JP2008066130A - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circuit breaker with a test circuit in which a leaf spring or a lead wire is not necessary. <P>SOLUTION: A switch operated by operation of a test button 9 is constituted of a protruding contact 28 which is protruded and installed from one face of a printed board 6 in which an earth leakage detecting circuit is integrated, and a pin shape contact member 29 of which the base end is electrically connected to this printed board 6, which is extended and installed outward from the printed board 6, which is folded back and formed in nearly U-shape, and which has elasticity of making the tip contactable with the protruding contact 28. The test button 9 is engaged in the middle of folding back the pin shape contact point member 2, the tip of the pin shape contact point member 29 contacts the protruding contact 28 by a pressing operation of the test button 9, and the switch is brought into on operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly, to a circuit breaker having a leakage breaker function.

The circuit breaker is equipped with an overcurrent cutoff function that shuts off the electrical circuit when the current flowing in the circuit to be interrupted exceeds the rated value, or a leakage fault cutoff function that detects and detects the occurrence of a leakage in the circuit Some are equipped with, and some are equipped with both. In such a circuit breaker, a circuit breaker having a leakage breaker function is provided with a test circuit for testing whether the leakage detection circuit operates normally, and a test button provided on the breaker case is operated. Thus, it is configured so that a block test can be performed.
Conventionally, the switch part operated by such a test button has a switch part on a printed circuit board that uses a single switch part or has a leakage detection circuit assembled without using a switch part in order to reduce the number of parts. There is something assembled. The one assembled to this printed circuit board is that one terminal protrudes from the printed circuit board, a leaf spring with one end fixed separately is provided at an appropriate location, the other end of the leaf spring is the other terminal, and a leaf spring is formed by a test button. The switch portion is configured by a structure in which both terminals are brought into contact with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-118486 A

However, the configuration in which one terminal is provided on the printed circuit board and the other terminal is a leaf spring can reduce the number of parts compared to the use of a single switch member, but the printed circuit board is in the circuit breaker case. Since the test button is located at the bottom and the test button is located on the top surface of the circuit breaker case, it is necessary to form the terminals provided on the printed circuit board long and the leaf springs to be long. Since a large space is required for the installation space of the switch unit, a change has been desired in order to reduce the size of the circuit breaker.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker including a test circuit having a switch portion that can be disposed in a space-saving manner without using a switch component.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a circuit breaker according to the invention of claim 1 includes a circuit breaker case for detecting a circuit leakage in the circuit breaker case, and a circuit breaker mechanism for performing a circuit break operation on the switching contact provided in the circuit. On the other hand, a test button for performing an operation test of the leakage detection circuit is provided on the circuit breaker case, and when the leakage detection circuit detects a leakage, the interruption mechanism section is operated to be cut off, and a pseudo operation is performed by operating the test button. In a circuit breaker that operates to break by generating an electric leakage, a switch unit that operates by operating the test button includes a contact bar that protrudes from one surface of the printed circuit board on which the leakage detection circuit is assembled, and the printed circuit board. The base end is electrically connected, extends outward from the printed circuit board, is folded back in a substantially U shape, and allows the tip to contact the side of the contact bar. A pin-shaped contact member having elasticity, the test button is engaged while the pin-shaped contact member is folded, and the tip of the pin-shaped contact member comes into contact with the contact bar by the pressing movement of the test button. The switch unit is turned on.
According to this configuration, since the tip of the pin-shaped contact member is in contact with the side of the contact bar, the pin-shaped contact member can use a wire-like wire, and does not require an installation space like a leaf spring. It can be installed in a small space. Therefore, it is advantageous for miniaturization of the circuit breaker.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the circuit breaker case includes an operation handle for turning on / off the electric circuit on the upper surface, a power supply side terminal on the rear surface, and a load side terminal on the front surface. The printed circuit board is disposed in parallel to be close to one side surface of the upper part of the circuit breaker case, and a pin contact member is disposed in parallel to the printed circuit board.
According to this configuration, since the pin-shaped contact member is installed so as to run over the side of the circuit breaker case where the printed circuit board is installed, the pin-shaped contact member can be disposed so as to overlap with the side part of the other circuit breaker component. It is possible to install without providing a dedicated space for members. In addition, by placing the printed circuit board in the upper part of the case, the test button can operate the pin-shaped contact member extending from the printed circuit board with only a few protrusions, and the test button is placed near the operation handle. It can be installed without difficulty and is effective for miniaturization of circuit breakers.

  According to the present invention, since the tip of the pin-shaped contact member is configured to contact the side of the contact bar, the pin-shaped contact member can use a wire-like wire, and does not require an installation space such as a leaf spring. It can be installed in a small space. Therefore, it is advantageous for miniaturization of the circuit breaker. Further, by arranging the printed circuit board at the upper part in the case, the test button can operate the pin-shaped contact member extending from the printed circuit board only by providing a slight protrusion.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show an example of a circuit breaker according to the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a state in which a circuit breaker case is opened, a side view of a circuit breaker on state, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same state, FIG. Similarly, 3 shows a side view of the circuit breaker OFF state with the circuit breaker case opened, and shows a circuit breaker used for a single-phase three-wire electric circuit. 1a is a circuit breaker case made of a synthetic resin that is separable left and right (left case), 2 is a power supply side terminal, 3 is a load side terminal, 4 is an operation handle for turning on / off the electric circuit, Trip coil that cuts off in response to the occurrence of leakage, 6 is a printed circuit board with a leakage detection circuit, 7 is a zero-phase current transformer, 8 is a separator for connecting / disconnecting switching contacts provided in the circuit, and 9 is leakage detection. This is a test button for testing the circuit. The operation handle 4 is provided on the upper surface of the circuit breaker case 1a so as to be pivotable back and forth, and the power supply side terminal 2 is disposed on the back surface and the load side terminal 3 is disposed on the front surface.
The circuit breaker case includes a left case 1a shown in the figure and a right case (not shown) formed substantially symmetrically with the left case 1a. A plurality of elements and wirings mounted on the printed circuit board 6 are omitted.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of the circuit breaker. As shown in this circuit diagram, the single-phase three-wire circuit 12 is provided with an open / close contact 13, 14 is a test circuit, 15 is a switch unit, and the printed circuit board 6 is assembled with a leakage detection circuit and a test circuit 14. It has been. Reference numeral 17 denotes an IC leakage determination circuit for determining leakage from the zero phase current value of the electric circuit 12 detected by the zero phase current transformer 7.

  The power supply side terminal 2 and the load side terminal 3 have three terminals arranged in a line in the vertical direction. The power supply side terminal has a neutral electrode terminal 2N at the upper part and voltage electrode terminals 2L and 2L at the center and lower terminals. It has a letter-shaped terminal fitting 20 and is formed as a plug-in type terminal connected by simply inserting a conductor bar (not shown) disposed in the distribution board. Reference numeral 21 denotes a bimetal piece for interrupting operation when an overcurrent is generated, and 22 is a movable electromagnetic piece for instantaneously interrupting operation when a short-circuit current is generated.

The load side terminal 3 is a neutral electrode terminal 3N at the center, and voltage electrode terminals 3L and 3L at the upper and lower terminals, and each terminal is a terminal provided with one contact bar constituting the switching contact 13 on the rear side. It has the metal fitting 23 and the latch metal fitting (not shown) which latches and electrically connects the inserted electric wire (not shown), and is formed as a quick connection terminal.
Reference numeral 24 denotes a release lever for releasing the lock of the lock fitting when the inserted electric wire is pulled out. The member closing the neutral electrode terminal 3N in FIG. In this case, a state is shown in which the neutral terminal 3N is closed.

  The separator 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is installed in parallel with the front surface provided with the load side terminals 3. The separator 8 accommodates contact rods extending from the individual load side terminals 3L, 3N, 3L, and three movable contacts are provided in the interior according to the contact rods, and slide in the axial direction of the separator 8. Both contacts perform contact / dissociation operation, and turn on / off. An opening / closing mechanism unit 25 is integrally formed on the upper portion of the separator 8 (not described in detail).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part A in FIG. 1 and shows the configuration of the switch unit 15. The test circuit 14 operated by the test button 9 is formed on the printed circuit board 6, and the switch portion 15 is formed on one surface of the printed circuit board 6. The switch portion 15 has a protruding contact (contact bar) 28 protruding from the printed circuit board 6, one end electrically connected to the printed circuit board 6, and extending in the front direction in which the load side terminal 3 is provided, and is substantially U-shaped. And a pin-shaped contact member 29 having elasticity and disposed so that the tip can come into contact with the protruding contact.
The pin-shaped contact member 29 has a folded portion that is locked to the rotating shaft of the release lever 24, and a tip that is folded upward extends to above the protruding contact 28. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, it is arranged on the right side inside the circuit breaker case, and when the right case is covered on the left case 1 a, it is arranged in a part close to the right case.

The test button 9 is arranged so that the lower engaging portion 9a comes into contact immediately after the pin-shaped contact member 29 is bent. By slightly pressing the test button 9, the tip of the pin-shaped contact member 29 is greatly lowered downward. It moves and contacts the protruding contact 28. 5 and 6 show the circuit breaker in a state where the test button 9 is pressed. FIG. 5 is a side view of the circuit breaker case opened, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B. As shown in this figure, when the test button 9 is slightly pressed, the tip of the pin-shaped contact member 29 is moved. The switch unit 15 is turned on by contacting the side of the protruding contact 28, and a pseudo-leakage current flows through the test circuit 14.
When the pressing operation of the test button 9 is released, the test button 9 is dissociated by the restoring force of the pin-like contact member 29, and the test button 9 returns and moves upward.

With this configuration, when the occurrence of electrical leakage is detected, the trip coil operates to shut off the electrical circuit, and when the overcurrent occurs, the latch of the opening / closing mechanism is released by the operation of the bimetal, and the breaking operation is performed. To do. Further, when a short-circuit current is generated, a movable electromagnetic piece not shown in the circuit diagram is operated to release the latch of the opening / closing mechanism and perform a cutoff operation.
And since it is the structure which makes the front-end | tip of a pin-shaped contact member contact the side part of a contact rod, a pin-shaped contact member can use a wire-like wire, and it does not require installation space like a leaf | plate spring, and a slight space Can be installed. Therefore, it is advantageous for miniaturization of the circuit breaker.
Furthermore, since the pin-shaped contact member is installed so as to run over the side of the circuit breaker case on which the printed circuit board is installed, the pin-shaped contact member can be disposed so as to overlap the side part of the other circuit breaker components. It becomes possible to install without providing. In addition, by placing the printed circuit board in the upper part of the case, the test button can operate the pin-shaped contact member extending from the printed circuit board with only a few protrusions, and the test button is placed near the operation handle. It can be installed without difficulty and is effective for miniaturization of circuit breakers. .

  In addition, although the circuit breaker provided with the overcurrent interruption mechanism has been described in the above embodiment, it can be applied to at least a circuit breaker provided with an earth leakage interruption mechanism. The configuration of the present invention can be easily applied to a circuit breaker used for a single-phase two-wire circuit or a three-phase circuit without being limited to a single-phase three-wire circuit breaker.

The side view which shows an example of embodiment of the circuit breaker concerning this invention is shown, and it is a side view of the state which removed the cover case of the circuit breaker case of a circuit breaker ON state. It is a perspective view of the circuit breaker of FIG. It is a side view of the circuit breaker OFF state of the circuit breaker of FIG. It is the A section enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the circuit breaker of FIG. 1 in a state where a test button is pushed. It is the B section enlarged view of FIG. It is a circuit diagram of the circuit breaker of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1a ·· Left case (breaker case) 2 ·· Power supply side terminal 3 ·· Load side terminal 4 ·· Operation handle 6 ·· Printed circuit board 9 ·· Test button 12 ·· Electric circuit 14 · Test circuit 15... Switch part 28.. Protruding contact (contact bar), 29.

Claims (2)

The circuit breaker case is equipped with a leakage detection circuit for detecting a leakage in the circuit, and a breaker mechanism for breaking a switching contact provided in the circuit, and a test for performing an operation test of the leakage detection circuit on the circuit breaker case. In a circuit breaker comprising a button, and when the leakage detection circuit detects a leakage, the breaking mechanism unit cuts off, and a pseudo-leakage is generated by operating the test button.
The printed circuit board has a switch unit that is operated by operating the test button, a contact bar that protrudes from one surface of the printed circuit board on which the leakage detection circuit is assembled, and a base end that is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. And a pin-shaped contact member having elasticity that is formed to be folded outwardly and folded in a substantially U shape, and whose tip can be brought into contact with the side portion of the contact bar.
The test button is engaged while the pin-shaped contact member is folded back, and the tip of the pin-shaped contact member comes into contact with the contact bar by the pressing movement of the test button, and the switch portion is turned on. A circuit breaker. The circuit breaker case has an operation handle for turning on / off the electric circuit on the top surface, a power supply side terminal on the back surface, a load side terminal on the front surface, and a printed circuit board close to one side surface of the circuit breaker case top The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker is arranged in parallel and a pin-like contact member is arranged in parallel with the printed circuit board.

Images