Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H73/00—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism
  • H01H73/22—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism having electrothermal release and no other automatic release
  • H01H73/24—Protective overload circuit-breaking switches in which excess current opens the contacts by automatic release of mechanical energy stored by previous operation of a hand reset mechanism having electrothermal release and no other automatic release reset by lever
• • 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
  • H01H71/66—Power reset mechanisms
  • H01H71/68—Power reset mechanisms actuated by electromagnet
• • 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
• • 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
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H83/00—Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current
  • H01H83/02—Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current operated by earth fault currents
• • 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
  • H01H71/527—Manual reset mechanisms which may be also used for manual release actuated by lever making use of a walking beam with one extremity latchable, the other extremity actuating or supporting the movable contact and an intermediate part co-operating with the actuator

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a circuit breaker for preventing safety accidents caused by a leakage current or the like, and more particularly, to a control knob return device for a circuit breaker, which enables automatic return of a control knob mounted in the circuit breaker to cut off electric power, thereby improving the efficiency of the circuit breaker.
• a circuit breaker is a safety device installed in a cabinet panel to automatically cut off electric power when an abnormal current such as a leakage current is generated.
• Such a circuit breaker is a kind of electric part for use in preventing an electric shock to the human body, a fire caused by an electric leakage, or other accidents caused by an excess current or a short circuit.
• Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0353051 which was assigned to the applicant and is referred to as a related art of the present invention, discloses "Breaking switch” as shown in Fig. 1.
• a knob body 113 is installed in a breaking switch 100 such that it can rotate about a hinge 141 and also cooperate with a plunger of a solenoid pivotally connected thereto when a knob 103 is switched.
• a support 111 with a shaft 133 mounted on its body is installed on the bottom of the breaking switch 100 to rotate about a hinge 135.
• a link bar 105 with first and second pressing portions 221 and 223, which come into contact with an outer periphery of the shaft 133, at a leading end thereof is installed on the hinge 141 of the knob body 113 to rotate by means of a rotating force of the knob 103 and to be returned by means of a spring 123.
• the plunger 115 causes the knob body 113 to be pivoted on the hinge 141 clockwise in this figure.
• a driving pole 117 mounted at a rear side of the knob body 113 is simultaneously operated to open a contact of a contact switch 109, so that the breaking switch 100 trips the contact switch 109.
• the breaking switch 100 functions to interrupt an abnormal current by using the solenoid 107.
• the plunger 115 of the solenoid is hingedly coupled directly to and cooperates with the knob body 113, there is a problem in that an impact load caused by the return of the knob body 113 generates noise in operation and non- contact movement results in an inaccurate operation, thereby deteriorating reliability.
• the first and second pressing portions 121 and 123 and the shaft 133 should be provided at the link bar 105 and the support 111, respectively.
• the plurality of springs 123 and 125 should be installed as return means. Thus, there is a problem in that various incidental costs increase.
• An object of the invention is to provide a knob return device suitable for a circuit breaker, which enables automatic return of a control knob when an abnormal current state is relieved after trip, thereby improving efficiency in use.
• a control knob return device comprising a control knob that is pivotable on a fixed axis and has an upper end protruding above a top surface of a housing, and right and left lower ends at a lower portion thereof; a trip bar that is arranged on a right side of the control knob to pivot on a first auxiliary shaft parallel to the fixed axis and has a support projection at a lower portion thereof and a contact portion at an upper portion thereof so as to open or close a pair of contacts of a contact switch provided on a bottom surface of the housing by using a latch bar linked to the left lower end of the control knob; a pivoting lever that is arranged on a left side of the control knob to pivot on a second auxiliary axis parallel to the fixed axis; a solenoid assembly driven in response to an electrical signal; at least one driving link pivotably connected to one side portion of the pivoting lever and a plunger of the solenoid assembly; at least one driven link pivotably connected to
• the control knob return device for a circuit breaker according to the present invention, is mounted on the circuit breaker to maintain the circuit breaker in an 'ON' state without a consecutive driving current applied to the solenoid so far as an abnormal current is not detected in a state where the circuit breaker is turned on.
• power consumption is minimized by implementation of the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker in which the control knob is automatically returned.
• sufficient switch contact pressure can be realized due to elasticity of the latch bar itself.
• the circuit breaker may be easily switched to its ON or OFF state according to abnormal current detection results.
• the contact switch since the contact switch is constructed to be open upon detection of an abnormal current even in a state where the control knob is forcibly manipulated to the 'ON' position, the present invention ensures better stability, a simplified structure, and reduced production costs.
• Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the structure of a conventional circuit breaker, wherein a partially enlarged view is also shown.
• Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views showing switched states of a circuit breaker according to the present invention.
• Figs. 4 to 6 are schematic views showing various embodiments of the circuit breaker according to the present invention.
• the present invention is directed to a circuit breaker for cutting off electric power by detecting an electric leakage and a short circuit.
• the circuit breaker comprises a control knob 14 that has an upper end protruding above a cover 18 of a circuit breaker housing 11 for manipulation thereof and is rotated on the center of a fixed axis 13; a trip bar 17 that is constructed to open or close a pair of contacts of a contact switch 16 provided on a bottom surface of the housing 11 by using a latch bar 15 installed below the control knob 14 and hingedly moved due to a head linked to a left lower end of the control knob and a leg supported by a support projection, is pivoted on a first auxiliary shaft 17b parallel to the fixed axis 13 on the right side of the control knob, and has a support projection 17a at a lower portion and a contact portion at an upper portion; a pivoting lever 22 pivoting on a second auxiliary axis 21 parallel to the fixed axis on the left side of the control knob; a solenoid assembly 25 including
• the circuit breaker 10 of the present invention takes the shape of a box consisting of the housing 11 and the cover 18.
• the control knob 14, the latch bar 15, the contact switch 16 and the like are received within an inner space of the circuit breaker 10.
• the control knob 14 contained in the housing 11 rotates about the fixed axis 13, and a return device 20 is mounted as a restoring means for the control knob 14.
• the control knob 14 is constructed to rotate in forward and reverse directions about the fixed axis 13 transversely installed in a receiving space of the circuit breaker 10.
• the upper end of the body of the control knob 14 protrudes above a top surface of the cover 18 so that the control knob can be manipulated.
• a lower portion of the control knob has a left lower end and a right lower end.
• the control knob 14 is also provided with an elastic means such as a torsion spring to resist against reverse rotation (counterclockwise rotation in Figs. 2 and 3).
• the latch bar 15 is installed below the control knob 14.
• the head of the latch bar 15 is connected to the left lower end of the control knob 14 via the driven link 24, and the leg of the latch bar 15 is supported in the form of a free end by the support projection 17a at the lower portion of the trip bar 17, so that the latch bar can be hingedly moved in a limited manner.
• the latch bar 15 is made of an elastic material. Meanwhile, a crossbar 15a is mounted transversely on the body of the latch bar 15 to press the both contacts of the contact switch 16.
• the trip bar 17 is pivoted on the first auxiliary axis 17b parallel to the fixed axis 13 on the right side of the control knob.
• the trip bar 17 has the support projection 17a at the lower portion thereof and the contact portion at the upper portion thereof.
• the trip bar 17 is caused to resist against reverse rotation by means of a spring. If the contact portion is touched by means of an operation of a plunger (not shown) of the trip solenoid 19 or flexure of a bimetal, the trip bar 17 is pivoted so that the support projection 17a releases the leg of the latch bar.
• the solenoid assembly 25 is constructed in such a manner that a coil is wound on the outer periphery of the barrel and a plunger 25a is installed to reciprocate within a hollow of the barrel. If a surge current is applied to the driving coil, an electromagnetic force is instantly generated so that the plunger is sucked into the barrel.
• the solenoid assembly 25 is installed in a suitable orientation, e.g., horizontally or vertically, within the housing.
• the pivoting lever 22 is installed in a space between the control knob 14 and the solenoid assembly 25 and pivots on the second auxiliary axis 21 parallel to the fixed axis 13.
• the pivoting lever 22 has right and left operating portions at certain right and left positions spaced apart from an axis thereof to have a substantially triangular external appearance, thereby transmitting a rotational force about the axis.
• the driving link 23 comprises at least one planar member installed between the pivoting lever 22 and the solenoid assembly 25 to transmit a force.
• the driving link 23 is moved in a state where one end of the driving link 23 is pivotably connected to the left operating portion of the pivoting lever 22, and the other end is pivotably connected to the upper end of the plunger 25a of the solenoid assembly 25.
• the driving link 23 may be hingedly connected directly to the plunger 25a as shown in Fig. 4, or may be connected to the plunger 25a via an intermediate member 23a as shown in Fig. 5.
• the driven link 24 is a planar member pivotably installed in a space between the pivoting member 22 and the control knob 14.
• the driven link 24 has three operating portions and is moved in a state where a first operating portion is linked to the pivoting lever 22, and second and third operating portions are pivotably connected to the control knob 14 and the latch bar 15, respectively.
• the first operating portion of the driven link 24 is preferably linked to the pivoting lever 22 by using an auxiliary link 26.
• an elongated slot may be formed in the right operating portion of the pivoting lever 22 to absorb an impact during the pivoting movements of the driving link 23 and the driven link 24, as shown in Fig. 6. It is also possible to eliminate the auxiliary link 26 and to connect the driven link 24 directly to the pivoting lever by forming the elongated slot to be connected to the driven link 24 into a suitable shape. Here, all these components are defined as tensile link means.
• the circuit breaker is in an 'OFF' state in which the contact switch 16 is open, the leg of the latch bar is released from the support projection 17a of the trip bar, the control knob is placed at an 'OFF' position, and the plunger 25a is separated from the barrel.
• the left lower end of the control knob 14 connected to the pivoting lever 22 through the driven link 24 is pushed so that the control knob 14 is reversely rotated counterclockwise and returns to an 'ON' position.
• the head of the latch bar 15 pivotably connected to the left lower end of the control knob 14 through the driven link 24 is moved downward, and at the same time, the right lower end of the control knob presses the body of the latch bar so that the leg of the latch bar is engaged with the support projection 17a of the trip bar 17.
• the latch bar is rotated while the leg of the latch bar is supported, and the crossbar 15a transversely mounted on the latch bar 15 presses the contact switch 16 so that the circuit breaker is in an 'ON' state.
• control knob return device for a circuit breaker According to the present invention described above, even though a driving current is not continuously applied to the solenoid in a state where the circuit breaker is turned on, the circuit breaker can be maintained in the 'ON' state. In addition, automation of the return operation of the control knob is facilitated due to a return signal, and power consumption is minimized by implementation of the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker.
• the present invention has industrial applicability by reducing a failure rate and extending the life of the equipment as well as minimizing secondary loss such as damage to materials in a factory, shutdown of operations, and loss of information due to cessation of the operation of an information system, which may be produced because of consecutive interruption of electric power that appears when the circuit breaker is left as it is until manual manipulation.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Breakers (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=36319354

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (13)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2004
  • 2004-11-04 KR KR1020040089317A patent/KR100470435B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2005
  • 2005-02-18 CN CNB200580000002XA patent/CN100447927C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-02-18 WO PCT/KR2005/000428 patent/WO2006049372A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-02-18 JP JP2007538810A patent/JP4554685B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (4)

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