WO1996024150A1

WO1996024150A1 - Line safety switch

Info

Publication number: WO1996024150A1
Application number: PCT/DE1996/000166
Authority: WO
Inventors: Torsten Schlegel; Jürgen Feuerhake; Ralf Schwager; Helmut Heindorf
Original assignee: Aeg Niederspannungstechnik Gmbh&Co.Kg.
Priority date: 1995-02-03
Filing date: 1996-02-02
Publication date: 1996-08-08
Also published as: HUP9800194A3; CZ286737B6; HUP9800194A2; DE19503530B4; PL321260A1; PL180036B1; ATE217731T1; EP0807313A1; HU221487B; DE19503530A1; CZ241897A3; EP0807313B1; SI9620029A; DE59609216D1

Abstract

In the line switch housing (1) with only one normal pole width there are a thermally and magnetically protected external conductor pole (L) and an unprotected neutral conductor pole (N) to each of which is allocated a contact device (3 or 7). Both contact devices (3, 7) have contact levers (3.1 or 7.1) acting on fixed contacts (4.1 or 8.1), which are coupled via a slide (9) and controlled by a manually operable switching mechanism (2). In order in such a switch to retain the switching function and operating mode of the external conductor pole (L) and the same basic spatial arrangement as in an ordinary line safety switch and, in particular, to prevent the neutral conductor contacts (7.3, 8.1) from becoming welded together, both contact devices (3, 7) are fitted in the functional plane of the switching mechanism (2) one above the other with spatially separated bearings (pivots 3.2 or 7.2) for their contact levers (3.1, 7.1). Here, the contact device (7) for the neutral conductor pole (N) is arranged in the housing base (1.1) immediately adjacent the input terminal (8) region and coupled via the slide (9) to the contact lever (3.1) of the external conductor pole (L) partly positively and partly by adherence. At the same time the slide (9) is arranged virtually in the axial extension of the magnetic trigger (4) fitted with a solenoid (4,5) in such a way that, in the event of a short circuit, the solenoid (4,5) striking the contact lever (3.1) via an intermediate member (triggering lever 2.1 or 2.11) also strikes the contact lever (7.1) of the neutral conductor pole (N) in the same direction.

Description

Description: ^"

"Circuit breaker"

The invention relates to a circuit breaker with a thermally and magnetically protected outer conductor pole and an unprotected neutral conductor pole according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a circuit breaker is known from EP 0 599 800 A1. In this switch, one contact device of the outer conductor pole and the neutral conductor pole are arranged side by side within a common housing with the usual pole width in parallel planes. Both contact devices are separated from one another by an angled inner shell arranged in the arc quenching chamber of the outer conductor pole. The space in front of the arc extinguishing device is therefore considerably restricted, at least on one side. Coupled together are both contact devices via a slide guided in the inner shell, which in turn carries associated switching bridges on coaxially arranged bearing axes. When the switching mechanism is actuated, the two switching bridges, each supported by a compression spring, are pivoted in the same direction. The switching bridges, which are in principle directly coupled by means of a common bearing axis, significantly impair one another, particularly during the switching operations, so that the protective function of the outer conductor pole is adversely affected overall.

The invention has for its object to provide a circuit breaker of the type mentioned in such a way that the switching function and operation of the outer conductor pole unchanged compared to a normal circuit breaker d. the spatial arrangement of the switching mechanism is retained.

Release organs and quenching chamber area is only marginally impaired, and in particular welding both the outer conductor and the

Neutral conductor contact is reliably prevented.

This object is achieved by a circuit breaker with the characterizing features of claim 1. Further developments and advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention has the advantage that the protected outer conductor pole works like a normal circuit breaker and is predominantly formed from unchanged parts of such a switch. With the same housing size, the unprotected neutral conductor pole is additionally integrated into this structure in a space-saving and functional manner. In addition, it is ensured that the neutral contact only closes automatically with its own contact spring during the switching-in process, and only then does the external conductor contact. In the closed position of the neutral conductor contact, the frictional connection to the contact device nasty outer conductor pole is also completely eliminated. Its contact lever can thus ultimately pivot freely into the closed position as in the case of a circuit breaker alone.

In the event of a shutdown process, be it due to overload. Short circuit or manual, however, only opens the outer conductor contact. the contact lever of which initially moves in the direction of the magnet system. At the beginning of the switch-off phase, the degree of freedom between the outer conductor contact and the neutral conductor contact is increased and the contact lever of the outer conductor pole can open completely unaffected by the neutral conductor pole. Only after covering a predetermined contact opening distance does a slide close the frictional connection Contact lever of the neutral conductor pole and opens this after the

Outer conductor pole Here, the contact spring of the movable neutral conductor contact very quickly reduces its counterforce to the contact spring of the outer conductor contact, which is thus hardly delayed. This effect is achieved by means of a contact spring of the neutral conductor pole designed as a tension spring and its particularly advantageously chosen suspension points. As a result, the tension spring can pivot almost to the bearing point of the movable neutral contact in the opening process in an approximately dead center position, so that its moment in the closing direction very quickly reaches the value "zero". Therefore, the mutual influence is negligible even in the open position of the outer conductor pole and the neutral conductor pole.

The main advantage of the arrangement according to the invention arises during the opening process in the event of a short circuit. After the release of the switching lock, the impact of the magnetic core for the accelerated opening of the outer conductor contact is transmitted directly to the slide arranged in the same direction, so that it also acts on the neutral conductor contact in the opening direction with a time lag. The welding of the neutral conductor contact is therefore reliably prevented by the impact of the magnetic release, just like at home outer conductor contact.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows a simplified circuit breaker with outer conductor pole and neutral conductor pole in its functional level in the off position, while in FIG. 2 shows the switch-on position of the line circuit breaker in the same representation.

The circuit breaker, which is only partially shown open, has a switch housing 1, which is only indicated with its outer contours, which is composed of two half-shells in a known manner and is about 18 mm thick in the plane of the drawing, that is to say has a customary pole width as the pitch. The switch housing, which corresponds to the relevant standard dimensions for circuit breakers with its outer contours, has in its interior a switching mechanism 2, a contact device 3 for the protected outer conductor pole "L", a magnetic release Λ. a switching and quenching chamber 5 and a thermal trigger 6. The aforementioned modules 2 to 6 largely consist of existing components of a normal single-pole circuit breaker and are practically unchanged in terms of their arrangement and their function compared to such a switch. Only in the housing base l. l In the conventional area of the connection terminals, substantial changes are required in the inner housing contours in order to obtain sufficient space for double the number of terminals (one input and output terminal each for the outer conductor pole and the neutral conductor pole) and additionally in the input terminal area 1. 2 to enable the arrangement of a contact device 7 for the neutral conductor pole "N" in addition to the mechanical and electrical components required for this.

As can readily be seen from the drawing figures, the core of the invention Kontakti direction 7 for the neutral conductor "N" is arranged laterally below the thermal release 6 in the housing base 1. 1 in the immediate vicinity of the associated input terminal 8. The works Contact device 7 in the same, but slightly vertically offset movement plane (corresponds to the drawing plane) as the contact device 3 for the outer conductor pole "L". The contact device 7 consists essentially of a double-armed contact lever 7.1 which can be pivoted about an axis 7.2 fixed to the housing and which cooperates with a slide 9 to be described in more detail at its free lever end 7.11 opposite the actual contact point 7.3. The contact lever 7.1 works under the action of its contact spring 7.4 on a fixed contact piece 8.1. which is connected as an angled extension directly to the input terminal 8, which in turn enables the connection of a neutral conductor (not shown) by means of a terminal box 8.2 and a clamping screw 8.3. Starting from contact lever 7.1, on the other hand, a merely indicated, sufficiently insulated electrical connection 7.6 leads across the switch housing to the output terminal of the neutral contact pole, not shown, located opposite from the input terminal 8 on the upper side.

Furthermore, an equal-sized (not shown) input terminal for the outer lead pole is arranged in a plane above the input terminal 8 and is filed by the latter by means of an insert part I .3 (indicated by dash-dot lines) in the housing base. An electrical connection leads directly from this terminal to the base point 6.1 of the thermal release 6 (indicated schematically by means of a short piece of flexible conductor 6.2), which is arranged sufficiently insulated from the contact device 7. Likewise, from the free end 6.3 of the thermal release, which causes the triggering of the sound mechanism 2 in the event of an overcurrent in a known manner (not shown in more detail), a flexible line 6.4 leads to the pivotable contact lever 3.1 as part of the contact device 3 of the protected outer conductor pole. The contact lever 3.1 of the outer conductor pole is pivotally mounted with its elongated hole on an axis 3.2 which is fixed to the housing and at the same time can be displaced laterally by a small value in order to compensate for changes caused by erosion at the contact-side end 3.3 in addition to the buildup of the contact pressure. So that the contact lever works on a fixed contact piece 4.1, which is included via a so-called contact horn 4.2 in a yoke 4.3 of the magnetic release 4. which in turn encloses a winding 4.4 like a frame. The current path of the outer conductor pole leads directly from the winding to an output terminal (not shown) on the top of the switch housing. The winding 4.4 surrounds a magnetic core 4.5. the at least in the event of a short circuit only a partially shown trigger lever 2. I pivoted counterclockwise about a housing-fixed axis 2.2 and thereby triggers the switching mechanism 2 on its knee joint lever 2.3 in a manner known per se, so that the contact lever 3.1 moves from the closed position shown in FIG Open position according to Figure 1 can pivot. This opening movement of the contact lever 3.1, which takes place in the shortest possible time, is caused on the one hand by a contact spring 3.4 which acts counterclockwise above its bearing point (axis 3.2), but in particular by the release lever 2.1 accelerated by the magnetic core 4.5. which, after tripping with its "hammer head end" 2.1 1, suddenly flies against the contact cable end 3.3 of the contact lever and tears open the contact point of the outer conductor pole.

Exactly at this "hammer head end" 2.1 1, the contact lever 3.1 is provided with a bore 3.5 into which the slide 9 engages in an articulated manner with a pin 9.1. The slide 9 is also guided laterally, for example between the housing webs 1.4 shown schematically, so that it cannot deflect, in particular in the region of the contact lever 7.1. This is behind these housing bars free end of the slide 9 is provided with a thrust surface 9.2, which with the free

Lever end 7.1 1 of the neutral conductor contact lever cooperates and their operation is discussed in more detail. In particular in the switch-on position (FIG. 2), the slide 9 is arranged and guided in the manner described above such that its main axis has the same direction as the direction of impact of the magnetic core 4.5. This ensures that the movement of the magnetic core via the "hammer head end" 2.1 1 and the abruptly opening contact lever 3.1 takes effect exactly in the longitudinal axis of the slide 9 and this transmits almost the full impact anchor effect. This force is thus available on the thrust surface 9.2 in order to hit the lever end 7.1 1 during the opening process after covering a short free path (distance "X" in FIG. 2) and to move the contact lever 7.1 about its axis 7.2 into the off position according to Fig. 1 to pivot.

This process is supported by the contact spring 3.4 of the outer conductor pole, which is considerably stronger than the contact spring 7 4 of the neutral conductor pole. The latter is also designed as a tension spring and, with its longer, slightly angled hook-shaped eyelet, is suspended in an eye 7.5 of the contact lever approximately in the middle between the axis 7.2 and the contact point 7.3, while its shorter eyelet engages over a fixed bolt 1.5. The position of this pin 1.5 is spatially assigned to the contact lever 7.1 such that the contact spring 7.4 pulls on an already effective, relatively short lever arm in the switched-on position (FIG. 2), while in the switched-off position (FIG. 1) the lever arm almost has the value " Reached zero ". An imaginary connecting line between the eye 7.5 and the bolt 1 .5. which corresponds to the direction of action of the conif spring 7 4, therefore runs in the switched-off position of the contact lever 7 I only slightly below or almost through the center of the axis 7.2. This means that the contact spring 7.4 at almost same spring tension very quickly loses its counterforce and in the switch-off position only exerts a slight left-hand turning moment on the contact lever, so that it is practically in a dead center position. The contact lever 7.1 is therefore with its lever end 7, 1 1 on the thrust surface 9.2 of the slide 9 non-positively, but without significant force on the contact lever 3.1 of the outer conductor pole.

If, from this position, the circuit breaker is switched manually on the handheld control element 2.4 and the knee joint lever 2.3 in the over-dead center position to the closed position according to FIG. 2, the contact lever 3.1 pivots about its axis 3.2 and takes the slide 9 over the pin 9.1 in Clockwise with. The lever end 7.1 1 resting on the thrust surface 9.2 moves in the same direction under the action of the contact spring 7.4, the pivoting moment of which on the contact lever 7.1 increases due to the displacement of the eye 7.5. If the contact point 7 3 has reached the fixed contact piece 8.1 during this movement sequence, it comes to rest there, the contact spring 7.4 now unfolding its greatest force and applying only the contact pressure. Only then does the contact lever 3.1 with its contact-side end 3 3 reach the fixed contact piece 4.1 and close the outer conductor pole. This lagging of the outer conductor contact is ensured via the free path between the thrust surface 9.2 and the lever end 7.1 1 of the neutral conductor contact lifter. The distance "X" shown in FIG. 2 is the measure for the free travel when the switching mechanism is finally tensioned. When the contact-side end 3.3 is first touched on the fixed contact piece 4.1, this free path is still somewhat larger, since the distance shown in FIG. 2 between the axis 3.2 and the semi-cylindrical hole wall of the elongated hole located below it, which acts as a bearing shell during the switching-on process, is not present (Fig. 1). But this distance is necessary so that in the ON position only at the contact point and

Knee joint lever 2.3 supported and pulled by the contact spring 3.4

Contact lever 3.1 is reliably held due to tolerances and the necessary burn-up reserve and the switching mechanism on the manual control element

2.4 can be clamped without so-called "through switches".

Conversely, the above-mentioned larger free path between the thrust surface 9.2 and the lever end 7.1 1 is also available during the descent process, because after the knee joint lever 2.3 has been triggered, the contact lever 3.1 first pivots counterclockwise around its contact-cable end 3.3. until the slot wall on axis 3.2 comes to rest. In the event of a short circuit, the "hammer head end" 2.1 1 opens the contact lever 3 1 approximately simultaneously in the same direction of rotation, but these movements merge into one another depending on the cut-off speed. At least it is ensured that the "hammer head end" 2.11 of the triggering device accelerates the contact lever 3.1 sufficiently and creates a contact opening before, after covering the free travel "X", the slide 9 opens the contact lever 7 1 of the neutral conductor pole and presses it into the open position (FIG. I ).

The dimension for the free travel and thus the specification of the correct switching sequence of the neutral conductor pole and the outer conductor pole change only insignificantly even in the case of contact erosion, since the contact erosion is canceled out by the opposite direction of rotation of the two contact levers 3.1 and 7.1. The same applies to the two contact springs. Before the tension force of the contact spring 3.4 is significantly reduced when the outer conductor contact lever is opened, the moment of the contact spring 7.4 exerted on the contact lever 7.1 has already decreased to a minimum value. Damil run the switching functions of the protected In principle, the outer conductor pole is the same as with a pure circuit breaker.

Claims

Claims:

1. Miniature circuit breaker with a thermally and magnetically protected outer conductor pole and an unprotected neutral conductor pole. each of which is assigned a contact device formed from a fixed contact piece and a pivotable contact lever, and both contact devices are arranged together in a switch housing with only a normal pole width, and are mechanically coupled to one another and controlled by a manually operated switching mechanism, characterized by the following features :

In relation to the functional level of the switching mechanism (2), the two contact devices (3.7) are arranged one above the other in this plane with spatially separated bearing points (axes 3.2 and 7.2) for their contact levers (3.1, 7.1);

When switching on and off, the spring-loaded contact levers (3.1, 7.1), which are partly positively and partly non-positively coupled by means of a slide (9), each pivot in the opposite direction about their bearing points (axes 3.2, 7.2);

the slide (9) is arranged almost in axial extension of the magnetic release (4) provided with a lifting armature (magnetic core 4.5);

the direction of actuation of the slide (9) coincides with the working direction of the lifting armature (magnetic core 4.5) in such a way that, in the event of a short circuit, the contact lever (7.1) of the neutral conductor pole (N) indirectly in the opening direction from the abruptly onto the contact lever (3. 1) of the outer conductor pole (L) acting lifting armature (magnetic core 4.5) is applied. 2. Circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Slider (9) is movably mounted on the one hand on the contact lever (3.1) of the outer conductor pole (L) between its bearing point (axis 3.2) and the outer conductor contact point (3.3) and on the other hand on the double-arm contact lever (7.1) of the neutral conductor pole (N) at its free, its neutral end contact point (7.3) opposite lever end (7.1 1) with a thrust surface (9.

2) attacks.

3. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the two contact levers (3.1, 7.1) by means of them in the same direction of attacking contact springs (3.4, 7.4) during the switching on and off process via the slide (9) at least temporarily non-positively are in engagement with each other

4. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the contact lever (7.1) of the neutral conductor pole (N) from the between its bearing point (axis 7.2) and its contact point (7.3) attacking Zugfe¬ (contact spring 7.4) is loaded only in the direction of closing.

5. Miniature circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the on the contact lever (7. 1) of the neutral conductor pole (N) attacking tension spring (contact spring 7.4) between its two attachment points (eye 7.5, bolt 1 .5) It is suspended that when the neutral conductor contact lever (7.1) opens, its direction of force swings almost to its bearing point (axis 7.2) and quickly changes to an almost dead center position, so that the tension spring (7.4) on the open contact lever (7.1) in Closing direction ^¬ effective moment against the who! ^" NuM ^'' goes. .3

6. Circuit breaker according to claim 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer conductor contact lever (3.1) is not hampered by any counterforces of the neutral conductor contact lever (7.1) during a shutdown process during the first opening phase and works like a normal single-pole circuit breaker.

7. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the two contact levers (3.1, 7.1) facing each other between the associated fixed contact pieces (4.1 or 8.1) and each with their contact-side ends (3.3 or 7.3) are guided in approximately the same direction, but when switching in the opposite direction.

8. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized gekenn¬ characterized that occurring contact burns on the contact devices (3, 7) of the outer conductor pole (L) and the neutral conductor pole (N) compensate each other.

9. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the contact device (7) for the neutral conductor pole (N) in the housing base (1.1) is arranged immediately adjacent in the area of input terminals (8).

10. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that on a pin (9.1) from the contact lever (3.1) of the outer conductor pole (L) entrained slide (9) on his on the contact lever (7.1) of the neutral conductor pole ( N) acting free end (thrust surface 9.2) is only secured against lateral deflection in the housing base MI).

1 1. Miniature circuit breaker according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the protected outer conductor pole (L) with its essential components (modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) predominantly from existing function parts of the same type of a normal miniature circuit breaker that has no neutral conductor pole (N).