JP2024076189A - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a circuit breaker which can separately display the connection states of a plurality of power lines by a simple configuration.SOLUTION: The circuit breaker includes: a plurality of terminals each having a protrusion unit extending along a first direction, the terminals changing the connection states of a plurality of power lines by moving in a second direction vertical to the first direction; an output unit having a guidance unit and a plurality of contact units, the guidance unit including a protrusion unit movable along the second direction in the guidance unit and the contact units being provided in the guidance unit and contacting with the protrusion unit in association with movement of at least one of the plurality of terminals; and a display unit for visually displaying the states of the plurality of terminals in association with the movement of the output unit. At least one protrusion unit is in contact with at least one different contact unit according to the state of the plurality of terminals.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

This disclosure relates to a circuit breaker.

Conventionally, circuit breakers that allow visual confirmation of the connection state of the power line have been known. The circuit breaker described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing with a display window, a plurality of terminals movable relative to the housing, two switching knobs each having a terminal body and provided at the top and bottom, a display means, and an indicator piece spring that biases the display means. The display means includes an axis portion rotatably supported by the case body, and a display portion and an action portion that protrude radially from the axis portion. In a 200V connection state, no force is applied to the action portion, and the display portion faces the display window and appears red from the outside. In a 100V connection state, the terminal body of the upper switching knob rotates upward and a neutral pole conductive bar is inserted, and the terminal body pushes the action portion against the biasing force of the indicator piece spring, causing the display portion to come off the display window and appear white from the outside.

JP 2003-272506 A

By changing the state relating to the combination of the positions of multiple terminals that can be connected to a power line (hereinafter referred to as the "power line connection state"), it is possible to change the power line through which power flows on the power supply side of the circuit breaker. In the circuit breaker described in Patent Document 1, even if the power line connection states are different, the voltage value in the electric circuit may show the same voltage value. By adopting the same power line connection state in multiple circuit breakers, power flows only through the same power line on the power supply side of the multiple circuit breakers. As a result, for example, if the number of circuit breakers adopting the same power line connection state becomes greater than a predetermined number, there is a possibility that the main breaker provided on the power supply side of the circuit breaker will trip.

Therefore, in order to prevent the main breaker from tripping, it is necessary to suppress bias in the connection state of the power lines. However, in the circuit breaker of Patent Document 1, the same display format is used for the connection states of two or more power lines that show the same voltage value in the electric circuit, so workers may not be able to easily distinguish which power line connection state is being used. On the other hand, if a complex mechanism or structure is used to distinguish between the connection states of multiple power lines, problems arise with the dimensional accuracy of the structural parts, and problems arise in that the number of parts, assembly labor, and space are increased.

The present disclosure aims to provide a circuit breaker that can distinguish and display the connection states of multiple power lines with a simple configuration.

A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of terminals each having a protrusion extending along a first direction and adapted to change a connection state of a plurality of power lines by moving along a second direction intersecting the first direction, a guide section within which the protrusion can move along the second direction, an output section provided on the guide section and having a plurality of abutment sections that abut against the protrusion in conjunction with the movement of at least one of the plurality of terminals, and a display section that visually displays the state of the plurality of terminals in conjunction with the movement of the output section, and at least one protrusion abuts against at least one abutment section that differs depending on the state of the plurality of terminals.

This circuit breaker includes multiple terminals, an output unit having a guide portion and multiple abutment portions, and a display unit. The connection state of the power lines is changed by the movement of at least one terminal. The movement of at least one terminal causes at least one protrusion to abut against at least one abutment portion that differs depending on the state of the multiple terminals. Since the combination of the abutment between the protrusion portion and the abutment portion differs depending on the state of the multiple terminals, the output unit moves according to the state of the multiple terminals. Therefore, the output unit can appropriately link the display unit according to the state of the multiple terminals. Since the display of the state of the multiple terminals changes according to the movement of the terminals, the operator can easily visually distinguish the connection state of each power line. Therefore, this circuit breaker can distinguish and display the connection states of multiple power lines with a simple configuration.

In one embodiment of the circuit breaker, the guide portion penetrates in the first direction and opens in the second direction, and the multiple abutment portions each face the guide portion and may be provided at positions opposing each other across the guide portion in the second direction. In this case, by providing the guide portion in the output portion, the circuit breaker can reduce the weight of the output portion.

The circuit breaker according to one embodiment includes two terminals that can be arranged in three locations as the multiple terminals, the guide portion has two openings arranged side by side along the second direction, and the state of the multiple terminals may be three states related to the positions of the multiple terminals arranged based on the connection state of the multiple power lines. In this case, by providing two openings, the output portion can distinguish the state of the two terminals and link the display portion. For example, even if there are two or more connection states of power lines that show the same voltage value in an electric circuit, the operator can easily visually distinguish the connection states of the three power lines. Therefore, this circuit breaker can distinguish and display the connection states of the three power lines.

The circuit breaker according to one embodiment includes a main body portion that is rotatable around a rotation axis and has a display portion provided along the rotation circumferential direction, a rotation portion having a first action portion provided at a position different from the rotation axis in the rotation radial direction of the main body portion, and a position restriction portion that is provided in the rotation circumferential direction relative to the rotation portion and restricts the rotation of the rotation portion, and the output portion has a second action portion, and the first action portion may engage with the second action portion and rotate the main body portion around the rotation axis in conjunction with the movement of the second action portion in the second direction. In this case, the output portion rotates the rotation portion, so that the display portion can distinguish and display the states of the multiple terminals. Since the rotation portion rotates around the rotation axis by the first action portion, the output portion and the display portion can be linked to each other according to the positional relationship between them without providing a complex mechanism. In addition, the display portion can be accurately moved in the rotation circumferential direction by rotating the rotation portion according to the amount of movement of the output portion. Therefore, the display portion can accurately distinguish and display the connection states of the multiple power lines without requiring a complex mechanism or dimensional accuracy of parts. In addition, the position restriction unit restricts the rotation of the rotating unit, so that the rotating unit rotates within an appropriate range in accordance with the movement of the output unit.

In one embodiment of the circuit breaker, the position restriction parts are provided on both sides of the rotating part in the circumferential direction of the rotating part, and the movement of the output part and the rotation of the rotating part may be restricted by at least one of the protrusions of the multiple terminals and the position restriction parts. In this case, the movement of the output part and the rotation of the rotating part are within an appropriate range, so that the state of the multiple terminals can be appropriately displayed.

The circuit breaker according to one embodiment includes a connecting portion that connects the output portion and the display portion, and a position restricting portion that restricts the movement of the display portion. The display portion slides and moves in a third direction intersecting the second direction. The connecting portion is made of a flexible and non-stretchable member and curves between the output portion and the display portion. The position restricting portion is provided in the third direction relative to the display portion and may restrict the movement of the display portion. In this case, the output portion moves the display portion, so that the display portion can distinguish and display the states of the multiple terminals. Here, the connecting portion is made of a flexible and non-stretchable member. Since the member that constitutes the connecting portion is flexible, the output portion and the display portion can be linked to each other according to their positional relationship without the need for a complex mechanism. In addition, since the member that constitutes the connecting portion is a non-stretchable member, the display portion can be accurately moved according to the amount of movement of the output portion. Therefore, the display portion can accurately distinguish and display the connection states of the multiple power lines without requiring a complex mechanism or dimensional accuracy of parts. In addition, the position restriction unit restricts the movement of the display unit, so that the display unit moves within an appropriate range in accordance with the movement of the output unit.

In one embodiment of the circuit breaker, the position restriction units are provided on both sides of the display unit in the third direction of the display unit, and the movement of the output unit and the movement of the display unit may be restricted by at least one of the protrusions of the multiple terminals and the position restriction units. In this case, the movement of the output unit and the movement of the display unit are within an appropriate range, so that the state of the multiple terminals can be appropriately displayed.

The circuit breaker according to one embodiment may have a display window through which a portion of the display unit can be viewed from the outside, and may also have a housing unit that houses multiple terminals, an output unit, and at least a portion of the display unit. In this case, an operator can view the state of the multiple terminals displayed by the display unit within the display window.

The circuit breaker disclosed herein can distinguish and display the connection states of multiple power lines with a simple configuration.

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating an example of a state in which a right case of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment is removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an accommodating portion and a plurality of terminals according to the embodiment. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a plurality of terminals, an output portion, and a rotating portion according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output portion provided at a first connection position with respect to a conductive bar; 13 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output portion provided at a second connection position relative to the conductive bar. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output portion provided at a third connection position with respect to the conductive bar. FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state of a display unit with respect to a plurality of terminals provided at a first connection position; FIG.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "back" are based on the state shown in the drawings and are for convenience only.

Figure 1 is a side view showing an example of a state in which the right case of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment is removed. In the figure, the X and Y directions are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is vertical. The X, Y, and Z directions are mutually orthogonal axial directions in a Cartesian coordinate system in three-dimensional space. Hereinafter, the direction along the XY plane is also referred to as the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is also referred to as the up-down direction.

The circuit breaker 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that is interposed in an electric path connecting a power source and a load device, and controls the contact and separation of a contact portion 80 described below to control the opening and closing of the electric path. Here, the circuit breaker 1 can take at least two states, an open state and a closed state, as the opening and closing state of the electric path. The open state is a state in which the contacts are separated by an action including an external action such as operation by an operator, and no current flows in the electric path. The closed state is a state in which the contacts are in contact by an action including an external action such as operation by an operator, and current flows in the electric path. The circuit breaker 1 may take the trip state as the open state of the electric path. The trip state is a state in which an abnormal state such as an overcurrent, short circuit, or leakage current in the electric path is detected, and the contacts are separated by the action of the structure within the circuit breaker 1, and no current flows in the electric path.

The circuit breaker 1 is provided, for example, in a single-phase three-wire distribution board (not shown). The circuit breaker 1 is provided on the secondary side of a main breaker (not shown) provided in the distribution board. Three conductive bars (an example of a conductor) can be connected to the main breaker on its secondary side. The conductive bars are, for example, bus bars. The distribution board has at least two of the three plate-shaped conductive bars N, L1, and L2. The circuit breaker 1 can be used as a circuit breaker capable of passing 100V of power when connected to the neutral conductive bar N and the conductive bar L1 of one voltage pole, and when connected to the neutral conductive bar N and the conductive bar L2 of the other voltage pole. The circuit breaker 1 can also be used as a circuit breaker capable of passing 200V of power when connected to the conductive bars L1 and L2 of both voltage poles.

The circuit breaker 1 includes a plurality of terminals 20, an output section 30, and a rotating section 40. The circuit breaker 1 further includes a housing section 10. The circuit breaker 1 may further include, for example, a zero-phase current transformer 5 for detecting leakage current, an electromagnetic tripping device 7, a printed circuit board 9, a plurality of load side terminals 70, a plurality of contact sections 80, a contact moving section 85, and a plurality of load side engaging sections 90. The printed circuit board 9 is fitted with a leakage current detection circuit that trips the electromagnetic tripping device 7 when leakage current occurs. Note that elements mounted on the printed circuit board 9 are omitted. The circuit breaker 1 includes, for example, two terminals 20A and 20B that can be arranged in three locations, two load side terminals 70, and two contact sections 80.

The accommodating section 10 accommodates at least a portion of the multiple terminals 20, the output section 30, and the rotating section 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the accommodating section 10 is a housing that accommodates components such as a portion of the two terminals 20A, 20B, the output section 30, the rotating section 40, the zero-phase current transformer 5, the electromagnetic tripping device 7, the printed circuit board 9, multiple load side terminals 70, multiple contact sections 80, a portion of the contact movement section 85, and a portion of the load side engagement section 90. The accommodating section 10 forms a space therein for accommodating these components. For example, the longitudinal direction of the accommodating section 10 extends along the X direction.

The storage section 10 has, for example, a right case 10A (see FIG. 2) and a left case 10B. The right case 10A and the left case 10B are arranged in this order toward the positive Y direction (left side). The left case 10B fits into the right case 10A on the left side of the right case 10A (negative Y direction). By fitting the left case 10B and the right case 10A, each component except for a part of the two terminals 20 and a part of the release lever 93 described below is accommodated in the storage section 10. The right case 10A and the left case 10B are engaged and fitted together by, for example, an engaging member such as a pin. The right case 10A and the left case 10B have, for example, a substantially symmetrical configuration.

The housing section 10 is provided with a number of wire insertion ports 11 on the surface facing the front (positive direction in the X direction) into which the load side wires LL extending from the load device can be inserted. In this embodiment, the housing section 10 is provided with two wire insertion ports 11. Each wire insertion port 11 is an opening that penetrates a right case 10A (described later) and a left case 10B (described later) in the X direction. In the housing section 10, the two wire insertion ports 11 are arranged toward the left side in the Y direction.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a storage section and a terminal according to an embodiment. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the storage section 10 has a display window 12 through which a part of the display section 50 described below can be seen from the outside. The display window 12 is an opening having a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The display window 12 is, for example, an opening that penetrates the upper part of the storage section 10 in the vertical direction and communicates between the space inside the storage section 10 and the space outside the storage section 10.

The two terminals 20A and 20B change the connection state of the multiple power lines by moving along the Z direction (an example of the second direction). The connection state of the power lines is a state related to a combination of the positions of the multiple terminals that can be connected to the power lines. The two terminals 20A and 20B are, for example, power supply side terminals. The two terminals 20A and 20B change the connection state of the three conductive bars N, L1, and L2. The two terminals 20A and 20B are terminals that can be electrically connected to a power source. The two terminals 20A and 20B in this embodiment are arranged on a surface (back surface) facing the negative direction of the X direction in the accommodating section 10. The back surface on which the two terminals 20A and 20B are provided is formed by a surface extending along the vertical direction. For example, the terminal 20A is arranged at the upper part of the back side of the accommodating section 10, and the terminal 20B is arranged at the lower part of the back side of the accommodating section 10. The terminals 20A and 20B are arranged side by side along the vertical direction in the accommodating section 10. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, terminal 20A is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar N of the neutral pole, and terminal 20B is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar L1 of one of the voltage poles. Hereinafter, the positions of the two terminals 20A and 20B are referred to as the first connection positions. Details of the two terminals 20A and 20B will be described later.

Refer back to FIG. 1. The multiple load side terminals 70 are terminals that can be electrically connected to a load device. The two load side terminals 70 are arranged on a surface (front surface) of the housing 10 that faces the positive X direction, and are aligned along the Y direction. A portion of the front surface on which the two load side terminals 70 are provided is inclined to facilitate the connection operation of the load side electric wire LL extending from the load device. One load side terminal 70 can be electrically connected to terminal 20A. The other load side terminal 70 can be electrically connected to terminal 20B.

The two contact parts 80 are configured to be able to switch between opening and closing an electrical path that can electrically connect a power source and a load device in accordance with the movement of the contact movement part 85. One contact part 80 electrically connects the terminal 20A to one of the load side terminals 70. The other contact part 80 electrically connects the terminal 20B to the other load side terminal 70. The two contact parts 80 are arranged between the two terminals 20 and the two load side terminals 70 in the X direction. The two contact parts 80 are arranged in alignment along the Y direction in the accommodation part 10.

Each contact section 80 has a power supply side contactor 81, a load side contactor 82, and a plate-shaped member 83. Each power supply side contactor 81 is electrically connected to terminals 20A and 20B, respectively. Each load side contactor 82 is electrically connected to each load side terminal 70. In each contact section 80, the power supply side contactor 81 and the load side contactor 82 can be electrically connected.

The plate-shaped member 83 is connected to the contact movement section 85, and its front end (the end in the positive X direction) moves up and down in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the contact movement section 85. The power supply side contactor 81 is disposed on the lower surface of the front end of the plate-shaped member 83 and is exposed downward. The power supply side contactors 81 are moved relative to the load side contactors 82 by the contact movement section 85, and can come into contact with or separate from each other. The load side contactors 82 are fixed in position within the accommodating section 10. The load side contactors 82 are provided, for example, at the bottom of the accommodating section 10, on a terminal base 91 (described below) so as to be exposed upward.

When the power supply side contactor 81 and the load side contactor 82 are in contact with each other in each contact section 80, the contactor is in a closed state in which an electrical circuit is formed. When the power supply side contactor 81 and the load side contactor 82 are separated from each other in at least one of the two contact sections 80, the contactor is in an open state in which no electrical circuit is formed, or in a tripped state. The contact or separation state of the power supply side contactor 81 and the load side contactor 82 is switched by the opening and closing operation of the contact movement section 85. In the closed state, an electrical circuit is formed that electrically connects the power supply and the load device.

The contact movement unit 85 is supported so as to be movable relative to the storage unit 10, and controls the opening and closing operations of the multiple contact units 80. The contact movement unit 85 has an operation lever 86 and an opening and closing mechanism unit 87 connected to the plate-shaped member 83. The operation lever 86 is a jig that can perform opening and closing operations on the electric circuit, that is, a current-carrying (ON) operation and a cut-off (OFF) operation. When the operation lever 86 is held by an operator and rotated in one direction about the rotation axis, the opening and closing mechanism unit 87 moves downward, moving each plate-shaped member 83 downward, bringing each power supply side contactor 81 into contact with each load side contactor 82, and closing the electric circuit. When the operation lever 86 is held by an operator and rotated in the other direction about the rotation axis, the opening and closing mechanism unit 87 moves upward, moving each plate-shaped member 83 upward, separating each power supply side contactor 81 from each load side contactor 82, and opening the electric circuit. The opening and closing mechanism unit 87 has, for example, a separator.

The multiple load side engagement parts 90 are units that engage with the load side electric wire LL. The circuit breaker 1 has, for example, two load side engagement parts 90. The two load side engagement parts 90 are arranged on the front side in the X direction in the accommodating part 10, and are aligned along the Y direction. A part of each load side engagement part 90 constitutes each load side terminal 70. Each load side engagement part 90 has, for example, a terminal base 91, a leaf spring 92, and a release lever 93.

The terminal seat 91 is configured to be able to engage with the end of the load side electric wire LL. In the circuit breaker 1, the load side electric wire LL may or may not be engaged. The terminal seat 91 electrically connects the load side electric wire LL connected to the circuit breaker 1 to the load side contact 82. The terminal seat 91 engages with the load side electric wire LL that can be connected to the load device together with the leaf spring 92, and electrically connects the load side electric wire LL to the load side terminal 70. The end of the load side electric wire LL inserted into the terminal seat 91 extends, for example, along the X direction. The terminal seat 91 is a member formed, for example, by bending a single metal plate. In the terminal seat 91, an accommodation space that can accommodate the leaf spring 92 inside and an opening/closing space that can open and close the power supply side contact 81 and the load side contact 82 are respectively defined.

The leaf spring 92 engages with the load side electric wire LL at the terminal base 91. The leaf spring 92 is, for example, a member formed by bending a metal plate. The leaf spring 92 has a main surface facing upward, and the width direction of the main surface is along the Y direction. The leaf spring 92 is accommodated within the accommodation space of the terminal base 91. The leaf spring 92 engages with a part of the terminal base 91 to clamp and hold the load side electric wire LL.

The release lever 93 is used to release the engagement of the load side electric wire LL inserted into the housing portion 10 of the circuit breaker 1. The release lever 93 is provided, for example, on the rear side of the electric wire insertion port 11, and a part of it is housed in the housing portion 10. When the load side electric wire LL is engaged in the terminal base 91, the release lever 93 rotates around the rotation axis toward the rear side in the X direction, thereby releasing the engagement of the load side electric wire LL.

The details of each component will be described below in the order of the storage section 10, the two terminals 20A and 20B, the output section 30, and the rotating section 40. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a plurality of terminals, an output section, and a rotating section according to an embodiment. The storage section 10 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a guide section 13 capable of guiding the terminals 20A and 20B in the up-down direction. The guide section 13 has a pair of guide members 13A and 13B. In the storage section 10, the pair of guide members 13A and 13B are arranged side by side along the Y direction. The pair of guide members 13A and 13B are, for example, guide rails extending along the up-down direction. The guide member 13A has a groove portion recessed toward the right side, for example, and formed along the up-down direction. The guide member 13B has a groove portion recessed toward the left side, for example, and formed along the up-down direction.

A wall 14 is formed on the left case 10B of the storage unit 10. The wall 14 extends in the Y and Z directions. A wall is also provided on the right case 10A at a position symmetrical to the wall 14 in the Y direction (not shown). A gap is formed between the wall of the right case 10A and the wall 14 of the left case 10B in the Y direction.

Each of the two terminals 20A, 20B has a terminal body 21, a movable body 22, a terminal fitting 23, and a conductive plate 24. The terminal body 21 is provided outside the rear side of the accommodating section 10. The terminal body 21 has a box-like shape and is formed with an opening 21p that opens toward the rear side in the X direction and toward the Y direction. On the rear side of the terminal body 21 in the X direction, an upper part and a lower part face each other with the opening 21p in between. The upper part and the lower part are integrally connected on the front side in the X direction.

A movable body 22 is provided on the front surface of the terminal body 21 in the X direction. The movable body 22 engages with the guide portion 13 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The movable body 22 is, for example, a plate-shaped member extending along the Y direction and the Z direction. The movable body 22 movably fits into grooves formed in the pair of guide members 13A, 13B.

The terminal body 21 is provided with a terminal fitting 23. The terminal fitting 23 is provided, for example, in a portion of the terminal body 21 that is exposed in the opening 21p. The terminal fitting 23 is formed, for example, by bending or curving a metal plate that is elastically deformable and conductive. The terminal fitting 23 opens toward the rear side in the X direction and toward the Y direction. The terminal fitting 23 has, for example, a substantially C-shape. The terminal fitting 23 is formed as a plug-in type terminal that is connected simply by inserting one of the conductive bars N, L1, L2 arranged in the distribution board.

Conductive plates 24, 24 extend from the terminal fittings 23, 23 of the terminals 20A, 20B. The conductive plate 24 is a plate-shaped member extending in the X and Z directions. The conductive plates 24, 24 are inserted into the gap formed between the wall portion of the right case 10A and the wall portion 14 of the left case 10B of the storage unit 10, and extend from the wall portion 14 to the front side in the X direction.

Referring again to FIG. 1. The circuit breaker 1 may further include two bimetal pieces 25, two movable electromagnetic pieces 26, and a tripping member 27. The two bimetal pieces 25 and the two movable electromagnetic pieces 26 are aligned in the Y direction in the housing 10. Each conductor plate 24 is connected to each bimetal piece 25 and each movable electromagnetic piece 26 via an electric wire on the front side of the conductor plate 24 in the X direction. Each bimetal piece 25 detects an overcurrent. Each movable electromagnetic piece 26 detects a short circuit. Each bimetal piece 25 and each movable electromagnetic piece 26 are arranged facing upward in the Z direction and are attached so as to deform or rotate upward when an overcurrent or short circuit current is detected. The bimetal pieces 25 and each movable electromagnetic piece 26, together with the electromagnetic tripping device 7, constitute an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the electric circuit. The tripping member 27 transmits the operation of the electromagnetic tripping device 7, the bimetal piece 25, and the movable electromagnetic piece 26 to the contact movement part 85, releasing the latch of the contact movement part 85 and causing it to perform an interruption operation.

Figure 4 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output unit provided at a first connection position with respect to a conductive bar. As shown in Figure 4, the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B each have a protrusion 28 extending along the X direction (an example of a first direction). Each terminal body 21 has a protrusion 28. That is, the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B each have a protrusion 28A, 28B. The protrusion 28 moves in accordance with the up-down movement of each terminal body 21. The protrusion 28 is a plate-like member extending in the X direction and the Y direction. The protrusion 28 protrudes, for example, from the front surface in the X direction of the upper part of the terminal body 21 toward the front side in the X direction. For example, the upper end surface 28a of the protrusion 28A and the upper end surface 28c of the protrusion 28B are provided along the upper end surfaces of the terminal bodies 21, 21, respectively. For example, the lower end surface 28b of the protrusion 28A and the lower end surface 28d of the protrusion 28B are provided along the upper end surface 28a of the protrusion 28A and the upper end surface 28c of the protrusion 28B, respectively.

The output unit 30 has a mechanism for transmitting the movement of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B to the rotating unit 40. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the output unit 30 is formed, for example, from a single plate-shaped member. The output unit 30 is provided on the front side of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B in the X direction and on the rear side of the wall portion 14 in the X direction. The output unit 30 moves in the Z direction along the wall portion 14.

The output section 30 has a guide section 39 and an abutment section 32. The output section 30 further has, for example, an output main body section 31. The output main body section 31 is a plate-shaped section extending along the Y direction and the Z direction. The output main body section 31 is provided on the front surface of each of the movable bodies 22 provided on the multiple terminals 20A, 20B. The output main body section 31 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, for example, between the pair of guide members 13A, 13B. The output main body section 31 is not fitted into, for example, grooves provided on the pair of guide members 13A, 13B.

The guide portion 39 guides the protrusions 28A and 28B so that they can move along the Z direction. Inside the guide portion 39, the protrusions 28A and 28B can move along the Z direction. The guide portion 39, for example, penetrates along the X direction and opens along the Z direction. The guide portion 39 has two openings 31A and 31B arranged side by side along the Z direction. The output main body portion 31 has, as the guide portion 39, an opening 31A through which at least a part of the protrusion 28A can be inserted and an opening 31B through which at least a part of the protrusion 28B can be accommodated. The openings 31A and 31B each penetrate in the X direction. The openings 31A and 31B are, for example, rectangular openings. The width in the Y direction and the length in the Z direction of the opening 31A are greater than the width in the Y direction and the length in the Z direction of the protrusion 28A, respectively. The width in the Y direction and the length in the Z direction of the opening 31B are greater than the width in the Y direction and the length in the Z direction of the protrusion 28B, respectively.

The contact portion 32 is provided on the guide portion 39 and contacts at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B in conjunction with the movement of at least one of the terminals 20A, 20B. When at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B moves in the vertical direction, at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B contacts the contact portion 32.

The abutment portion 32 has a first abutment portion 33, a second abutment portion 34, a third abutment portion 35, and a fourth abutment portion 36. The first abutment portion 33, the second abutment portion 34, the third abutment portion 35, and the fourth abutment portion 36 are examples of a plurality of abutment portions. The first abutment portion 33, the second abutment portion 34, the third abutment portion 35, and the fourth abutment portion 36 face the openings 31A and 31B of the guide portion 39, respectively, and are provided at positions facing each other across the openings 31A and 31B of the guide portion 39 in the Z direction. The first abutment portion 33, the second abutment portion 34, the third abutment portion 35, and the fourth abutment portion 36 extend along the Y direction. The first abutment portion 33 and the second abutment portion 34 face the opening 31A. In the Z direction, the first contact portion 33 and the second contact portion 34 are provided at positions facing each other with the opening 31A in between. The first contact portion 33 is provided at the top of the output body portion 31 and is a portion that constitutes the upper end of the opening 31A. The upper end surface 28a of the protrusion portion 28A of the terminal 20A can abut against the first contact portion 33 from below. The second contact portion 34 is provided at the center of the output body portion 31 and is a portion that constitutes the lower end of the opening 31A. The lower end surface 28b of the protrusion portion 28A of the terminal 20A can abut against the second contact portion 34 from above.

The third contact portion 35 and the fourth contact portion 36 face the opening 31B. In the Z direction, the third contact portion 35 and the fourth contact portion 36 are provided at positions facing each other across the opening 31B. The third contact portion 35 is provided in the center of the output body portion 31 and is a portion that constitutes the upper end of the opening 31B. The second contact portion 34 and the third contact portion 35 are, for example, the upper end and the lower end of the portion of the output body portion 31 that is located between the opening 31A and the opening 31B, respectively. The upper end surface 28c of the protrusion portion 28B of the terminal 20B can abut against the third contact portion 35 from below. The fourth contact portion 36 is provided in the lower portion of the output body portion 31 and is a portion that constitutes the lower end of the opening 31B. The lower end surface 28d of the protrusion portion 28B of the terminal 20B can abut against the fourth contact portion 36 from above.

The engagement between the two terminals 20A, 20B and the output section 30 for each connection state of the conductive bar will be described below. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, the upper end surface 28c of the protrusion 28B of the terminal 20B abuts the third abutment portion 35. In the Z direction, the downward movement of the output section 30 is restricted by the protrusion 28B. At this time, the protrusion 28A of the terminal 20A does not abut the first abutment portion 33 and the second abutment portion 34. In the opening 31A, the protrusion 28A is located closer to the first abutment portion 33 than the second abutment portion 34. Hereinafter, the distance between the upper end surface 28a of the protrusion 28A and the first abutment portion 33 will be referred to as distance D1. Hereinafter, the position of the output section 30 at this time will be referred to as the first movement position.

Figure 5 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output unit provided at the second connection position with respect to the conductive bar. In the example shown in Figure 5, the terminal 20A is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar N of the neutral pole, and the terminal 20B is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar L2 of the other voltage pole. Hereinafter, the positions of the two terminals 20A and 20B are referred to as the second connection position. In the example shown in Figure 5, when the two terminals 20A and 20B are located at the second connection position, the upper end surface 28a of the protrusion 28A of the terminal 20A abuts against the first abutment portion 33, and the lower end surface 28d of the protrusion 28B of the terminal 20B abuts against the fourth abutment portion 36. In the Z direction, the upward and downward movement of the output unit 30 is restricted by the protrusions 28A and 28B. Hereinafter, the position of the output unit 30 at this time is referred to as the second movement position. When the two terminals 20A, 20B change from the first connection position to the second connection position, the output section 30 moves downward by a distance D1 from the first movement position to the second movement position.

Figure 6 is a front view showing an example of a plurality of terminals and an output unit provided at a third connection position with respect to the conductive bar. In the example shown in Figure 6, the terminal 20A is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar L1 of one voltage pole, and the terminal 20B is provided at a position where it can be connected to the conductive bar L2 of the other voltage pole. Hereinafter, the positions of the two terminals 20A and 20B are referred to as the third connection position. In the example shown in Figure 6, when the two terminals 20A and 20B are located at the third connection position, the lower end surface 28b of the protrusion 28A of the terminal 20A abuts against the second abutment portion 34. In the Z direction, the upward movement of the output unit 30 is restricted by the protrusion 28A. At this time, the protrusion 28B of the terminal 20B does not abut against the third abutment portion 35 and the fourth abutment portion 36. Hereinafter, the distance between the lower end surface 28d of the protrusion 28B and the fourth abutment portion 36 is referred to as the distance D3. Hereinafter, the position of the output unit 30 at this time is referred to as the third movement position. When the two terminals 20A, 20B change from the second connection position to the third connection position, the output section 30 moves downward by a distance D3 from the second movement position to the third movement position. In this way, at least one protrusion 28A, 28B abuts against at least one abutment section 32 that differs depending on the state of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B.

The output section 30 has a second action section 37 that moves in conjunction with the movement of the multiple terminals 20A and 20B. The second action section 37 has an action bearing section 38 that rotatably supports the action shaft 61 described below. The action bearing section 38 is, for example, an opening that penetrates toward the X direction, which is the extension direction of the action shaft 61. The action bearing section 38 may be a recess that can accommodate the tip end of the action shaft 61. The action bearing section 38 is, for example, an opening that extends along the Y direction. The action bearing section 38 is, for example, provided above the openings 31A and 31B, at the upper end of the output main body section 31.

3 and 4, the rotating unit 40 is provided above the terminals 20A, 20B. The rotating unit 40 is provided on the rear side of the working bearing portion 38 of the output unit 30. The rotating unit 40 displays the states of the terminals 20A, 20B relative to the circuit breaker 1. The rotating unit 40 switches the display according to the states of the terminals 20A, 20B in conjunction with the movement of the output unit 30. The states of the terminals 20A, 20B include three states related to the positions of the terminals 20A, 20B arranged based on the connection states of the conductive bars N, L1, L2 (an example of a plurality of power lines). The states of the terminals 20A, 20B are, for example, information related to the first connection position, the second connection position, and the third connection position described above.

The rotating part 40 has a main body part 41, a display part 50 and a first action part 60. The main body part 41 is, for example, a plate-shaped part extending along the Y direction and the Z direction. The main body part 41 has an approximately fan-shaped shape. The main body part 41 has a front surface 42 and a back surface 43 extending in the Y direction and the Z direction, and an outer peripheral surface 44, a first surface 45, a second surface 46 and a third surface 47 extending in the Y direction. The front surface 42 and the back surface 43 share sides included in the outer peripheral surface 44, the first surface 45, the second surface 46 and the third surface 47, respectively. The first surface 45 and the second surface 46 are surfaces connecting the outer peripheral surface 44 and the third surface 47. At least a part of the outer peripheral surface 44 faces the display window 12. The outer peripheral surface 44 is an arc-shaped surface. The first surface 45, the second surface 46 and the third surface 47 have an approximately planar shape. When the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are in the second connection position, the third surface 47 is a surface that extends along the X direction and the Y direction.

The main body 41 can rotate around a rotation axis 49. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the rotation part 40 has a rotation axis 49. The rotation axis 49 extends from the back surface 43 of the main body 41 toward the back surface in the X direction. The rotation axis 49 is provided on the left side and at the bottom of the main body 41. The rotation axis 49 is provided, for example, at a corner of the back surface 43 between the first surface 45 and the third surface 47. The rotation axis 49 may be formed integrally with the main body 41.

The rotating shaft 49 is supported rotatably by a rotating bearing 15 (see FIG. 3) provided in the storage section 10. In the example shown in FIG. 3, only the rotating bearing 15 provided in the left case 10B is shown supporting only the left portion of the rotating shaft 49, but a rotating bearing (not shown) having a symmetrical shape to the rotating bearing 15 is provided in the right case 10A and supports the right portion of the rotating shaft 49. The rotating bearing is provided at a symmetrical position in the Y direction and the Z direction with respect to the rotating shaft 49. The rotating bearing of the right case 10A and the rotating bearing 15 of the left case 10B support the rotating shaft 49 so that it cannot move in the Y direction and the Z direction, and so that the rotating shaft 49 can rotate around an axis along the X direction.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the display unit 50 is provided on the main body 41 along the circumferential direction of rotation, and visually displays the state of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B. The display unit 50 is provided on the outer peripheral surface 44 of the main body 41, and is exposed to the outside through the display window 12.

The display unit 50 has a first display unit 51, a second display unit 52, and a third display unit 53. The first display unit 51, the second display unit 52, and the third display unit 53 are arranged in order toward the left along the circumferential direction of the main body unit 41. That is, on the outer circumferential surface 44, the second display unit 52 is arranged between the first display unit 51 arranged on the rightmost side and the third display unit 53 arranged on the leftmost side. The first display unit 51, the second display unit 52, and the third display unit 53 are provided, for example, in areas obtained by dividing the outer circumferential surface 44 into three in the circumferential direction of the rotation. The boundaries between the first display unit 51, the second display unit 52, and the third display unit 53 extend along the X direction.

The first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53 are formed, for example, by painting the outer peripheral surface 44 in different colors. Note that in Figs. 4 to 6, the thicknesses of the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53 are emphasized in order to facilitate understanding of the structure. As long as it is possible to recognize from the outside that the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53 are displayed in different forms, the difference in form is not limited to a difference in color, and may be letters, figures, etc.

The first display section 51 indicates that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position. The first display section 51 is, for example, a section where the outer peripheral surface 44 is painted light gray. The second display section 52 indicates that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the second connection position. The second display section 52 is, for example, a section where the outer peripheral surface 44 is painted a darker gray than the first display section 51. The third display section 53 indicates that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the third connection position. The third display section 53 is, for example, a section where the outer peripheral surface 44 is painted a darker gray than the second display section 52. The type of color is not limited.

The display window 12 provided in the storage section 10 is opened to a size that exposes at least a part of each of the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53. The worker can visually recognize the display (color) of each of the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53 through the display window 12. The width of the display window 12 in the Y direction is set, for example, to be equal to or less than the length of each of the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53 in the rotation circumferential direction. The depth of the display window 12 in the X direction is set, for example, to be equal to the thickness of the main body section 41, and equal to or less than the width of the outer circumferential surface 44 in the X direction.

The first acting part 60 engages with the second acting part 37 and rotates the main body part 41 around the rotation axis 49 in conjunction with the movement of the second acting part 37 in the Z direction. The first acting part 60 is provided at a position on the main body part 41 that is different from the position of the rotation axis 49. The different position is a position spaced apart from the rotation axis 49 in the rotation radial direction of the main body part 41. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the rotation part 40 has an action axis 61 as the first acting part 60. The action axis 61 may be formed integrally with the main body part 41. The action axis 61 extends from the front surface 42 of the main body part 41 toward the front side in the X direction. The action axis 61 is provided on the right side and at the bottom of the main body part 41. The action axis 61 is provided, for example, at a corner portion of the front surface 42 between the second surface 46 and the third surface 47.

The action shaft 61 is provided in the main body 41 at a position different from the position at which the rotation shaft 49 is provided, that is, to the right of the rotation shaft 49. The distance between the rotation shaft 49 and the action shaft 61 in the Y direction is set appropriately depending on the size of the main body 41 (outer peripheral surface 44). The smaller this distance is, the greater the ratio of the angle by which the main body 41 rotates around the rotation shaft 49 to the distance the output unit 30 moves.

The action shaft 61 is rotatably supported by the action bearing 38 provided on the output section 30. The action bearing 38 supports the action shaft 61 so that it can move in directions intersecting the X direction, which is the extension direction of the action shaft 61, and the Z direction, which is the movement direction of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the action bearing 38 is open along the Y direction, so that it can support the action shaft 61 so that it can move in the Y direction. The action shaft 61 is inserted into the action bearing 38 from the back side to the front side in the X direction. The action bearing 38 supports the action shaft 61 so that it cannot move in the Z direction and so that it can rotate around an axis along the X direction. As the main body 41 rotates, the action shaft 61 moves within the action bearing 38 along the Y direction.

The accommodation section 10 accommodates the rotating section 40 so that the display section 50 is exposed to the outside through the display window 12. The circuit breaker 1 further includes a position restricting section 16 that is provided in the rotation circumferential direction relative to the rotating section 40 and restricts the rotation of the rotating section 40. The position restricting section 16 is provided on both sides of the rotating section 40 in the rotation circumferential direction of the rotating section 40. The position restricting section 16 has a portion that abuts against, for example, the first surface 45, the second surface 46, or the third surface 47 of the rotating section 40. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the position restricting section 16 is provided in the accommodation section 10, for example.

The position restricting portion 16 has a first restricting portion 17, a second restricting portion 18, and a third restricting portion 19. The first restricting portion 17 abuts against the first surface 45 to restrict the rotation of the rotating portion 40. The first restricting portion 17 is provided on the left side of the left case 10B. The first restricting portion 17 is, for example, a part of the left case 10B, and has a surface that extends along the X direction. For example, the surface is inclined so as to be positioned upward as it approaches the left side. The surface can abut against the first surface 45.

The second restricting portion 18 abuts against the third surface 47 to restrict the rotation of the rotating portion 40. The second restricting portion 18 is provided on the left side case 10B to the right and below the first restricting portion 17. The second restricting portion 18 is, for example, a part of the left side case 10B and has a surface that extends along the X direction. For example, the surface is inclined so that it is positioned upward as it approaches the left side. The surface can abut against the third surface 47.

The third restricting portion 19 abuts against the second surface 46 to restrict the rotation of the rotating portion 40. The third restricting portion 19 is provided in the right case 10A at a position facing the second restricting portion 18 in the Y direction. The third restricting portion 19 is, for example, a part of the right case 10A and has a surface extending along the X direction. The surface is inclined, for example, so as to be positioned upward as it approaches the right side. The surface can abut against the second surface 46. The second restricting portion 18 and the third restricting portion 19 are separated, for example, in the Y direction. That is, an opening is provided between the second restricting portion 18 and the third restricting portion 19. The angle at which the second restricting portion 18 and the third restricting portion 19 are inclined is set according to the angle formed by the second surface 46 and the third surface 47 of the rotating portion 40.

The movement of the rotating part 40 in relation to the positions of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B and the movement of the output part 30 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 4, when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located in the first connection position, the rotating part 40 abuts against the first restricting part 17, and rotation to the left (clockwise rotation in FIG. 4) is restricted. The rotating part 40 can rotate, for example, until the action axis 61 is a predetermined height above the rotating axis 49 in the Z direction. Hereinafter, the position of the rotating part 40 when the first display part 51 is displayed in the display window 12 is referred to as the first rotation position.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, the first display unit 51 is located at the topmost position among the first display unit 51, the second display unit 52, and the third display unit 53, and the first display unit 51 is displayed in the display window 12 when viewed from above. The display of the first display unit 51 allows the worker to check information regarding the connection state of the power lines. The information regarding the connection state of the power lines includes at least one aspect of information that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, that the conductive bars N, L1 can be inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B, and that the conductive bars N, L1 are inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B.

For example, when the terminals 20A and 20B move from the first connection position to the second connection position, the output unit 30 moves from the first movement position to the second movement position. With this movement, the action bearing unit 38 moves downward by the distance D1, and the action shaft 61 supported by the action bearing unit 38 rotates downward around the rotation shaft 49 by an angle corresponding to the distance D1. As a result, the first surface 45 of the rotation unit 40 moves away from the first restriction unit 17. At this time, the position restriction unit 16 does not restrict the rotation of the rotation unit 40. The upward and downward movement of the output unit 30 is restricted by the protrusions 28A and 28B, so that the rotation of the rotation unit 40 is also restricted. The rotation unit 40 rotates, for example, until the action shaft 61 reaches the same position (height) as the rotation shaft 49 in the Z direction. Hereinafter, the position of the rotation unit 40 when the second display unit 52 is displayed in the display window 12 is referred to as the second rotation position.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the second connection position, the second display section 52 is located at the topmost position among the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53, and the second display section 52 is displayed in the display window 12 when viewed from above. The display of the second display section 52 allows the worker to check information regarding the connection state of the power lines. The information regarding the connection state of the power lines includes at least one aspect of information that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the second connection position, that the conductive bars N, L2 can be inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B, and that the conductive bars N, L2 are inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B.

For example, when the terminals 20A, 20B move from the second connection position to the third connection position, the output unit 30 moves from the second movement position to the third movement position. With this movement, the action bearing unit 38 moves downward by a distance D3, so that the action shaft 61 supported by the action bearing unit 38 rotates downward around the rotation shaft 49 by an angle corresponding to the distance D3. The rotating unit 40 rotates until it abuts against at least one of the second restricting unit 18 and the third restricting unit 19 and the rotation is restricted. In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the output unit 30 moves to the third movement position, for example, the second surface 46 of the rotating unit 40 abuts against the third restricting unit 19, and the third surface 47 abuts against the second restricting unit 18. The rotating unit 40 abuts against the second restricting unit 18 and the third restricting unit 19, and the rotation to the right (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 5) is restricted. For example, the rotating part 40 can rotate until the action shaft 61 is a predetermined height below the rotating shaft 49 in the Z direction. Hereinafter, the position of the rotating part 40 when the third display part 53 is displayed in the display window 12 is referred to as the third rotation position.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the third connection position, the third display section 53 is located at the topmost position among the first display section 51, the second display section 52, and the third display section 53, and is displayed in the display window 12 when viewed from above. The display of the third display section 53 allows the worker to check information regarding the connection state of the power lines. The information regarding the connection state of the power lines includes at least one aspect of information that the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the third connection position, that the conductive bars L1, L2 can be inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B, and that the conductive bars L1, L2 are inserted into the two terminals 20A, 20B.

When at least one of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B moves from a predetermined position to the first connection position, the second connection position, and the third connection position, the movement of the output section 30 and the rotating section 40 is achieved by combining the above-mentioned movements or by moving in the opposite direction.

In this way, when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, the output unit 30 is located at the first movement position, and the rotation unit 40 is located at the first rotation position. When the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located at the second connection position, the output unit 30 is located at the second movement position, and the rotation unit 40 is located at the second rotation position. When the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located at the third connection position, the output unit 30 is located at the third movement position, and the rotation unit 40 is located at the third rotation position.

As described above, the movement of the output section 30 and the rotation of the rotating section 40 are restricted by at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B of the terminals 20A, 20B and the position restricting section 16. For example, when the terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, the rotation section 40 abuts against the first restricting section 17 to restrict the upward movement of the output section 30 linked to the rotating section 40, and the protrusion 28B abuts against the third abutting section 35 to restrict the downward movement of the output section 30. For example, when the terminals 20A, 20B are located at the second connection position, the protrusion 28B abuts against the fourth abutting section 36 to restrict the upward movement of the output section 30, and the protrusion 28A abuts against the first abutting section 33 to restrict the downward movement of the output section 30. For example, when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located in the third connection position, the protrusion 28A abuts against the second abutment 34, restricting the upward movement of the output section 30, and the rotating section 40 abuts against at least one of the second restricting section 18 and the third restricting section 19, restricting the downward movement of the output section 30 linked to the rotating section 40.

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of terminals 20A, 20B, an output unit 30 having a guide portion 39 and a plurality of abutment portions 32 (first abutment portion 33, second abutment portion 34, third abutment portion 35, and fourth abutment portion 36), and a display unit 50. The connection state of the power line is changed by moving at least one of the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B. By moving the at least one terminal, at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B abuts at least one abutment portion 32 that differs for each state of the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B. Since the combination of the abutment between the protrusions 28A, 28B and the abutment portion 32 differs depending on the state of the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B, the output unit 30 moves according to the state of the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B. Therefore, the output unit 30 can appropriately link the display unit 50 according to the state of the plurality of terminals 20A, 20B. Since the display of the states of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B changes in accordance with the movement of at least one of the terminals 20A, 20B, the worker can easily distinguish and visually confirm the connection states of each power line. Therefore, this circuit breaker 1 can distinguish and display the connection states of the multiple power lines.

Here, by adopting the same power line connection state in multiple circuit breakers, power flows only through the same power line on the power supply side of the multiple circuit breakers. As a result, for example, if the number of circuit breakers adopting the same power line connection state becomes greater than a predetermined number, there is a possibility that the main breaker installed on the power supply side of the circuit breaker will trip. For this reason, in order to prevent the main breaker from tripping, it is necessary to suppress bias in the power line connection state. However, even if the power line connection state is different, in other circuit breakers that show the same voltage value in the electric circuit, an operator may not be able to easily determine which power line connection state is adopted.

Even if there are two or more power line connection states that show the same voltage value in an electric circuit including the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment, the operator can easily distinguish and visually confirm the connection states of the power lines of each circuit breaker 1. Therefore, this circuit breaker 1 can distinguish and display the states of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B, i.e., the multiple connection states between the circuit breaker 1 and the conductive bars N, L1, and L2. The operator can check the display on the display unit 50 of the circuit breaker 1 and connect the circuit breaker 1 and the conductive bars N, L1, and L2 so that bias in the connection states of the power lines is suppressed.

The guide portion 39 penetrates in the X direction and opens in the Z direction, and the contact portions 32 face the guide portion 39 and are provided at positions facing each other across the guide portion 39 in the Z direction. In this case, by providing the guide portion 39 in the output portion 30, the circuit breaker 1 can reduce the weight of the output portion 30.

The circuit breaker 1 also includes two terminals 20A and 20B that can be arranged in three locations as the multiple terminals, and the guide section 39 has two openings 31A and 31B arranged side by side along the Z direction, and the states of the multiple terminals 20A and 20B are three states related to the positions of the multiple terminals arranged based on the connection states of the multiple power lines. In this case, by providing two openings 31A and 31B, the output section 30 can distinguish the states of the two terminals and link the display section 50. For example, even if there are two or more connection states of power lines that show the same voltage value in an electric circuit including multiple circuit breakers 1, the operator can easily visually distinguish the connection states of the three power lines according to the positions of the two terminals. Therefore, this circuit breaker 1 can display the connection states of the power lines in a distinguishable manner.

The circuit breaker 1 is provided with a main body 41 that can rotate around a rotation axis 49 and has a display unit 50 arranged along the rotation circumferential direction, a rotation unit 40 having a first action unit 60 arranged at a position different from the rotation axis 49 in the rotation radial direction of the main body 41, and a position regulation unit 16 that is arranged in the rotation circumferential direction relative to the rotation unit 40 and regulates the rotation of the rotation unit 40, and the output unit 30 has a second action unit 37, and the first action unit 60 engages with the second action unit 37 and rotates the main body 41 around the rotation axis 49 in conjunction with the movement of the second action unit 37 in the Z direction. In this case, the output unit 30 rotates the rotation unit 40, so that the display unit 50 can distinguish and display the states of the multiple terminals 20A and 20B. In addition, at least one position regulation unit 16 regulates the rotation of the rotation unit 40, so that the rotation unit 40 rotates within an appropriate range in accordance with the movement of the output unit 30.

The position restricting parts 16 are provided on both sides of the rotating part 40 in the circumferential direction of the rotating part 40, and the movement of the output part 30 and the rotation of the rotating part 40 are restricted by at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B and the position restricting parts 16. In this case, the movement of the output part 30 and the rotation of the rotating part 40 are within an appropriate range, so the state of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B can be appropriately displayed.

[Modification]
Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. For example, a circuit breaker system including at least one of a power source and a load device in addition to the circuit breaker 1 may be integrally formed. For example, the housing 10 may be configured to house at least a portion of the multiple terminals 20A and 20B, the output unit 30, and the display unit 50, and may not house other members.

For example, the number of terminals 20, load side terminals 70, and contact units 80 in the circuit breaker 1 is not limited. The circuit breaker 1 may have three or more terminals 20, one or three or more load side terminals 70, and one or three or more contact units 80. In this case, the display unit 50 may display four or more states as the states of the multiple terminals. The display unit 50 may be formed integrally with the rotating unit 40.

For example, the guide portion 39 may penetrate along the X direction and not be open along the Z direction. The guide portion 39 may be a recess (groove portion) recessed along the X direction. In the output portion 30, the guide portion 39 may not be formed with multiple openings 31A, 31B. The guide portion 39 may be provided with one opening. In this case, the opening may be a portion where each of the first abutment portion 33, the second abutment portion 34, the third abutment portion 35, and the fourth abutment portion 36 extends partially from the output main body portion 31 along the Y direction and protrudes.

The positions at which the protrusions 28A, 28B are provided on the terminals 20A, 20B are not limited. The protrusions 28A, 28B may be provided on the surfaces facing the left or right side of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B, or may be provided in the center or lower part of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B. In this case, the output section 30 is provided in a direction in which the protrusions 28A, 28B protrude from the multiple terminals 20A, 20B. For example, the output section 30 may extend in the vertical direction and in a direction intersecting the wall section 14 of the storage section 10.

For example, the position restriction unit 16 may be provided on either side of the rotating unit 40 in the rotation circumferential direction of the rotating unit 40. The position restriction unit 16 can restrict the movement of the rotating unit 40 on at least one side.

For example, the display unit 50 does not have to be provided on the rotating unit 40. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing an example of the state of the display unit with respect to a plurality of terminals provided at the first connection position. The circuit breaker 1A according to the modified example shown in FIG. 7 includes a connecting portion 140 that connects the output portion 130 and the display unit 150, and a front wall portion 163 and a rear wall portion 164 (an example of a position restricting portion) of the slide accommodating portion 160 that restricts the movement of the display unit 150. Hereinafter, when the reference symbols are different between the configuration of the circuit breaker 1 according to the embodiment and the configuration of the circuit breaker 1A according to the modified example and have the same name, the same functions will not be described.

The output unit 130 slides in the Z direction (an example of the second direction) like the output unit 30 in the embodiment. The display unit 150 slides in the third direction. The third direction is a direction that intersects with the second direction. The third direction may be the same direction as the X direction (an example of the first direction) or may be along the X direction or the Y direction. The display unit 150 slides in the X direction, for example, in response to the movement of the output unit 130.

The display unit 150 is composed of a rectangular plate-like member extending along the X direction and the Y direction. The display unit 150 is arranged, for example, at a position spaced upward in the Z direction from the upper end of the output unit 130. A first display unit 151, a second display unit 152, and a third display unit 153 are formed on the upper surface of the display unit 150. The first display unit 151, the second display unit 152, and the third display unit 153 are arranged in order toward the back side along the sliding direction (X direction) of the display unit 150. That is, on the upper surface of the display unit 150, the second display unit 52 is arranged between the first display unit 51 and the third display unit 53. The boundaries between the first display unit 51, the second display unit 52, and the third display unit 53 extend along the Y direction.

The connecting portion 140 converts the driving force of the output portion 130 in the Z direction into the X direction and transmits it to the display portion 150. The connecting portion 140 is curved between the output portion 130 and the display portion 150. The connecting portion 140 extends in the Z direction on the output portion 130 side. The connecting portion 140 is, for example, a sheet-like member having a width direction in the Y direction. The connecting portion 140 extends in the Z direction on the output portion 130 side. This portion has a thickness direction in the X direction. The lower end 140a of the connecting portion 140 on the output portion 130 side in the Z direction is joined to the vicinity of the upper end of the output portion 30. The connecting portion 140 extends in the X direction on the display portion 150 side. This portion has a thickness direction in the Z direction. The rear end 140b of the connecting portion 140 on the display portion 150 side is joined to the front end of the display portion 150.

The connecting portion 140 is made of a flexible and non-stretchable material. A flexible material is a material that bends so as to curve between the display unit 150 and the output unit 130 without bending, and has an elasticity to such an extent that when the display unit 150 and the output unit 130 move, the curved part can move in response to the movement. A non-stretchable material is a material that does not cause the connecting portion to expand in the planar direction and does not contract due to the force generated when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B move.

The slide storage section 160 shown in FIG. 7 is provided in the storage section 100. The storage section 100 has a slide storage section 160 that stores and guides the display section 150 so that the display section 150 is exposed to the outside through the display window 112. A part of the slide storage section 160 forms the display window 112. Note that in FIG. 7, in order to make the structure easier to understand, the thickness of the connecting section 140 and the thicknesses of the first display section 151, the second display section 152, and the third display section 153 are emphasized. Accordingly, the shape of the slide storage section 160 is also depicted in a simplified manner.

The slide housing section 160 includes an upper wall section 161, a lower wall section 162, a front wall section 163, a rear wall section 164, and a guide section 166. The upper wall section 161 covers the display section 150 from above and has a display window 112. The lower wall section 162 covers the display section 150 from below. The lower wall section 162 includes a front section 162A disposed forward of the output section 130, and a rear section 162B disposed rearward of the output section 130. The front section 162A supports the display section 150 from below. The rear section 162B is disposed at a position spaced downward from the display section 50. The guide section 166 has an internal space that curves in accordance with the curved shape of the curved connecting section 140 so as to guide the movement of the curved connecting section 140.

The front wall 163 and the rear wall 164 as position restricting parts are provided in the X direction (an example of a third direction) with respect to the display unit 150, and restrict the movement of the display unit 150. The front wall 163 and the rear wall 164 are, for example, parts of the storage unit 100, and are walls against which the display unit 150 can abut. The front wall 163 and the rear wall 164 are provided, for example, in positions facing each other across the display unit 150 in the X direction. Note that the position restricting parts do not have to be provided on both sides of the display unit in the X direction, and may be provided on either end side of the display unit 150 in the X direction, and either the front wall 163 or the rear wall 164 may be provided. Either the front wall 163 or the rear wall 164 provided as a position restricting part can restrict the movement of the display unit 50.

Next, the operation of the output unit 130, the connecting unit 140, and the display unit 150 in the circuit breaker 1A according to the modified example will be described. First, the case of transition from the second connection position or the third connection position to the first connection position will be described. When the two terminals 20A, 20B are located at the first connection position, the output unit 130 moves upward in the Z direction. Accordingly, the end 140a of the connecting unit 140 on the output unit 130 side moves upward in the Z direction. In addition, the end 140b of the connecting unit 140 on the display unit 150 side moves toward the rear side. As a result, the display unit 150 moves toward the rear side in the X direction. The end 150a on the rear side in the X direction of the display unit 150 abuts against the rear wall portion 164, which is a position restricting portion. As a result, the movement of the display unit 150 toward the rear side in the X direction is restricted. At this position, the first display unit 151 of the display unit 150 is disposed below the display window 112. Therefore, the color of the first display section 151 is displayed in the display window 112.

In this way, when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located in the first connection position, the display unit 150 abuts against the rear wall portion 164, restricting the upward movement of the output unit 130 that is linked to the display unit 150, and the protrusion portion 28B abuts against the third abutment portion 35, restricting the downward movement of the output unit 30.

Next, a case where the terminals 20A and 20B move from the first connection position to the second connection position will be described. When the two terminals 20A and 20B are located at the second connection position, the output unit 130 moves downward in the Z direction. Accordingly, the end 140a of the connection unit 140 on the output unit 130 side moves downward in the Z direction. Also, the end 140b of the connection unit 140 on the display unit 150 side moves forward in the X direction. As a result, the display unit 150 moves forward in the X direction. At this position, the second display unit 152 of the display unit 150 is disposed below the display window 112. Therefore, the color of the second display unit 152 is displayed in the display window 112. Note that when the terminals 20A and 20B are located at the second connection position, the protrusion 28B abuts against the fourth abutment 36 to restrict the upward movement of the output unit 30, and the protrusion 28A abuts against the first abutment 33 to restrict the downward movement of the output unit 30.

Next, a case where the first or second connection position is moved to the third connection position will be described. When the two terminals 20A and 20B are located at the third connection position, the output unit 130 moves downward in the Z direction. Accordingly, the end 140a of the connection unit 140 on the output unit 130 side moves downward in the Z direction. In addition, the end 140b of the connection unit 140 on the display unit 150 side moves forward in the X direction. As a result, the display unit 150 moves forward in the X direction. The front end 150b of the display unit 150 in the X direction abuts against the front wall portion 163, which is a position restriction portion. As a result, the movement of the display unit 150 forward in the X direction is restricted. At this position, the third display portion 153 of the display unit 150 is disposed below the display window 112. Therefore, the color of the third display portion 153 is displayed in the display window 112.

In this way, when the multiple terminals 20A, 20B are located in the third connection position, the protrusion 28A abuts against the second abutment portion 34, restricting the upward movement of the output unit 30, and the display unit 150 abuts against the front wall portion 163, restricting the downward movement of the output unit 130 linked to the display unit 50.

As described above, in the circuit breaker 1A according to the modified example, the output unit 130 moves the display unit 150, so that the display unit 150 can distinguish between the states of the multiple terminals 20A and 20B. Here, the connecting unit 140 is made of a flexible and non-stretchable material. Since the material constituting the connecting unit 140 is flexible, the output unit 130 and the display unit 150 can be linked to each other according to their positional relationship without the need for a complex mechanism. In addition, since the material constituting the connecting unit 140 is a non-stretchable material, the display unit 150 can be moved accurately according to the amount of movement of the output unit 130. Therefore, the display unit 150 can accurately distinguish between the connection states of the multiple power lines without requiring a complex mechanism or dimensional accuracy of the parts. In addition, the front wall portion 163 and the rear wall portion 164, which are position restricting portions, restrict the movement of the display unit 150, so that the display unit 150 moves within an appropriate range in accordance with the movement of the output unit 130.

In addition, in the circuit breaker 1A according to the modified example, the front wall 163 and rear wall 164, which are position restricting parts, are provided on both sides of the display unit 150 in the X direction (an example of the third direction) of the display unit 150, and the movement of the output unit 130 and the movement of the display unit 150 are restricted by at least one of the protrusions 28A, 28B of the multiple terminals 20A, 20B and the position restricting parts (the front wall 163 and the rear wall 164). In this case, the movement of the output unit and the movement of the display unit are within an appropriate range, so that the state of the multiple terminals can be appropriately displayed.

Various exemplary embodiments included in this disclosure are described below in [Form 1] to [Form 8].

[Form 1]
a plurality of terminals each having a protrusion extending along a first direction and configured to change a connection state of a plurality of power lines by moving along a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a guide portion within which the protrusion is movable along the second direction, and an output portion provided on the guide portion and having a plurality of abutment portions that abut against the protrusion in response to movement of at least one of the plurality of terminals;
a display unit that visually displays states of the plurality of terminals in association with the movement of the output unit;
Equipped with
At least one of the protrusions abuts against at least one of the abutment portions, the abutment portion being different for each state of the plurality of terminals.
Circuit breaker.
[Form 2]
The guide portion penetrates along the first direction and opens along the second direction,
The circuit breaker according to [mode 1], wherein the plurality of abutment portions each face the guide portion and are provided at positions opposing each other across the guide portion in the second direction.
[Form 3]
The plurality of terminals include two terminals that can be arranged in three locations;
The guide portion has two openings arranged side by side along the second direction,
The circuit breaker according to [mode 2], wherein the states of the plurality of terminals are three states related to positions of the plurality of terminals arranged based on a connection state of the plurality of power lines.
[Form 4]
a main body portion rotatable around a rotation axis, the display portion being provided along a rotation circumferential direction; and a rotating portion having a first action portion provided at a position different from the rotation axis in a rotation radial direction of the main body portion;
a position restriction portion provided in a rotation circumferential direction with respect to the rotation portion and restricting the rotation of the rotation portion;
Equipped with
The output portion has a second action portion,
the first acting portion engages with the second acting portion and rotates the main body portion about the rotation axis in conjunction with the movement of the second acting portion in the second direction;
The circuit breaker according to any one of [Mode 1] to [Mode 3].
[Form 5]
the position restriction portion is provided on both sides of the rotating portion in the rotation circumferential direction of the rotating portion,
The circuit breaker according to [Mode 4], wherein movement of the output portion and rotation of the rotating portion are restricted by at least one of the protrusions and the position restricting portions of the plurality of terminals.
[Form 6]
A connection unit that connects the output unit and the display unit;
a position restriction unit that restricts movement of the display unit;
Equipped with
the display unit slides and moves in a third direction intersecting the second direction,
the connecting portion is made of a flexible and non-elastic member, and is curved between the output portion and the display portion;
The circuit breaker according to any one of [Mode 1] to [Mode 3], wherein the position restriction portion is provided in the third direction with respect to the display portion and restricts movement of the display portion.
[Form 7]
the position restriction portion is provided on both sides of the display portion in the third direction,
The circuit breaker according to [Mode 6], wherein movement of the output section and movement of the display section are restricted by at least one of the protrusions and the position restriction portions of the plurality of terminals.
[Form 8]
The circuit breaker according to any one of [Mode 1] to [Mode 7], further comprising a display window through which a portion of the display unit can be viewed from the outside, and a housing portion that houses the plurality of terminals, the output unit, and at least a portion of the display unit.

1, 1A...circuit breaker, 10, 100...accommodating section, 12, 112...display window, 16...position restriction section, 17...first restriction section, 18...second restriction section, 19...third restriction section, 20, 20A, 20B...terminal, 28, 28A, 28B...projection section, 30, 130...output section, 31...output main body section, 32...contact section, 33...first contact section, 34...second contact section, 35...third contact section, 36...fourth contact section, 37...second action section, 39...guide section, 40...rotating section, 41...main body section, 49...rotating shaft, 50, 150...display section, 60...first action section, 61...action shaft, 140...connecting section, 163...front wall section (one example of a position restriction section), 164...rear wall section (one example of a position restriction section), L1, L2, N...conductive bar.

Claims (8)

a plurality of terminals each having a protrusion extending along a first direction and configured to change a connection state of a plurality of power lines by moving along a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a guide portion within which the protrusion is movable along the second direction, and an output portion provided on the guide portion and having a plurality of abutment portions that abut against the protrusion in response to movement of at least one of the plurality of terminals;
a display unit that visually displays states of the plurality of terminals in association with the movement of the output unit;
Equipped with
At least one of the protrusions abuts against at least one of the abutment portions, the abutment portion being different for each state of the plurality of terminals.
Circuit breaker. The guide portion penetrates along the first direction and opens along the second direction,
The circuit breaker according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of abutment portions each face the guide portion and are provided at positions opposing each other across the guide portion in the second direction. The plurality of terminals include two terminals that can be arranged in three locations;
The guide portion has two openings arranged side by side along the second direction,
The circuit breaker according to claim 2 , wherein the states of the plurality of terminals are three states related to positions of the plurality of terminals arranged based on connection states of the plurality of power lines. a main body portion rotatable around a rotation axis, the display portion being provided along a rotation circumferential direction; and a rotating portion having a first action portion provided at a position different from the rotation axis in a rotation radial direction of the main body portion;
a position restriction portion provided in a rotation circumferential direction with respect to the rotation portion and restricting the rotation of the rotation portion;
Equipped with
The output portion has a second action portion,
the first acting portion engages with the second acting portion and rotates the main body portion about the rotation axis in conjunction with the movement of the second acting portion in the second direction;
A circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the position restriction portion is provided on both sides of the rotating portion in the rotation circumferential direction of the rotating portion,
The circuit breaker according to claim 4 , wherein movement of the output portion and rotation of the rotating portion are restricted by at least one of the protrusions and the position restricting portions of the plurality of terminals. A connection unit that connects the output unit and the display unit;
a position restriction unit that restricts movement of the display unit;
Equipped with
the display unit slides and moves in a third direction intersecting the second direction,
the connecting portion is made of a flexible and non-elastic member, and is curved between the output portion and the display portion;
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position restriction portion is provided in the third direction relative to the display portion and restricts movement of the display portion. the position restriction portion is provided on both sides of the display portion in the third direction,
The circuit breaker according to claim 6 , wherein movement of the output section and movement of the display section are restricted by at least one of the protrusions and the position restricting portions of the plurality of terminals. The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has a display window through which a portion of the display unit can be seen from the outside, and is provided with a housing unit that houses the multiple terminals, the output unit, and at least a portion of the display unit.

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