JP2016085831A - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circuit breaker which has a compact size and high cut-off performance.SOLUTION: A circuit breaker comprise: an intermediate electrode 18 that has an arc-dividing part 18a dividing an arc 20 generated between a fixed contact point 11 of a fixed contact 12 and a movable contact point 13 of a movable contact 14 during an opening operation into a plurality of arcs 21 and 22 by moving the arc; and a plurality of circuit interrupters 16A and 16B that has a plurality of magnetic grids 17 arranged so as to have a predetermined gap in one direction, and interrupts the arc divided by the arc-dividing part respectively. The arc-dividing part has a first overlapping part 30b and a second overlapping part 30c which are integrally formed in the side opposite to the circuit interrupter side so as to be separately overlapped with each other in a longitudinal direction generated between the fixed contact point and the movable contact point during the opening operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a circuit breaker such as a circuit breaker for wiring or an earth leakage breaker.

Circuit breakers such as circuit breakers for wiring and earth leakage circuit breakers are used in order to cut off the short-circuit current flowing in the load circuit or the overcurrent of the overload current. In this type of circuit breaker, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an arc generated between the stationary contact of the stationary contact and the movable contact of the movable contact during the opening operation is extinguished by the arc extinguishing device. What is arcing is known.
11 to 13 show an example of a current breaker of a conventional circuit breaker that extinguishes an arc generated between the fixed contact of the fixed contact and the movable contact of the movable contact during the opening operation by the arc extinguishing device. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an extracted current interrupting part, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing an extracted current interrupting part.

As shown in FIG. 11, a conventional circuit breaker 60 has an overcurrent detection mechanism (not shown) for detecting an overcurrent in one insulating container composed of a case 61 and a cover 62, thereby opening a movable contact. The structure includes a movable contact opening mechanism (not shown) for making a pole, and a current interrupting section 50 for rapidly limiting the current flowing in the short circuit to interrupt the current.
As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the current interrupting unit 50 includes a fixed contact 52 provided with a fixed contact 51, a movable contact 54 provided with a movable contact 53 capable of contacting the fixed contact 51, and an open circuit. Arcs 55 (see FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) generated between the fixed contact 51 of the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 53 of the movable contact 54 during pole operation are arranged in a layer at a predetermined interval in one direction. And an arc extinguishing device 57 for extinguishing the arc with a plurality of magnetic grids 56.

In the conventional circuit breaker 60, when the load current is energized, the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54 are closed, and the fixed contact 51 and the movable contact 53 are in contact with each other and the conduction state is maintained. Since the fixed contact 51 and the movable contact 53 are separated from each other during the OFF operation, an arc 55 is generated between them.
The arc 55 generated between the fixed contact 51 and the movable contact 53 eventually receives the current flowing through the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54, the electromagnetic force acting on the arc 55 and the magnetic grid 56, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, movement and bending in the direction of the magnetic grid 56 are started.

When the arc 55 reaches the magnetic grid 56, it is divided by each magnetic grid 56, whereby the voltage generated between the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54 increases at a stretch, and the current flowing through the short circuit is rapidly limited. The current is cut off.
Here, the voltage generated between the stationary contact 52 and the movable contact 54 is affected by the current value, the diameter of the arc 55, the number of the magnetic grids 56, and the like. The voltage per section of the magnetic grid 56 is about 25V. For example, when eight magnetic grids 56 are arranged in one direction as shown in FIG. 13, the voltage is generated between the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54. The voltage is about 225V. The voltage generated between the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54 is a counter electromotive force with respect to the power supply voltage.

Therefore, the conventional circuit breaker 60 can quickly limit the current flowing through the short circuit as the voltage generated between the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54 is higher, and from the occurrence of an accident current to the completion of the break. Can be shortened.
Further, the conventional circuit breaker 60 can increase the voltage generated between the fixed contact 52 and the movable contact 54 by increasing the number of the magnetic grids 56.

JP 2012-243659 A

However, as described above, the conventional circuit breaker 60 is configured such that each element such as the overcurrent detection mechanism, the movable contact opening mechanism, and the current breaker 50 is housed in one insulating container. It has a structure in which elements are closely arranged. For this reason, the conventional circuit breaker 60 has a restriction on the height at which the current breaker 50 can be accommodated in the insulating container, and the number of magnetic grids 56 that can be arranged in one direction is limited. It was difficult to provide current limiting performance.
The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a small circuit breaker having a high breaking performance.

  In order to achieve the above object, a circuit breaker according to an aspect of the present invention includes a fixed contact provided with a fixed contact, a movable contact provided with a movable contact capable of contacting the fixed contact, and an opening operation. Sometimes an intermediate electrode having an arc dividing portion that is divided into a plurality of arcs by the movement of an arc generated between a fixed contact and a movable contact, and a plurality of magnets each arranged at a predetermined interval in one direction A plurality of arc extinguishing devices each having a grid and extinguishing arcs individually after being divided by the arc dividing portion, the arc dividing portion being generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact during the opening operation The first and second overlapping portions are integrally formed on the side opposite to the arc extinguishing device so as to overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the arc.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a small circuit breaker having a high breaking performance (high current limiting performance).

It is a perspective view which extracts and shows the electric current interruption part of the circuit breaker which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view in which a partition wall is not shown in the current interrupting section shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view of the electric current interruption part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. It is a side view of the electric current interruption part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing along CC line of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the DD line of FIG. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of the intermediate electrode shown in FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of (a), and (c) is a line FF of (a). FIG. It is a principal part side view of the electric current interruption part shown in FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the electric current interruption part of the conventional circuit breaker. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows the electric current interruption part of the conventional circuit breaker. It is a side view which extracts and shows the electric current interruption part of the conventional circuit breaker.

Hereinafter, a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. The arrows S shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8 indicate the direction of arc movement to be described later.
First, the configuration of the circuit breaker will be described.
Similar to the conventional circuit breaker 60 shown in FIG. 11, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention has an overcurrent detection mechanism for detecting an overcurrent in one insulating container composed of a case and a cover. A movable contact opening mechanism that opens the movable contact, and a current interrupting unit 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that interrupts the current by rapidly limiting the current flowing through the short circuit, etc. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the current interrupting unit 1 includes a fixed contact 12 provided with a fixed contact 11 and a movable contact 14 provided with a movable contact 13 capable of contacting the fixed contact 11. ing.
In addition, the current interrupting unit 1 is configured so that the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation is divided into two arcs 21, An arc dividing means 15 for dividing the two arcs 22 and a first arc extinguishing device 16A and a second arc extinguishing device 16B for individually extinguishing the two arcs 21 and 22 divided by the arc dividing means 15; I have.

In addition, the current interrupting unit 1 includes a partition wall 24 that separates the first arc extinguishing device 16A and the second arc extinguishing device 16B.
In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arc dividing means 15 once generates an arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation. The arcs 21 and 22 are divided into two arcs 21 and 22, and the two arcs 21 and 22 divided by the arc dividing means 15 are individually extinguished by the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, each of the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B has a plurality of magnetic grids 17 arranged in layers at predetermined intervals in one direction. A plurality of magnetic grids 17 are configured to divide and extinguish an arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation. Here, the direction in which the plurality of magnetic grids 17 are arranged is referred to as a magnetic grid arrangement direction GL.

Although not shown, each magnetic grid 17 is fixedly arranged at a predetermined interval by an insulating member. Although not shown in detail, each magnetic grid 17 is formed in a U shape or a V shape in which a pair of grid legs extend in parallel from the grid base. Each magnetic grid 17 is made of a magnetic material.
Each of the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B is arranged adjacent to each other in parallel when viewed in plan from the direction along the magnetic grid array direction GL.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed contact 12 includes a first portion 12a provided with a fixed contact 11, and a plurality of magnetic grids 17 of the second arc extinguishing device 16B from the first portion 12a. And a second portion 12b extending toward the magnetic grid 17 located at the final stage (the lowermost stage in FIG. 5). The first portion 12a and the second portion 12b are integrally formed and are electrically and mechanically connected to each other. The fixed contact 12 is fixed to the above-described case, and although not shown, is formed integrally with the power supply side terminal or electrically connected to the power supply side terminal via another conductive member. The second portion 12b of the stationary contact 12 is configured as a second arc runner. The stationary contact 12 is made of a conductive material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, the movable contact 14 has a movable contact 13 that contacts the fixed contact 11 at one end, and the other end rotates to the above-mentioned case, although not shown. It is rotatably connected to a movable contact holder of an insulator that is supported so as to be urged toward the fixed contact 12 by a contact spring. 1 to 6 show a state in which the movable contact 14 is opened.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the arc dividing means 15 includes an intermediate electrode 18, an arc runner 19 (first arc runner), and a second portion 12 b (second arc runner) of the stationary contact 12. It is configured to include.

  The intermediate electrode 18 divides the arc 20 into two arcs 21 and 22 by the movement of the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation. An arc dividing portion 18a is provided. The arc dividing portion 18 a is located closer to the movable contact 13 than the fixed contact 11 and closer to the fixed contact 11 than the movable contact 13 in the direction connecting the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 after the opening operation. (See FIG. 4 and FIG. 6). Further, the intermediate electrode 18 extends from the arc dividing portion 18a toward the magnetic grid 17 positioned at the final stage (the lowest stage in FIG. 4) of the plurality of magnetic grids 17 of the first arc extinguishing device 16A. 1 branch portion 18b. Further, the intermediate electrode 18 extends from the arc dividing portion 18a toward the magnetic grid 17 positioned at the first stage (the uppermost stage in FIG. 5) of the plurality of magnetic grids 17 of the second arc extinguishing device 16B. Branch portion 18c. The arc dividing portion 18a, the first branch portion 18b, and the second branch portion 18c are integrally formed and are electrically and mechanically connected to each other. The intermediate electrode 18 is made of a conductive magnetic material.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first branch portion 18b is viewed in a plan view from the direction along the magnetic grid array direction GL of the first arc extinguishing device 16A, the tip thereof is the first extinguishing portion. It overlaps with the magnetic grid 17 located at the final stage of the arc device 16A. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the second branch portion 18c has a magnetic grid 17 whose tip is located at the first stage of the second arc extinguishing device 16B in the magnetic grid array direction GL of the second arc extinguishing device 16B. It is located outside.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the arc runner 19 is the first stage among the plurality of magnetic grids 17 of the first arc extinguishing device 16 </ b> A from the distal end side of the movable contact 14 after the opening operation (see FIG. 4 extends toward the magnetic grid 17 located at the uppermost stage in FIG. In this embodiment, when the arc runner 19 is viewed in a plan view from the direction along the magnetic grid array direction GL of the first arc extinguishing device 16A, one end side is overlapped with the arc division portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18, and the other end side is It overlaps with the magnetic grid 17 located in the first stage (uppermost stage) (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The arc runner 19 is configured as a first arc runner. The arc runner 19 is made of a conductive material.

  Here, as described above, the arc runner 19 extends from the distal end side of the movable contact 14 after the opening operation toward the magnetic grid 17 located at the first stage of the first arc extinguishing device 16A. On the other hand, as described above, the first branch portion 18b of the intermediate electrode 18 extends from the arc division portion 18a toward the magnetic grid 17 located at the final stage of the first arc extinguishing device 16A. That is, the tip of the arc runner 19 on the first arc extinguishing device 16A side and the tip of the first branch portion 18b of the intermediate electrode 18 on the first arc extinguishing device 16A side are as shown in FIGS. The first arc extinguishing device 16A is separated from each other in the magnetic grid arrangement direction GL.

  Further, as described above, the second branch portion 18c of the intermediate electrode 18 extends from the arc division portion 18a toward the magnetic grid 17 located at the first stage of the second arc extinguishing device 16B. On the other hand, as described above, the second portion 12b of the fixed contact 12 is directed from the first portion 12a provided with the fixed contact 11 to the magnetic grid 17 positioned at the final stage of the second arc extinguishing device 16B. It is extended. That is, the tip of the second branch portion 18c of the intermediate electrode 18 on the second arc extinguishing device 16B side and the tip of the second portion 12b of the stationary contact 12 on the second arc extinguishing device 16B side are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the second arc extinguishing device 16B is separated from each other in the magnetic grid arrangement direction GL.

  In the intermediate electrode 18, the first branch portion 18b includes two arcs 21 and 22 after the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 during the opening operation is divided by the arc division portion 18a. The arc 21 and the arc runner 19 are guided to the first arc extinguishing device 16A. The second branch portion 18c fixes the arc 22 of the two arcs 21 and 22 after the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 during the opening operation is divided by the arc division portion 18a. It is for guide | inducing to the 2nd arc-extinguishing apparatus 16B with the 2nd part 12b (2nd arc runner) of the contactor 12. FIG. That is, the arc dividing means 15 according to an embodiment has an arc dividing function (the intermediate electrode 18 of the intermediate electrode 18) that divides the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 into two arcs 21 and 22 during the opening operation. Arc dividing portion 18a) and arc guiding functions for guiding the divided two arcs 21 and 22 to the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B, respectively (second portion 12b of stationary contact 12, first of intermediate electrode 18) And the second branch portions 18b and 18c and the arc runner 19).

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, and 8, the partition wall 24 includes a first partition wall portion 24a provided between the first arc extinguishing device 16A and the second arc extinguishing device 16B. doing. As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 7, the partition wall 24 is located closer to the arc runner 19 than the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 in the magnetic grid array direction GL of the second arc extinguishing device 16B. The second partition wall portion 24b is provided so as to surround from the first partition wall portion 24a to the second branch portion 18c of the intermediate electrode 18 and the second arc extinguishing device 16B. 4 and 8, the partition wall 24 is positioned closer to the fixed contact 11 than the arc division portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 in the magnetic grid array direction GL of the first arc extinguishing device 16A. Partition wall portion 24a to third branch portion 24c provided so as to surround first branch portion 18b of intermediate electrode 18 and first arc extinguishing device 16A. The partition wall 24 is made of an insulating material and supported by the above-described case.

  As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 ((a), (b), (c)), the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 is fixed contact of the fixed contact 12 during opening operation. 11 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 are integrally formed on the side opposite to the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B so as to overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the arc 20 generated in the longitudinal direction of the arc 20. It has a double structure having the formed first overlapping portion 30b and second overlapping portion 30c. An insulating material 35 is interposed between the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c so as to be sandwiched between the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c.

  As shown in FIG. 9 ((a), (b), (c)), the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c have a planar shape as viewed from the direction along the magnetic grid array direction GL. By providing a notch groove 31 on the side opposite to the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B, a pair of leg portions 33 and 34 extend in parallel from each base portion 32 or V It is formed in a letter shape. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the first overlapping portion 30 b is integrally connected to the other end side of the first branch portion 18 b on the leg portion 33 side of the base portion 32. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, the second overlapping portion 30 c is integrally connected to the other end side of the second branch portion 18 c on the leg portion 34 side of the base portion 32. The arc dividing portion 18a is configured such that the distal end side of the movable contact 14 can pass through a region (notched groove 31) surrounded by the base portion 32 and the pair of leg portions 33 and 34 during the opening operation. The arc dividing portion 18a is bent in a U shape on the opposite side to the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B so that the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c overlap each other. Thus, a double structure can be easily obtained.

The insulating material 35 is disposed for the purpose of ensuring insulation between the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c, and between the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c. As long as insulation can be ensured, it may be thin such as paper, or may be an insulating paint. As the insulating material 35, for example, resin or ceramic is used.
Next, the operation of the circuit breaker will be described.

  In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, when a current detection mechanism (not shown) detects an overcurrent, the movable contact opening mechanism works, and the movable contact 14 moves in the opening direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Open the pole. Alternatively, the movable contact 14 is similarly opened by an electromagnetic repulsive force that acts on the contact point when a short-circuit current is applied. At that time, the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 is bent in the direction of the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 by electromagnetic force, and the central portion thereof is bent. The intermediate electrode 18 moves to the arc dividing portion 18a.

The arc 20 moved to the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 is divided (divided) into two arcs 21 and 22 by this arc dividing portion 18a, that is, the arc 21 on the movable contact 13 side (above the arc dividing portion 18a). Then, it is divided into an arc 22 on the fixed contact 11 side (lower side than the arc dividing portion 18a) (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 6).
Of the two arcs 21 and 22 divided by the arc dividing portion 18 a of the intermediate electrode 18, the upper end 21 a of the arc 21 on the movable contact 13 side (the end on the movable contact 13 side) 21 a is movable by electromagnetic force acting on the arc 21. After moving from the contactor 14 to the arc runner 19, as shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the arc runner 19 travels toward the first arc extinguishing device 16A. Similarly, the lower end (end on the intermediate electrode 18 side) 21b of the arc 21 is moved from the arc division portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 to the first branch portion 18b by the electromagnetic force acting on the arc 21 in the same manner. And as shown in FIG. 7, it travels on the surface of the 1st branch part 18b toward 16 A of 1st arc-extinguishing apparatuses.

As a result, the arc 21 on the movable contact 13 side (upper side) is guided to the first arc extinguishing device 16A as shown in FIGS. Since the arc 21 that has reached the first arc extinguishing device 16A is divided by each magnetic grid 17 of the first arc extinguishing device 16A, the voltage between the arc runner 19 and the intermediate electrode 18 increases rapidly.
On the other hand, of the two arcs 21 and 22 after being divided by the arc dividing portion 18 a of the intermediate electrode 18, the upper end (end on the intermediate electrode 18 side) 22 a of the arc 22 on the fixed contact 11 side acts on the arc 22. The electromagnetic force moves from the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 to the second branching portion 18c, and then the surface of the second branching portion 18c is directed toward the second arc extinguishing device 16B as shown in FIG. Run. Further, the lower end (fixed contact 11 side) 22b of the arc 22 is similarly moved from the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 to the second portion 12b of the fixed contact 12 (second arc runner) by electromagnetic force acting on the arc 22. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the surface of the second portion 12b travels toward the second arc extinguishing device 16B.

Thereby, the arc 22 on the fixed contact 11 side (lower side) is guided to the second arc extinguishing device 16B as shown in FIGS. Since the arc 22 that has reached the second arc extinguishing device 16B is divided by the magnetic grids 17 of the second arc extinguishing device 16B, the voltage between the intermediate electrode 18 and the stationary contact 12 rapidly increases.
Here, as described above, the partition wall 24 is positioned closer to the arc runner 19 than the arc division portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 in the magnetic grid arrangement direction GL of the second arc extinguishing device 16B, and the first partition wall portion 24a. To the second branch portion 18c of the intermediate electrode 18 and the second partition wall portion 24b provided so as to surround the second arc extinguishing device 16B (see FIGS. 5 and 7). Thereby, the conductive gas generated on the arc runner 19 side (above the intermediate electrode 18) with respect to the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 during the opening operation moves to the first arc extinguishing device 16A side. Therefore, the arc 21 on the movable contact 13 side (upper side) after being divided by the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 has an electrode shape including the arc runner 19 and the first branch portion 18b of the intermediate electrode 18, and the second shape. By the action of the partition wall portion 24b, the first arc extinguishing device 16A is more effectively guided.

  Further, as described above, the partition wall 24 is positioned closer to the fixed contact 11 than the arc division portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 in the magnetic grid array direction GL of the first arc extinguishing device 16A, and from the first partition wall portion 24a. It has the 3rd partition part 24c provided so that the 1st branch part 18b of the intermediate electrode 18 and the 1st arc-extinguishing apparatus 16A might be enclosed (refer FIG.4 and FIG.8). As a result, the conductive gas generated on the fixed contact 11 side (below the intermediate electrode 18) from the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 during the opening operation moves to the second arc extinguishing device 16B side. Therefore, the arc 22 on the fixed contact 11 side (lower side) after being divided by the arc dividing portion 18 a of the intermediate electrode 18 has an electrode shape including the second branch portion 18 c of the intermediate electrode 18 and the fixed contact 12. By the action with the third partition wall portion 24c, the second arc extinguishing device 16B is more effectively guided.

  In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment configured as described above, when the current flow path at the time of interruption is, for example, to interrupt the current flowing from the movable contact 14 to the fixed contact 12, the arc runner 19, the intermediate The voltage between the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 14 is the sum of the voltages generated by the first arc extinguishing device 16A and the second arc extinguishing device 16B.

  In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation is once divided into two arcs 21 and 22. The two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B arranged in parallel generate voltages. Therefore, in the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, the magnetic grid 17 can be arranged approximately twice as high as the current breaker in the same dimension as the conventional circuit breaker, and the arc 20 is divided. The voltage generated by can be approximately doubled.

  In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, although not limited thereto, the total number of the magnetic grids 17 is 14 (16 sections are divided by the magnetic grid 17). On the other hand, in the conventional circuit breaker 60 shown in FIG. 13, the total number of magnetic grids 56 is 8 (9 sections are divided by the magnetic grid). Therefore, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment is generated between the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 14 during the opening operation with the same height of the current breaker 1 as compared with the conventional circuit breaker. A voltage about 1.8 times as high as the voltage can be obtained. That is, in the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, an electromotive force that is 1.8 times higher than that of the conventional power supply voltage can be obtained, so that a higher breaking performance (current limiting performance) is obtained with the same dimensions. Can do.

  Furthermore, as described above, in the circuit breaker according to the embodiment, the arc dividing portions 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 overlap with each other while being separated from each other, and the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B side It has a double structure having a first overlapping portion 30b and a second overlapping portion 30c integrated on the opposite side. For this reason, in the divided | segmented two arcs 21 and 22 and the arc division | segmentation part 18a in between, as shown in FIG. As a result, the magnetic flux 39 interlinked with the two divided arcs 21 and 22 becomes a magnetic flux generated by a current flowing through the arc dividing portion 18a in addition to the magnetic flux generated by the arc itself. From the energization direction, the magnetic flux generated by the two divided arcs 21 and 22 and the magnetic flux generated by the current flowing through the arc dividing portion 18a are in the same direction. Therefore, the magnetic flux interlinking the two divided arcs 21 and 22 The electromagnetic force acting on the arcs 21 and 22 increases. For this reason, the divided two arcs 21 and 22 can obtain a high driving force, and the two arcs 21 and 22 can be reliably drawn into the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B, that is, reliably moved. it can.

  Here, the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 has a structure different from that of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, such as a structure in which the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c are in contact with each other and overlap each other. In the case of a single layer structure, the magnetic flux interlinking with the two arcs 21 and 22 immediately after the division is only the magnetic flux by the arc itself, and the electromagnetic force acting on the arcs 21 and 22 is small. For this reason, depending on the energizing current, the arc may stagnate in the arc dividing portion 18a, which affects the reliability of the circuit breaker.

  On the other hand, in the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arc dividing portions 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 overlap and are spaced apart from each other, and the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B side Since the two overlapping arcs 21 and 22 have a high driving force because they have a double structure (a U-shape) having the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c integrated on the opposite side. The two arcs 21 and 22 can be reliably pulled into the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B, respectively. Therefore, the structure of the intermediate electrode 18 is different from that of the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 according to the embodiment, for example, a structure in which the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c are in contact with each other and overlap each other. Compared with the case where the arc division | segmentation part 18a is comprised, the reliability of a circuit breaker can be improved more.

In addition, when the power supply voltage in the interruption | blocking path | route is low, it drives with respect to the arc 20 so that the arc 20 produced between the fixed contact 11 and the movable contact 13 may go to the arc-extinguishing device (16A, 16B) side. A permanent magnet for applying a force may be provided.
As described above, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention has an arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the stationary contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation. The arc dividing portion 18a of the electrode 18 once splits into two arcs 21 and 22, and the two arcs 21 and 22 divided by the arc dividing portion 18a are individually separated by two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B arranged in parallel. It is configured to extinguish the arc. Therefore, since the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention can obtain a higher breaking performance within the limited height dimension of the current breaking portion 1, it is small and has a high breaking performance (high current limiting performance). Can be obtained.

  Further, in the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arc dividing portions 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 are overlapped with being spaced apart from each other, and opposite to the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B side. It has the double structure which has the 1st superimposition part 30b and the 2nd superimposition part 30c integrated by. Therefore, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention reliably draws the two arcs 21 and 22 divided by the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 into the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B, respectively. Therefore, the reliability can be further improved as compared with the case where the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c are in contact with each other and have a single layer structure. As a result, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention is small in size and can obtain high breaking performance (high current-limiting performance) and higher reliability.

In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 has an insulating material 35 interposed between the first overlapping portion 30b and the second overlapping portion 30c. Because of the configuration, the curved energization path 38 can be secured stably.
In the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention, the arc dividing portion 18a of the intermediate electrode 18 is formed of a magnetic material. Therefore, the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present invention arcs the undivided arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation. It is possible to facilitate the drawing into the divided portion 18a, and the place where the arc 20 before the division and the arc divided portion 18a are in contact with each other can be made near the center. It can be made easier to draw into the arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B.

  In the above-described embodiment, the arc 20 generated between the fixed contact 11 of the fixed contact 12 and the movable contact 13 of the movable contact 14 during the opening operation is once divided into two arcs 21 and 22. The circuit breaker has been described in which the two arcs 21 and 22 after the division are individually extinguished by the two arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an arc generated between the stationary contact of the stationary contact and the movable contact of the movable contact during the opening operation is once divided into three or more arcs. The divided three or more arcs may be individually extinguished by three or more arc extinguishing devices. As a method of dividing the arc into three or more, for example, there is a method of dividing the arc divided into two into multiple stages so as to further divide the arc. Even in this case, by arranging a plurality of arc extinguishing devices in parallel, a circuit breaker having a small size and a high breaking performance (high current-limiting performance) can be obtained as in the above-described embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the intermediate electrode 18 having both the arc dividing function and the arc guiding function has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the arc dividing function and the arc guiding function may be configured by different members. Even in this case, by arranging a plurality of arc extinguishing devices in parallel, a circuit breaker having a small size and a high breaking performance (high current-limiting performance) can be obtained as in the above-described embodiment.

Moreover, in one Embodiment mentioned above, about the case where the planar shape of the arc division | segmentation part 18a is made into U shape or V shape by providing the notch groove 31 in the 1st overlap part 30b and the 2nd overlap part 30c. explained. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is not provided with a notch groove 31, for example, a planar shape in which the side opposite to the first and second arc extinguishing devices 16A and 16B is a straight line, You may comprise the arc division | segmentation part 18a by the polygonal planar shape in which a corner | angular part is located on the opposite side to the 1st and 2nd arc-extinguishing apparatus 16A, 16B side.
As described above, the circuit breaker according to the present invention has the effect of being small in size and capable of obtaining a high interruption performance, and having higher reliability. Useful for circuit breakers.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Current interruption part, 11 ... Fixed contact, 12 ... Fixed contact, 12a ... 1st part, 12b ... 2nd part (2nd arc runner), 13 ... Movable contact, 14 ... Movable contact, 15 ... Arc splitting means, 16A ... first arc extinguishing device, 16B ... second arc extinguishing device, 17 ... magnetic grid, 18 ... intermediate electrode, 18a ... arc splitting portion, 18b ... first branching portion, 18c ... first 2 branch portions, 19 ... arc runner (first arc runner), 20, 21, 22 ... arc, 24 ... partition wall, 24a ... first partition wall portion, 24b ... second partition wall portion, 24c ... third Partition part, 30b ... 1st overlap part, 30c ... 2nd overlap part, 31 ... Notch groove, 32 ... Base part, 33, 34 ... Leg part, 35 ... Insulating material, 38 ... Current path, 39 ... Magnetic flux

Claims (5)

A fixed contact provided with a fixed contact;
A movable contact provided with a movable contact capable of contacting the fixed contact;
An intermediate electrode having an arc dividing portion that is divided into a plurality of arcs by moving an arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact during the opening operation;
A plurality of arc extinguishing devices each having a plurality of magnetic grids arranged at a predetermined interval in one direction and individually extinguishing the arcs after being divided by the arc dividing portion;
With
The arc dividing portion is integrally formed on the side opposite to the arc extinguishing device side so as to overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction of the arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact during the opening operation. A circuit breaker having a first superposed portion and a second superposed portion.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein an insulating material is interposed between the first overlapping portion and the second overlapping portion.   The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arc dividing portion is made of a magnetic material. The first extending from the tip side of the movable contact after the opening operation toward the first arc extinguishing device of the plurality of arc extinguishing devices and connected to the same potential as the movable contact Arc runner,
A second arc runner extending from a portion of the fixed contact provided with a fixed contact toward a second arc extinguishing device adjacent to the first arc extinguishing device of the plurality of arc extinguishing devices; ,
Further comprising
The intermediate electrode is
A first branch portion extending from the arc split portion toward the first arc-extinguishing device;
A second branch portion extending from the arc split portion toward the second arc-extinguishing device;
The circuit breaker according to claim 1, further comprising: The tip of the first arc runner on the first arc extinguishing device side and the tip of the first branch portion on the first arc extinguishing device side are the plurality of the first arc extinguishing device. Spaced apart from each other in the magnetic grid array direction,
The second arc extinguishing device side tip of the second branch portion and the second arc extinguishing device side tip of the second arc runner are the plurality of the second arc extinguishing device. The circuit breaker according to claim 4, wherein the circuit breakers are separated from each other in the arrangement direction of the magnetic grids.

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