GB1009989A - Improvements in and relating to electric circuit breakers - Google Patents

Abstract

1,009,989. Automatic circuit breakers. COMPAGNIE DE CONSTRUCTION ELECTRIQUE. Sept. 4, 1963 [Oct. 16, 1962], No. 34931/63. Heading H2B. A latching device for a circuit breaker cornprises a first flat member 4 riveted between the flanges 13, 13<SP>1</SP> of two contact carrying shaft sections 1, 1<SP>1</SP>; two further flat members 3, 3<SP>1</SP> mounted on either side of the flanges 13, 13<SP>1</SP> for limited rotation relative to the shaft 1 by means of linking rivets 10 sliding in slots 15 in the member 4; and a latching member 5 normally biased by a torsion spring 7 to prevent said relative rotation by a part 6 engaging the tip of arm 17 of member 4. The members 3, 3<SP>1</SP> are latched by an arm 11 in the closed position. Upon overload the core of an electromagnet R strikes arm 5 to rotate the part 6 and release arm 17 permitting part 4 to rotate clockwise opening the contacts. As part 4 rotates a cam surface 18 thereon removes the latch 11 permitting a spring 9 to rotate the members 3, 3<SP>1</SP> clockwise to reset the latching engagement 6, 17. A flat spring 2 provides rapid opening in the manner described in Specification 1,009,988. An operating member (Figs. 6-9) is composed of two flat, apertured, relatively movable plates 30, 23 with a strong biasing spring 22 between them, displaceable against a relatively weak restoring spring 9. To close the switch a push button 38 is depressed forcing both plates downwards against spring 9 until a latch 20 stops plate 23. Further depression of button 38 compresses the spring 22 until sloping edge 40 of plate 30 moves the latch clear of plate 23 whereupon spring 22 expands to compress spring 9 and drives plate 23 rapidly downwards to close the contacts through the parts 3, 3<SP>1</SP> of the latching-device.