US3731239A - Excess current switch - Google Patents

Excess current switch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3731239A
US3731239A US00265911A US3731239DA US3731239A US 3731239 A US3731239 A US 3731239A US 00265911 A US00265911 A US 00265911A US 3731239D A US3731239D A US 3731239DA US 3731239 A US3731239 A US 3731239A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lever
switch
bell crank
arm
spring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00265911A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
J Ellenberger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
Original Assignee
Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from DE19712132738 external-priority patent/DE2132738C/de
Application filed by Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH filed Critical Ellenberger and Poensgen GmbH
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3731239A publication Critical patent/US3731239A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
    • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
    • H01H5/06—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/24—Electromagnetic mechanisms
    • H01H71/2409—Electromagnetic mechanisms combined with an electromagnetic current limiting mechanism
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/50—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release
    • H01H71/52—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever
    • H01H71/528—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever comprising a toggle or collapsible link between handle and contact arm, e.g. sear pin mechanism
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/046—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H using snap closing mechanisms
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
    • H01H71/24—Electromagnetic mechanisms
    • H01H71/2463—Electromagnetic mechanisms with plunger type armatures

Definitions

  • the switch is further provided with a spring biased July 1, Germany latch having a retaining portion during switch on engages a stop prior to the contact carrier reaching [52] U.S. Cl ..335/167, 335/22 its Switched on position
  • the latch is Subsequently [51] hit. Cl. g g from the p y an arm f the actuating [58] Field of Search ..337/66; 335/168, member to allow the Contact carrier to move to its 335/16716917017217422 switched on position.
  • SHEET 3 [IF 3 EXCESS ctJnRENT switch
  • the invention relates to an excess current switch, and more especially to a single-pole or multi-pole excess current switch having a thermal and/or electromagnetic trip, a pivotally mounted actuating member connected, by means of a bell-crank, to a pivotally contact carrier.
  • the present invention is concerned with providing an excess current switch in which switching on and off proceeds as rapidly as possible so that the contact elements are preserved in good condition and therefore a high performance and a long working life of the switch are obtained.
  • a single or multi-pole excess current switch having a thermal and/or electromagnetic trip
  • a switch comprising a pivotally mounted manual actuating member having first and second arms, a bell crank having a first lever connected to the first arm of the actuating member and a second lever connected to a pivotally mounted contact carrier for a movable contact of the switch, a first spring for urging the first lever of the bell crank away from the first arm of the actuating member, a locking lever pivotally mounted on one of the levers of the bell crank, a further spring adapted to bias the locking lever to a locking position in which it engages the other of the levers of the bell crank to lock the bell crank in an extended position thereof, a release lever adapted to be actuated by the thermal and/or electromagnetic trip to move the locking lever to a release position, and a spring biased latch pivotally mounted on the contact carrier, the latch having a retaining portion which during switching on firstly engages a stop prior to the contact carrier reaching its switched on position to overcome
  • the extended bell crank In the switched on position of the excess current switch the extended bell crank is locked by the locking lever.
  • the lever actuatable by the thermal and/or electromagnetic trip swings the locking lever into its release position so that the extended bell crank rapidly assumes a folded configuration to move the contact carrier to its switch off position. This switching off is instantaneous to thereby protect the contact elements of the switch.
  • the release also occurs when the actuating member is retained in the connecting position during tripping (trip-free release).
  • the first lever of the bell crank may include an end portion which extends beyond its axis of rotation, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the said end portion.
  • a torsion spring is provided.
  • This torsion spring is pivotally mounted about an axis which is common to the pivotal axis of the locking lever, one arm of the torsion spring bearing against the locking lever and the other arm thereof bearing against the first lever of the bell crank.
  • the present switch includes a contact arm carrying the movable contact pivotally mounted about an axis which is common to the pivotal axis of the latch and a spring adapted to bias the movable contact via the contact arm toward a fixed contact in the switched on position of the switch, the contact arm being adapted to engage a shaft on which the contact carrier is pivotally mounted in the switched off position of the switch.
  • the switch may include a lever adapted to be pivoted by the armature of the electromagnetic trip to engage the contact arm.
  • the actuating member includes a projection for disengaging the retaining portion of the latch from the stop, the said projection being arranged adjacent the point of connection between the first arm of the actuation member and the first lever of the bell crank.
  • the switch may include a further stop arranged in the path of movement of the locking lever to cause the locking lever to disengage from the said other lever of the bell crank during a manual switching off operation.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the switching mechanism of one form of an excess current switch, in switched on position
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the switching mechanism shown in FIG. 1 in the switched off position after manual release
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the switching mechanism shown in FIG. 1 after trip-free release.
  • the switching mechanism shown in the drawings is accommodated in a housing (not shown), from which an actuating member 1 designed as a two-armed lever and two terminals 2 and 3 protrude.
  • the actuating member 1 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 4 arranged within the housing.
  • a tension spring 6 is connected to an arm of the actuating member 1.
  • the arm 5 has an elongate slot 7 into which engages a shaft 8 of a lever 9.
  • a spring 10 which engages a member which is attached to one end of the lever 9.
  • the lever 9 is connected to a lever 13 by means of a shaft 12.
  • the two levers 9 and 13 form a bell crank.
  • the lever 13 is made from sheet metal member bent to form a U shape.
  • the lever 9 extends beyond the shaft 12 and is connected, by means of a shaft 15, to a locking lever 16 which has a retaining portion 17 which engages behind the transverse portion 14 of the lever 13.
  • the locking lever 16 locks both levers 9 and 13 of the bell crank in their almost fully extended positions so that they form a rigid structure in this locked position.
  • a spring 18 designed as a torsion spring and disposed on the shaft has an arm which bears on the lever 9 and another arm supported in a bore 19 of the locking lever 16 to maintain the locking lever 16 in its locked position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the rigid bell crank forms a bell crank with the arm 5 of the actuating member 1.
  • the lever 13 is connected with a contact carrier 21 by means of a pin 20, the contact carrier 21 being pivotably mounted in the housing by means of a shaft 22.
  • the contact carrier 21 is made from sheet metal and is bent to a U shape.
  • a pin 23 is provided to pivotably mount a contact arm 24 in the contact carrier 21.
  • a latch 25 is connected with the contact carrier 21, the latch 25 having a retaining portion 26 and an angular recess 27.
  • One end of the latch 25 engages a tension spring 28 which has one end thereof attached to a pin 29 disposed in the housing.
  • the said one end of the latch 25 cooperates with a projection 30 of the arm 5 of the actuating member 1.
  • a spring 31 one end of which engages against the contact arm 24 and the other end against the transverse portion of the contact carrier 21.
  • a contact element 32 of the contact arm 24 engages a fixed contact element 33 of the terminal 3 under the action of the spring 31.
  • the spring 31 also provides the contact pressure.
  • the contact arm 24 has an attachment 34 with which the contact arm 24 engages in the switched off position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the shaft 22 under the action of the spring 31.
  • the contact arm 24 is connected by a stranded wire 35 to one end of a coil 36 of an electromagnet 37, the other end of which is connected by a stranded wire 38 to a bimetal strip 39 secured to the terminal 2.
  • the bimetal strip 39 has a setting screw 40 capable of acting on a lever 41 of angular form when the bimetal strip 39 is bowed.
  • the lever 41 is pivotably mounted by means of a shaft 42 arranged in the housing.
  • a compression spring 43 acts on the lower arm of the lever 41.
  • the lever 41 can swing the locking lever 16 into its inactive position with its upper arm.
  • the electromagnet 37 has an armature 44 provided with a setting screw 45 at its left end which screw acts on the lower arm of the lever 41 when the armature 44 is attracted by the energized electromagnet 37.
  • the armature 44 of the electromagnet 37 also has an abutment 46 capable of cooperating with an angularly shaped lever 47 pivotably mounted in the housing by means of a shaft 48.
  • this lever 47 is pivoted in anti-clockwise direction the end 49 of the lever 47 impinges on the contact arm 24 and jerkily lifts its contact element 32 off the fixed contact element 33. Opening of the contacts is thereby accelerated and, especially upon short circuiting, a current limiting effect is obtained.
  • the actuating member 1 When switching on takes place from the FIG. 2 position of the switch mechanism, the actuating member 1 has to be pivoted in clockwise direction, then the contact carrier 21, and thus also the contact arm 24, is pivoted in clockwise direction about the shaft 22 via the almost straight bell crank locked by the locking lever 16.
  • the latch is entrained by the contact carrier 21 and moved downwardly as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the spring 23 is tensioned.
  • This movement continues until the retaining portion 26 of the latch 25 meets a stop 50 integral with the housing.
  • the movable contact element 32 of the contact arm 24 is now slightly above the fixed contact element 33, i.e. not yet in the switching on position.
  • Impinging of the retaining portion 26 of the latch 25 on the stop 50 integral with the housing occurs prior to the bell crank formed by the arm 5 of the actuating member l and the almost extended and locked bell crank reaching its dead center position.
  • the spring 10 is compressed by the axis 8 of the lever 9.
  • the axis 8 moves in the elongate slot 7 of the arm 5 toward the axis 4 of the actuating member 1.
  • the proturberance 30 of the arm 5 of the actuating member 1 meets the said one end of the latch 25 and swings the latter in anti-clockwise direction until its retaining portion 26 disengages from the stop 50 integral with the housing.
  • the locking lever 16 there may be present in the housing of the illustrated excess current switch a stop onto which the locking lever 16 impinges when switching off manually and by which stop the lever 16 is caused to disengage from the transverse portion 14 acting as projection, so that the bell crank can collapse and rapid release becomes possible also when switching off manually.
  • the locking lever may have an additional arm cooperating with the not illustrated stop integral with the housing.
  • the excess current switch is shown as a single-pole switch.
  • Several such single-pole excess current switches may be arranged side-by-side and connected to form a multi-pole excess current switch.
  • a single or multi-pole excess current switch having a thermal and/or electromagnetic trip, such a switch comprising a pivotally mounted manual actuating member, said actuating member having first and second arms, a bell crank, said bell crank having first and second levers, said first lever being connected to the first arm of the actuating member, a pivotally mounted contact carrier, said second lever being connected to the pivotally mounted contact carrier a first spring, said first spring being adapted to urge the first lever of the bell crank away from the first arm of the actuating member, a locking lever, said locking lever being pivotally mounted on one of said levers of the bell crank, a further spring, said further spring being adapted to bias the locking lever to a locking position in which it engages the other of the levers of the bell crank to lock the bell crank in an extended position.
  • a release lever said release lever being adapted to be actuated by the thermal and/or electromagnetic trip to move the locking lever to a release position
  • a spring biased latch said latch being pivotally mounted on the contact carrier, the latch having a retaining portion, and a stop, said retaining portion during switching on being adapted firstly to engage said stop prior to the contact carrier reaching its switched on position to overcome the spring bias of the latch and subsequently to be disengaged from the stop by the first arm of the actuating member to allow the contact carrier to move to its switched on position.
  • a switch according to claim 1 in which the first lever of the bell crank includes an end portion, the said end portion extending beyond its axis of rotation, the locking lever being pivotally mounted on the said end portion.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes a torsion spring, said torsion spring being pivotally mounted about an axis which is common to the pivotal axis of the locking lever, one arm of the torsion spring bearing against the locking lever and the other arm thereof bearing against the first lever of the bell crank.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes a contact arm, said contact arm carrying the movable contact of the switch and being pivotally mounted about an axis which is common to the pivotal axis of the latch and a spring, said spring being adapted to bias the movable contact via the contact arm toward a fixed contact in the switched on position of the switch, the contact arm being adapted to engage a shaft on which the contact carrier is pivotally mounted in the switched off position of the switch.
  • a switch according to claim 4 which includes a lever, said lever being adapted to be pivoted by the armature of the electromagnetic trip to engage the contact arm.
  • a switch according to claim 1 which includes a further stop, said further stop being arranged in the path of movement of the locking lever to cause the locking lever to disengage from the said other lever of the bell crank during a manual switching off operation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Breakers (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US00265911A 1971-07-01 1972-06-23 Excess current switch Expired - Lifetime US3731239A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19712132738 DE2132738C (de) 1971-07-01 Ein- oder mehrpoliger Überstromschalter mit thermischer und/oder elektromagnetischer Auslösung

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3731239A true US3731239A (en) 1973-05-01

Family

ID=5812369

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00265911A Expired - Lifetime US3731239A (en) 1971-07-01 1972-06-23 Excess current switch

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3731239A (de)
JP (1) JPS5524222B1 (de)
AT (1) AT311470B (de)
CH (1) CH539944A (de)
DE (1) DE2132738B1 (de)
FR (1) FR2143966B1 (de)
GB (1) GB1364990A (de)
IT (1) IT959104B (de)
SU (1) SU494889A3 (de)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786382A (en) * 1972-12-27 1974-01-15 Gen Electric Compact circuit breaker
US3970976A (en) * 1975-04-04 1976-07-20 Heinemann Electric Company Circuit breaker with center trip position
US4502033A (en) * 1982-07-06 1985-02-26 Texas Instruments Incorporated Circuit control device
DE3413808A1 (de) * 1984-04-12 1985-10-17 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim Elektrischer schalter
US5089797A (en) * 1990-11-14 1992-02-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Circuit breaker with dual function electromagnetic tripping mechanism
US5260533A (en) * 1991-10-18 1993-11-09 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Molded case current limiting circuit breaker
US5293016A (en) * 1990-06-11 1994-03-08 North American Philips Corporation Circuit breaker
US5844188A (en) * 1996-12-19 1998-12-01 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Circuit breaker with improved trip mechanism
US5866996A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-02-02 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Contact arm with internal in-line spring
US5894260A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-04-13 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Thermal sensing bi-metal trip actuator for a circuit breaker
US6087914A (en) * 1996-12-19 2000-07-11 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Circuit breaker combination thermal and magnetic trip actuator
CN105826142A (zh) * 2016-05-13 2016-08-03 俊朗电气有限公司 一种预防短路后误操作的断路器

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH618288A5 (de) * 1977-08-05 1980-07-15 Weber Ag Fab Elektro
DE8209597U1 (de) * 1982-04-03 1986-11-13 Ellenberger & Poensgen Gmbh, 8503 Altdorf Überstromschutzschalter
DE3335887C2 (de) * 1983-10-03 1986-08-07 Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-Gmbh, 6000 Frankfurt Schaltmechanismus für Leitungsschutzschalter
AT378284B (de) * 1983-11-28 1985-07-10 Felten & Guilleaume Ag Oester Schaltmechanik fuer leitungsschutzschalter
JPS6174579U (de) * 1984-10-23 1986-05-20
FR2610760B1 (fr) * 1987-02-10 1993-05-14 Serd Soc Et Realisa Disjonct Interrupteur automatique multipolaire basse-tension a commande manuelle
IT1230203B (it) * 1989-05-25 1991-10-18 Bassani Spa Interruttore automatico di protezione magnetotermica ad elevato potere di interruzione.
CH681752A5 (de) * 1991-02-22 1993-05-14 Weber Ag
ES2047445B1 (es) * 1992-04-13 1996-09-01 Electric Distrib & Contr Es Sa Disyuntor automatico.
DE4233918B4 (de) * 1992-10-08 2004-02-26 Schulte-Elektrotechnik Gmbh & Co Kg Elektrischer Schalter mit Stromüberwachung
DE19701470C1 (de) * 1997-01-17 1998-01-02 Geyer Ag Verklinkungseinrichtung für einen elektrischen Schalter
DE102010019353B3 (de) * 2010-05-05 2011-11-10 Eaton Industries Gmbh Leistungsschalter mit strombegrenzenden Eigenschaften

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1701440A (en) * 1925-07-01 1929-02-05 Gen Electric Switch-latching mechanism
US2795670A (en) * 1954-02-19 1957-06-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker
US3103565A (en) * 1960-09-20 1963-09-10 walker etal
US3657672A (en) * 1970-09-24 1972-04-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker with manual trip structure
US3663903A (en) * 1971-05-20 1972-05-16 Ite Imperial Corp Tripping system for circuit breaker

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1701440A (en) * 1925-07-01 1929-02-05 Gen Electric Switch-latching mechanism
US2795670A (en) * 1954-02-19 1957-06-11 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker
US3103565A (en) * 1960-09-20 1963-09-10 walker etal
US3657672A (en) * 1970-09-24 1972-04-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit breaker with manual trip structure
US3663903A (en) * 1971-05-20 1972-05-16 Ite Imperial Corp Tripping system for circuit breaker

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3786382A (en) * 1972-12-27 1974-01-15 Gen Electric Compact circuit breaker
US3970976A (en) * 1975-04-04 1976-07-20 Heinemann Electric Company Circuit breaker with center trip position
US4502033A (en) * 1982-07-06 1985-02-26 Texas Instruments Incorporated Circuit control device
DE3413808A1 (de) * 1984-04-12 1985-10-17 Brown, Boveri & Cie Ag, 6800 Mannheim Elektrischer schalter
US5293016A (en) * 1990-06-11 1994-03-08 North American Philips Corporation Circuit breaker
US5089797A (en) * 1990-11-14 1992-02-18 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Circuit breaker with dual function electromagnetic tripping mechanism
US5260533A (en) * 1991-10-18 1993-11-09 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Molded case current limiting circuit breaker
US5844188A (en) * 1996-12-19 1998-12-01 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Circuit breaker with improved trip mechanism
US5866996A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-02-02 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Contact arm with internal in-line spring
US5894260A (en) * 1996-12-19 1999-04-13 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Thermal sensing bi-metal trip actuator for a circuit breaker
US6087914A (en) * 1996-12-19 2000-07-11 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Circuit breaker combination thermal and magnetic trip actuator
CN105826142A (zh) * 2016-05-13 2016-08-03 俊朗电气有限公司 一种预防短路后误操作的断路器

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT311470B (de) 1973-11-26
DE2132738B1 (de) 1972-07-06
JPS5524222B1 (de) 1980-06-27
SU494889A3 (ru) 1975-12-05
CH539944A (de) 1973-07-31
IT959104B (it) 1973-11-10
FR2143966B1 (de) 1977-04-01
GB1364990A (en) 1974-08-29
FR2143966A1 (de) 1973-02-09

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