be designed in various ways. Preferably, the slide guide is formed as a curved slot in the Verklinkungselement facing the end of the clamping lever.

The rotary member advantageously has around its axis of rotation a concentric contour, which acts in a function as a role in the tripping process. At the end of the clamping operation, the latching element or an edge slides along the recess of the latching element along the concentric contour of the rotary element. By this Verklinkungs or Verklinkungsart a good release safety at low release forces is possible.

The rotary element itself can be designed in various ways. Thus, the rotary member may be movably guided on one side of the clamping lever, parallel or approximately parallel to the clamping lever. Advantageously, the rotary member has a planar base body, which is held by a bolt on the bearing point of the clamping lever and a further bolt in the slotted guide of the clamping lever feasible. The two bolts are advantageously perpendicular to the main body of the rotary element out of this. Alternatively, the rotary element may have a knife-edge bearing.

According to an alternative preferred development of the invention may be provided in a switching mechanism, that a rotary element is provided with two basic bodies, wherein a first base body on a first side of the clamping lever and the second base body on the other side of the clamping lever are arranged to be movable. The two main body of the rotary member are guided by two bolts which are mounted in the slotted guide and at the bearing point of the clamping lever. It is also conceivable for a switching mechanism that two completely separate rotary elements are provided. Advantageously, the tensioning lever is arranged between the two rotary elements.

According to a further preferred development of the invention may be provided in an alternative switching mechanism that two clamping levers are provided, between which a rotary member is movably arranged.

The tensioning member for tensioning the shift lever of the shift mechanism may be variously formed. Advantageously, the clamping element is designed as a spring element, in particular as a tension or compression spring. Other types of spring elements, such as a leg spring, are conceivable as a clamping element. Furthermore, it is advantageously provided in a switching mechanism that the force element, which is arranged between the Verklinkungselement and the triggering mechanism of the switching mechanism, is designed as a spring element. Advantageously, this spring element is designed as a leg spring. But it is also conceivable that the force element is designed as a spiral spring, in particular as a tension or compression spring.

The rotary element of the switching mechanism may be formed as a stamped part or as a sheet metal bent part. In this case, the rotary member may be formed of metal or plastic.

The hinge mechanism is arranged between the moving contact and the clamping lever in order to move the moving contact during a movement of the clamping lever in such a way that it is in contact with a fixed contact of the electrical switching device can be brought or can be solved by this, can be designed as toggle joint.

The Verklinkungselement is preferably formed such that it has a surface along which the Verklinkungselement facing the end of the clamping lever and the rotary member, in particular the concentric contour of the rotary element, during a clamping operation of the switching mechanism can run along, and has a recess into which the rotary member can dip at the end of the clamping process. The latching element preferably has a plate with a U-shaped form.

The trigger mechanism of the switching mechanism may be formed variously. Preferred is a switching mechanism in which the triggering mechanism has a triggering shaft. By movement of the trigger mechanism or the tripping shaft, a tripping operation of the electrical switching device can be resolved, so that the moving contact is separated from the fixed contact of the electrical switching device. Are the clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement in the tensioned position and the shift lever in the off position, the trip shaft is spaced by a gap from the Verklinkungselement. As a result, a movement of the triggering shaft does not lead to a tripping operation of the electrical switching device, since no pressure can be exerted on the latching element via the tripping shaft. The clamping lever and the Verklinkungselement in the tensioned position and the shift lever in an on position, the tripping shaft is directly against the Verklinkungselement so that upon movement of the trip shaft, the release shaft moves the Verklinkungselement, whereby the Verklinkungselement the latching of the clamping lever releases and a triggering process is triggered. Instead of a triggering shaft, a triggering pawl, etc. may be provided.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an electrical switching device, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker, comprising at least one moving contact and at least one fixed contact and a switching mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the at least one moving contact and the at least one fixed contact, wherein the switching mechanism according to the first aspect of the invention is formed. Such an electrical switching device, such as a low-voltage circuit breaker, has correspondingly the same advantages as have been explained in detail according to the first aspect of the switching mechanism.

Figur 1

einen Schaltmechanismus eines elektrischen Schaltgerätes, der gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Konstruktionsprinzip ausgebildet ist, wobei sich der Schalthebel des Schaltgerätes in eine Ein-Stellung befindet,

Figur 2

den Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 1 mit Darstellung des Kraftelementes zwischen dem Verklinkungselement und dem Auslösemechanismus des Schaltmechanismus,

Figur 3

den Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 1 während des Spannvorganges,

Figur 4

den Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 1 am Ende des Spannvorganges,

Figur 5

die Kontaktierung der Spannrolle an dem Drehelement des Schaltmechanismus während des Spannvorganges,

Figur 6

eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Spannrolle sowie der Spannkurve des Spannhebels und des Drehelementes,

Figur 7

den Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 1 in der Gespanntstellung, wobei der Schalthebel in der Aus-Stellung gehalten wird,

Figur 8

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Drehelementes, des Verklinkungselementes und des Auslösemechanismus in der Gespanntstellung des Schaltmechanismus,

Figur 9

den Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 1 während des Einschaltvorganges des Schalthebels,

Figur 10

eine perspektivische Darstellung auf einen Teil eines Schaltmechanismus, der gemäß dem erfindungsgemäßen Konstruktionsprinzip ausgebildet ist, und

Figur 11

eine weitere perspektive Darstellung des Schaltmechanismus gemäß Fig. 10 mit Darstellung des Schalthebels.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Here are shown schematically:

FIG. 1

a switching mechanism of an electrical switching device, which is designed according to the construction principle according to the invention, wherein the switching lever of the switching device is in an on position,

FIG. 2

the switching mechanism according to Fig. 1 showing the force element between the latching element and the triggering mechanism of the switching mechanism,

FIG. 3

the switching mechanism according to Fig. 1 during the clamping process,

FIG. 4

the switching mechanism according to Fig. 1 at the end of the clamping process,

FIG. 5

the contacting of the tensioning roller on the rotary element of the switching mechanism during the clamping operation,

FIG. 6

an enlarged view of the tension roller and the tension curve of the clamping lever and the rotary element,

FIG. 7

the switching mechanism according to Fig. 1 in the cocked position, with the shift lever held in the off position,

FIG. 8

an enlarged view of the rotary member, the Verklinkungselementes and the trigger mechanism in the Gespanntstellung the switching mechanism,

FIG. 9

the switching mechanism according to Fig. 1 during the switch-on process of the shift lever,

FIG. 10

a perspective view of a part of a switching mechanism, which is designed according to the inventive design principle, and

FIG. 11

a further perspective view of the switching mechanism according to Fig. 10 with representation of the shift lever.

Elements with the same function and mode of action are in the FIGS. 1 to 11 each provided with the same reference numerals.

In the Fig. 1 to 9 schematically a switching mechanism 30 of an electrical switching device, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker, shown, which is formed according to the inventive design principle. The switching mechanism 30 has a hinge mechanism 20 for moving a moving contact, not shown. The hinge mechanism 20 may be formed as a toggle joint. The hinge mechanism 20 is in operative contact with a clamping lever 1 of the switching mechanism 30. That is, by a movement of the clamping lever 1 of the hinge mechanism 20 of the switching mechanism 30 is actuated, so that in a first position of the clamping lever 1, the so-called release position of the clamping lever 1, the hinge mechanism 20 is moved so that that with the hinge mechanism 20 coupled moving contact of a fixed contact, also not shown of the electrical switching device is disconnected. In this state, the electrical switching device disconnects a consumer from a power supply network. In a second position of the clamping lever 1, the so-called clamping position GS, the hinge mechanism 20 is rotated by the clamping lever 1 such that the moving contact contacts the fixed contact, so that the electrical switching device allows a flow of current to a consumption.

The clamping lever 1 is rotatably mounted about a stationary clamping lever axis 24. In this case, the clamping lever axis 24 may be arranged at one end of the clamping lever 1, as in the Fig. 1 to 9 shown. Alternatively, it is possible that the clamping lever axis 24 is arranged centrally or approximately centrally on the clamping lever 1. The tensioning lever 1 also has a tensioning curve 6. Further, the shift mechanism 30 has a shift lever 21 for manually turning off and on the moving contact via the link mechanism. The shift lever 21 has a handle 14 and a tiltable about a fixed bearing point switch bracket 23. On the shift lever 21, a clamping element 12, in particular in the form of a spring element, provided, which is tensioned in a movement of the shift lever 21 and thus of the clamping lever 1, so that this exerts a force on the clamping lever 1. That is, the tensioning element 12 is arranged on the shift lever 21 and the tensioning lever 1 such that it is tensioned during a movement of the shift lever 21 from an on position to an off position and thereby exerts a force on the tensioning lever 1. A tension roller 10, which can be driven via the shift lever 21, rolls off during a movement of the shift lever 21 along the tensioning curve 6 of the tensioning lever 1. That is, the tension roller 10 is under constant operative contact with the tensioning lever 1. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated position of the shift lever 21, that is, in the on position of the shift lever 21, the tension lever 1 is in an upper position in which it is relaxed. The tension roller 10 is rotatably mounted on the shift bracket 23 of the shift lever 21.

The tensioning lever 1 has a cooperating with a Verklinkungselement 7 of the switching mechanism 30 end 25, which serves for locking and unlatching of the clamping lever 1 on the Verklinkungselement 7. In this case, the clamping lever 1 or the end 25 of the clamping lever 1 can latch on the Verklinkungselement 7.

Furthermore, the switching mechanism 30 has a triggering mechanism 18, in particular in the form of a triggering shaft, which can be brought into operative contact with it for movement of the latching element 7. Between the Verklinkungselement 7 and the trigger mechanism 18 is a force element 8, in particular in the form of a leg spring arranged. The force element pushes apart the triggering mechanism 18 and the latching element 7, wherein the force element 8 acts on the latching element 7 with a force in the direction of the end 25 of the tensioning lever 1.

Further, the switching mechanism 30, a rotary member 4, which is movably supported on a bearing 2 and on a slotted guide 3 of the clamping lever 1. In this case, the rotary member 4 can be rotated at the bearing 2 about a rotation axis. During the rotational movement, the rotary member 4 is guided in the slotted guide 3. The slotted guide 3 within the clamping lever 1 or within the end 25 of the clamping lever 1 limits the rotational movement of the rotary element 4. The rotary member 4 is formed such that it can be brought into operative contact with the tensioning roller 10 and the other with the Verklinkungselement 7 ,

The clamping lever 1 and the end 25 of the clamping lever 1, the rotary member 4, the Verklinkungselement 7 and the tension roller 10 act during a clamping operation of the clamping lever 1 together.

In Fig. 2 is the force element 8, which is arranged between the Verklinkungselement 7 and the trigger mechanism 18, shown. The force element 8 presses the latching element 7 against the end 25 of the clamping lever 1 or depending on the position of the clamping lever 1 against the rotary member. 4

In the in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown positions of the switching mechanism 30, the force element 8 presses the Verklinkungselement 7 against the clamping lever 1 and against the end 25 of the clamping lever 1. In this position, the shift lever 21 is in an on position.

Fig. 3 shows the switching mechanism 30 according to Fig. 1 during the clamping operation 9, that is, during the movement of the shift lever 21 from the on position to the off position. This movement corresponds to the clamping operation 9 for the transfer of the clamping lever 1 and the Verklinkungselementes 7 in the Gespanntstellung GS. During this clamping operation 9, the tension roller 10 rolls along the tension curve 6 of the tensioning lever 1 and moves it downwards. The tensioning curve 6, that is to say the contour of the tensioning lever 1 facing the tensioning roller 10, predetermines the degree of movement of the tensioning lever 1. That is, during the clamping operation 9, shift lever 21 from "TRIP" to "RESET", the tension roller 10 moves on the cocking curve 6 upwards. In this case, the rotary element 4 can be pushed back by the tension roller 10. This is in Fig. 5 shown. During the movement of the tension roller 10 on the tensioning curve 6 of the tensioning lever 1 upwards, the tensioning roller 10 presses the rotating element 4 under the line of the tensioning curve 6. When the OFF position ("RESET") of the control lever 21 is reached, the rotary element 4 springs under the action of force the Verklinkungselement 7 back to its original position 11, see Fig. 4 , In this original position 11 of the rotary element 4, the rotary element 4 overlaps the clamping curve 6 of the clamping lever 1. That is, in this original position 11, also referred to as a neutral position, overlaps at least a portion of the rotary member 4, in particular a locking surface 13 of the rotary member 4, the tension curve of the clamping lever 1. This original position 11 is inevitably achieved by the pressing of the Verklinkungselementes 7, which is acted upon by the force element 8.

Fig. 6 schematically shows an enlarged view of the tension roller 10, the tension curve 6, the clamping lever 1 and the rotary element 4. The rotary member 4 has at one end a functional surface, the so-called blocking surface 13, on. If the tension roller 10 moves to the end of the tensioning curve 6, the tensioning process 9 is completed. The tension roller 10 no longer contacts the rotary element 4, so that it springs back into its original position 11, in which at least the locking surface 13 of the rotary element 4 overlaps the tensioning curve 6 of the tensioning lever 1 due to the prestress which the latching element 7 exerts on the rotary element 4 , This overlapping position, that is, the original position 11 of the torque 4, is in the Fig. 4 and 7 shown. After releasing the handle 14 of the shift lever 21, the tension roller 10 moves on the tensioning curve 6, under the action of the tensioning element 12 on the tensioning lever 1, back again and remains on the locking surface 13 of the rotary element 4 under pressure. The rotary member 4 and the locking surface 13 of the rotary member 4 is designed so that the forces, that is, the frictional forces between the tension roller 10 and the locking surface 13 of the rotary member 4 and the clamping element 12, are in equilibrium, whereby the shift lever 21 in the Off position stops and at the same time the Gespanntstellung GS is reached.

Fig. 8 schematically shows in an enlarged view the Gespanntstellung GS of the clamping lever 1 and the Verklinkungselementes 7. The Verklinkungselement 7 has a recess into which a part of the rotary member 4 is immersed. That is, the concentric contour 27 of the rotary member 4 slides along the Verklinkungselement 7 until this concentric contour 27 reaches the recess of Verklinkungselementes 7. After reaching the recess, not the rotary member 4 moves in the direction of Verklinkungselementes 7, but the Verklinkungselement 7 in the direction of the rotary element 4. This creates a gap 15 between the Verklinkungselement 7 and the trigger mechanism 18. That is, while the rotary member 4 and the blocking surface 13 of the rotary element 4, the tension roller 10 and thus the shift lever 21 holds in the off position, there is a gap 15 between the Verklinkungselement 7 and the trigger mechanism 18. In this cocked position GS of the tensioning lever 1 and the latching element 7, the triggering mechanism 18 can be operated without performing a triggering operation of the switching mechanism 30, since no pressure can be exerted by the triggering mechanism 18 on the latching element 7. Thus, the electric switching device can be delivered in such a cocked position GS of the clamping lever 1 and the Verklinkungselementes 7 and in the off position of the shift lever 21 from a manufacturer to a customer, being ensured that these positions even with an unwanted movement of the trigger mechanism 18th remain preserved. The tension roller 10 is held under pressure on the locking surface 13 of the rotary member 4. Here, the forces acting in the switching mechanism 30, in particular the frictional force between the tension roller 10 and the locking surface 13 and the force of the clamping element 12, which acts on the clamping lever 1, in balance.

Upon movement of the shift lever 21 from the off position to the on position, wherein the movement is triggered manually by a user of the electrical switching device, the tension roller 10, which is advantageously arranged rotatably on the shift bracket 23 of the shift lever 21, lifts from the blocking surface 13 of the rotary member 4, whereby the clamping lever 1, under the action of the clamping element 12, is moved upward. This movement is limited by the contact of the end 25 of the clamping lever 1 on the Verklinkungselement 7. That is, after the switch-on of the switching mechanism 30 and the shift lever 21 act on the Verklinkungselement 7 forces of at least one pole unit of the electrical switching device and the clamping element 12. These forces 17 generate a torque 16 in the bearing of the Verklinkungselementes 7, creating a defined force 19 can be generated on the trigger mechanism 18, wherein subsequently a triggering operation is enabled. That is, after the tension roller 10 moves away from the rotary member 4 has been, the clamping lever 1 and the end 25 of the clamping lever 1 verklinkt on the Verklinkungselement 7, so that the clamping lever 1 remains in a Gespanntstellung GS. Now, if the trigger mechanism 18 is actuated by a release of the electrical switching device, not shown, the trigger mechanism 18 due to the direct contact with the Verklinkungselement 7 move this so that the latching of the clamping lever 1 is released to the Verklinkungselement 7, so that trigger the electrical switching device can and the moving contact is separated by the switching mechanism 30 from the fixed contact of the electrical switching device.

In Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a switching mechanism 30 of an electrical switching device, in particular a low-voltage circuit breaker shown. The rotary element 4 is formed in two parts. That is, the rotary member 4 has a first base body, which is arranged on a first side of the clamping lever 1 and a second base body, which is arranged on the other side of the clamping lever 1, on. The two main body of the rotary member 4 are connected to each other via two bolts. In this case, a bolt is mounted on a bearing point 2, not shown, on the clamping lever 1 and the second pin out in the slide guide 3 of the clamping lever 1. A part of the rotary element 4 is immersed in a recess of the Verklinkungselementes 7. In this position, the rotary member 4, the part of the rotary member 4 overlaps with the locking surface 13, the tensioning curve 6 of the clamping lever 1. The Verklinkungselement 7 is pressed due to the spring force of the leg spring 8 against the rotary member 4, so that a gap 15, see Fig. 8 , between the rotary member 4 and the trigger mechanism 18 is formed.

In the Fig. 11 is the switching mechanism 30 according to Fig. 10 shown in another perspective view. In addition to Fig. 10 the shift lever 21 is shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

clamping lever

2

depository

3

link guide

4

rotating member

5

overlap

6

cocking cam

7

Verklinkungselement

8th

force member

9

clamping process

10

idler

11

original position

12

clamping element

13

blocking surface

14

handle

15

gap

16

torque

17

Force of pole unit or clamping element

18

trigger mechanism

19

Force on trigger mechanism

20

joint mechanism

21

gear lever

22

recess

23

switch bracket

24

Clamping lever axis

25

End of the clamping lever

26

tripping shaft

27

concentric contour on the rotating element

30

switching mechanism

GS

Clamped position of the clamping lever / Verklinkungselementes

ONE

ON position of the shift lever

OUT

OFF position of the shift lever

Claims (17)

1. Switching mechanism (30) for an electrical switching device, in particular for a low-voltage circuit-breaker, having

   - an articulated mechanism (20) for moving a movable contact,

   - an operating lever (21) for manually opening and closing the movable contact via the articulated mechanism (20), wherein the operating lever (21) has a grip (14) and a terminal link (23) which can be pivoted about a fixed bearing point,

   - a latch (1) rotatably mounted about a fixed latch spindle (24) and having a clamping cam (6), which latch (1) has an end (25) cooperating with a latching element (7) of the switching mechanism (30) for latching and unlatching the latch (1) on the latching element (7), wherein the latch (1) is in operative contact with the movable contact to move said movable contact via the articulated mechanism (20),

   - a tensioning roller (10), which can be driven via the operating lever (21) such that in the event of a movement of the operating lever (21) the latter is in operative contact with the latch (1) by rolling along the clamping cam (6) of the latch (1),

   - a tensioning element (12) for tensioning the operating lever (21),

   - a tripping mechanism (18), which in order to move the latching element (7) can be brought into operative contact therewith,

   - a force element (8), which is disposed between the latching element (7) and the tripping mechanism (18) and presses these apart, wherein the force element (8) exerts a force on the latching element (7) in the direction of the end (25) of the latch (1),

   characterised in that

   - the latch (1) has a bearing (2) and a sliding block guide (3),

   - a rotary element (4) is mounted on the bearing (2) and is guided along a sliding block guide (3), wherein the rotary movement of the rotary element (4) is restricted by the sliding block guide (3),

   - the rotary element (4) is designed such that it can be brought into operative contact firstly with the tensioning roller (10) and secondly with the latching element (7) and that on conclusion of a tensioning operation (9) of the operating lever (21) it holds the latch (1) and the latching element (7) in a loaded position (GS), and

   - the latch (1), the rotary element (4) and the latching element (7) are designed such that during the tensioning operation (9) of the operating lever (21) the rotary element (4) is inserted into a recess (22) of the latching element (7), so that the latching element (7) can move in the direction of the end (25) of the latch (1) and away from the tripping mechanism (18), so that in the loaded position (GS) a gap (15) exists between the latching element (7) and the tripping mechanism (18).
2. Switching mechanism (30) according to claim 1, characterised in that the rotary element (4) has a keep-out area (13) and that in the loaded position (GS) of the latch (1) and of the latching element (7) the tensioning roller (10) abuts the keep-out area (13).
3. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary element (4) is designed and held on the bearing (2) and the sliding block guide (3) such that on conclusion of the tensioning operation (9) of the operating lever (21) at least the keep-out area (13) of the rotary element (4) overlaps (5) the clamping cam (6) of the latch (1) for the tensioning roller (10) to abut the keep-out area (13).
4. Switching mechanism (30) according to claim 3, characterised in that the rotary element (4) is in operative contact with the latching element (7) such that on conclusion of the tensioning operation (9) of the operating lever (21) the latching element (7) presses the rotary element (4) into an original position, in which at least the keep-out area (13) of the rotary element (4) overlaps (5) the clamping cam (6) of the latch (1) to abut the tensioning roller (10).
5. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the operating lever (21) is subject to a force of the tensioning element (12) such that on conclusion of the tensioning operation (9) of the operating lever (21) and a subsequent release of the operating lever (21) the tensioning roller (10) can roll, under the effect of the tensioning element (12), along the clamping cam (6) of the latch (1), until it abuts the keep-out area (13) of the rotary element (4) in equilibrium of the forces acting in the switching mechanism (30).
6. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bearing (2) and the sliding block guide (3) are disposed on and/or in the end (25) facing the latching element (7).
7. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the loaded position (GS) the operating lever (21) is in an OFF position.
8. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary element (4) can be moved on one side of the latch (1), parallel to the latch.
9. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary element (4) has a knife-edge bearing.
10. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterised in that two rotary elements (4) are provided, wherein a first rotary element (4) is movably disposed on a first side of the latch (1) and the second rotary element (4) on the other side of the latch (1).
11. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterised in that two latches (1) are provided, between which the rotary element (4) is movably disposed.
12. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tensioning element (12) and/or the force element (8) is/are designed as a spring element.
13. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the rotary element (4) is designed as a stamped part or as a plate bending part.
14. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the articulated mechanism (20) is designed as a toggle.
15. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching element (7) is a U-shaped plate.
16. Switching mechanism (30) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tripping mechanism (18) has a tripping shaft (26).
17. Electrical switching device, in particular a low-voltage circuit-breaker, having a movable contact and a fixed contact, a switching mechanism for connecting and for separating the movable contact and the fixed contact, characterised in that the switching mechanism (30) is designed according to at least one of the preceding claims.

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