WO2020202794A1

WO2020202794A1 - Circuit breaker

Info

Publication number: WO2020202794A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/004989
Authority: WO
Inventors: 中道　義也; 紘平宮川; 宏一山添
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2019-03-29
Filing date: 2020-02-07
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: JP2020167087A; CN113646862A; JP7411921B2

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to downsize a circuit breaker while providing a circuit board. A circuit breaker (1) is provided with a circuit board (6) and a body (5). The body (5) houses therein at least the circuit board (6). The circuit board (6) is disposed to be inclined in the body (5).

Description

Circuit breaker

The present disclosure generally relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly to a circuit breaker provided with a circuit board.

Patent Document 1 describes an earth leakage breaker including an opening / closing mechanism unit, a zero-phase current detection circuit unit, and an earth leakage trip coil unit. The opening / closing mechanism opens / closes the movable contact of the movable contact and the fixed contact of the fixed contact to open / close the power supply side electric path and the load side electric path. The zero-phase current detection circuit unit includes a circuit board and a zero-phase current transformer mounted on the circuit board. The earth leakage trip coil portion is mounted on the circuit board and is connected to the opening / closing mechanism portion.

According to the earth leakage breaker described in Patent Document 1, since the zero-phase current transformer and the earth leakage trip coil portion are mounted on the same circuit board, the workability of assembling the parts becomes easy and the connection work is also performed. It can be simplified.

JP-A-2015-103411

By the way, when a circuit breaker (earth leakage breaker) is provided with a circuit board in its body (housing), it may be difficult to reduce the size of the circuit breaker in consideration of the space for accommodating the circuit board.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a circuit breaker capable of downsizing the circuit breaker while providing a circuit board.

The circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a circuit board and an instrument. The body accommodates at least the circuit board. The circuit board is tilted and arranged inside the device.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment of the present disclosure in a state where the first block is removed, and is a view in which the first contact portion is closed. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the circuit breaker of the above with the first block removed, and is a view in which the first contact portion is open. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker of the same as above. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the circuit breaker of the same as above. FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the same circuit breaker. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a main part including the circuit board and its periphery in the same circuit breaker. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a main part including a holding structure of a body that holds the circuit board of the same. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram regarding the intrusion of water into the circuit breaker of the same.

(1) Outline Each figure described in the following embodiment is a schematic view, and the ratio of the size and the thickness of each component in each figure does not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratio. Not necessarily.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 1 according to the present embodiment includes a circuit board 6 and a body 5. The body 5 accommodates at least the circuit board 6. Further, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a first contact portion 11 and a second contact portion 12, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

The first contact portion 11 opens in response to the generation of an abnormal current, and switches the main circuit C1 (see FIG. 5) from the energized state to the cutoff state. The abnormal current referred to here includes, for example, a leakage current. That is, in the present disclosure, as an example, it is assumed that the circuit breaker 1 is an earth leakage breaker. The first contact portion 11 switches from closed pole (on) to open pole (off) according to the generation of leakage current, and shuts off the main circuit C1. The abnormal current also includes, for example, an overcurrent (short-circuit current and overload current). The circuit breaker 1 switches from a closed pole (on) to an open pole (off) in response to the occurrence of an overcurrent, and cuts off the main circuit C1.

As shown in FIG. 5, the circuit breaker 1 includes a pair of first contact portions 11, and the first contact portion 11 is provided in each of the first electric circuit C11 and the second electric circuit C12 constituting the main circuit C1. It has been inserted. Hereinafter, the pair of first terminals 71 of the circuit breaker 1 (see FIG. 5) are connected to the pair of electric wires 103 (see FIG. 8) on the power supply side, and the pair of second terminals 72 of the circuit breaker 1 (see FIG. 5). ) Is connected to the pair of electric wires 104 (see FIG. 8) on the load side, which may be referred to as a “normal connection state”. The first electric line C11 can be, for example, the L phase to which the electric wire 103A on the L pole (LINE) side is connected, and the second electric line C12 can be the N phase to which the electric wire 103B on the N pole (NEUTRAL LINE) side is connected.

However, in the circuit breaker 1, on the contrary, the pair of first terminals 71 are connected to the pair of electric wires 104 on the load side, and the pair of second terminals 72 are connected to the pair of electric wires 103 on the power supply side. It is also possible, and this connection state is sometimes called a "reverse connection state". Hereinafter, the fact that the circuit breaker 1 is in the normal connection state or the reverse connection state may be simply referred to as "the circuit breaker 1 is in use".

The second contact portion 12 opens in conjunction with the opening of the first contact portion 11, and switches the power supply circuit C2 (see FIG. 5) branched from the main circuit C1 from the energized state to the cutoff state. That is, the second contact portion 12 switches from the closed pole (on) to the open pole (off) in conjunction with the switching of the first contact portion 11 from the closed pole (on) to the open pole (off), and the power supply circuit The energization of C2 is cut off.

Here, in the present embodiment, the circuit board 6 is tilted and arranged in the body 5. Therefore, in order to reduce the size of the circuit breaker 1, even if the space for accommodating the circuit board 6 in the body 5 is limited, there is a possibility that the circuit board 6 can be accommodated in the space. It gets higher. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the circuit breaker 1 while providing the circuit board 6.

(2) Details Next, the circuit breaker 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

(2.1) Overall Structure As described above, the circuit breaker 1 includes a circuit board 6, a body 5, a pair of first contact portions 11, and a second contact portion 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a pseudo-leakage generation unit C4 and a leakage detection unit 2 (sensor). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 1 includes a trip mechanism 4, two sets of a pair of terminal portions 7 (four in total), an arc extinguishing device 8, and a link mechanism 15 (operation handle 16 and the like). Is further equipped. Further, the circuit breaker 1 further includes a pair of braided wires D1 (connecting wires), a surge absorbing element Z1 (moisture detecting unit), a holding structure H1, an operating unit B1 (for testing), and the like.

As described above, the circuit breaker 1 is, for example, an earth leakage breaker having a function of detecting an earth leakage current and interrupting the energization of the main circuit C1 (earth leakage detection function), for example, a residential (may be non-residential). It can be used for distribution boards installed inside. As shown in FIG. 8, the circuit breaker 1 is attached to the attachment surface 102 of the object 100 to be attached. It is assumed that the object 100 is a structural material (for example, a DIN rail) in the distribution board. The mounting surface 102 is, for example, one surface of the DIN rail facing the circuit breaker 1.

In addition to the electric leakage detection function, the circuit breaker 1 also has a function of detecting an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current and an overload current and interrupting the energization of the main circuit C1 (overcurrent detection function). Further, the circuit breaker 1 has a function (test function) of generating a leakage current in a pseudo manner in order to test whether or not the opening of the contact portion (11, 12) by the trip mechanism 4 operates normally. Have.

Further, the circuit breaker 1 is configured so that the contact portions (11, 12) can be switched from the closed pole to the open pole and from the open pole to the closed pole in response to the manual operation of the operation handle 16. For example, when the user confirms safety after the contact portion (11, 12) is opened by detecting an abnormal current, the user operates the operation handle 16 to close the contact portion (11, 12). It can be restored.

Note that in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the electric wires in the body 5 are not shown as appropriate (see FIG. 5 for the electrical connection relationship).

(2.2) Body The body 5 has a substantially rectangular box shape that is flat as a whole, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Hereinafter, the direction along the thickness direction of the body 5 may be referred to as the "left-right direction" in the circuit breaker 1. Further, in the following, as shown in FIG. 8, the direction perpendicular to (orthogonal) to the horizontal plane in the state where the circuit breaker 1 is attached to the attachment surface 102 of the object 100 to be attached is defined as the “vertical direction”. , The lower side (vertical direction) when the circuit breaker 1 is viewed from the front will be described as "lower side". Further, the circuit breaker 1 will be described with the right side as "right side" and the left side as "left side" when viewed from the front. Further, a direction orthogonal to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, that is, a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface 102 will be referred to as a "front-back direction", and the back side of the mounting surface 102 will be described as "rear". However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which the circuit breaker 1 is used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the body 5 has a first block 5A (right side block), a second block 5B (left side block), and a third block (core) 5C. In FIG. 4, the first block 5A and the second block 5B are shown by dot hatching. The first block 5A, the second block 5B, and the third block 5C are formed of a synthetic resin material having electrical insulation.

The body 5 includes a pair of first contact portions 11, a second contact portion 12, a leak detection unit 2, a trip mechanism 4, a circuit board 6, four terminal portions 7, an arc extinguishing device 8, a link mechanism 15, and a pseudo electric leakage generation. A portion C4, a pair of braided wires D1, a surge absorbing element Z1, a holding structure H1 and the like are housed therein. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 5 exposes a part of the operation handle 16 (lever 160) and a part of the operation portion B1 (protrusion portion B10) to the outside from the front wall 55 thereof. Support. The front wall 55 projects forward so that the central portion in the vertical direction thereof is convex, and the lever 160 and the protrusion B10 are exposed to the outside from the protruding central portion.

The first block 5A and the second block 5B are formed in a substantially rectangular box shape in which the surfaces facing each other are open. The third block 5C is formed in a substantially plate shape. The third block 5C has a plurality of recesses, ribs, protrusions, grooves, etc. so as to stably hold the plurality of components housed in the body 5 together with the first block 5A and the second block 5B. Have. The body 5 is composed of a first block 5A and a second block 5B, which are abutted against each other so as to sandwich a third block 5C from the left and right, respectively. Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 are plan views of the circuit breaker 1 in a state where the first block 5A is removed, as viewed from the right side.

Hereinafter, the space in the body 5 in which the circuit board 6 is accommodated may be referred to as a first accommodating portion S1 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7). In other words, the body 5 has a first accommodating portion S1.

(2.3) Terminal Units The four terminal units 7 include a pair of first terminal units 7A and a pair of second terminal units 7B (see FIGS. 1 and 2). However, in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the right first terminal portion 7A of the pair of first terminal portions 7A is shown, and similarly, only the right second terminal portion 7B of the pair of second terminal portions 7B is shown. Is illustrated. Each first terminal portion 7A corresponds to the first terminal 71 in FIG. Each second terminal portion 7B corresponds to the second terminal 72 in FIG.

The pair of first terminal portions 7A are housed side by side in the left-right direction at the upper end portion in the body 5. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the positive connection state, a pair of electric wires 103 on the side of an external power source (for example, a commercial AC power source) are connected to the pair of first terminal portions 7A, respectively.

The pair of second terminal portions 7B are housed side by side in the left-right direction at the lower end portion in the body 5. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the positive connection state, a pair of electric wires 104 on the load side are connected to the pair of second terminal portions 7B, respectively. Hereinafter, the space in the body 5 in which the second terminal portion 7B is accommodated may be referred to as a second accommodating portion S2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). In other words, the body 5 has a second accommodating portion S2. The body 5 has a pair of second accommodating portions S2 in order to individually accommodate the pair of second terminal portions 7B. The pair of second accommodating portions S2 are next to (lower side) the first accommodating portion S1. However, the body 5 has a partition wall 53A that separates the first accommodating portion S1 and the pair of second accommodating portions S2. Although detailed description will be omitted, the body 5 also has a pair of accommodating portions for individually accommodating the pair of first terminal portions 7A.

Here, the electrical path from the pair of first terminal portions 7A to the pair of second terminal portions 7B corresponds to the main circuit C1. As described above, the main circuit C1 is composed of a first electric circuit C11 (L phase) and a second electric circuit C12 (N phase).

Each terminal portion 7 is a so-called pillar terminal (screw type terminal) that can be connected by a screw, for example. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, each terminal portion 7 has a terminal plate 73, a terminal fitting 74, and a terminal screw 75.

The terminal plate 73 is formed in a substantially L-shaped plate shape by a conductive metal plate. The terminal plate 73 is fixed in the body 5.

The terminal fitting 74 is formed in a square tube shape by a conductive metal plate. Both ends of the terminal fitting 74 are open in the vertical direction with the vertical direction as the axis. The terminal fitting 74 can be moved within a predetermined range in the front-rear direction with a part of the terminal plate 73 (projection piece 730: see FIG. 4) inserted in the body 5. Further, the terminal fitting 74 has a screw hole into which the terminal screw 75 is screwed. The body 5 has an insertion port 51 (total 4) for inserting an electric wire (103 or 104) into a region facing the gap SP1 (see FIG. 4) between the projecting piece 730 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 74. Has one).

The terminal screw 75 is housed in the body 5 with its screw tip screwed into the screw hole of the terminal metal fitting 74. The body 5 has holes 57 (four in total) on the front wall 55 of each terminal screw 75 facing the head so that the terminal screw 75 is exposed without falling off. ..

With the electric wire (103 or 104) inserted into the gap SP1 from the insertion port 51, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the hole 57 and the terminal screw 75 is tightened to move the terminal fitting 74 forward. However, the distance between the projecting piece 730 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 74 is shortened. As a result, the connection of the electric wire (103 or 104) inserted in the gap SP1 to the terminal portion 7 can be achieved.

When the electric wires 103 and 104 (conductive parts) are insulated wires in which the core wire made of the conductor is covered with an insulating coating, only the tip portion of the electric wire from which the insulating coating has been stripped, that is, the core wire is from the insertion port 51. Will be inserted. The

electric wires

103 and 104 may be either a single wire whose core wire is a single conductor or a stranded wire whose core wire is a plurality of conductor wires. Alternatively, at least one of the

electric wires

103 and 104 may be a square conductive bar (conductive portion) not covered with an insulating coating.

By the way, the gap SP1 and the insertion port 51 of the upper and lower two terminal portions 7 corresponding to the start and end of the first electric circuit C11 are the gap SP1 and the gap SP1 of the upper and lower two terminal portions 7 corresponding to the start and end of the second electric passage C12. It is arranged slightly forward with respect to the insertion port 51 (see the insertion port 51 in FIG. 3). Therefore, erroneous connection of the conductive portion (

electric wire

103, 104, conductive bar, etc.) can be suppressed.

(2.4) First contact portion The pair of first contact portions 11 are opened in response to the generation of an abnormal current (here, as an example, a leakage current, a short circuit current, and an overload current) to energize the main circuit C1. It is configured to switch from the state to the cutoff state. The pair of first contact portions 11 are provided in the first electric circuit C11 and the second electric circuit C12 in the main circuit C1, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each first contact portion 11 has a fixed contact 11A and a movable contact 11B that contacts or separates from the fixed contact 11A. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the pair of first contact portions 11 are closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the pair of first contact portions are open. However, in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the first contact portion 11 on the right side is shown.

The fixed contact 11A is fixed to, for example, the fixed contact plate 110. In other words, the fixed contact 11A is a separate member from the fixed contact plate 110. However, the fixed contact 11A may be integrated as a part of the fixed contact plate 110. The fixed contact plate 110 is made of a low resistance material such as iron or copper. The fixed contact plate 110 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

The movable contact 11B is located at one end of an arm 111 (movable contactor) formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The movable contact 11B is integrated as a part of the arm 111. However, the movable contact 11B is a separate member from the arm 111, and may be fixed to one end of the arm 111. The arm 111 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

The arm 111 can rotate between a position where the movable contact 11B comes into contact with the fixed contact 11A and a position away from the fixed contact 11A, with the shaft 112 provided on the other end side as a fulcrum. One end of the braided wire 113 is fixed to the middle portion of the arm 111. The braided wire 113 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1.

Of the two braided wires 113 in the first electric circuit C11 and the second electric circuit C12, the other end of the braided wire 113 of the first electric circuit C11 is fixed to the intermediate portion of the bimetal plate 17 of the trip mechanism 4 described later. .. The end of the bimetal plate 17 is fixed to one end of the braided wire 114, and the other end of the braided wire 114 is fixed to the terminal plate 73 of the corresponding (right) first terminal portion 7A. The bimetal plate 17 and the braided wire 114 form a part of the main circuit C1.

On the other hand, the other end of the braided wire 113 in the second electric circuit C12 is directly fixed to the terminal plate 73 of the corresponding (left side) first terminal portion 7A.

(2.5) Link mechanism The link mechanism 15 opens or closes both of the pair of first contact portions 11 together in response to an opening operation (off operation) or a closing operation (on operation). It is composed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the link mechanism 15 has an operation handle 16 and a plurality of link members 150. The operation handle 16 can be rotated to the body 5 in a state where the lever (operation knob) 160 is projected to the outside of the body 5 from the window hole 58 (see FIG. 3) provided in the front wall 55 of the body 5. Be supported. Each link member 150 connects the operation handle 16 and the arm 111, and the arm 111 is interlocked with the rotation operation of the operation handle 16. The operation handle 16 is rotatable between an on position that closes the pair of first contact portions 11 and an off position that opens the pair of first contact portions 11.

In FIG. 1, the first contact portion 11 is in a closed pole state, and the lever 160 of the operation handle 16 is in a state of being tilted upward. On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the first contact portion 11 is in the open pole state, and the lever 160 of the operation handle 16 is in the downward tilted state.

The operation handle 16 is configured so that the second contact portion 12, which will be described later, is also opened or closed together with the pair of first contact portions 11. Specifically, the link mechanism 15 has a pressing portion 14 as one of the plurality of link members 150. The pressing portion 14 (thrust bar) is formed by integrally forming a substantially rectangular plate-shaped portion and a rod-shaped protruding portion from the rear end of the portion. One end of the pressing portion 14 is rotatably inserted into the shaft hole of the link member 150 that holds the arm 111, and the other end is the end of the arm portion of the first torsion spring T1 (described later) of the second contact portion 12. It faces the part. The pressing portion 14 has a relief hole penetrating in the thickness direction on the other end side. For example, when the operation handle 16 rotates from the off position to the on position, one end side of the pressing portion 14 is lifted forward while rotating in the shaft hole of the link member 150 that holds the arm 111. On the other hand, the other end of the pressing portion 14 applies pressure to the end portion of the arm portion of the first torsion spring T1 while being inserted into the relief hole. On the contrary, when the operation handle 16 rotates from the on position to the off position, the pressing portion 14 returns to the original position, and the pressing on the first torsion spring T1 is released.

In FIG. 1, the first contact portion 11 is in the closed pole state, and the second contact portion 12 is also in the closed pole state. In FIG. 2, the first contact portion 11 is in the open pole state, and the second contact portion 12 is also in the open pole state.

(2.6) Trip mechanism When an abnormal current is detected, the trip mechanism 4 drives the link mechanism 15 described above to forcibly open the pair of first contact portions 11 and the second contact portion 12. It is configured to be poled (ie, tripped).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trip mechanism 4 includes a main circuit coil 41, an earth leakage trip coil 42 (see FIG. 5), a yoke 43, a fixed iron core, a movable iron core 44, and a pushing pin 45. It has a return spring and a bimetal plate 17. The main circuit coil 41, the earth leakage trip coil 42, the yoke 43, the pushing pin 45, and the return spring constitute the electromagnetic trip device 4A. The bimetal plate 17 constitutes the thermal tripping device 4B.

First, the electromagnetic tripping device 4A will be described.

The main circuit coil 41 is housed in the body 5 with its axial direction facing up and down. As shown in FIG. 5, the main circuit coil 41 is inserted into the first electric circuit C11 of the main circuit C1. Specifically, the main circuit coil 41 has a first end 411 and a second end 412, and the first end 411 is electrically connected to the first contact portion 11 (fixed contact plate 110). The second end 412 is electrically connected to the branch point P1 that branches from the main circuit C1 to the power supply circuit C2. The main circuit coil 41 constitutes a part of the main circuit C1 (the first electric circuit C11).

The earth leakage trip coil 42 is housed in the body 5 so as to be arranged inside the main circuit coil 41 with its axial direction facing up and down. The peripheral surface of the earth leakage trip coil 42 is covered with tape or the like. The earth leakage trip coil 42 is inserted into the electric wire W2 (see FIG. 5) and is electrically connected to the control unit 22 of the earth leakage detection unit 2.

The fixed iron core is made of a magnetic material and is housed in the coil bobbin of the earth leakage trip coil 42. The movable core 44 is formed of a magnetic material and is slidably arranged in the coil bobbin between a position where it comes into contact with the fixed core and a position where it is separated from the fixed core. The return spring is composed of, for example, a coil spring, and is housed between the movable iron core 44 and the fixed iron core in the coil bobbin. The return spring bends when the movable core 44 moves in the direction in which it comes into contact with the fixed core, and generates an elastic force that moves the movable core 44 away from the fixed core. The pushing pin 45 is connected to the movable iron core 44, and its tip protrudes to the outside of the coil bobbin. The pushing pin 45 is configured such that when the movable iron core 44 is sucked into the fixed iron core, its tip cooperates with a part of the link member 150.

The yoke 43 is made of a magnetic material and is curved so as to cover the periphery of the main circuit coil 41. However, the yoke 43 of the present embodiment is composed of a part of one (right side) of the pair of fixed contact plates 110.

When a short-circuit current flows through the main circuit coil 41, that is, through the first electric circuit C11, it resists the spring force of the return spring so as to reduce the magnetic resistance of the magnetic path formed by the yoke 43, the movable iron core 44, and the like. The movable iron core 44 is displaced upward. In conjunction with this, the pushing pin 45 projects upward. At this time, the pushing force of the pushing pin 45 is transmitted to the arm 111 via the link mechanism 15, so that the arm 111 is driven so as to separate the movable contact 11B from the fixed contact 11A. That is, the pair of first contact portions 11 are tripped. At the same time, the pressing portion 14 is also driven via the operation handle 16, the pressing on the first torsion spring T1 is released, and the second contact portion 12 is also tripped. When the short-circuit current is stopped, the spring force of the return spring causes the movable iron core 44 to be displaced downward, and the pushing pin 45 to return to its original position.

Alternatively, when the leakage current is detected by the leakage detection unit 2, the leakage detection unit 2 fluctuates (for example, increases) the current value of the current flowing on the first power supply line C21 to use the leakage trip coil as a drive current. Flow to 42. As a result, as in the case of the main circuit coil 41, the pushing pin 45 projects upward, the pair of first contact portions 11 is tripped, and at the same time, the second contact portion 12 is also tripped. When the second contact portion is tripped, the supply of the operating power supply to the leakage detection unit 2 is cut off, so that the drive current flowing through the leakage trip coil 42 also stops, and the spring force of the return spring causes the movable iron core 44 to move. The pushing pin 45 also returns to its original position by being displaced downward.

Next, the thermal tripping device 4B will be described.

As the bimetal plate 17, a direct heating type that curves by self-heating or an indirect heating type that curves by heating with a heater can be used. One end of the bimetal plate 17 is configured to cooperate with a part of the link member 150 when the bimetal plate 17 is curved. One end of the braided wire 114 is fixed to the other end of the bimetal plate 17. The other end of the braided wire 114 is fixed to the terminal plate 73 of the corresponding (right side) first terminal portion 7A.

For example, when an overcurrent due to an overload flows through the bimetal plate 17, the temperature of the bimetal plate 17 rises, and one end of the bimetal plate 17 is deformed so as to bend in a direction of being displaced upward. When one end of the bimetal plate 17 is deformed, the pushing force of the bimetal plate 17 is transmitted to the arm 111 via the link mechanism 15, so that the arm 111 is driven so as to separate the movable contact 11B from the fixed contact 11A. That is, the pair of first contact portions 11 are tripped. At the same time, the pressing portion 14 is also driven via the operation handle 16, the pressing on the first torsion spring T1 is released, and the second contact portion 12 is also tripped. When the overcurrent due to the overload stops, the temperature of the bimetal plate 17 drops and returns to the original shape.

(2.7) Arc-extinguishing device The arc-extinguishing device 8 is configured to quickly extinguish the arc generated when the first contact portion 11 is opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arc extinguishing device 8 has an arc traveling plate 81 and an arc extinguishing grid 82.

The arc traveling plate 81 is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate, and one end thereof is connected to one end (rear end) of the bimetal plate 17. The arc traveling plate 81 extends along the bottom wall 56 of the body 5. The arc extinguishing grid 82 has a plurality of arc extinguishing plates and a support portion. The plurality of arc extinguishing plates are formed of a conductive material and are arranged in parallel at intervals along the front-rear direction. The support portion is formed of an electrically insulating material and supports a plurality of arc extinguishing plates.

The arc extinguishing device 8 stretches and divides the arc generated when the movable contact 11B is separated from the fixed contact 11A and extinguishes the arc. Further, in the body 5, a path 83 for discharging the gas generated by the above arc is provided near the bottom wall 56 on the lower side of the arc extinguishing device 8, and the bottom wall 56 has an outlet of the path 83. The exhaust port 84 is provided.

(2.8) Second contact portion The second contact portion 12 opens in conjunction with the opening of the first contact portion 11, and shuts off the power supply circuit C2 branched from the main circuit C1 at the branch point P1 from the energized state. Switch to the state.

As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply circuit C2 includes the first power supply line C21 and the second power supply line C22, and is a circuit for supplying the operating power supply of the control unit 22 of the leak detection unit 2 described later. One end of the first power supply line C21 is electrically connected to the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 in the first electric circuit C11. The other end of the first power supply line C21 is electrically connected to the control unit 22. The second contact portion 12 is inserted in the middle of the first power supply line C21. One end of the second power line C22 is electrically connected to the connection point P3 between the first terminal 71 and the first contact portion 11 in the second electric path C12. The other ends of the second power supply line C22 are electrically connected to the control unit 22.

The second contact portion 12 has a contact mechanism 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that maintains an energized state in the power supply circuit C2 by contacting a plurality of points. The contact mechanism 3 has a conductor 31 and a conductive first torsion spring T1. The first torsion spring T1 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS). The first torsion spring T1 is, for example, a double torsion spring having two coil portions and two arm portions whose tips are connected to each other. The first torsion spring T1 contacts the conductor 31 at a plurality of points.

The second contact portion 12 has a movable contact and a fixed contact that closes when the movable contact comes into contact and opens when the movable contact separates. However, the two arms of the first torsion spring T1 are members that form a movable contact, and the conductor 31 is a member that constitutes a fixed contact.

The conductor 31 is formed of a metal (for example, copper alloy) wire rod in a substantially L-shaped linear shape having a long axis portion. The long axis portion of the conductor 31 is fixed so as to be along the thickness direction (left-right direction) of the body 5. The conductor 31 is held in the body 5 by a holding structure H1 which is a block-shaped resin molded product. One end of the conductor 31 is solder-connected to one end of the electric wire W2 (see FIG. 5: a part of the first power supply line C21), and the other end of the electric wire W2 is soldered to the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41. They are connected by joining or welding.

The first torsion spring T1 is arranged behind the conductor 31 so that its two arms face the conductor 31. The circuit breaker 1 further includes a support portion 13, which supports the first torsion spring T1. The support portion 13 is formed in a substantially U-shaped plate shape as a whole by, for example, punching a conductive plate material (for example, a metal plate).

The support portion 13 has a first protrusion 131 (see FIG. 4) fitted into the two coil portions of the first torsion spring T1 and a second protrusion 132 (see FIG. 4) fitted into the coil portion of the second torsion spring T2 described later. 4) and. In short, the support portion 13 supports the first torsion spring T1 and the second torsion spring T2, and these two torsion springs (T1, T2) are electrically connected to each other via the support portion 13. The support portion 13 is solder-connected to one end of the electric wire W3 (see FIG. 5: the other portion of the first power supply line C21), and the other end of the electric wire W3 is solder-connected to the conductor pattern of the circuit board 6 to be a control unit. It is electrically connected to 22.

Then, the end portions of each arm portion of the first torsion spring T1 supported by the support portion 13 are arranged so as to be pressed by the pressing portion 14 of the link mechanism 15. Further, in the first torsion spring T1, a short arm portion on the opposite side of the coil portion from the arm portion is in contact with the wall of the body 5. When the second contact portion 12 is in the open pole state, the end portions of the arm portions of the first torsion spring T1 may be slightly in contact with or separated from the pressing portion 14. However, when the second contact portion 12 is in the closed pole state, the end portion of each arm portion of the first torsion spring T1 receives sufficient pressure from the pressing portion 14 so that the arm portion is elastically deformed and curved. The arm is in contact with the conductor 31.

(2.9) Leakage detection function The leakage detection function of the circuit breaker 1 will be described below. The leak detection unit 2 (sensor) has a function of forcibly opening the first contact portion 11 together with the second contact portion 12 in the electromagnetic trip device 4A of the trip mechanism 4 when a leakage current is detected. are doing.

Specifically, the leakage detection unit 2 includes a zero-phase current transformer 21 (ZCT: Zero-phase-sequence Current Transformer) that detects a leakage current as a physical quantity, and a control unit 22 that outputs an electric signal according to the leakage current. And have.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the zero-phase current transformer 21 is mounted on the first mounting surface 601 (one mounting surface: upper surface) of the circuit board 6. The circuit board 6 is housed in the body 5 in a slightly tilted state with respect to the bottom wall 56 of the body 5. The circuit board 6 is formed with through holes having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the central hole of the zero-phase current transformer 21, and a pair of braided wires D1 (connecting lines) are formed of the zero-phase current transformer 21. It is inserted through the hole and the through hole of the circuit board 6. The pair of braided wires D1 form a part of the main circuit C1.

One end of one of the pair of braided wires D1 is fixed to the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 in the first electric circuit C11, and the other end is a terminal of the second terminal portion 7B in the first electric circuit C11. It is fixed to the plate 73. For the other end of the pair of braided wires D1, one end thereof is fixed to the fixed contact plate 110 of the first contact portion 11 in the second electric circuit C12, and the other end is the terminal of the second terminal portion 7B in the second electric circuit C12. It is fixed to the plate 73.

The control unit 22 has, for example, a computer system having a processor and a memory. Then, when the processor executes the program stored in the memory, the computer system functions as the control unit 22. The program executed by the processor is recorded in advance in the memory of the computer system here, but may be recorded in a recording medium such as a memory card and provided, or may be provided through a telecommunications line such as the Internet. .. Further, the control unit 22 is not limited to the configuration by a digital IC such as a processor, and may be configured by an analog IC.

The control unit 22 receives the operating power supply from the main circuit C1 via the power supply circuit C2. Specifically, the power supply block on the circuit board 6 converts the AC power supply received from the power supply circuit C2 into a DC voltage having a predetermined voltage value and supplies it to the control unit 22.

Here, when the circuit breaker 1 is in use and no electric leakage has occurred, the magnetic flux generated by the reciprocating current with respect to the load (current flowing through the first electric circuit C11 and the second electric circuit C12) is canceled out, and the zero phase is generated. The output from the output line 23 (see FIG. 5) of the current transformer 21 becomes zero. On the other hand, when an electric leakage occurs, the current flowing through the first electric circuit C11 and the second electric circuit C12 becomes unbalanced, and a current corresponding to the degree of unbalance flows through the output line 23 of the zero-phase current transformer 21. Therefore, the control unit 22 can detect whether or not an electric leakage (leakage current) has occurred based on the output of the zero-phase current transformer 21. When the control unit 22 detects an electric leakage, it generates a driving current (exciting current) in the exciting block and causes the electric leakage trip coil 42 to perform a trip operation. In other words, the control unit 22 outputs a drive signal to the earth leakage trip coil 42 as an electric signal, and the trip mechanism 4 receives the drive signal and when a drive current flows through the earth leakage trip coil 42, the first contact part 11 And the second contact portion 12 is forcibly opened.

Even when the control unit 22 detects the current flowing through the surge absorbing element Z1, the drive current is applied to the earth leakage trip coil 42 so as to forcibly open the first contact portion 11 and the second contact portion 12. Shed.

(2.10) Test function The test function of the circuit breaker 1 will be described below. The pseudo-leakage generating section C4 causes a pseudo-leakage current to flow through the electric wire W1 penetrating the zero-phase current transformer 21 in response to the generation of a current passing through the energizing path L1 branched from the main circuit C1 to open the first contact section 11. It is configured to be extreme.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the energization path L1 is a circuit board including the first path L11 from the branch point P1 to the connection point P4 including the second contact portion 12 and the connection point P4 to the third contact portion 18. It is composed of the second road L12 up to 6. However, the first path L11 also serves as a part of the power supply circuit C2. The "current passing through the energizing path L1" is generated when all the contact portions (11, 12, 18) are in the closed pole. The pseudo-leakage generation unit C4 has a resistor R1 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) and a second torsion spring T2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The resistor R1 is inserted in the current-carrying path L1. The resistor R1 is held by the holding structure H1.

The left lead terminal of the pair of lead terminals in the resistor R1 is solder-connected to one end of the electric wire W1 (see FIG. 5) forming a part of the second path L12 in the energization path L1, and is connected to the other of the electric wire W1. The ends are electrically connected to the conductive pattern on the circuit board 6. However, the electric wire W1 is inserted into the central hole of the zero-phase current transformer 21 and the through hole of the circuit board 6 like the pair of braided wires D1.

On the other hand, the right lead terminal R32 (see FIG. 1) of the pair of lead terminals in the resistor R1 is held by the holding structure H1 in a state of being folded back from the main body of the resistor R1. The lead terminal R32 is a member that constitutes a fixed contact of the third contact portion 18.

The second torsion spring T2 is made of, for example, stainless steel (SUS). The second torsion spring T2 has one arm portion and one coil portion. As described above, the second torsion spring T2 is held by the support portion 13 by fitting the second protrusion 132 of the substantially U-shaped support portion 13 into the coil portion. The support portion 13 corresponds to the connection point P4 in FIG.

The arm portion of the second torsion spring T2 is a member constituting the movable contact portion of the third contact portion 18. In short, when the movable contact (arm) of the third contact 18 comes into contact with the fixed contact (lead terminal R32), the third contact 18 is closed, and when the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, the third contact is third. The contact portion 18 opens. The arm portion of the second torsion spring T2 is arranged so as to face the exposed central portion of the lead terminal R32 on the rear side thereof. The short arm portion of the second torsion spring T2 on the side opposite to the arm portion with respect to the coil portion is held in contact with the rib protruding from the second block 5B.

Here, the second torsion spring T2 is applied to a part (central portion) exposed from the holding structure H1 at the lead terminal R32 in response to an operation on the operation unit B1 by the tester performing the operation test of the circuit breaker 1. Upon contact, the energization path L1 is switched from the cutoff state to the energization state.

The operation unit B1 is configured to accept an operation from the outside. The operation unit B1 is formed in a block shape by a synthetic resin material having electrical insulation. The operation unit B1 is supported by the body 5 so that the protrusion B10 projects to the outside of the body 5 from an exposed window 550 (see FIG. 3) provided on the front wall 55 of the body 5. ..

The arm portion of the second torsion spring T2 is located at a position away from the lead terminal R32 in the state of natural length, and the protrusion B10 of the operating portion B1 is pushed backward by the tester's fingertip or the like to be pushed backward from the operating portion B1. Receive pressure. As a result, the arm portion of the second torsion spring T2 is bent so as to be curved due to elastic deformation, and the tip portion of the arm portion comes into contact with the lead terminal R32.

Therefore, when the circuit breaker 1 is in use and the contact portions (11, 12) are in the closed pole state, the tester asks whether the opening of the contact portion (11, 12) by the trip mechanism 4 operates normally. When the operation unit B1 is pressed to perform the test of whether or not it is performed, the third contact unit 18 is closed. As a result, the energization path L1 is switched from the cutoff state to the energization state. Then, due to the generation of the current flowing through the electric wire W1 inserted through the zero-phase current transformer 21, a current corresponding to the degree of unbalance flows through the output line 23 of the zero-phase current transformer 21. The control unit 22 determines that an electric leakage (leakage current) has occurred based on the output of the zero-phase current transformer 21 (detection of a pseudo leakage current), and forcibly opens the contact parts (11, 12). A drive current is passed through the earth leakage trip coil 42 through the exciting block so as to make the poles. Therefore, if the circuit breaker 1 is normal, the contact portions (11, 12) trip.

In the present embodiment, as described above, since the lead terminal R32 of the resistor R1 also functions as a fixed contact of the third contact portion 18, it is possible to standardize the parts.

(2.11) Tilt Arrangement Structure of Circuit Board The tilt arrangement structure of the circuit board 6 will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the circuit board 6 of the present embodiment is arranged at an angle in the body 5.

The circuit board 6 is, for example, a double-sided mounting type (or single-sided mounting type) printed wiring board, and has a conductor pattern formed of copper foil or the like. The plurality of circuit components J1 (see FIG. 6) constituting various circuit blocks such as the control block including the control unit 22, the excitation block, and the power supply block are the first mounting surface 601 (upper surface) or the second surface of the circuit board 6. It is mounted on the mounting surface 602 (lower surface). Further, a surge absorbing element Z1 (see FIG. 6) is mounted on the circuit board 6 as a varistor which is one of a plurality of circuit components J1 and protects a circuit block such as a control unit 22 from a lightning surge or the like. The surge absorbing element Z1 is, for example, ZNR (Zinc oxide Nonlinear Resistor). In addition, in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the second block 5B of the body 5 is shown by dot hatching.

The zero-phase current transformer 21 and the surge absorbing element Z1 are mounted on the first mounting surface 601 of the circuit board 6. The zero-phase current transformer 21 is arranged on the first mounting surface 601 toward the rear, and the surge absorbing element Z1 is arranged on the first mounting surface 601 toward the front.

The circuit board 6 is tilted in the body 5 while standing upright with respect to the bottom wall 56 on the side opposite to the front wall 55 in the body 5. In other words, the circuit board 6 is arranged vertically with respect to the bottom wall 56 of the body 5. The circuit board 6 may be tilted in the body 5 in a state of being prone to the bottom wall 56 (horizontally placed).

The circuit board 6 is arranged between the pair of second terminal portions 7B and the arc extinguishing device 8 in the body 5. In other words, the body 5 has a first accommodating portion S1 accommodating the circuit board 6 between the pair of second terminal portions 7B and the arc extinguishing device 8. The arc extinguishing device 8, the circuit board 6, and the pair of second terminal portions 7B are arranged in this order from the top in the vertical direction.

Further, the circuit board 6 is arranged between the main circuit coil 41 and the pair of second terminal portions 7B in the body 5. In other words, the body 5 has a first accommodating portion S1 accommodating the circuit board 6 between the main circuit coil 41 and the pair of second terminal portions 7B. The main circuit coil 41, the circuit board 6, and the pair of second terminal portions 7B are arranged in this order from the top in the vertical direction. The main circuit coil 41 and the arc extinguishing device 8 are arranged in the front-rear direction.

The first accommodating portion S1 accommodating the circuit board 6 is a space surrounded by a peripheral wall 53 (see FIG. 6) which is substantially U-shaped when viewed along the thickness direction of the body 5. The peripheral wall 53 is composed of the above-mentioned partition wall 53A, the facing wall 53B facing the partition wall 53A, and the connecting wall 53C connecting the rear ends of the partition wall 53A and the facing wall 53B. The facing wall 53B and the connecting wall 53C form a part of the path 83 for discharging the gas generated by the arc. In particular, in order to secure a sufficient space for the path 83, the facing wall 53B is a wall inclined so as to move away from the arc extinguishing device 8 as the rear side thereof goes to the rear. The zero-phase current transformer 21 is mounted on the first mounting surface 601 of the inclined circuit board 6 so as to face the facing wall 53B. The corner portion on the rear side of the outer shell (resin case) of the zero-phase current transformer 21 is processed so as to be inclined in accordance with the inclination of the facing wall 53B. A gap is formed between the front end of the facing wall 53B and the front wall 55 for introducing the second end 412 or the like of the main circuit coil 41 into the first accommodating portion S1.

The circuit board 6 has terminals facing one surface of the terminal portion 7 on the side of one end (first end 6A) of both ends (6A, 6B) in the length direction D11 (see FIG. 6) intersecting the thickness direction thereof. It has an opposing portion 61. Here, the "length direction D11 of the circuit board 6" is, for example, a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the circuit board 6 when viewed from the thickness direction of the body 5, with respect to the front-rear direction of the body 5. The direction is slightly tilted. The angle of inclination of the body 5 with respect to the front-rear direction is, for example, in the range of several degrees to 30 degrees, but is not particularly limited. Further, it is assumed that the "one surface of the terminal portion 7" is, for example, one surface 732 of the stopper 731 along the front-rear direction of the body 5 in the terminal plate 73. The stopper 731 prevents the conductive portion (

electric wire

103, 104 or conductive bar) inserted from the insertion port 51 from entering further into the terminal fitting 74.

The circuit board 6 is tilted so as to be separated from one surface 732 of the second terminal portion 7B toward the terminal facing portion 61 from the other end (second end 6B) of the both ends (6A, 6B). Yes (tilt arrangement structure). In other words, here, as an example, the reference for the inclination of the circuit board 6 is one surface of the terminal portion 7 (one surface 732 of the stopper 731). Further, the zero-phase current transformer 21 is located at the terminal facing portion 61. Therefore, for example, it is easy to connect a pair of braided wires D1 passing through the zero-phase current transformer 21 to a pair of second terminal portions 7B. Can be done.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the body 5 has a wiring routing space 52 between the circuit board 6 and the second terminal portion 7B. The routing space 52 is formed so as to become wider toward the terminal facing portion 61 due to the inclined arrangement structure of the circuit board 6. Since the body 5 has a partition wall 53A that separates the first accommodating portion S1 accommodating the circuit board 6 and the pair of second accommodating portions S2 accommodating the second terminal portion 7B, the routing space 52 has a partition wall 53A. As an example, it is located between the partition wall 53A and the circuit board 6.

The partition wall 53A is a plate-shaped portion whose thickness direction is along the vertical direction, and protrudes from the third block 5C toward the first block 5A and the second block 5B, respectively. The partition wall 53A extends along the front-rear direction. However, the partition wall 53A has a recess 531 in which the front half from the substantially center in the front-rear direction thereof is recessed in the direction away from the circuit board 6 with respect to the rear half. Further, the partition wall 53A has a window portion 532 on the rear side thereof for the braided wire D1 to pass through.

Since the circuit board 6 of the present embodiment is tilted and arranged in the body 5, the first accommodation for accommodating the circuit board 6 in the body 5 is maintained while maintaining the size of the mounting area of the circuit board 6. The size of the part S1 can be reduced. That is, the circuit board 6 can be accommodated even if the dimension of the first accommodating portion S1 in the front-rear direction is smaller than the dimension in the length direction D11 of the circuit board 6. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the circuit breaker 1 while providing the circuit board 6.

One of the purposes of the tilted arrangement structure of the circuit board 6 is to arrange the circuit board 6 at a certain distance from the terminal plate 73 of the second terminal portion 7B, for example. The reason is to secure the arrangement space of the connection portion (braided wire D1) connected to the second terminal portion 7B in the wiring routing space 52. In other words, it is to secure a space for habituation of the braided line D1. The braided wire D1 has a relatively large diameter dimension as compared with other electric wires, and it is necessary to make a habit of bending the vicinity of the tip of the braided wire D1 toward the terminal plate 73, and such a bent portion. Is bulky. In short, when the tips of the pair of braided wires D1 penetrating the central hole of the zero-phase current transformer 21 and the through hole of the circuit board 6 are fixed to the terminal plates 73 of the pair of second terminal portions 7B, respectively. A space for habituation of the relatively thick braided line D1 is required.

On the other hand, since the circuit board 6 is arranged at an angle as described above, it is possible to reduce the size of the circuit breaker 1 while securing the wiring routing space 52. In particular, in the routing space 52, a gap is likely to be formed between the terminal facing portion 61 and one surface 732 of the second terminal portion 7B, and the gap is easily secured as an arrangement space for the connection portion connected to the second terminal portion 7B. it can.

Further, the circuit board 6 has a coil facing portion 62 facing the main circuit coil 41 on the side of the second end 6B of both ends (6A, 6B) in the length direction D11 intersecting the thickness direction thereof. .. The circuit board 6 is arranged at an angle so as to be separated from the main circuit coil 41 toward the coil facing portion 62 from the first end 6A of both ends (6A, 6B).

One of the purposes of the tilted arrangement structure of the circuit board 6 is to arrange the circuit board 6 at a certain distance from the main circuit coil 41, for example. The reason is to secure the arrangement space of the connection portion (see FIG. 6: joint P2) between the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 and the braided wire D1. In the zero-phase current transformer 21, the first mounting of the circuit board 6 is such that the tip of the braided wire D1 penetrating the central hole and the through hole of the circuit board 6 is located as close to the terminal plate 73 as possible. It is arranged on the rear side on the surface 601. Therefore, the distance from the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 to the central hole of the zero-phase current transformer 21 is relatively long, and the portion of the braided wire D1 wired on the first mounting surface 601 tends to be long. .. Further, the diameter dimensions of the main circuit coil 41 and the braided wire D1 are larger than those of other electric wires, and the connection portion between the second end 412 of the main circuit coil 41 and the braided wire D1 is easily bulky. In short, a space for ensuring electrical insulation with respect to the circuit board 6 is required for the joint P2 between the main circuit coil 41 and the braided wire D1 and the surrounding portion thereof.

On the other hand, since the circuit board 6 is arranged at an angle as described above, for example, a gap is likely to be formed between the coil facing portion 62 and the main circuit coil 41. Then, the gap can be easily secured as a place for arranging the connection portion (joint P2) connected to the main circuit coil 41.

By the way, the plurality of circuit components J1 mounted on the circuit board 6 include one or a plurality of tall components E1. In other words, the circuit breaker 1 further comprises one or more tall components E1. The tall component E1 is a circuit component housed in the body 5 and having a height equal to or higher than a predetermined height. The "predetermined height" referred to here is assumed to be, for example, about three times the thickness of the circuit board 6, but is not particularly limited. Here, the tall component E1 corresponds to the surge absorbing element Z1. The tall component E1 is not on the side of the second mounting surface 602, but on the side of the first mounting surface 601 facing the joint P2 between the braided wire D1 (connecting wire) and the main circuit coil 41. As a result, the space for accommodating the joint P2 and the space for accommodating the tall component E1 can be made common, and the circuit breaker 1 can be miniaturized. In the present embodiment, a relatively short component (short component: for example, less than the above "predetermined height") among the plurality of circuit components J1 is mounted on the second mounting surface 602 side as much as possible. ing.

(2.12) Holding Structure of Circuit Board As shown in FIG. 7, the body 5 has a holding structure 54 for tilting and holding the circuit board 6. The holding structure 54 is provided on the inner surface of each of the first block 5A and the second block 5B of the body 5. The holding structure 54 has a holding groove 54A and a pair of holding ribs 54B. Although the holding structure 54 of the second block 5B is shown in FIG. 7, the holding structure 54 of the first block 5A and the holding structure 54 of the second block 5B are, for example, plane-symmetrical with each other in the left-right direction.

The holding groove 54A includes a pair of elongated grooves 541 into which a pair of protrusions protruding from the corresponding edges of the circuit board 6 in the left-right direction can be fitted on the inner surfaces of the first block 5A and the second block 5B. .. Further, the holding groove 54A also includes a recess 542 which is formed integrally with the groove 541 on the rear side and allows the zero-phase current transformer 21 to escape.

The pair of holding ribs 54B project from the inner surface of each block (5A or 5B) so as to sandwich the holding groove 54A on both sides of the front end of the holding groove 54A. The surfaces facing each other at the tips of the pair of holding ribs 54B have guide surfaces 543 that are inclined so as to be separated from each other toward the tips so that the edges of the circuit board 6 can be easily fitted into the holding grooves 54A. The pair of holding ribs 54B sandwich the edge portion of the circuit board 6 in a state where the circuit board 6 is fitted in the holding groove 54A.

As shown in FIG. 7, since the longitudinal direction of the pair of grooves 541 of the holding groove 54A is tilted with respect to, for example, one surface 732 of the terminal plate 73, the circuit board 6 held by the holding structure 54 is tilted. it can.

Since the body 5 has the holding structure 54 in this way, the positioning of the circuit board 6 with respect to the body 5 is easy, and the circuit board 6 can be stably arranged in an inclined state.

(2.13) Infiltration of water By the way, while the circuit breaker 1 is in use, water may infiltrate into the body 5 of the circuit breaker 1. For example, a disaster such as an earthquake may cause water leakage, and water (for example, water droplets) may infiltrate into the body 5 through a conductive portion such as an electric wire 103 and from an upper insertion port 51 or the like. Then, there is a possibility that water may fall in the body 5 due to its own weight or drip down along the inner wall of the body 5 and the contained matter in the body 5.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the circuit board 6 has an inclined arrangement structure in which the infiltrated water easily collects on the front side (lower side) of the circuit board 6, that is, on the side of the coil facing portion 62. There is. In particular, a surge absorbing element Z1 (moisture detecting unit) that protects circuit blocks such as the control unit 22 from lightning surges and the like is arranged on the upper surface (first mounting surface 601) of the coil facing portion 62. In other words, the surge absorbing element Z1 (moisture detecting unit) is arranged on the lower side on the circuit board 6 arranged at an angle. Therefore, when the surge absorbing element Z1 gets wet, there is a high possibility that a short circuit occurs at both ends of the surge absorbing element Z1. Then, due to this short circuit, the control unit 22 pulls out the leakage so as to forcibly open the first contact portion 11 and the second contact portion 12 in the same manner as when the current flowing through the surge absorbing element Z1 is detected. A drive current is passed through the coil 42. In short, the surge absorbing element Z1 has not only a surge absorbing function but also a function of a moisture detecting unit for detecting moisture.

In this way, the circuit breaker 1 is provided with a moisture detection unit, so that when water enters the body 5, the downward water due to its own weight reaches the moisture detection unit through the tilted circuit board 6. You can increase your chances of doing so. Then, since the contact portions (11, 12) trip in response to the detection of water intrusion, the reliability of the circuit breaker 1 is improved.

On the other hand, since the zero-phase current transformer 21 is arranged on the higher side on the circuit board 6 arranged at an angle opposite to the position of the surge absorbing element Z1, the zero-phase current transformer 21 gets wet. The possibility of causing an abnormality can be reduced.

The surge absorbing element Z1 may be arranged on the lower surface (second mounting surface 602) of the coil facing portion 62, but the one arranged on the upper surface (first mounting surface 601) of the coil facing portion 62 removes moisture. The possibility of being captured can be increased.

(2.14) Partition walls of the body In the present embodiment, since the body 5 has a partition wall 53A that separates the first accommodating portion S1 and the pair of second accommodating portions S2, the partition walls 53A are adjacent to each other. The accommodating portions (S1, S2) of the circuit board 6 and the second terminal portion 7B can be easily separated. For example, the electrical insulation between the circuit board 6 and the second terminal portion 7B can be ensured. In particular, since the partition wall 53A has the recess 531, the recess 531 can realize a relief structure that reduces the possibility that the circuit component J1 or the like mounted on the circuit board 6 comes into contact with the partition wall 53A.

By the way, the recess 531 of the partition wall 53A is formed by utilizing the fact that the space where the terminal screw 75 is located can be set narrower than the space where the terminal fitting 74 and the terminal plate 73 are located in the second accommodating portion S2. ing. The recess 531 is not an essential component for the tilted arrangement structure of the circuit board 6. In other words, even if the circuit board 6 is not tilted, the recess 531 can reduce the possibility that the circuit component J1 or the like mounted on the circuit board 6 comes into contact with the partition wall 53A.

(3) Modified Example The above embodiment is only one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be changed in various ways depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, the same function as that of the circuit breaker 1 according to the above embodiment may be realized by a control method of the circuit breaker 1, a computer program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, or the like.

The following is a list of modified examples of the above embodiment. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate. Hereinafter, the above embodiment may be referred to as a “basic example”.

The control unit 22 of the circuit breaker 1 in the present disclosure includes a computer system. The main configuration of a computer system is a processor and memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the function as the control unit 22 of the circuit breaker 1 in the present disclosure is realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. May be provided. A processor in a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuit such as an IC or LSI referred to here has a different name depending on the degree of integration, and includes an integrated circuit called a system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Further, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logical device capable of reconfiguring the junction relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partition inside the LSI should also be adopted as a processor. Can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Further, it is not an essential configuration for the circuit breaker 1 that a plurality of functions of the circuit breaker 1 are integrated in one housing, and the components of the circuit breaker 1 are dispersed in the plurality of housings. It may be provided. Further, at least a part of the functions of the circuit breaker 1, for example, a part of the functions of the circuit breaker 1 may be realized by a cloud (cloud computing) or the like. On the contrary, as in the basic example, a plurality of functions of the circuit breaker 1 may be integrated in one housing.

In the basic example, the four terminal portions 7 are all screw type terminals, but are not particularly limited. At least one of the four terminal portions 7 may be a terminal portion having a so-called quick connection structure, which can be connected without using screws.

In the basic example, the reference for the inclination of the circuit board 6 is one surface of the terminal portion 7 (one surface 732 of the stopper 731 of the terminal plate 73). However, for example, the reference for the inclination of the circuit board 6 may be the horizontal plane 101 (see FIG. 8). That is, the circuit board 6 may be tilted with respect to the horizontal plane 101 in a state where the circuit breaker 1 is attached to the object 100 to be attached.

Further, the reference of the inclination of the circuit board 6 may be the mounting surface 102 of the object 100. That is, the circuit board 6 may be tilted with respect to the mounting surface 102 on the object 100 in a state where the circuit breaker 1 is mounted on the object 100 to be mounted.

Further, the reference of the inclination of the circuit board 6 may be the partition wall 53A of the body 5. That is, the circuit board 6 may be tilted with respect to one surface 530 (see FIG. 6) of the partition wall 53A facing the circuit board 6.

In the basic example, the surge absorbing element Z1 also has the function of the moisture detection unit, and the parts are standardized. However, the moisture detection unit may be provided separately from the surge absorbing element Z1. The circuit breaker 1 is provided with, for example, a moisture detection sensor made into an IC chip separately from the surge absorbing element Z1 as a moisture detection unit, and the moisture detection sensor is arranged on a circuit board 6 at an angle. It may be placed on the lower side.

(4) Summary As described above, the circuit breaker (1) according to the first aspect includes a circuit board (6) and an instrument (5). The body (5) houses at least the circuit board (6). The circuit board (6) is tilted and arranged in the body (5). According to the first aspect, for example, the space (first accommodating portion S1) for accommodating the circuit board (6) in the body (5) while maintaining the size of the mounting area of the circuit board (6). It is possible to reduce the size. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the circuit breaker (1) while providing the circuit board (6).

It is preferable that the circuit breaker (1) according to the second aspect further includes a moisture detection unit (surge absorbing element Z1) for detecting moisture in the first aspect. It is preferable that the moisture detection unit (surge absorbing element Z1) is housed in the body (5) and is arranged on the lower side on the circuit board (6) arranged at an angle. According to the second aspect, for example, when water infiltrates into the body (5), the water that goes down due to its own weight travels through the circuit board (6) to the moisture detection unit (surge absorbing element Z1). You can increase your chances of reaching it.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the circuit board (6) has the circuit breaker (1) attached to the object (100) to be attached. In the state, it is preferable that it is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane (101). According to the third aspect, it is possible to provide a circuit breaker (1) having a circuit board (6) tilted with respect to a horizontal plane (101).

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the fourth aspect, it is preferable that the circuit board (6) is as follows in any one of the first to third aspects. That is, it is preferable that the circuit board (6) is tilted with respect to the mounting surface (102) on the object (100) in a state where the circuit breaker (1) is mounted on the object (100) to be mounted. .. According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to provide a circuit breaker (1) including a circuit board (6) that is tilted with respect to a mounting surface (102).

The circuit breaker (1) according to the fifth aspect is housed in the body (5) in any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the insertion port (5) of the body (5). It is preferable to further provide a terminal portion (7) to which the conductive portion (103 or 104) on the power supply side or the load side is connected via the 51). According to the fifth aspect, the circuit breaker (1) can be downsized while having the terminal portion (7) and the circuit board (6).

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the sixth aspect, in the fifth aspect, the circuit board (6) is one end (first end) of both ends in the direction intersecting the thickness direction (length direction D11). It is preferable to have a terminal facing portion (61) facing one surface of the terminal portion (7) on the side of 6A). The circuit board (6) is preferably arranged at an angle so as to be separated from one surface of the terminal portion (7) toward the terminal facing portion (61) from the other end of the both ends. According to the sixth aspect, for example, a gap is easily formed between the terminal facing portion (61) and one surface of the terminal portion (7), and the space for arranging the connection portion connecting the gap to the terminal portion (7). Can be used for.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the seventh aspect, in the fifth or sixth aspect, the body (5) is a wiring between the circuit board (6) and the terminal portion (7). It is preferable to have a routing space (52). According to the seventh aspect, the circuit breaker (1) can be miniaturized while securing the routing space (52).

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the body (5) has a first accommodating portion (S1) and a second accommodating portion. It is preferable to have (S2) and a partition wall (53A). The circuit board (6) is accommodated in the first accommodating portion (S1). The second accommodating portion (S2) is next to the first accommodating portion (S1), and the terminal portion (7) is accommodated. The partition wall (53A) separates the first accommodating portion (S1) and the second accommodating portion (S2). According to the eighth aspect, the partition walls (53A) can easily separate the accommodating portions (S1 and S2) of the adjacent circuit boards (6) and terminal portions (7). For example, the electrical insulation between the circuit board (6) and the terminal portion (7) can be ensured.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the ninth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the partition wall (53A) preferably has a recess (531) recessed in a direction away from the circuit board (6). According to the ninth aspect, the recess (531) can realize a relief structure that reduces the possibility that, for example, the circuit component (J1) mounted on the circuit board (6) comes into contact with the partition wall (53A).

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the tenth aspect, in the eighth or ninth aspect, the circuit board (6) is placed on one surface (530) of the partition wall (53A) facing the circuit board (6). It is preferable that the circuit is tilted. According to a tenth aspect, it is possible to provide a circuit breaker (1) including a circuit board (6) that is tilted with respect to a partition wall (53A).

The circuit breaker (1) according to the eleventh aspect has a contact portion (first contact portion 11) and an arc extinguishing device (8) in any one of the fifth to tenth aspects. Further provision is preferred. The contact portion (first contact portion 11) switches the main circuit (C1) from the energized state to the cutoff state. The arc extinguishing device (8) extinguishes the arc generated in the contact portion (first contact portion 11). The contact portion (first contact portion 11) and the arc extinguishing device (8) are housed in the body (5). The circuit board (6) is arranged between the terminal portion (7) and the arc extinguishing device (8) in the body (5). According to the eleventh aspect, when the circuit board (6) is located between the terminal portion (7) and the arc extinguishing device (8), the circuit breaker (1) can be miniaturized.

The circuit breaker (1) according to the twelfth aspect further includes a contact portion (first contact portion 11) and a trip mechanism (4) in any one of the fifth to eleventh aspects. It is preferable to prepare. The contact portion (first contact portion 11) switches the main circuit (C1) from the energized state to the cutoff state. The trip mechanism (4) has a main circuit coil (41) provided in the main circuit (C1), and when a short-circuit current flows through the main circuit coil (41), the contact portion (first contact portion 11) is opened. Make it extreme. The contact portion (first contact portion 11) and the trip mechanism (4) are housed in the body (5). The circuit board (6) has a coil facing portion (62) facing the main circuit coil (41) on the side of one end (second end 6B) of both ends in a direction intersecting the thickness direction (length direction D11). ). The circuit board (6) is arranged at an angle so as to be separated from the main circuit coil (41) toward the coil facing portion (62) from the other end of both ends. According to the twelfth aspect, for example, a gap is easily formed between the coil facing portion (62) and the main circuit coil (41), and the gap is connected to the main circuit coil (41) or the like. It can be easily secured as a placement location.

It is preferable that the circuit breaker (1) according to the thirteenth aspect further includes a connecting wire (braided wire D1) and a tall component (E1) in the twelfth aspect. The connecting wire (braided wire D1) constitutes a part of the main circuit (C1) and connects the terminal portion (7) and the main circuit coil (41). The tall part (E1) is housed in the body (5) and has a height equal to or higher than a predetermined height. The circuit board (6) has one mounting surface (first mounting surface 601) facing the joint (P2) between the connecting wire (braided wire D1) and the main circuit coil (41). The tall component (E1) is on the side of one mounting surface (first mounting surface 601). According to the thirteenth aspect, since the tall component (E1) is on the side of one mounting surface (first mounting surface 601), a space for accommodating the joint (P2) and a space for accommodating the tall component (E1). Can be shared with. Therefore, the circuit breaker (1) can be miniaturized.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the fourteenth aspect, in the twelfth or thirteenth aspect, the circuit board (6) is the main circuit coil (41) and the terminal portion (in the body (5)). It is preferable that it is arranged between 7). According to the fourteenth aspect, when the circuit board (6) is located between the main circuit coil (41) and the terminal portion (7), the circuit breaker (1) can be miniaturized.

The circuit breaker (1) according to the fifteenth aspect preferably further includes a zero-phase current transformer (21) for detecting a leakage current in any one of the fifth to fourteenth aspects. .. The zero-phase current transformer (21) is mounted on the circuit board (6). According to the fifteenth aspect, the circuit breaker (1) can be miniaturized while the circuit board (6) on which the zero-phase current transformer (21) is mounted is provided.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the sixteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect, the circuit board (6) faces one surface of the terminal portion (7) on one end side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction thereof. It is preferable to have a terminal facing portion (61). The zero-phase current transformer (21) is located at the terminal facing portion (61). According to the sixteenth aspect, for example, the work of connecting the braided wire (D1) passing through the zero-phase current transformer (21) to the terminal portion (7) can be easily performed.

Regarding the circuit breaker (1) according to the seventeenth aspect, in any one of the first to sixteenth aspects, the body (5) has a holding structure (6) that tilts and holds the circuit board (6). 54) is preferable. According to the seventeenth aspect, the positioning of the circuit board (6) with respect to the body (5) becomes easy.

The circuit breaker (1) according to the eighteenth aspect further comprises a contact portion (first contact portion 11) and an operation handle (16) in any one of the first to seventeenth aspects. It is preferable to prepare. The contact portion (first contact portion 11) is housed in the body (5) and switches the main circuit (C1) from the energized state to the cutoff state. At least a part of the operation handle (16) is exposed from the front wall (55) of the body (5), and the contact portion (first contact portion 11) is opened or closed by manual operation. The circuit board (6) is tilted in the body (5) while standing upright with respect to the bottom wall (56) opposite to the front wall (55) in the body (5). According to the eighteenth aspect, for example, the circuit breaker (1) can be easily miniaturized in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction in which the front wall (55) and the bottom wall (56) are lined up.

The configurations according to the second to eighteenth aspects are not essential configurations for the circuit breaker (1) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1 Circuit breaker 11 1st contact (contact)
16 Operation handle 21 Zero-phase current transformer 4 Trip mechanism 41 Main circuit coil 5 Body 51 Outlet 52 Routing space 53A Partition 530 One side 531 Recess 54 Holding structure 55 Front wall 56 Bottom wall 6 Circuit board 601 First mounting surface ( One mounting surface)
61 Terminal facing part 62 Coil facing part 7 Terminal part 8 Arc extinguishing device C1 Main circuit D1 Braided wire (connection line)
E1 Tall parts P2 Joint S1 1st accommodating part S2 2nd accommodating part Z1 Surge absorbing element (moisture detection unit)
100 Object 101 Horizontal plane 102 Mounting surface 103 Electric wire (conductive part)
104 Electric wire (conductive part)

Claims

With the circuit board
At least the body that houses the circuit board and
With
The circuit board is tilted and arranged inside the device.
Circuit breaker.
Further equipped with a moisture detection unit that detects moisture,
The moisture detection unit is housed in the body and is arranged on the lower side on the circuit board arranged at an angle.
The circuit breaker according to claim 1.
The circuit board is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane when the circuit breaker is attached to the object to be attached.
The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2.
The circuit board is tilted with respect to the mounting surface of the object in a state where the circuit breaker is mounted on the object to be mounted.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A terminal portion that is housed in the body and is connected to a conductive part on the power supply side or the load side via an insertion port of the body is further provided.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The circuit board has a terminal facing portion facing one surface of the terminal portion on one end side of both ends in a direction intersecting the thickness direction thereof.
The circuit board is tilted so as to be separated from the one surface of the terminal portion toward the terminal facing portion from the other end of the both ends.
The circuit breaker according to claim 5.
The body has a wiring space between the circuit board and the terminal portion.
The circuit breaker according to claim 5 or 6.
The body is
The first accommodating portion in which the circuit board is accommodated and
A second accommodating portion next to the first accommodating portion and accommodating the terminal portion,
A partition wall separating the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion,
Have,
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 5 to 7.
The partition wall has a recess recessed in a direction away from the circuit board.
The circuit breaker according to claim 8.
The circuit board is tilted with respect to one surface of the partition wall facing the circuit board.
The circuit breaker according to claim 8 or 9.
The contact part that switches the main circuit from the energized state to the cutoff state,
An arc extinguishing device that extinguishes the arc generated at the contact portion,
With more
The contact portion and the arc extinguishing device are housed in the body.
The circuit board is arranged between the terminal portion and the arc extinguishing device in the instrument body.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 5 to 10.
The contact part that switches the main circuit from the energized state to the cutoff state,
A trip mechanism having a main circuit coil provided in the main circuit and opening the contact portion when a short-circuit current flows through the main circuit coil.
With more
The contact portion and the trip mechanism are housed in the body.
The circuit board has a coil facing portion facing the main circuit coil on one end side of both ends in a direction intersecting the thickness direction thereof.
The circuit board is tilted so as to be separated from the main circuit coil from the other end of both ends toward the coil facing portion.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 5 to 11.
A connection line that constitutes a part of the main circuit and connects the terminal portion and the main circuit coil,
Tall parts housed in the body and having a height equal to or higher than a predetermined height, and
With more
The circuit board has one mounting surface facing the joint between the connection line and the main circuit coil.
The tall component is on the side of the one mounting surface.
The circuit breaker according to claim 12.
The circuit board is arranged between the main circuit coil and the terminal portion in the instrument body.
The circuit breaker according to claim 12 or 13.
Further equipped with a zero-phase current transformer that detects leakage current,
The zero-phase current transformer is mounted on the circuit board.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 5 to 14.
The circuit board has a terminal facing portion facing one surface of the terminal portion on one end side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction thereof.
The zero-phase current transformer is located on the terminal facing portion.
The circuit breaker according to claim 15.
The body has a holding structure that tilts and holds the circuit board.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 16.
A contact part housed in the body and switching the main circuit from the energized state to the cutoff state,
An operation handle that exposes at least a part from the front wall of the body and manually opens or closes the contact portion.
With more
The circuit board is tilted in the body while standing upright with respect to the bottom wall of the body opposite to the front wall.
The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 17.