JP2018006134A - Breaking range variable plug type ground-fault circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plug type ground-fault circuit breaker which is connectable even by a two-electrode receptacle with no ground electrode and by a three-electrode receptacle including a ground electrode and is capable of varying a breaker range according to the receptacle to be connected when shakes caused by an earthquake are detected.SOLUTION: A plug type ground-fault circuit breaker comprises: a housing that can be held by one hand; a ground plug which is supported in a slidable and movable manner between a protrusion position where the ground plug protrudes from the housing, and an accommodation position where the ground plug is accommodated in the housing; an insert plug; a receptacle unit receiving a connection of a plug of load equipment; an abnormal current detection unit for detecting overcurrent or a leakage current; an earthquake detection unit for detecting shakes caused by an earthquake; and a connection breaking unit for breaking an electrical connection between the insertion plug and the receptacle unit when the abnormal current detection unit detects at least one of the overcurrent and the leakage current or when the earthquake detection unit detects shakes caused by an earthquake.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a plug having a plug blade on a main body. In particular, the present invention relates to a plug having a main body with an outlet for supplying electric power obtained from the plug blade to a load-side electric circuit, the main body having a function of detecting an earthquake.

  A plug having an outlet for inserting a plug blade into an outlet provided in a construction material or the like and connecting the plug blade to supply power to the load-side electric circuit is well known.

  On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 1, three terminals connected to an outlet with a ground electrode composed of three electrodes, a neutral electrode, a voltage electrode, and a ground electrode, an earthquake detection unit that detects shaking due to an earthquake, and a pseudo leakage current Current generated by the pseudo-leakage current generator at the grounding electrode by turning on the contact upon receiving the earthquake detection of the earthquake detection unit and the contact connecting the grounding electrode and the neutral electrode A plug having a control unit for flowing the gas is known.

  Moreover, as shown in Patent Document 2, a plug blade connected to an outlet consisting of a neutral pole and a voltage pole, and vibrations and impacts due to daily life, etc. are canceled to determine whether the vibration is an earthquake vibration or a life vibration. A plug provided with an earthquake determination unit is known.

  In addition, in the performance evaluation guidelines for seismic breakers issued by the Cabinet Office, as a classification of seismic breakers, there is a distribution board type that automatically shuts off the earth leakage breaker after a certain time when the sensor detects a certain shaking. When the sensor installed in the interior senses a certain amount of shaking, the outlet type that immediately cuts off the power supply to the outlet and the power of the ground breaker breaker that uses the force of the pre-set weight to freely fall due to shaking are operated. And a simple type that immediately cuts off the supply of electricity.

JP-A-2015-176755 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-164056

  At the time of filing, according to the extension rules, it is obliged to connect the grounding electrode with certain application outlets, and it is also recommended for other outlets. However, outlets with grounding electrodes are in the process of spreading, and there are many outlets that do not yet have a grounding electrode, such as existing houses where it is difficult to renew wiring.

  For this reason, when a plug having an earthquake detection function is arranged, it is necessary to prepare a plug having the earthquake detection function for each type of two-pole outlet or three-pole outlet.

  In view of the above points, the present invention can connect to both outlets even in a two-pole outlet without a grounding pole or in a three-pole outlet with a grounding pole, and detects shaking caused by an earthquake. Sometimes, it aims at providing the plug type earth-leakage circuit breaker which can change the circuit breaker range according to the outlet connected.

  A plug-type earth leakage breaker having a variable cutoff range according to the present invention includes a housing that can be gripped with one hand, and a position between the housing that protrudes from the housing and a housing position that is housed in the housing. A ground plug that is slidably supported at the projecting position and is biased toward the projecting position; and when the ground plug is at the projecting position, the ground plug interferes with the ground plug and restricts the movement of the ground plug to the accommodation position. A movement restricting means, an operating means provided on the casing so as to be operable with one hand, and based on an operation of the operating means, the interference between the ground plug and the movement restricting means is released, and the grounding A movement restriction releasing means for allowing the plug to move to the accommodation position, a plug including a voltage electrode and a neutral electrode plug, and the plug of the load device electrically connected to the plug. Conce An abnormal current detection unit that detects overcurrent or leakage current on the load side of the outlet unit, an earthquake detection unit that detects shaking caused by an earthquake, and the abnormal current detection unit is at least of overcurrent or leakage A connection blocking part that cuts off an electrical connection between the plug and the outlet part when any one of them is detected or when the earthquake detection part detects a shake caused by an earthquake. It is configured as a feature.

  Accordingly, the ground plug is provided so as to be slidable between a projecting position protruding from the housing and a housing position accommodated in the housing, and an abnormal current detecting unit and an earthquake detecting unit are provided. Therefore, it is possible to connect to both outlets even in a two-pole outlet without a grounding pole or a three-pole outlet with a grounding pole, and when an earthquake is detected, the plug and the outlet section The electrical connection between them can be interrupted.

  In addition, a selection switch that selectively switches between a first mode for bypassing the voltage electrode and the neutral electrode and a second mode for bypassing the voltage electrode and the earth plug among the electrode plugs is provided. It may be configured as a feature.

  As a result, the electric circuit to be bypassed can be selectively switched, so that the electric circuit is interrupted by detecting the electric leakage with the mode in which the electric circuit is interrupted at the outlet portion by the connection interruption unit and the electric leakage breaker installed at the upper part of the electric outlet. It is possible to change the range of the circuit breaker d depending on the outlet.

  Further, the selection switch is switched to the first mode when the earth plug is allowed to move to the accommodation position by the movement restriction releasing means, and the second switch of the selection switch when the earth plug is in the protruding position. Switching to the mode may be performed by the operation means.

  Thereby, since the electric circuit to be bypassed can be changed between when the ground plug is in the protruding position and when it is in the housing position, when the ground plug is connected to a two-pole outlet in the housing position, When the grounding plug is connected to a three-pole outlet in the protruding position, the circuit breaker installed at the upper level of the outlet detects the leakage when the grounding plug is connected to the three-pole outlet. Can be blocked.

In addition, a bypass switch that is connected in series with the selection switch and that closes when the earthquake detection unit detects a shake caused by an earthquake may be provided.

  As a result, when the earthquake detection unit detects a vibration caused by the earthquake, by closing the bypass switch, the electric path is bypassed between when the ground plug is in the protruding position and when it is in the accommodation position. Can be changed to cut off the electric circuit.

  According to the present invention, both a 2-pole outlet without a grounding pole and a 3-pole outlet with a grounding pole can be connected to both outlets, and when a shake caused by an earthquake is detected, they are connected. It is possible to provide a plug type earth leakage breaker capable of changing the breaking range according to the outlet.

It is a figure explaining the application electric circuit of the plug type earth-leakage circuit breaker concerning this embodiment. It is the figure which attached the plug type earth-leakage circuit breaker concerning this embodiment to the outlet. It is the figure explaining the schematic block diagram of a plug-type earth-leakage circuit breaker. It is the perspective view which looked at the plug which concerns on embodiment from the rear surface left side. It is the perspective view which looked at the plug which concerns on embodiment from the diagonally left upper side. It is the perspective view which looked at the pole number switching structure from the diagonal upper side ahead. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the pole number switching structure from the back diagonally upper side. It is a figure for demonstrating the accommodation operation | movement and protrusion operation | movement of a ground plug. It is a figure for demonstrating the accommodation operation | movement and protrusion operation | movement of a ground plug. It is a figure for demonstrating the accommodation operation | movement and protrusion operation | movement of a ground plug. It is a figure for demonstrating the accommodation operation | movement and protrusion operation | movement of a ground plug. It is the figure which showed the prior art example. It is the figure which showed the prior art example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the electric circuit shown in the embodiment, the neutral wire side of the secondary winding of the transformer 2 interposed in the electric circuit is grounded by providing the first electrical terminal 21 on the ground, and on the load side of the transformer. The distribution board 1 is an electrical circuit having a grounding system configured to ground an electrical device or the like by a second electrical terminal 104 provided toward the ground from the distribution board 1 side.

  Also, in this application, as defined in JEAC 8001, the extension regulations of the Electricity Regulations published by the Japan Electric Association, the neutral wire is the electric wire connected to the neutral pole of the power source of the multi-wire circuit, A neutral wire or a grounded wire that is grounded according to technical needs in the electric circuit is called a grounded electric wire. For example, in a single-phase three-wire circuit, there are two voltage poles as voltage poles, that is, an L1 pole and an L2 pole, and an N pole as a neutral pole. Also, the grounded grounding electrode is referred to as the E pole.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a distribution board, 101 is a main circuit breaker which is a circuit breaker, and has a leakage detection function. A plurality of branch breakers 102 are connected to the load side of the main breaker 101. Reference numeral 103 denotes a centralized ground terminal for connecting a ground line connected to the ground and for connecting a ground line in the branch circuit.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes an outlet in the branch circuit. The outlet 105 is usually a three-pole outlet to which one of the L1 pole and the L2 pole is connected to a neutral pole and a ground pole. On the other hand, in existing houses, there are two-pole outlets that cannot be provided with a ground electrode.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic block configuration diagram of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10.

The plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is provided with a plug blade 29a connected to the voltage electrode, a plug blade 29b connected to the neutral electrode, and a plug blade (earth plug) 27 connected to the ground electrode. Yes.

The ground plug 27 is supported so as to be slidable between a projecting position protruding from the housing and a housing position accommodated in the housing, and is biased toward the projecting position. A mechanism for performing the slide movement will be described later.

  Moreover, the outlet part 31 provided with the receiving blade for connecting the plug of a load apparatus corresponding to each plug blade is provided.

  The plug blade and the outlet portion 31 are electrically connected, and a connection blocking portion 337 is interposed in the middle so that an on / off operation can be performed.

  A control unit 331 is provided in the housing for controlling the on / off state of the electric circuit by driving the connection blocking unit 337 when an abnormal current on the load side of the outlet unit 31 or the occurrence of an earthquake is detected.

  The abnormal current is an overcurrent or a leakage current on the load side of the outlet portion 31.

  The detection unit for detecting an overcurrent is configured by thermal tripping using a bimetal disposed in the electric path connecting the plug blade and the outlet unit 31 in the vicinity of the connection blocking unit 337 as a thermal element. . When an overcurrent occurs, the Joule heat of the current flowing in the bimetal rises, the bimetal is displaced, and acts on the connection breaker, thereby breaking the electric circuit.

  The detection unit for detecting a leakage current includes a zero-phase current transformer (ZCT) 332 through which an electric circuit connecting the plug blade and the outlet unit 31 is inserted, and an electromotive force generated in the ZCT is input to cause a leakage. It is comprised by the earth-leakage detection IC333 which detects generation | occurrence | production of this. When a leakage current is generated, an induced electromotive force is generated due to a difference in the reciprocating current of the electric wire penetrating the ZCT. When the induced electromotive force is transmitted to the leakage detection IC 333 and the induced electromotive force exceeds a predetermined threshold, an output signal is output from the leakage detection IC 333.

  The earthquake detection unit 334 that detects a shake caused by an earthquake is configured by an earthquake detection sensor that outputs an output signal when a shake having a predetermined magnitude is detected. An output signal is output when a shake with a seismic intensity of 5 or higher is detected.

  The control unit 331 receives the output signal from the leakage detection IC 333 and the earthquake detection unit 334 and the output signal from the calculation unit 335 to change the physical position of the iron core. A trip coil 336 that acts on the connection blocking unit 337 to open the connection blocking unit 337 is provided.

  Further, the electric path of the plug blade 29a connected to the voltage electrode is configured to be bypass-connected to the neutral electrode 29b or the ground plug from the load side portion of the ZCT.

  Specifically, among the electrode plugs, the first mode for bypassing the voltage electrode 29a and the neutral electrode 29b and the second mode for bypassing the voltage electrode 29a and the ground plug 27 are selectively switched. A selection switch 341 and a bypass switch 351 connected in series with the selection switch 341 are provided. The bypass switch 351 is driven in response to an output signal from the arithmetic unit 335 and closes the switch.

  The selection switch 341 can be switched between the first mode and the second mode by operating means 41 provided on the main body 20. Specifically, the operating means 41 is urged in a direction protruding from the housing, and when the operating means 41 is pushed into the housing, the operation means 41 is switched to the first mode, and the operating means 41 When is not pushed in, the selection switch 341 is switched to the second mode.

(Appearance of plug)
The main body of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 is provided with an outlet 273 (referred to as a secondary outlet for distinction), and a plug of a load device or the like is plugged into the outlet of the main body of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 and connected. By doing so, power is supplied to the load device or the like.

  In addition, if a leakage occurs in the main body of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 due to insulation deterioration of the load device or electrical wiring, this is detected instantaneously to the load device of electric power from the primary outlet 200. The earth leakage detection part and the interruption mechanism that shut off the supply of the earthquake, and the earthquake detection part that detects the vibration caused by the earthquake are accommodated, and the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 as a whole is a plug type earth leakage breaker that can detect an earthquake. It is composed.

  In particular, the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 includes a total of three plug blades: a plug blade 25a connected to the voltage phase and the neutral phase, and a plug blade 25b (referred to as an earth pin) connected to the ground electrode. This plug is a plug that can be used both when the primary outlet 200 is a three-pole outlet with a ground pin insertion hole and when it is a two-pole outlet without a ground pin insertion hole.

  In the following, in a state where the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is inserted into the primary outlet 200, the surface of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 facing the front side is referred to as “front surface”, and the surface facing the outlet is referred to as “rear surface”. Call it. The directions of “up”, “down”, “left”, and “right” are defined based on the state where the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is plugged into the outlet.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 includes a substantially cylindrical plug body 20 having a size (for example, 110 × 50 × 55 mm) that can be held by a user (operator) with one hand. ing. The plug main body 20 accommodates contents such as the leakage detecting portion and a blocking mechanism.

  The main body outline of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape formed by a base portion 20b2 having a plug blade on a predetermined surface and contents storage portions 20b1 and 20a connected to the base portion 20b2. .

  The base portion 20b2 is formed to have a width (for example, 30 mm) enough to include a plug blade. The content container 20b1 connected to the base 20b2 is formed to have a width (for example, 50 mm) larger than the base 20b2.

  Due to the difference in width, a step 20b3 is formed in the main body 20 of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10. By this step portion 20b3, a finger hooking portion can be provided in the main body as an outer shape, and in combination with the shape of the substantially cylindrical shaped content storage portions 20a, 20b, the grip portion of the main body 20 of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 Is formed.

  On the other hand, the step portion 20b3 is provided with a finger storage portion 20b4 for storing a finger that holds the main body 20 in the protruding direction of the plug blade. The finger storage portion 20b4 is formed by a recess formed between the left and right side portions of the base portion 20b2 and the left and right side portions of the content storage portion 20b.

  Since the width of the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 20b2 is smaller than the width of the content container 20 in the left-right direction, when the periphery of the content container 20 is gripped with fingers, Fingers are stored. The fingertips are positioned on the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 20b2, so that the main body 20 can be firmly grasped, and the fingertips are prevented from reaching the rear surface of the base portion 20b2.

  Outlets 273 provided at the lower part and the lower surface (bottom surface) of the main body 20 of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 are three-pole outlets that serve as connection ports with load devices. Blade holders 82 and 83 connected to the voltage phase, blade holders 86 and 87 connected to the neutral phase, and blade holders 94 and 96 serving as ground electrodes are provided.

  The ground pins 25b and the blade supports 94 and 96 serving as ground electrodes are electrically connected by conductors inside the plug body 10 so as to be electrically at the same potential.

  Specifically, a ground terminal screw 98a is screwed to one end of the ground terminal plate 91 serving as a ground terminal arrangement portion, and the other end of the ground terminal plate 91 is vertically and horizontally inside the main body 10 and is connected to the ground pin. A screw 98c for screwing the conductor 71 extending in the direction and the ground terminal plate 91 is provided, and the end of the conductor 71 and the ground pin 25b are electrically connected by a lead wire, thereby It is connected to the.

  The ground terminal plate 91 serving as the ground terminal placement portion is disposed such that a part thereof is exposed toward the rear surface in the projecting direction of the plug blade 25a on the predetermined surface 20b4. In other words, the screw 98c screwed to the ground terminal plate 91 has a screw head as an operation portion arranged along the protruding direction of the plug blade 25a.

  Further, the periphery of the ground terminal plate 91 serving as the ground terminal arrangement portion is formed to be recessed from a predetermined surface 20b4 on which the plug blade 25a projects. Further, the left side direction is opened to form the base portion 20b2.

  Hereinafter, the structure of the main body 20 of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 will be described in detail.

  The main body 20 of the plug can be separated forward and backward at a central portion in the front-rear direction, and FIG. 4 shows a state where the plug main body 20 is separated forward and backward.

  The plug body 20 includes a front cover 20a constituting the front half and a rear cover 20b constituting the rear half. The front cover 20a has a bottomed box shape that opens to the rear side, and the rear cover 20b has a bottomed box shape that opens to the front side. Further, an engagement claw 20c is provided at the left end of the front cover 20a, and an engagement recess 20d that can be engaged with the engagement claw 20c is provided at the rear cover 20b at a position corresponding to the engagement claw 20c. It has been. Then, the engaging claw portion 20c of the front cover 20a and the engaging concave portion 20d of the rear cover 20b are engaged with each other with the openings of the covers 20a and 20b abutting each other. As a result, the covers 20a and 20b are integrally assembled to form the plug body 20, and a closed space is formed therein. After the assembly, the front cover 20a and the rear cover 20b are screwed and fixed at four corners on the rear surface side of the rear cover 20b by tapping screws (not shown).

  Hereinafter, the plug body 20 simply refers to the plug body after the screwing and fixing. That is, the plug body 20 after screwing and fixing is a front wall portion formed of the bottom wall of the front cover 20a, a rear wall portion disposed on the rear side of the front wall portion and formed of the bottom wall of the rear cover 20b, It consists of surrounding walls of both the front cover 20a and the rear cover 20b, and has four side walls that connect the front wall and the rear wall. The said side wall part is comprised by the up-and-down and right-and-left wall part. The covering wall part is composed of a front wall part and four side wall parts.

  Although not shown, the leakage protection unit 50 includes a leakage detection unit that detects leakage, and a connection blocking unit that blocks connection between the input and output of the plug when the leakage detection unit detects overcurrent / leakage. . Conventional configurations can be applied to the configurations of the leakage protection unit and the connection blocking unit, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  On the rear wall portion of the main body 20 of the plug, an insertion plug 25 made up of two electrode plugs 29 and 29 and a ground plug 27 protrudes from a position near the upper end. In addition, a crimp terminal 26 having a function of a ground terminal of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 is provided at the lower left corner of the same rear wall. The plug-type earth leakage circuit breaker 10 electrically connects the outlet and the load device by inserting the plug 25 into the outlet and inserting the plug of the load device into a three-pole outlet 271 described later.

  A push-type ON button 23 and a test button 24 are arranged in the order of description on the front wall portion of the plug main body 20 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The ON button 23 is a switch that turns on the supply of commercial power to a load device (sets the connected state). The test button 24 is used to check whether the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 operates normally (that is, whether the supply of commercial power to the load device is interrupted when a leakage occurs). It is a switch that turns off the supply (shut off state).

  In addition, on the front wall portion of the plug body 20, a single insertion port 31 (corresponding to a three-pole plug) for inserting a plug of a load device or the like is provided below the test button 24. Although not shown, one similar insertion port is also provided at the center of the lower wall portion which is a part of the side wall portion of the plug body 20. In the lower part of the plug main body 20, a common blade receiving bracket 32 to which a power plug and a grounding plug of a load device or the like inserted from both the insertion ports 31 is fitted is provided.

  On the front wall of the plug body 20, the power supply display unit 21 is provided at a position near the left end above the ON button 23, and the pole number display unit 22 is provided at a position near the right end so as to be at the same height. ing.

  The power supply display unit 21 is configured by, for example, an LED, and when it is detected that the ON button 23 has been pushed and inserted into the outlet, that is, between the outlet and the load device or the like via the plug type earth leakage breaker 10. Lights up when it is possible to energize. Thereby, the user who uses the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 can grasp that the commercial power and the load device are normally conducted. On the other hand, the power supply display unit 21 is turned off when the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is in a non-energized state, for example, when an interruption operation is performed by the earth leakage protection unit 50 that detects overcurrent or earth leakage. As a result, the user can grasp that an overcurrent or a leakage has occurred, or that the test has been performed normally.

  After the overcurrent or leakage occurs, and after the confirmation of the operation of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 by the test button 24 is finished, the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 is again cut off by the ON button 23 being pressed again. It can be used as a container.

  The pole number display part 22 represents the state of the number of poles of the plug 25, and a pole number display window 22a formed through the front wall of the plug body 20 and a plug on the rear side of the pole number display window 22a. It consists of a color display section 46a, which will be described later, arranged in the main body 20. In other words, the pole number display unit 22 is configured so that the display color of the color display unit 46a can be seen through the pole number display window 22a.

  In the left wall portion of the plug body 20, a circular recess 28 a having a peripheral wall portion having an arcuate cross section is formed at a position near the upper end. A rectangular button insertion hole 28b is formed so as to penetrate the left side wall portion from the bottom to the front end of the recess 28a. A push-type release button 41 as an operation means is movably inserted into the button insertion hole 28b. The release button 41 has a rod portion 41c extending in the right direction, and prevents the plug body 20 from coming off at a position (hereinafter also referred to as a button reference position) where a tip end (left end portion) projects out of the plug body 20. Has been. The release button 41 is always urged in the protruding direction by a release button spring 42 (see FIG. 6) around the rod portion 41c. That is, the release button 41 is configured to be pushed into the main body 20 of the plug when an operating force is applied, and to return to the protruding position when the operating force is released.

  (Configuration of pole number switching structure)

  Next, the pole number switching structure will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  The ground plug 27 is provided at a position corresponding to the ground pole of the three-pole outlet. The ground plug 27 includes a round bar-shaped ground plug main body 27 a supported so as to be slidable between a projecting position projecting from the housing 20 and a housing position accommodated in the housing 20. The base end portion (front end portion) of the ground plug main body 27a is folded back so as to extend outward in the radial direction of the ground plug main body 27a and then extend toward the distal end side (rear side) of the ground plug main body 27a. An L-shaped switching plate 27b serving as a locking portion is integrally projected. Although not shown, a circular plug insertion hole that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ground plug main body 27a is formed through the rear wall portion of the housing 20 so as to penetrate therethrough. The ground plug main body 27a is inserted into the plug insertion hole with the tip portion facing outward from the inside of the housing 20. Thus, the ground plug 27 is prevented from being detached from the rear wall portion of the housing 20 by the switching plate 27b.

  A display cylinder 43 is provided as a movement restriction release means in the housing 20 on the front side of the plug insertion hole. The display cylinder 43 has a display cylinder main body 43a as a cylindrical rotating body extending in the front direction in the housing 20 on the front side of the plug insertion hole. The display cylinder main body 43a is supported by the housing 20 so as to be rotatable around the center thereof, and the inner diameter thereof is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the ground plug main body 27a, and the opening on the rear end side of the display cylinder main body 43a is formed. , Communicated with the plug insertion hole.

  The ground plug main body 27a is inserted into the display tube main body 43a from the opening on the rear end side. Is slid between the housing position where it is immersed in the display cylinder main body 43a. When the earth plug main body 27a is immersed to the accommodation position, the earth plug 27 is positioned at the accommodation position where the earth plug 27 is accommodated in the housing 20.

  Further, the display tube main body 43a is formed with a cutout portion 43b in which a part of the wall portion is cut out in a rectangular shape from the rear end to the middle in the length direction of the display tube main body 43a. . The width of the cutout portion 43b, which is the length along the circumferential direction of the display cylinder main body 43a, is formed slightly larger than the lateral width of the switching plate 27b. The switching plate 27b is arranged in a state where a part of the switching plate 27b protrudes toward the outside of the display tube main body 43a. Thereby, the switching plate 27b integrated with the ground plug body 27a moves while being guided by the notch 43b in the notch 43b.

  Further, the display cylinder main body 43a is disposed in the housing 20 so as to be rotatable and so that the front end faces the rear surface of the front plate of the housing 20 in a close state. A coil spring 44 as an earth plug biasing means is inserted into the display cylinder main body 43a from the front side of a center hole 48c formed in a base portion 48a of a transmission plate 48 described later. The coil spring 44 is contracted between the front wall portion of the housing 20 and the base end portion of the ground plug main body 27a, and biases the ground plug main body 27a from the housing position toward the protruding position. Yes.

  A lock plate 45 is disposed inside the housing 20, and the lock plate 45 is fixed to the housing 20 by, for example, a tapping screw 45c. The lock plate 45 is switched when the ground plug 27 sufficiently protrudes out of the housing 20 and moves to the protruding position so that it can be inserted into a three-pole outlet (hereinafter also referred to as a three-pole lock state). It arrange | positions at the accommodation direction side of the board 27b. 2 to 4 show the three-pole locked state of the pole number switching structure 40.

  Specifically, the lock plate 45 includes a base portion 45a extending along the vertical direction, and a mounting portion 45b extending to the right and continuing to the rear end portion of the base portion 45a. The mounting portion 45b is a tapping screw 45c. It is being fixed to the housing | casing 20 by. A restricting portion 45e extending horizontally in the front-rear direction is continuous with the lower end portion of the base portion 45a. At the rear end of the restricting portion 45e, a locked portion 45f is formed as movement restricting means. The locked portion 45f is disposed so as to face the front side of the switching plate 27b of the ground plug 27 and interfere with the switching plate 27b when the ground plug 27 moves to the protruding position. In this interference state, the movement of the ground plug 27 in the accommodation direction is restricted, and it can be used stably as a three-pole plug. Further, the front portion of the restricting portion 45e is continuous with a spring support portion 45d extending in the left direction.

  In the present embodiment, “interference” means that the switching plate 27b and the lock plate 45 are in contact with each other, and that the switching plate 27b and the lock plate 45 are in close proximity to each other and indirectly between them. It is a concept that includes both being locked. The “locking operation” in which the movement of the earth plug in the accommodation direction is restricted by returning from the state of the two-pole plug inserted into the two-pole outlet to the three-pole plug will be described later in “Projection action of the earth plug”. This will be described in detail.

  Further, the restricting portion 45e of the lock plate 45 has a right end surface extending from the right end of the locked portion 45f toward the right front side, that is, inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the protruding direction of the ground plug 27. An inclined surface 45g is formed. By the inclined surface 45g, when the ground plug 27 moves from the projecting position to the accommodation position, the display cylinder main body 43a is rotated together with the switching plate 27b in sliding contact with the switching plate 27b.

  In addition, a transmission plate 48 is integrally provided at the front end portion of the display cylinder main body 43a. The transmission plate 48 includes a disc-shaped base portion 48a that is concentrically fixed to the display cylinder main body 43a, and a protruding portion 48b that protrudes radially outward from a part of the outer peripheral portion of the base portion 48a. On one side in the width direction of the projecting portion 48b, a rectangular plate-shaped transmission portion 48d extending in parallel with a plane passing through the rotation center of the display tube main body 43a is integrally projected. The transmission portion 48d is disposed so as to face the tip of the rod portion 41c of the release button 41. Then, the release button 41 is pushed against the urging force of the release button spring 42 to push the transmission portion 43 c at the tip of the rod portion 41 c, thereby rotating the transmission plate 48 and integrating with the transmission plate 48. The display cylinder main body 43a is rotated around the center. That is, when the release button 41 is pushed toward the right side, the transmission plate 48 rotates in the turning direction (clockwise direction) integrally with the display cylinder main body 43a according to the pushing amount of the release button 41. To do.

  Further, on the other side in the width direction of the protruding portion 48b of the transmission plate 48, an arc plate-shaped display plate 46 extending around the rotation center of the display tube main body 43a is integrally formed at one end portion in the circumferential direction. . The display plate 46 is disposed so as to correspond to the pole number display window 22a of the housing 20. A white sheet 46b extending from an end (one end) located on the transmission portion 48d side in the circumferential direction to the intermediate position on the front surface (surface on the pole number display window 22a side) of the display plate 46, and the other end from the intermediate position A sheet-like color display portion 46a composed of a green sheet 46c extending up to is attached. In each figure, the white sheet 46b is indicated by a diagonal line rising to the right, and the green sheet 46c is indicated by a diagonal line rising to the left. In the present embodiment, the color display unit 46a is configured by two-color sheets, that is, the white sheet 46b and the green sheet 46c, but may be three or more colors, and each sheet is white. Different colors other than green may be used.

  In the present embodiment, when the release button 41 is not pressed, the display cylinder main body 43a, the transmission plate 48, and the display plate 46 are urged by a rotation urging force of an automatic lock spring 47 described later. In this state, green is displayed on the pole number display section 22 (the green sheet 46c is visible from the pole number display window 22a). Further, in the process of rotating the display cylinder main body 43a, the transmission plate 48, and the display plate 46 from the non-rotation state when the release button 41 is pushed, the pole number display unit 22 gradually reduces the green area while white. When the display cylinder main body 43a, the transmission plate 48, and the display plate 46 are rotated to the maximum angle by being pushed to the unlocking position described later, white is displayed on the pole number display unit 22 (poles). The white sheet 46b can be seen from the number display window 22a).

  An automatic lock spring 47 is wound around the outer periphery between the base end portion of the display cylinder main body 43a and the base portion 48a of the transmission plate 48 as a return urging means comprising a torsion coil spring. One end of the automatic lock spring 47 is engaged with the transmission plate 48 of the display cylinder 43, and the other end is engaged with the spring support portion 45 h of the lock plate 45. The automatic lock spring 47 urges the display cylinder 43 in a direction to return to the three-pole locked state, in other words, in a return direction opposite to the rotation direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3).

  The pole number switching structure 40 includes a switching plate 27b of the ground plug 27, a release button 41, a release button spring 42, a display tube 43, a ground expansion spring 44, and a lock plate 45.

  The guide means includes an inclined surface 45g of the lock plate 45, a display cylinder 43 and an automatic lock spring 47, and guides the switching plate 27b in the protruding direction along the inclined surface 45g of the lock plate 45.

  <Plug pole number switching operation>

  Next, the operation of switching the number of poles of the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  (Earth plug accommodation operation)

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the release button 41 is in the button reference position and the ground plug 27 is in the protruding position, that is, the plug is in the three-pole locked state. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the ground plug 27 is in the protruding position, the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f of the lock plate 45 interfere with each other so that the ground plug 27 moves in the accommodation direction. Be regulated.

  In this interference state, for example, even if a force in the housing direction is applied to the ground plug 27 due to a reaction force from the blade receiving bracket of the outlet against the insertion of the ground plug 27 into the three-pole outlet, the front plate of the switching plate 27b is locked. Since the locked portion 45f of the plate 45 is abutted and locked, the protruding state of the ground plug 27 is maintained. That is, FIG. 9 shows a three-pole plug state (three-pole lock state) in which the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 corresponds to a three-pole outlet. At this time, the green color of the green sheet 46 c on the display plate 46 is displayed on the pole number display unit 22 of the housing 20.

  Hereinafter, the accommodating operation of the ground plug 27 will be described in detail. That is, the operation of switching the number of poles from the three-pole locked state to the two-pole plug and the operation of inserting into the two-pole outlet will be described.

  First, the number of poles of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 is switched from the three-pole locked state to the two-pole plug by the user. Specifically, from the three-pole locked state in FIG. 9, the release button 41 is pushed by the user holding the housing 20 against the urging force of the release button spring 42 and the rotational urging force of the automatic lock spring 47. Is done. Then, the transmission portion 48d of the transmission plate 48 is pushed and moved by the rod portion 41c of the release button 41, and the display cylinder body 43a integrated with the display plate 46 and the transmission plate 48 is rotated in the direction of rotation (FIG. 9A). Rotate in the direction of rotation). Along with this rotation, the notch 43b of the display tube main body 43a also moves in the rotation direction, so that the switching plate 27b is also pushed by the display tube main body 43a and moves in the rotation direction. Here, since the lock plate 45 is fixed to the housing 20 and does not follow and rotate, the relative position in the rotation direction between the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f of the lock plate 45 (as viewed from the accommodation direction). The position of each other changes. Although not shown in the figure, in the pole number display unit 22, while the green region gradually decreases, the white region due to the white sheet 46 b on the display plate 46 gradually increases.

  When the release button 41 is further pushed by the user, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the switching plate 27b is such that the left end of the switching plate 27b is inclined with the locked portion 45f (locked portion surface) of the lock plate 45. Move to the boundary with the surface 45g. In the state of FIG. 10, the switching plate 27b is not locked by the locked portion 45f. As a result, when a force in the direction toward the accommodation position is applied to the ground plug 27, the switching plate 27b gradually rotates along the inclined surface 45g against the biasing force of the coil spring 44 together with the ground plug 27. While moving in the accommodation direction. That is, in the state of FIG. 10, the interference of the ground plug 27 by the lock plate 45 is released, and the movement of the ground plug to the accommodation position is allowed. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the position of each component in FIG. 10 may be referred to as an unlock position, and the state of FIG. 10 may be referred to as an unlock state. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the pole number display unit 22 displays white.

  After the state shown in FIG. 10, the user performs an operation of inserting the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 into the outlet. Since the two-pole outlet does not have a ground pole, the tip of the ground plug 27 is pressed against the surface of the outlet cover by the above insertion operation, and receives a pressing force from the outlet cover in the accommodation direction. In response to the pressing force in the housing direction, the ground plug 27 moves in the housing direction, and the amount of protrusion to the outside of the housing 20 gradually decreases. Note that the operation of the release button 41 may be canceled once the ground plug 27 is once accommodated in the display cylinder main body 43a. Even when the operation is released, the movement of the ground plug 27 in the accommodation direction can be continued by continuing the insertion operation into the two-pole outlet.

  FIG. 11 shows a state of the pole number switching structure 40 during the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is being inserted into the two-pole outlet (in the middle of connection). As shown in FIG. 11B, the ground plug 27 is accommodated in the housing 20 (in the display cylinder main body 43a) up to an intermediate position of the ground plug main body 27a.

  FIG. 12 shows a state of the pole number switching structure 40 when the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is completely connected to the two-pole outlet, that is, when the ground plug 27 is in the housing position. As shown in FIG. 8B, the ground plug 27 is accommodated in the housing 20 (in the display cylinder main body 43a) over substantially the entire axial direction of the ground plug main body 27a. At this time, the rear end of the ground plug 27 remains in contact with the outlet cover. That is, the accommodation position is a concept including a state where the ground plug 27 is not completely accommodated in the housing 20. In addition, as shown to Fig.11 (a) and FIG.12 (a), on the pole number display part 22, white is continuously displayed from the display state of FIG.

  (Ground plug protruding operation)

  Next, the number of poles switching operation until the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is returned from the state inserted into the two-pole outlet to the three-pole locked state will be described in detail. In the above-described return operation, the operation of the release button 41 is unnecessary, and in the following description, it is assumed that the release button 41 is not pressed.

  When the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is moved in the direction of removal from the two-pole outlet (forward direction), the switching plate 27b is moved mainly by the component of the rotational biasing force of the automatic lock spring 47 in addition to the biasing force of the ground expansion spring 44. While moving along the inclined surface 45g of the lock plate 45, it moves in the protruding direction, and the ground plug 27 gradually protrudes out of the housing 20 while rotating in the same manner. Specifically, since the inclined surface 45g of the lock plate 45 is inclined with respect to the return direction, the ground plug 27 has a component force in the return direction and a protrusion direction in the rotation direction of the automatic lock spring 47. A component force is given. The switching plate 27b is pressed against the inclined surface 45g by the component force in the return direction. Further, the switching plate 27b is pushed in the projecting direction by the component force in the projecting direction, and the movement of the earth plug 27 in the projecting direction is supported. By the movement of the switching plate 27b, the notch 43b of the display cylinder main body 43a is also rotated in the return direction.

  When the switching plate 27b reaches the boundary (lock release position) between the inclined surface 45g of the lock plate 45 and the locked portion 45f, the switching plate 27b rotates in the return direction, as shown in FIG. Automatically returns to the pole lock state.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the ground plug 27 is urged in the protruding direction by the ground expansion spring 44 and the ground plug 27 is moved to the protruding position, the lock plate 45 is disposed on the front side of the switching plate 27b. Thus, the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f interfere with each other, and the movement of the ground plug 27 to the accommodation position is restricted. That is, as long as the user does not operate the release button 41, the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 is configured to be a three-pole plug. Thereby, the user can insert the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 into the three-pole outlet without worrying about the state of the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 (2 pole / 3 pole). Further, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion that is inserted into a three-pole outlet in a two-pole plug state.

  Further, when the release button 41 is pushed to the unlock position by the user's intention, the interference between the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f is released, and the movement of the ground plug 27 in the accommodation direction (forward direction) is allowed. . Thereby, the user can put the ground plug 27 into a state that can be accommodated by a simple operation with one hand, that is, the plug type earth leakage breaker 10 can be inserted into the two-pole outlet.

  The display cylinder main body 43a is urged by the automatic lock spring 47 so that the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f interfere with each other, that is, in the return direction. Thereby, the interference state between the switching plate 27b and the locked portion 45f when the ground plug 27 is in the protruding position can be made more reliable, and the three-pole locked state can be stably maintained. .

  Further, since the inclined surface 45g extending from the right end of the locked portion 45f toward the right rear side is provided for the lock plate 45, when the ground plug 27 protrudes, the biasing force by the automatic lock spring 47 is reduced. A corresponding component force in the protruding direction is generated. Thereby, the protruding operation of the ground plug 27 is supported, and the protruding operation can be made smoother. In addition, the automatic lock spring 47 and the earth expansion / contraction spring 44 have no restrictions on the balance of the spring strength between them, and the design easiness is improved.

  In addition, a release button 41 protrudes at a position near the upper end of the left side wall portion of the housing 20. That is, for example, when the plug-type earth leakage breaker 10 is gripped with the right hand (one hand) by the user, the release button 41 is arranged at the position of the thumb, and the release button 41 is held with one hand (thumb). It can be easily plugged into a two-pole outlet when pressed.

  The plug type earth leakage breaker according to the present invention can vary the breaking range according to the outlet to be connected. Therefore, the plug type earth leakage breaker is useful as a plug type earth leakage breaker that is widely applied in light of usage conditions.

10 Plug-type Earth Leakage Breaker 20 Main Body 27 Ground Plug 27b Switching Plate (Locking Section)
29a Electrode plug 29b Electrode plug 31 Outlet part 331 Control part 337 Connection blocking part 41 Operation means (release button)
43 display tube (movement restriction release means)
43a Display cylinder body (rotating body)
45e Restriction part (movement restriction means)
45f Locked portion 45g Inclined surface 47 Automatic lock spring (return means)

Claims (4)

A housing that can be held with one hand;
An earth plug supported by the housing so as to be slidable between a projecting position projecting from the housing and a housing position accommodated in the housing, and biased toward the projecting position;
A movement restricting means for interfering with the ground plug when the ground plug is in the projecting position and restricting the movement of the ground plug to the accommodation position;
Operating means provided in the housing so that it can be operated with one hand;
Based on the operation of the operation means, the movement restriction release means for releasing the interference between the earth plug and the movement restriction means and allowing the movement of the earth plug to the accommodation position;
A plug including a voltage electrode and a neutral electrode plug;
An outlet portion that is electrically connected to the plug and receives a connection of a load device plug;
An abnormal current detection unit for detecting overcurrent or leakage current on the load side of the outlet unit;
An earthquake detector that detects shaking caused by the earthquake;
When the abnormal current detection unit detects at least one of overcurrent or electric leakage, or when the earthquake detection unit detects a shake caused by an earthquake,
A plug-type earth leakage breaker having a variable cut-off range, comprising a connection cut-off portion for cutting off an electrical connection between the plug and the outlet portion. The plug-type earth leakage breaker having a variable breaking range according to claim 1,
Among the electrode plugs, a first mode for bypassing the voltage electrode and the neutral electrode;
A plug-type earth leakage breaker having a variable cut-off range, comprising a selection switch that selectively switches between a voltage electrode and a second mode that bypasses the ground plug. The plug-type earth leakage breaker having a variable breaking range according to claim 2,
Switching the selection switch to the first mode when the earth plug is allowed to move to the accommodation position by the movement restriction release means, and the second mode of the selection switch when the earth plug is in the protruding position The switching type is a plug type earth leakage circuit breaker having a variable breaking range characterized in that the switching is performed by the operating means. The plug-type earth leakage breaker of variable cutoff range according to claim 3,
A plug-type ground fault circuit breaker having a variable shut-off range, which is connected in series with the selection switch and includes a bypass switch that closes when the earthquake detector detects a shake caused by an earthquake.

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