JP4856518B2 - Circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

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

  The circuit breaker has a short-circuit breaker function and an overcurrent breaker function that shuts off the circuit when a short-circuit current or a current exceeding the rated value flows in the circuit to be interrupted. Some of them have a function to cut off the earth leakage. A circuit breaker having a leakage breaker function detects a leakage of an electric circuit with a zero-phase current transformer, and when a leakage occurs, operates a magnet coil (electromagnetic trip device) provided with a plunger to perform a breaking operation. Specifically, the separator that opens and closes the open / close contact provided in the electric circuit is kept closed by the latching action of the open / close mechanism, and when the electromagnetic trip device is tripped, the latch is released and the separator is shut off Let Also, the overcurrent is detected using a bimetal, the short circuit current is detected using a movable electromagnetic piece or a magnet coil, and this detection operation is tripped and transmitted to the opening / closing mechanism by the operating member. Shut off operation is performed.

In such a circuit breaker, there is a configuration shown in Patent Document 1, for example, in which the circuit breaker is configured to be downsized, in particular, to reduce the lateral width. This is because the parts that require wiring are arranged in the lower part to reduce the amount of lead wires used and to reduce the lateral width so that the lead wires do not interfere with the opening / closing mechanism. .
JP 2002-324475 A JP 2002-216610 A

However, when the width of the circuit breaker case is further reduced, for example, in order to suppress the width of the circuit breaker case to about 10 mm, when both the power supply side terminal and the load side terminal are arranged vertically as shown in Patent Document 2, terminal formation is performed. Even if the portion can be narrowed, it is difficult to store the internal configuration in a thin space in the conventional component arrangement form.
Therefore, in view of such problems, the present invention has an object to provide a circuit breaker in which a separator, a tripping operation member, and a zero-phase current transformer can be arranged in a space-saving manner, and the lateral width can be reduced. And

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a circuit breaker according to the invention of claim 1 is provided with a plurality of power supply side terminals on the back surface and a plurality of load side terminals on the front surface in the vertical direction, and the power supply side terminals on the top surface. In a circuit breaker case provided with an operation handle for opening / closing an opening / closing contact provided in an electric circuit between the load side terminals, a separator for interrupting the opening / closing contact, an opening / closing mechanism for interrupting the separator, A tripping operation member for transmitting a detection operation of a plurality of abnormality detection means for detecting an electric circuit abnormality such as a current to the opening / closing mechanism section, wherein one of the abnormality detection means detects a leakage current, and A circuit breaker comprising an electromagnetic trip device that trips upon receiving a leakage detection, wherein the separator has a length according to the load-side terminal arrangement, and is arranged substantially in the vicinity of the load-side terminals, Move in the longitudinal direction Thus, the switching contacts of all the electric circuits can be opened and closed with a single separator, and the tripping operation member has a length corresponding to the power supply side terminal arrangement, and the power supply is sandwiched between the plurality of abnormality detecting means. Arranged substantially in parallel with the side terminal, receives one detection operation of the plurality of abnormality detection means, corresponds to one tripping operation member, and further connects the zero-phase current transformer between the separator and the tripping operation member. It is characterized by being arranged in.

  According to this configuration, a single separator opens a plurality of switching contacts, and one tripping operation member corresponds to all the abnormality detection means, so that it can be configured with a minimum number of members and arranged in a space-saving manner. it can. And since both are formed in a vertically long shape, a large space in the horizontal direction is not required, the width of the circuit breaker can be effectively reduced, and a zero-phase current transformer is easily placed between the two. The constituent members can be effectively arranged in a limited space in the circuit breaker case.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the zero-phase current transformer is characterized in that the center axis of the winding is disposed in the left-right direction.
According to this configuration, since the zero-phase current transformer having a large diameter with respect to the thickness in the central axis direction is disposed sideways, the lateral width of the circuit breaker can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, one separator opens the plurality of switching contacts, and one tripping operation member corresponds to all the abnormality detection means, so that it can be configured with a minimum number of members, and is disposed in a space-saving manner. it can. And since both are formed in a vertically long shape, a large space in the horizontal direction is not required, the width of the circuit breaker can be effectively reduced, and a zero-phase current transformer is easily placed between the two. The constituent members can be effectively arranged in a limited space in the circuit breaker case.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a circuit breaker used in a single-phase three-wire circuit as an example of a circuit breaker according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a right side view, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view. In either case, the circuit breaker is on and the right case, which is part of the circuit breaker case, is removed and the inside is exposed.

  In each figure, 1 (1a, 1b, 1c) is a power supply side terminal arranged on the back surface, 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) is a load side terminal arranged on the front surface, and both are 3 in a straight line vertically. The terminals are aligned. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation handle for turning on / off an electric circuit from the power supply side terminal 1 to the load side terminal 2, 5 denotes a zero-phase current transformer for detecting electric leakage, and 6 denotes a fixed contact 6a and a movable contact 6b. An open / close contact 7 includes an open / close operation member (separator) for opening / closing the open / close contact 6, and 8 includes a latch mechanism. An opening / closing mechanism portion forming an opening / closing mechanism for opening operation (blocking operation), 9 is an electromagnetic tripping device provided with a plunger 9a, and 10 is assembled with a leakage detecting circuit for tripping the electromagnetic tripping device 9 when leakage occurs. Printed circuit board, 12 is a bimetal piece for detecting an overcurrent, 13 is a movable electromagnetic piece for detecting a short circuit, 14 is a bimetal piece 12, a movable electromagnetic piece 13, and further the operation of the electromagnetic trip device 9 is an opening / closing mechanism Tripping operation member is shutoff operation to release the latch of the switching mechanism 8 is transmitted to 8, 15 is a breaker case.

  The circuit breaker case 15 is composed of a left case 15a shown in the drawing and a right case (not shown) formed substantially symmetrically with the left case 15a, and the rear surface provided with the power supply side terminal 1 is a vertical surface. The front surface provided with the load side terminal 2 is slightly inclined upward so that the electric wire can be easily connected. Further, in FIG. 2, the load side terminal 2 (2b) at the center is shown closed by the closing member 16, but the terminals not used in this way are covered so that dust and the like do not enter. Further, elements and wiring (power supply and zero-phase current transformer wiring) mounted on the printed circuit board 10 are omitted.

The power supply side terminal 1 is arranged from the top as a neutral electrode terminal 1a, a voltage electrode terminal 1b, and a voltage electrode terminal 1c, has a substantially C-shaped terminal fitting 17, and is a conductor bar arranged in a distribution board. It is formed as a plug-in type terminal connected by simply inserting (not shown). In addition, a band plate 18 bent in a substantially S shape is extended to the two terminal fittings 17 of the voltage electrode, and a movable electromagnetic piece 13 and a bimetal piece 12 are attached thereto.
The bimetal piece 12 and the movable electromagnetic piece 13 are both attached so as to be deformed or rotated upward when an overcurrent or a short-circuit current is detected. The bimetal piece 12 and the movable electromagnetic piece 13 together with the electromagnetic trip device 9 constitute an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality in the electric circuit.

  The tripping operation member 14 has a length corresponding to the arrangement of the power supply side terminals 1 and is arranged in the vertical direction in parallel with the terminal arrangement in the vicinity of the power supply side terminals 1 with the abnormality detection means interposed therebetween. The movable electromagnetic piece 13 and the bimetal piece 12 provided in the electric circuit of the child, and further, engaging portions 14a, 14a,... For engaging the electromagnetic trip device 9 and transmitting the detection operation to the opening / closing mechanism portion. Yes.

  The load side terminal 2 is arranged from the top in the order of the voltage electrode terminal 2a, the neutral electrode terminal 2b, and the voltage electrode terminal 2c, and the terminal fitting 19 provided at each terminal is used for the inserted electric wire (not shown). It is formed as a quick connection terminal that stops and is electrically connected. Further, the terminal fitting 19 has a strip plate 20 extending rearward to form a fixed contact having a fixed contact 6a at the tip.

  The opening / closing operation member 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is installed parallel to the front surface of the circuit breaker case 15 in a state in which it is constantly biased upward by the coil spring 21. And the fixed contacts 6a, 6a... Connected to the individual load side terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. 6a is accommodated, and three movable contacts 6b, 6b, 6b are provided inside according to the fixed contact 6a, and both contacts (open / close contact 6) are brought into contact / dissociation operation by sliding in the longitudinal direction, The circuit breaker is configured to be turned on / off.

  The opening / closing mechanism portion 8 is integrally formed on the upper portion of the opening / closing operation member 7, is in a latched state in the on state shown in FIG. 1, and maintains a state in which the opening / closing operation member 7 is slid downward. Since the opening / closing operation member 7 is biased upward, the opening / closing operation member 7 is released when an internal latch mechanism (not shown) is released by the engagement operation of the tripping operation member 14. Then, it slides upward to perform a blocking operation, and the switching contact 6 is dissociated.

The printed circuit board 10 is arranged in parallel with the side surface of the circuit breaker case 15 at the upper part of the circuit breaker case 15 extending from the vicinity of the operation handle 3 to the back, and the electromagnetic trip device 9 is assembled adjacent to the lower part thereof. The electromagnetic trip device 9 is installed with the plunger 9a facing in the front-rear direction, and this installation position is a position in front of the upper power supply side terminal 1a.
As a result, the upper part is disposed adjacent to the pair of the bimetal piece 12 and the movable electromagnetic piece 13 provided on the two voltage electrode terminals 1b and 1c, and three types of abnormality detection means are arranged in the vertical and rear directions. .
The plunger 9a installed in the front-rear direction is assembled with a crank member 22 for converting a backward drawing operation into an upward displacement operation, and is configured to engage with the pulling operation member 14.

As described above, the opening / closing operation member 7 is disposed in parallel on the inclined front surface, and the tearing operation member 14 is disposed in parallel on the rear surface formed vertically. As a result, the opening / closing operation member 7 is integrally formed on the upper portion of the opening / closing operation member 7. While the upper end 14b of the tripping operation member 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the opening / closing mechanism 8, the opening / closing operation member 7 and the tripping operation member 14 are arranged in a substantially C shape, and a certain space is provided in the lower part between the two. The zero-phase current transformer 5 is arranged in the central lower space.
The zero-phase current transformer 5 is arranged with the central axis of the coil for detecting the zero-phase current directed to the left and right, and three single-phase three-wire electric circuits are formed by conductors 23, 23, 23 made of thin plates, It is inserted through the insertion hole in the center of the coil and bent to reduce the thickness in the central axis direction.

  By configuring the circuit breaker as described above, when a leakage occurs, the electromagnetic trip device 9 trips and moves the tripping operation member 14 upward. Then, the tripping operation member 14 is engaged with the opening / closing mechanism 8, the latch is released, and the opening / closing operation member 7 is shut off. Further, when an overcurrent occurs, the bimetal piece 12 is deformed, and similarly performs a shut-off operation via the tripping operation member 14 and the opening / closing mechanism unit 8, and when a short-circuit current occurs, the movable electromagnetic piece 13 operates to similarly cut off. Operate.

In this way, one separator opens the plurality of switching contacts, and one tripping operation member corresponds to all the abnormality detection means, so that it can be configured with a minimum number of members and can be arranged in a space-saving manner. And since both are formed in a vertically long shape, a large space in the horizontal direction is not required, the width of the circuit breaker can be effectively reduced, and a zero-phase current transformer is easily placed between the two. The constituent members can be effectively arranged in a limited space in the circuit breaker case.
Furthermore, since the zero-phase current transformer having a large diameter with respect to the thickness in the central axis direction is disposed laterally, it is effective in reducing the lateral width of the circuit breaker.

  In addition, although the circuit breaker provided with the overcurrent interruption | blocking mechanism and the short circuit current interruption | blocking mechanism was demonstrated in the said embodiment, it is applicable with respect to the circuit breaker provided with at least the earth-leakage interruption | blocking mechanism. Moreover, although the circuit breaker of the single-phase three-wire type electric circuit was demonstrated, the structure of this invention is easily applicable also to the circuit breaker used for a single-phase two-wire type electric circuit or a three-phase electric circuit.

It is a right view which shows an example of embodiment of the circuit breaker which concerns on this invention, and has shown the state which removed the right case in the circuit breaker ON state. It is a perspective view of the circuit breaker of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  1 .... Power supply side terminal 2 .... Load side terminal 3 .... Operating handle 5 .... Zero phase current transformer 6 .... Open / close contact, 7 .... Open / close operation member (separator) 8 .... Open / close mechanism 9. Electromagnetic tripping device, 9a. Plunger, 10 ... Printed circuit board, 12. Bimetal piece, 13. Movable electromagnetic piece, 14 ... Tripping operation member, 15 ... Circuit breaker case.

Claims (2)

A plurality of power supply side terminals on the back and a plurality of load side terminals on the front are arranged vertically, and an operation handle for opening and closing a switching contact provided on an electric circuit between the power supply side terminal and the load side terminal is provided on the top surface. In the arranged circuit breaker case, the switching operation is performed by a separator that shuts off the switching contact, an opening / closing mechanism that shuts off the separator, and a plurality of abnormality detection means that detect an electric circuit abnormality such as overcurrent. One of the abnormality detecting means is a circuit breaker comprising a zero-phase current transformer for detecting leakage and an electromagnetic trip device for performing a trip operation upon receiving the leakage detection. And
The separator has a length corresponding to the load-side terminal arrangement, and is arranged in parallel in the vicinity of the load-side terminal. By moving in the longitudinal direction, the switching contacts of all electric circuits can be opened and closed with one separator. As well as
The tripping operation member has a length corresponding to the power supply side terminal arrangement, and is arranged substantially in parallel with the power supply side terminal with the plurality of abnormality detection means interposed therebetween, and receives the detection operation of the plurality of abnormality detection means. One tripping operation member corresponds,
The circuit breaker further comprising the zero-phase current transformer disposed between the separator and the tripping operation member. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the zero-phase current transformer is arranged with the central axis of the winding directed in the left-right direction.

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