JP2002533897A - Actuating element for switching connection between main switch and auxiliary switch - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an actuating element (3) for creating a switching connection between a drive element (5) of a main switch and an actuator (6) of an auxiliary switch (2). The device makes it possible for the movement of the drive element (5) to bring the actuator (6) into a specific switching state by means of the activation element (3). According to the invention, the actuating element (3) assists in returning the actuator (6) to its original switching position, said actuator (6) being easily returned from a specific switching state to the original switching state. Can be clamped to ensure that

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an operation element for connecting between a main switch and an auxiliary switch. Such an actuation element is particularly suitable for creating an actuation connection between the drive element of the main switch and the actuator of the microswitch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Auxiliary switches are commonly used as additional devices to low voltage switches, for example,
A control function, an instruction function or an interlocking function can be performed. They are usually housed together with a switch in a common housing to protect them from excess dust and other contaminants or moisture. Actuating elements of the aforementioned type are widely known. They must be able to continue to provide outstanding mobility and functionality, even under poor operating conditions, such as dirt or deposits resulting from welding operations, and must be easy to manufacture and install.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an actuating element for reliably creating a connection between a main switch and an auxiliary switch.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention intends to provide an actuating element that is simple to manufacture and can be easily mounted on the main / auxiliary switch device. This object is achieved by the features defined in claim 1. Advantageous further refinements of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. The present invention will be described in detail below using embodiments shown in the drawings.

(Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention) As shown in FIG. 1, an operating element 3 connecting between a main switch 1 and an auxiliary switch 2 is incorporated in a switching device such as a circuit breaker.

The main switch 1 is incorporated in a contact system housing or a main switch housing 4 and has a contact device that can be driven by a drive element 5. The contact device housing 4 consists of two outer housing halves 4a and 4b, after mounting of the contact device components included in the contact device, they are screwed, glued or riveted. Fixed. The main switch 1 and the auxiliary switch 2 are separately housed in two sections of the switch housing defined by the housing walls 7a, 7b and occupy fixed positions with respect to each other. The auxiliary switch 2 is arranged such that its opening / closing element or actuator 6 projects from the downwardly facing surface side of FIG. That is, this actuator is arranged to be located at a position where it is operatively connected to the drive element 5 via the operation element 3 which is a relay member, and opposes the force of the operation spring attached to the auxiliary switch. As shown in FIG. 1, it is pushed by the switching operation of the driving element. The resetting of the actuator 6 shown in FIG. 2 is performed by the repulsive force of the operating spring pressurized by the previous operation.

The actuating element 3 is formed in one piece and has a movable part 3 a and a lever part 3 b extending essentially at right angles to the movable part 3 a. The open end 3e of the lever portion 3b is
It is rotatably mounted in a recess formed in the contact device housing 4. Therefore, the movable portion 3a is rotatable between the drive element 5 of the main switch 1 and the actuator 6 of the auxiliary switch 2. The integrally formed actuating element 3 has an elastically deformable portion 3c formed as a projection. The elastically deformable portion 3c is pressed against the stopper 7 formed by one housing wall 7b by the upward rotation of the operating element 3 in FIG.

The manner of actuation of the actuation element 3 can be understood from the indications in FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the open position of the main switch 1. Here, as shown, the drive element 5 is in the upper position where it is turned off. The drive element 5 is positioned in this position with sufficient force to not only push the actuator 6 but at the same time receive pressure by the elastically deformable part 3c abutting the stop 7.

In order to bring the main switch 1 to the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the drive element 5 is positioned at the lower ON position. Therefore, the movable portion 3a of the operating element 3 is released, and is rotated counterclockwise by the reset force of the actuator 6 and the return force of the elastically deformable portion 3c.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the fact that the actuating element that establishes the actuating connection between the main switch and the auxiliary switch is liable to malfunction due to the effects of foreign matter or contamination. First of all, the actuation element takes the form of a lever. That is,
Operational disturbances at the fulcrum or recess formed in the contact device housing 4 can be more easily overcome by the reset force of the actuator 6 of the auxiliary switch 2 shown in FIG.

Further, when the state shown in FIG. 1 is established, the force applied from the driving element 5 to the operating element 3 is stored in the elastically deformable portion 3c as an additional reset force, and as a result, the position shown in FIG. It is used as an additional assisting force when returning the operating element 3. This ensures a high level of functional reliability even when the actuating element is arranged outside the contact device housing 4.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the actuation lever formed as an injection-molded plastic part. The injection-molded part has an essentially U-shaped configuration and has two legs 3b, each of which has a circular extension at each end. The circular expansion of these feet 3b can be engaged with the recess of the contact device housing 4 as shown in FIG. An operating tongue piece 3d is formed at a portion connecting the foot 3b of the injection molded part. Further, an L-shape is formed with the operating tongue piece 3d, and a portion 3f extending in a direction perpendicular to the foot 3b is provided. This part 3f becomes the movable part 3a of the operating lever. The projection 3c acting as an elastic portion is formed in the center of the operating tongue piece 3d in the form of a leaf spring having one end attached to the operating lever.

In the main switch / auxiliary switch mechanism shown in FIG. 4, the foot 3b is first placed around the wall surface of the housing of the main switch 1, and the extended portion 3e is fitted into a recess formed in the wall surface of the housing. Next, the L-shaped portion 3f is pivoted downward in the figure along the recess 4c on the side surface of the contact device housing 4 and is lowered, so that the operating element shown in FIG. 3 slides in the opening 4d. 5 is attached so as to be able to abut.

As shown in FIG. 4, a side recess 4c having an opening 4d is formed not only on one outer plate 4a of the housing but also on the other outer plate 4b. According to this method,
It is also possible to use an actuating element 3 having a movable part 3a on each of the two sides of the actuating tongue 3d. It should be noted here that the recess into which the extension 3e fits is the same as the depth of the side recess 4c and can be connected to them in order to simplify the manufacture of the respective housing shells. Is a point. This latter is an embodiment of the embodiment of the invention, in which not only the L-shaped part 3f but also the foot 3b with the widened part 3e is fitted in the recess 4c. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown with reference to the figures. The actuating element can be implemented in any other form or design that ensures that the actuating lever is preloaded to assist in returning the actuating lever to the switching position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a main switch / auxiliary switch mechanism with an operation element in a first state.

FIG. 2 shows a second state of the main switch / auxiliary switch mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operating element according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main switch / auxiliary switch mechanism including the operation element of FIG. 3;

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An actuating element for connecting between a main switch (1) and an auxiliary switch (2), wherein said actuating element (3) moves a drive element (5) of said main switch (1). An actuating element characterized in that the actuation element creates a specific switching state of the auxiliary switch to assist in returning the auxiliary switch to its original switching position. 2. The actuating element according to claim 1, wherein the end (3e) is configured as an actuating lever pivotally mounted on the main switch housing (4). 3. An elastically deformable portion (3c) which can be pressed against the stopper (7).
3. The actuating element according to claim 2, comprising: 4. An actuator (6) for said drive element (5) and said auxiliary switch (2).
), The end portion (3e) of which is supported by a recess of the main switch housing (4) and is connected at a substantially right angle.
Actuating element according to claim 3, characterized in that it has a movable part (3a) with 3b). 5. The elastically deformable part (3c) is formed at one end of the movable part (3a) remote from the support end (3e) of the lever part (3b). Actuating element according to claim 1. 6. Two legs (3) which are U-shaped and form said lever portion.
b) is connected by a part forming a tongue piece (3d) in the movable part (3a), and from the center thereof, the elastic part (3c) and the movable part are perpendicular to the foot.
The L-shaped extension (3f) is extended.
An actuating element according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The part forming the tongue (3d) is capable of contacting the actuator (6), and the end of the L-shaped extension (3f) is connected to the drive element (5).
Actuating element according to claim 6, characterized in that it is mounted on the main switch housing (4) so that it can make contact with the main switch housing (4). 8. The actuating element according to claim 1, wherein the actuating element is formed as an injection-molded plastic part.