EP2769399B1 - Range of multi-pole circuit breakers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a series of multi-pole circuit breaker different sizes different nominal current capacity with an undervoltage or shunt trip, hereinafter referred to as a U / A trigger.

US 6,201,460 B1 discloses such a series multi-pole circuit breaker according to the preamble of claim 1.

As is known, circuit breakers can be equipped with a U / A release, in addition to thermomagnetic releases, for example according to document EP 619590 B1 ,

An undervoltage release is an electromagnet which actuates the tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker when the power is interrupted. In the current-carrying state, the system is in rest position. The control takes place with a normally closed contact. Undervoltage release trigger in case of power failure, the switch to z. B. to prevent the automatic restart of engines. A shunt release is an electromagnet that actuates the tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker when a voltage is applied. When de-energized, the system is at rest. The activation takes place with a closing contact. Shunt releases are used for remote release when z. B. a voltage interruption should not lead to automatic shutdown. If the undervoltage release is de-energized or if the residual current release is energized, the circuit breaker can not be switched on. For this purpose, when the circuit breaker is switched on via the switch lock, the U / A release prematurely releases before touching the main contacts of the circuit breaker. The disadvantage is that for circuit breaker different nominal current capacity because of the increasing size with increasing size of the required tripping energy differently designed U / A triggers must be used. The required number of types of U / A triggers requires a lot of effort for the large number of individual parts and their logistical integration into the manufacturing process of the U / A triggers.

In order to achieve the required high tripping forces or trip paths for circuit breakers higher nominal current capacity is according to document US 5512720 A proposed a U / A trigger, in which an energy storage is integrated. The energy storage consists of a latch lever, a release lever and a tension spring. By turning on the circuit breaker with the on-movement of the switch lock on the one hand the latch lever against the force of the tension spring latched to the release lever and thus stretched the power storage and placed on the other the armature of the U / A release in its rest position. When activating the U / A trigger is brought by the armature of the latch lever out of the engagement area with the release lever. With the released force of the tension spring of the trigger lever causes the triggering of the switching mechanism with an energy that exceeds the energy that can be applied by the electromagnet of the U / A trigger by far. The disadvantage is that the proposed U / A trigger requires many items due to the integrated energy storage, requires a large space and that for power switches with low nominal current capacity of the energy storage is not required or otherwise occupy the necessary space.

From the publication DE 4202049 C1 is a thermal release for power switching devices known. The thermal release contains in the main flow paths bimetallic strip, which bend in overcurrent and act on a trip bridge, adjusting means for setting the trigger conditions and a force accumulator, which consists of a latch lever and a clamping lever, which can be mutually braced by means of a tension spring. If the overcurrent exceeds the set overload limit, the tripping bridge is displaced and pivots the ratchet lever out of the engagement area with the clamping lever, causing it to move under the influence of the tension spring, which triggers the switchgear of the power switchgear, which results in opening of the main contacts of the power switchgear , When resetting the power switching device from the tripped state acts connected to the switching mechanism clamping element against the force of the tension spring on the clamping lever and transferred the energy storage again in the clamped state.

The invention has for its object to reduce the design and manufacturing effort in terms of the use of U / A triggers in a circuit breaker series.

Starting from a circuit breaker series of the type mentioned, the object is achieved by the features of the independent claim, while the dependent claims advantageous developments of the invention can be seen.

The fact that for all sizes of the series a U / A-release of the same design is provided that the series is at least one size higher nominal current capacity equipped with a force storage consisting of a release lever, a pawl lever and a tensioned tension spring between the two, its release lever to latch with the ratchet lever from the latch when reset from the tripped condition is acted upon against the force of the tension spring, that at least one equipped with energy storage size on the one hand, both the thermal release, the magnetic release and the U / A trigger with the latch lever Relax the energy accumulator in operative connection and on the other hand, the release lever with the switching mechanism triggering operatively connected and that in the at least one equipped with energy storage size instead of the effective in the other sizes first release element egg n associated with the switching lock second release element is provided with the U / A trigger for releasing the same, wherein the effective before closing the main contacts release position of the second release element with respect to the release position of the first release element is leading to a greater extent, all circuit breakers of the series with the same U / A trigger. This U / A trip unit is designed so that its tripping energy is sufficient to transfer the non-powered circuit-breaker of the series to the tripped state. In the case of the at least one circuit breaker of the series, which is equipped with a force accumulator, the tripping energy of this U / A trigger in conjunction with the energy accumulator is in turn sufficient for triggering this circuit breaker. The inventive series multi-pole circuit breaker is the cost of manufacturing, storage and assembly the parts of the integrated U / A release significantly reduced. The effort for the energy storage is irrelevant, since such is usually provided in the sizes higher rated current capacity for the thermal tripping.

Depending on the spatial conditions inside the at least one circuit breaker higher nominal current capacity and the necessary triggering paths and forces to trigger the switching mechanism, it is advantageous to cooperate with the magnet armature of the U / A trigger trigger triggers either directly or indirectly with the latch lever to let. In the latter case, it is expedient to store an intermediate slide or an intermediate lever between the trigger plunger and latch lever.

It is also advantageous that, depending on the spatial conditions in the interior of the at least one circuit breaker higher nominal current capacity and the necessary triggering paths and forces to trigger the switching mechanism of the trigger lever of the energy storage device is operatively connected either directly or via an intermediate member triggering with the switching mechanism.

Figur 1:

eine erfindungsgemäße Baureihe in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 2:

den zu der Baureihe nach Fig. 1 gehörenden U/A-Auslöser in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 3:

eine Baugröße niederen Nennstromvermögens aus der Baureihe nach Fig. 1 in gebrochener perspektivischer Schnittdarstellung;

Figur 4:

die Auslösewirkungskette der Baugröße nach Fig. 3 in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 5:

ein Detail der Baugröße nach Fig. 3 im Bereich ihres Schaltschlosses in gebrochener Schnittdarstellung;

Figur 6:

eine Baugröße höheren Nennstromvermögens aus der Baureihe nach Fig. 1 in gebrochener perspektivischer Schnittdarstellung;

Figur 7:

die Auslösewirkungskette der Baugröße nach Fig. 6 in perspektivischer Darstellung;

Figur 8:

ein Detail der Baugröße nach Fig. 6 im Bereich ihres Schaltschlosses in gebrochener Schnittdarstellung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following, explained with reference to figures embodiment. Show it

FIG. 1:

an inventive series in perspective view;

FIG. 2:

to the series Fig. 1 belonging U / A trigger in perspective view;

FIG. 3:

a size of low nominal current capacity from the series Fig. 1 in a broken perspective sectional view;

FIG. 4:

the tripping effect chain according to the size Fig. 3 in perspective view;

FIG. 5:

a detail of the size after Fig. 3 in the area of its switching mechanism in a broken sectional view;

FIG. 6:

a size higher rated current capability from the series to Fig. 1 in a broken perspective sectional view;

FIG. 7:

the tripping effect chain according to the size Fig. 6 in perspective view;

FIG. 8:

a detail of the size after Fig. 6 in the area of their switching mechanism in a broken sectional view.

Fig. 1 shows a series of three-pole circuit breakers consisting of three sizes 1, 2 and 3 of different nominal current capacity. Of the three sizes 1, 2 and 3, the small size 1 has the lowest nominal current capacity, the medium size 2 the medium and the large size 3 the highest rated current capacity. Each size 1, 2 and 3 is surrounded by a switch housing 4, 5 and 6 of insulating molding material from the frontally a control knob 7, 8 and 9 protrudes, with which the main contacts of the circuit breaker can be closed and opened via a switching mechanism , At the respective switch housing 4, 5 and 6, connections for three main conductors are accessible from above and from below. In contrast to the FIGS. 3 to 8 are the sizes 1, 2 and 3 in Fig. 1 represented in a natural scale ratio.

Each of the three sizes 1, 2 and 3 is optionally equipped with a U / A release 10 of the same type, which can be designed as an undervoltage release or as a shunt release. The U / A trigger 10 is inserted into a receiving space 11 accessible from the front side of the switch housing 4, 5 or 6 and connected to control lines 12 routed to the outside.

The U / A trigger 10 of the same type is in Fig. 2 shown on an enlarged scale. The U / A trigger 10 is surrounded by a trigger housing 14 made of insulating molding material. From the trigger housing 14 reaches firstly the outer end of a connected to the armature of the U / A trigger 10 release plunger 16 and on the other hand, the actuating surface 19 of a release lever. If, upon the occurrence of a trip condition, the U / A trigger transitions from its idle state to the trip state, the movement of the trigger plunger 16 causes the latch to transition to the tripped state. The main contacts of the circuit breaker are forced open. Before switching the circuit breaker back on, the switch lock must be reset using the control buttons 7, 8 or 9. At rest, the release lever holds the Trigger plunger 16 and thus the armature while in the rest position until the circuit breaker releases the armature of the U / A trigger 10 via the release lever in the course of switching on the circuit breaker, so that in the event of a trigger condition (undervoltage or working current), the release plunger 16 can move from the rest position.

The following is based on the FIGS. 3 to 5 of the series according to the invention described the size 1 with low Nennstromvermögens. The switching mechanism 24 connected via its pivoting lever 22 to the control knob 7 causes the closing and opening of the main contacts, of which in Fig. 3 a fixed contact 26 and a movable contact 28 moving in a contact space 32 equipped with arc-quenching plates 30 can be seen from an outer switching pole. Fig. 4 shows how in the idle state of the U / A trigger 10 of the trigger plunger 16 and the magnet armature 17 connected thereto is held on the release lever 20 in its rest position. For this purpose, the release lever 20 mounted in the trigger housing 14 and designed as a two-sided lever is acted upon by a release tension spring 18 which is fixed on one side in the trigger housing 14 (in the illustration of FIG Fig. 3 clockwise and in the representation of Fig. 4 counterclockwise).

On the pivot lever 22, a first release member 34 is attached. The pivot lever 22 is supported in the switch lock 24 in a pivot bearing 36 ( Fig. 5 ). When switching on the circuit breaker of the pivot lever 22 is pivoted, ie according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 in the counterclockwise direction. In the course of the switch-on movement of the pivot lever 22 reaches a designated by the reference numeral 38 release angle and shortly thereafter its designated by the reference numeral 40 tilt angle at which the switching mechanism 24 can tip over to close the main contacts. Upon reaching the release angle 38 of the pivoting lever 22, the first release element 34 lays against the actuating surface 19 of the U / A trigger 10 and starts leading the release lever 20 against the spring force of the trigger tension spring 18 from the trigger plunger 16, before closing the main contacts. by the release lever 20 according to Fig. 3 counterclockwise and according to Fig. 4 is pivoted clockwise. As a result, the armature 17 is released, so that in the event of a trigger situation leading the closing of the main contacts Magnetic armature 17 and trip rod 16 can move from its rest position (according to Fig. 3 to the right and according to Fig. 4 to the left). In the absence of a trigger situation, however, remain the armature 17 and the trigger plunger 16 in its rest position.

In the case of a triggering situation, the release plunger 16 strikes a lock pawl 42 latchable with the latching mechanism 24. With its rotary movement, the latch pawl 42 releases from the latching mechanism 24, so that it switches over to the tripped state before the main contacts are closed. For each switching pole both a thermal release with a bimetallic strip 48 and a magnetic release with a hinged armature 50 are provided, which also act triggering in the event of an overload or a short circuit. For this purpose, one of a mounted in the switch housing 4 release shaft 44 according to Fig. 4 pivoted against the restoring action of a torsion spring 46 in the counterclockwise direction and unlatched by means of a projecting from the trigger shaft 44 extension 52, the lock pawl 42 from the switch lock 24. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 For reasons of better illustration, not all bimetallic strips 48 and hinged anchors 50 of all three poles can be seen or illustrated.

In the off or triggered state stands by the assumed angular position of the pivot lever 22, the first release member 34 out of communication with the actuating surface 19, so by the action of the trigger tension spring 18 of the release lever 20, the trigger plunger 16 and the magnet armature 17 again in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 occupy shown rest position.

The size 2 average rated current capacity also has on the size of 1 described and cooperating functional elements and can be equipped with the U / A trigger 10 of the type described above. Therefore does not need to be discussed in detail on the size 2.

The following is based on the FIGS. 6 to 8 from the series according to the invention the size 3 described with high Nennstromvermögens. Likewise and the same effect as in size 1, the size 3 has the following details: a mounted in the switch housing 6 switching mechanism 25 with a connected to the control knob 9 and mounted in a pivot bearing 37 pivot lever 23; Farther fixed contacts 27, movable contacts 29, arc extinguishing plates 31 in each case a contact space 33; furthermore, a lock pawl 43 latchable with the switch lock 25, and furthermore thermal releases with bimetallic strips 49 and magnetic releases with hinged anchors 51 Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 For reasons of better illustration, not all bimetallic strips 49 and hinged anchors 51 of all three poles can be seen or illustrated.

In contrast to the other two sizes 1 and 2, the size 3 in addition to an energy storage 52. This energy storage 52 consists of a switch housing 6 with a latch lever 56 pivotally mounted with its pawl lever axis 54, also in the switch housing 6 with a release lever 60 pivotally mounted with its trigger lever 60 and a tension spring 62 in the form of a spiral compression spring, under the action of the pawl lever 56 and Release lever 60 are held in mutual tensioned state. The bimetallic strip 49 or the hinged armature 51 act in overload or short circuit on suitably arranged extensions 64 and 65 of the ratchet lever 56. In this case, the latch lever 56 in the illustration Fig. 6 clockwise and after Fig. 7 pivoted counterclockwise. By this pivoting, the release lever 60 releases from the tension with the pawl lever 56 and is under the action of the relaxing tension spring 62 in the illustration after Fig. 6 clockwise and after Fig. 7 pivoted counterclockwise. The release lever 60 hits due to the relaxing tension spring 62 with sufficient force on the lock pawl 43 of the switching mechanism 25 and brings this to trigger.

In the switch housing 6, an intermediate lever 67 is further mounted between the U / A trigger 10 and the latch lever 56. When the U / A trigger 10 responds to a trigger situation, its trigger plunger 16 strikes the free end of the intermediate lever 67 and pivots it in accordance with Fig. 7 in a clockwise direction, so that the intermediate lever 67 meets the pawl lever 56. As a result, the energy accumulator 52 is relaxed and the switching mechanism 25 is triggered.

The switching mechanism 25 size 3 requires higher forces to trigger than the switching mechanism of sizes 1 and 2. These higher forces can be used by the Bimetallic strip 49 and hinged anchors 51 and provided for the entire series U / A trigger 10 are not applied by itself. The interposition of the force accumulator 52 between the described trigger and the pawl 43 allows taking advantage of the stored force of the relaxing tension spring 62, sufficiently high forces to trigger the switching mechanism 25 of the series 3 available. It should be emphasized as a particular advantage that for all series 1, 2 and 3 of the U / A trigger 10 of the same type and size is used.

To reset the force accumulator 52 after a trigger case hits when resetting the switching mechanism 25, which must go ahead the switch-on, connected to the pivot lever 23 reset nose 66 on the release lever 60 (in Fig. 8 with movement to the right) and thereby brings the release lever 60 against the force of the tension spring 62 again in the clamped engagement with the latch lever 56. The energy storage 52 is now available for a new release operation.

Instead of the first release element 34 on the pivot lever 22 of the switch lock 24 in the small size 1 (and also in the middle size 2) is attached to the pivot lever 23 of the switch lock 25 at the large size 3, a second release element 35. When switching on the circuit breaker, the pivot lever 23 is pivoted, ie according to Fig. 8 in the counterclockwise direction. In the course of the switch-on movement of the pivot lever 23 reaches a designated by the reference numeral 39 release angle and then its designated by the reference numeral 41 tilt angle at which the switching mechanism 25 can tip over to close the main contacts. Upon reaching the release angle 39 of the pivoting lever 23, the second release element 35 lays against the actuating surface 19 of the U / A release 10 and starts leading the release lever 20 against the spring force of the trigger tension spring 18 from the trigger plunger 16, before closing the main contacts. by the release lever 20 according to Fig. 7 is pivoted clockwise. As a result, the magnet armature 17 is released, so that in the event of a tripping situation leading before the closing of the main contacts magnet armature 17 and trip rod 16 can move from its rest position (according to Fig. 7 to the left). In the absence of a Tripping situation, however, remain the armature 17 and the trigger plunger 16 in its rest position.

In the off or triggered state stands by the assumed angular position of the pivot lever 23, the second release element 35 out of communication with the actuating surface 19, so by the action of the Auslöserzugfeder 18 of the release lever 20, the trigger plunger 16 and the magnet armature 17 again in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 occupy shown rest position.

A comparison between the FIGS. 5 and 8 can be seen that the angular distance between the release angle 39 and tilt angle 41 in the key switch 25 size 3 is much greater than the comparable angular distance between the release angle 38 and tilt angle 40 in the switch lock 24 of size 1. In other words, that the release the U / A trigger 10 in the course of the power-on in size 3 with greater lead over the closing of the main contacts than in the size 1 (and in size 2). This larger lead in the size 3 compensated in time the extended chain of effects, resulting from the addition of energy storage 52 and intermediate lever 67 between the U / A trigger 10 and pawl 43. The said chain of effects would otherwise lead to a delayed release of the U / A trigger and is characterized by the switching in the direction of the pivot lever 22 and 23 (after FIGS. 5 and 8 Counterclockwise) pre-threaded arrangement of the second release member 35 relative to the first release member 34 compensated in time.

The invention described above finds application for the protection of low-voltage switchgear and consumers.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also includes all the same in the context of the invention embodiments. Thus, for example, the invention can be designed such that the release plunger 16 of the U / A release 10 acts directly on the latch lever 56 of the energy accumulator 52 without the use of an intermediate lever. It is also in accordance with the invention, if instead of an intermediate lever 67, an intermediate slide between Release plunger 16 and latch lever 56 is arranged. Also within the meaning of the invention would be stored in the switch housing 6 and between the release lever 60 of the energy accumulator 52 and the lock pawl 43 mounted intermediate member.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1; 2; 3 size 32; 33 Contact space 4; 5; 6 switch housing 34; 35 release element 7; 8th; 9 control knobs 36; 37 pivot bearing 10 U / A trigger 38; 39 release angle 11 accommodation space 40; 41 tilt angle 12 control lines 42; 43 Castle jack 14 trigger housing 44 tripping shaft 16 Actuation tappet 46 torsion spring 17 armature 48; 49 bimetallic strip 18 Auslöserzugfeder 50; 51 hinged armature 19 actuating surface 52 power storage 20 release lever 54 Ratchet lever axis 22; 23 pivoting lever 56 ratchet lever 24; 25 switch lock 58 Release lever axis 26; 27 fixed contact 60 sear 28; 29 moving contact 62 tension spring 30; 31 Arc plate 64; 65 extension 66 Reset nose 67 intermediate lever

Claims (7)

1. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers having different sizes and rated current capacities, the individual sizes (1; 2; 3) each

   - having a switch latch (24; 25) for closing and opening main contacts,

   - having thermal and magnetic trips (48; 50) which are operatively connected to the switch latch (24) such that they can be tripped, in order to cause the main contacts to open in the event of overcurrents or short-circuit currents,

   - having a U/A trip (10), if necessary, which is operatively connected to the switch latch (24) such that it can be tripped, in order to prevent the main contacts from closing or to allow the main contacts to open in the event of undervoltage or an operating current in the U/A trip (10), for which purpose the U/A trip (10) is released by means of a first release element (34) connected to the switch latch (24) before the main contacts close,
   in a switch housing (4; 5; 6),
   a U/A trip (10) of the same type being provided for every series size (1; 2; 3),
   characterised in that

   - from the series, at least one size (3) having a relatively high rated current capacity is equipped with an energy accumulator (52) which consists of a ratchet lever (56), a tripping lever (60) and a tension spring (62), pressure being applied to the tripping lever (60) by the ratchet lever (56) of the switch latch (25) as it returns from the tripped state, counter to the action of force of the tension spring (62), in order to bring about the tensioned state,

   - in that, in the case of the at least one size (3) equipped with an energy accumulator (52), on the one hand the thermal trip (49), the magnetic trip (51) and the U/A trip (10) are brought into operative connection with the ratchet lever (56) in order to relax the energy accumulator (52) and, on the other hand, the tripping lever (60) is brought into operative connection with the switch latch (25), such that it can be tripped, as a result of the action of the self-relaxing tension spring (62),

   - in that, in the case of the at least one size (3) equipped with an energy accumulator (52), instead of the first release element (34) which is effective in the case of the other sizes (1; 2), a second release element (35) which is connected to the switch latch (25) of the first release element is provided in order to enable the U/A trip (10), the release position (39) of the second release element (35) which is effective before the main contacts close being largely in advance of the release position (38) of the first release element (34).
2. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to claim 1, characterised in that a tripping rod (16) which is coupled to the magnet armature (17) of the U/A trip (10) is directly operatively connected to the ratchet lever (56).
3. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to claim 1, characterised in that a tripping rod (16) which is coupled to the magnet armature (17) of the U/A trip (10) is indirectly operatively connected to the ratchet lever (56).
4. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to claim 3, characterised in that an intermediate slider is linearly mounted in the switch housing (6) between the tripping rod (16) and the ratchet lever (56).
5. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to claim 3, characterised in that an intermediate lever (67) is pivotally mounted in the switch housing (6) between the tripping rod (16) and the ratchet lever (56).
6. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tripping lever (60) of the energy accumulator (52) is directly operatively connected to the switch latch (25) such that it can be tripped.
7. Series of multi-pole circuit breakers according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tripping lever (60) of the energy accumulator (52) is operatively connected to the switch latch (25) by means of an intermediate connecting element mounted in the switch housing (6) such that it can be tripped.

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