JPH0676725A - Locking device for circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make a locking device safe by the use of an intermediate abnormal position of a manual actuator button by providing a tentacle hook, supported by pivotal flap and a sliding member which is linked with the flap. CONSTITUTION: A flap 70 has a fixed tentacle hook, having a lamp face 81 which cooperates with an off-button 12 of a circuit breaker. To lock a unit by a padlock, an operator drives the flap 70 to an overlap position from a stationary position, namely, to a cover position where an interlocking cannot be made, and a flap face 71a of a pivotal shaft 71 is moved to a vertical position for enabling sliding of the flap 70 from an inclined position for avoiding the sliding. Next, the flap 70 is slid up to an upper contacting position inside a slot 38, where the flat face 71a is corresponding to a hole 36 and a hole 73. In this case, if a contact point is open, a hook 80 does not abut against an obstacle at the time of sliding, and if the contact point is closed, the hook 80 abuts on the button 12 to avoid being at a position of padlock locking. Accordingly, safety of the device is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to flap type locking devices for electromechanical circuit breakers.

[0002]

For obvious safety reasons, it is desirable to be able to lock the manual actuator button of an electromechanical circuit breaker in the open contact position. French Patent No. 2596914 discloses a locking device of this kind using a retractable flap latch. In addition, the danger that the contacts inside the circuit breaker will weld and close will not be completely eliminated.

[0003]

If the contacts are welded and remain closed, conventional locking devices can lock the circuit breaker by pressing or deforming the loaded components, resulting in a risk. It will be a situation.

In addition to the usual on and off positions, there are also circuit breakers which take an intermediate position corresponding to the welded state of the contacts. This intermediate position is due to the characteristics of the tripping mechanism between the button and the contact.

An object of the present invention is to make the locking device safer by utilizing the intermediate abnormal position of the manual actuator button.

The invention further provides a simple, practical and compact locking device.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a module including separable contacts actuated by a manual actuator button accessible from the front of the module and adapted to assume an on position and a normally off position. , A circuit breaker locking device which is arranged in front of this module and which can be moved into a safety position which prevents the activation of buttons and which can be held in this safety position by at least one padlock or similar device.

In accordance with the present invention, the locking device prevents tentacle hooks carried by a pivoting flap adapted to detect an abnormal intermediate position of the button during pivoting and the padlock locking action of the flap. And a slide member interlocked with the flap, which is made immovable by the tentacle hook with respect to the intermediate position of the button.

The immobilizing slide member preferably comprises a pivot flap and means are provided to allow the flap to slide relative to the stationary chassis of the device.
The immovable slide member comprises a slider supported and guided by a flap, the slide and flap having suitable padlock holes that cannot align with each other when the slider is immobilized by a tentacle hook. The slider may include members for securing the slider to a stationary chassis that secures the slider and the flaps supporting it when the slider is immobilized by the tentacle hooks and in the button inoperative position. A spring cooperates with the complementary chassis member to urge the flap and slider combination into the button release position when the slider is immobilized by the tentacle hook.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read with the accompanying drawings.

[0011]

EXAMPLE A circuit breaker whose components are shown in FIG.
A circuit breaker for protecting a motor, which includes a module 10 including separable contacts that can be manually actuated by an on button 11 and an off button 12. The circuit breaker is housed within the housing so that the buttons are normally accessible through the window 15 of the housing 13 at the front of the module. The module also includes a tripping device 16 that is responsive to electrical failure conditions and a reset mechanism 17 adapted to open and close contacts 18 depending on the condition of the tripping device and the position of the button.

When the contacts of the circuit breaker are open, the off button 12 is in the retracted position 12A shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 and in solid lines in FIG. When the contacts are closed, the off button is located at the protruding position 12B shown by the solid line in FIG. Although the reset mechanism 17 sends an opening instruction to the contact, the contact may be welded and closed. When such a failure condition occurs, the reset mechanism 1
7 is an intermediate position 1 shown by a solid line in FIG. 4 and a dotted line in FIG.
Put the button in 2C. Accordingly, button locations 12B and 12C are characterized by the button protruding either longer or shorter than the front surface 14 of the module.

A padlock latch 20 is fixed to the front surface of the housing 13 by the usual means constituting a locking device. Referring to FIG. 7, the latch comprises a fixed chassis 30 mounted to the housing, a pivot flap 40 supporting a tentacle hook 50, and a slider 60.

The chassis 30 comprises a frame 31 provided around the window 15 and a bearing block 32 for accommodating a pivot 41 of a pivot flap 40.
The flap 40 pivots about a horizontal axis X and is in a raised position (FIG. 2) where the flap exposes the window 15 and the window 15 where the flap exposes the buttons 11 and 12.
To move between folding tongue positions (FIGS. 3 and 4) that cover at least part of The lugs 33 on the chassis hold the flaps in the folded position under the following conditions. The return spring 34 presses the flap toward the raised position.

The flap has a generally flat shape and has a protruding pocket 42 for accommodating the tentacle hook 50, guide members 43 and 44 for the slider 60, and an abutting member. Flange 4 on the flap perpendicular to the flat member
Three padlock holes 45 are formed in 6.

The tentacle hook 50 comprises a tentacle hook member which is guided for translation within the pocket 42 and is actuated by a compression spring 52.
It is 1. The translational position of this plunger obviously depends on the displacement position and orientation of the button 12. The plunger 51 has a large surface 5 that restrains the movement of the slider 60.
3, a narrow surface 54 allowing the slider 60 to move and a shoulder 55 pressed against the slider by a spring 52.
Have.

The safety slider 60 is generally flat and comprises a slot 61 cooperating with a guide member 43 on the flap 40 and a window 62 allowing the slider 60 to fit on the flap 40. The window 62 has a region 63 whose width is intermediate between the width of the narrow portion 54 of the plunger and the width of the wide portion 53.

The slider flange 66 perpendicular to the flat portion is provided with three padlock holes 65, which are parallel and adjacent to the flange 46 on the flap. Fingers 67 or other coupling members are provided on the slider to engage the lugs 33 of the stationary chassis and hold the flap and slider assembly in the secure position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. It has become.

The latch is used as follows. When the operator locks the unit, the operator pivots the flap 40 carrying the slider 60 to the folded position (FIG. 6) and then traverses the flap in the direction of arrow F (FIGS. 2 and 6). Slide the slider. This brings the button 12 to the off position. If it is not in the off position, the plunger 51 pushes the button to the off position. At this time, the plunger 52 generates a force larger than the resistance force from the button.

At this time, if the contacts are open (which is the normal condition), the narrow portion 54 of the tentacle hook is in the plane of the slider, so it can be moved to the safe position shown in FIG. , Holes 45 and 65 coincide, padlock 68
You can insert and lock the circuit breaker. The buttons covered by the slider assembly are inoperable by the operator. If the contacts are welded together as a result of the failure, the wide portion 53 of the plunger 51 lies in the plane of the slider and is prevented from passing through the slider. The fingers 67 cannot engage the lugs 33 and, as a result, the holes 6
5 cannot be aligned with hole 45 and the flap-slider assembly is moved by spring 34 to the raised position (shown in phantom in FIG. 3). During this operation, the tentacle hook is inaccessible and the force exerted on the failed button is limited to the force generated by the tentacle hook spring.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-13,
The flap pivots about the axis X and slides perpendicularly to the axis X, so that a dedicated slider is not required. Axis 71
15 windows (each with a flat 71a)
A flap 70 is attached to the chassis 30 for pivoting about a horizontal axis below.

The chassis 30 includes lugs 35 that project perpendicularly to the front surface of the housing 13, and these lugs 35 are provided.
Each of the above holes 45 to receive each of the padlocks 68.
Includes a hole 36 with a function similar to. Flap 70
Is urged by tension springs 37 towards a rest or lowered position (FIGS. 8 and 10). The pivot 71 of the flap 70 is adapted to slide within a slideway formed by a vertical slot 38 in a rib 39 projecting from the side of the chassis 30. Flap 70
Is adapted to pivot and slide against the action of the spring 37.

The flap 70 has a fixed tentacle hook 80 with a ramp surface 81 for cooperating with the circuit breaker off button 12. The tentacle hook 80 may be movable without being fixed, and includes an interlocking spring that determines the force acting on the button 12. The flap 70 carries a lug 72 with a padlock hole 73 on the side opposite the tentacle hook.

To lock the unit with a padlock, the operator places the flap 70 from the rest position of FIGS. 8 and 10 to the folded position, ie the padlock cannot be fitted.
Pivot in the direction of arrow G to the cover position of. Axis 71
The flat surface 71a moves from an inclined position (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 13) that prevents the flap from sliding to a vertical position that allows this sliding. Next, the flap is lifted in the direction of the arrow 8 so that the flat surface 71a comes into contact with the holes 36 and 7.
Slide to the upper abutment position in slot 38 (FIGS. 9 and 12) where 3 matches. If the contacts are open, the tentacle hook will not collide with obstacles when sliding. The contacts are welded and closed (button 12 shown by the dotted line in FIG. 8).
Position 12C), the tentacle hook abuts the button and prevents the flap from reaching the padlock locked position of FIGS. 9 and 12. In the position of FIGS. 11 and 12, the flap abuts the surface 74 of the chassis, and to move from the position of FIG. 11 to the position of FIG.
6 must engage one or more locking lugs 75,
It should be noted that this allows the flaps to be accurately positioned and the flaps to slide exactly parallel to themselves, improving the safety of the device by preventing forced rotation of the button.

In a variant of the invention, the pivot flap is adapted to slide parallel to the axis of rotation, and a torsion spring having discontinuous windings brings the flap into a rest position by translational movement before rotation. Press. Welding of the contacts is detected by the cooperation of the tentacle hook and the side surface of the actuator button. As shown in FIG. 14, the flap's flat pivot 77 pivots (arrow G) and slides (arrow H) within a cylindrical bore 78 in the chassis supporting the block 79.
However, the guide of the flaps in the groove 80 in the bearing block, for example, prevents pivoting during sliding and sliding during pivoting.

The embodiments described above can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the flap may pivot about another axis parallel to the front face of the module, especially a vertical axis. It may also be interlocked with the tentacle hook to amplify the movement of the tentacle hook. Also, the circuit breaker may include a single manual actuator button and the tentacle hook may move parallel to the front of the module. Here, the term "chassis" should be interpreted in its broadest sense: the chassis is removably attached to the housing,
Alternatively, it is a fixed part of the housing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view in which a part of a circuit breaker arranged in a housing is shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the circuit breaker equipped with the first embodiment of the locking device showing the padlock hasp in the inoperative position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the padlock latch in a folded position where the contacts of the circuit breaker are opened, as viewed from the side.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the padlock latch in the folded position with the contacts of the circuit breaker welded and closed, as seen from the side.

5 is a front view of the latch, schematically showing the position of the slider including the flap and the latch in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a latch schematically showing the position of a slider including a flap and a latch in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a latch.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the circuit breaker within the housing with the flap in the rest position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second embodiment of the circuit breaker within the housing in the locking position.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing the housing with the flaps in the rest position.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing the housing in a state where the flaps are folded and folded.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing the housing with the flaps in the padlock locking position.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the chassis flap in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged view showing a structure for driving and sliding a flap.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 button 40,70 drive flap 50,80 tentacle hook 60,70 slide member

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A module including separable contacts actuated by a manual actuator button accessible from the front of the module and adapted to assume an on position and a normal off position, and disposed in front of the module. In a circuit breaker locking device comprising a pivot flap which can be moved to a safety position which prevents actuation of the button and which can be held in this safety position by at least one padlock or similar device, supported by a pivot flap (40; 70). The tentacle hooks (50; 80) that have been set are designed to detect an abnormal intermediate position of the button (12) during pivoting, and the slide member (60; 70) that is interlocked with the flap is Characterized by a tentacle hook that can be used to prevent movement of the padlock to prevent movement of the padlock Locking device for circuit breaker. 2. A non-movable slide member comprising a fixed chassis (30) comprising a pivot flap (70),
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that means (38) are provided on the chassis for allowing the flaps to slide. 3. The flap pivots (71, 77) are part of the chassis and cooperate with a slideway (38, 78) parallel to the front face (14) of the module. The apparatus according to Item 2. 4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flap (70) engages at least one locking lug (75) which is part of the chassis during sliding. 5. An immovable slide member comprising a fixed chassis (30) comprises a slider (60) supported and guided by a flap (40) for fixing the slider (60) to the chassis. A member 67 according to claim 1, characterized in that when the slider is immovable by the tentacle hook (50), the slider cannot be fixed to the chassis by this member. apparatus. 6. The immovable slide member (60; 70) and chassis (30) are provided with padlock holes (65, 45; 7).
3, 36), the holes being non-coincident with each other when the slide member is immobilized by the tentacle hook (50; 80). The described device. 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring pushes the flap (40; 70) to a position where it releases the button (12). 8. The tentacle hook (50) has a plunger (5) spring loaded by a spring (52) which determines the force that can be applied to the actuator button (12).
8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it consists of 1).