EP0177438B1 - Multiple circuit breaker with separate insulating cases for every pole - Google Patents

Multiple circuit breaker with separate insulating cases for every pole Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0177438B1
EP0177438B1 EP85730128A EP85730128A EP0177438B1 EP 0177438 B1 EP0177438 B1 EP 0177438B1 EP 85730128 A EP85730128 A EP 85730128A EP 85730128 A EP85730128 A EP 85730128A EP 0177438 B1 EP0177438 B1 EP 0177438B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pole
poles
circuit breaker
housing
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
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EP85730128A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0177438A2 (en
EP0177438A3 (en
Inventor
Bernard Dimarco
Charles W. Stanford
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Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
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Publication of EP0177438A2 publication Critical patent/EP0177438A2/en
Publication of EP0177438A3 publication Critical patent/EP0177438A3/en
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Publication of EP0177438B1 publication Critical patent/EP0177438B1/en
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/1009Interconnected mechanisms
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01HELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H2009/0094Details of rotatable shafts which are subdivided; details of the coupling means thereof

Definitions

  • a circuit breaker of this type is known from DE-A-2 657 414.
  • a crossbeam is used which extends through openings in the mutually facing walls of the single-pole housing and connects the drive devices located therein to one another. Only one of the poles is provided with an operating handle. Similarly, the trip devices of the individual poles are connected by a trip shaft or common actuating rod which extends through openings in the adjacent housing walls.
  • the initially explained design of low-voltage power switches, from which the invention is based, has the advantage that the insulating material parts are easier to manufacture because they are not only uniform, but also smaller and have a lower unit weight than the more extensive and complicated housing parts of the type with a two-part housing .
  • the advantage mentioned is offset by certain difficulties in the formation of the multi-pole switches from the single-pole units which result from the coupling elements which are required for connecting the contact arrangements and the tripping device of the individual poles.
  • Multi-pole circuit breakers are also known (DE-B-2 349 600), which are each composed of fully functional single-pole units. Each of these pole units thus has its own drive device with an actuating handle and a triggering device. A coupling is provided only for these, namely by coupling parts which come into engagement with one another when the pole units are joined together. In addition, a centering ring is required, which is inserted into the housing openings and which aligns the neighboring switch housings with each other.
  • the object of the invention in this context is to overcome these difficulties and to provide a system for the particularly simple establishment of the required operative connections between the individual switch poles.
  • the form-fittingly interacting coupling members of the tripping devices make it unnecessary to have a tripping rod or tripping shaft that is matched in length to the desired number of poles of the circuit breaker. Rather, the desired coupling only comes about by joining the individual poles together. In contrast to the previously used longer coupling elements in the form of rods or shafts, this also avoids the risk of damage because the new coupling elements either do not protrude at all or only slightly over the width of the individual housings. Furthermore, separate drive devices for the additional poles are dispensed with by the fact that the contact arrangements are connected by a crossmember. The space thus freed up in the additional poles can be used to accommodate additional facilities or for measures to improve the mechanical strength.
  • the coupling member of the one pole can have a tongue protruding beyond the opening of the housing and the coupling member of the second pole can have a groove to be engaged with the tongue. Because of this design, the tripping devices of a multi-pole circuit breaker can be brought into engagement with one another without difficulty, while at the same time the requirements for the production of such coupling elements are easy to master.
  • the cross member provided for connecting the contact arrangements can be firmly connected to the contact arrangement of the first pole and the second pole can be designed to be slidable onto the traverse.
  • the crossmember can consist of detachable sections, one of which is attached to the first pole and another is assigned to the second pole and which can be brought into positive engagement with one another.
  • This embodiment is particularly suitable for those cases in which circuit breakers with a changing number of poles are to be produced. In this case, both the contact arrangements of the individual poles and their tripping devices come into positive engagement with one another when the individual housings are joined together.
  • FIG. 4 in which a multi-pole low-voltage circuit breaker 10 with two poles is shown. This has a middle or first pole 12 and a left or second pole 14 which is only partially shown. Each pole has its own insulating material housing. The two housings are connected to one another and form a single low-voltage circuit breaker 10 of the MCCB type. While the embodiment according to FIG. 4 essentially shows a two-pole arrangement, a three-pole arrangement can also be used. For this purpose, a right pole is added to the two poles shown in FIG. 4. The left pole and the right pole are similar to each other.
  • the middle pole is provided with a drive device 16 which has an actuating handle 18 which can be moved between an on position and an off position.
  • the drive device 16 is only present at the central pole 12. If right and left poles are used, they do not have any drive devices as the middle pole has. Thus, the multi-pole circuit breaker has only one drive device.
  • the center pole also includes a movable contact assembly 20 that has electrodynamically opening contacts that are movable between a closed position and an open position.
  • a movable contact assembly 20 that has electrodynamically opening contacts that are movable between a closed position and an open position.
  • An example of an electrodynamically opening contact system is described in US-A-4409573.
  • a lever mechanism 22 connects the drive device 16 and the contact arrangement 20, so that the contacts can be opened and closed by actuating the actuating handle 18.
  • the middle pole 12 contains a tripping device 23c, which is arranged in the housing and is used to trip the circuit breaker 10.
  • the movement of the actuating handle 18 from the switch-off position to the switch-on position closes the contacts and stores the energy for mechanical separation of the switch contacts when the triggering device responds. If the trigger shaft 25C of the trigger device 23C is rotated, the stored energy is released to open the contacts.
  • only the central pole contains the drive device 16, which stores the energy for switching off.
  • a left pole 14 is used, its release device 23L detects the release mechanism 23C of the middle pole 23, so that each pole can release the release energy.
  • the trigger devices 23L and 23C can be interconnected by a tongue and groove arrangement or in any other suitable manner, e.g. B. be connected by a pin connection. In this way, when the triggering device responds for any reason, the other triggering devices are actuated automatically and at the same time, thereby opening the switching contacts.
  • the contact arrangement 20 is provided with a clamp 24, through which a cross member 26 extends.
  • the traverse is made of a very strong insulating material such. B. made of glass fiber epoxy.
  • the cross member 26 can be a single part or can consist of one section per pole, the sections being appropriately positively engaged with one another. It has proven to be economically advantageous to manufacture the cross member 26 as a single part.
  • the cross member 26 fits into the bracket 24 and is preferably fastened therein by a deformation of the bracket 24 around the cross member 26. This can be done in the form of depressions or other toothing or by means of a screw or a tensioning strap. A slight toothing or corrugation has proven to be simple and effective in order to connect the cross member 26 to the clamp 24.
  • the crossmember 26 moves together with the contact arrangement 20. Therefore, a movement of the crossmember 26 takes place regardless of whether the contacts open due to a strong overcurrent or a fault current or whether the movement is effected by means of the actuating handle 18 or whether tripping occurs due to an overcurrent.
  • the second or left pole 14 is designed similarly to the right pole 12, with the difference that the left pole has no drive device.
  • the left pole contains a movable contact assembly 28 with a bracket 30.
  • the bracket 30 is simply slid over the cross member 26 so that it is easy to move a pole inflict.
  • the left pole 14 also contains means 32 for setting the tripping current and means 34 for tripping the pole by hand.
  • the first and second poles also have tripping devices 23C and 23L which communicate with each other so that when one pole is tripped, the other is also tripped.
  • the crossmember 26 extends from the first pole 12 to the second pole 14.
  • the crossmember 26 extends from the clamp 24 of the main pole through an opening in the housing of the main pole 12, then through an opening in the housing of the main pole 12 second pole 14 and into the bracket 30 of the contact arrangement 28 of the second pole 14.
  • This construction transmits movement of each contact arm to the other contact arm through the cross member 26.
  • pressing the trigger button 34 releases the contact assembly 28 so that the contacts open.
  • the contact arrangement 20 is connected to the contact arrangement 28 by the crossmember 26, the contact arrangement 20 also opens.
  • the opening force is determined by the. Transverse to the other contact arrangement for simultaneous opening of the contacts when one of the contact arrangements is caused to open by an overcurrent. Even when the actuating handle 18 is operated, both contact arrangements are opened or closed simultaneously due to their connection by the cross member 26. In all cases, the contact arrangements can only move simultaneously due to their connection by the cross member 26.

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Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen mehrpoligen Leistungsschalter mit folgenden Merkmalen:

  • Ein erster Pol mit einem Isolierstoffgehäuse und einem darin angebrachten Rahmen;
  • eine an dem Rahmen angebrachte Antriebsvorrichtung mit einem durch eine Öffnung des Gehäuses vorstehenden Betätigungshandgriff;
  • eine durch die Antriebsvorrichtung zu betätigende Kontaktanordnung;
  • eine Auslösevorrichtung zur selbsttätigen Trennung der Kontakte der Kontaktanordnung in Abhängigkeit von Fehlerbedingungen;
  • ein zweiter Pol mit einem Isolierstoffgehäuse und einer darin angeordneten Kontaktanordnung sowie mit einer Auslösevorrichtung;
  • in Öffnungen des Gehäuses des ersten und des zweiten Poles zugängliche Kupplungsglieder zur Verbindung der Auslösevorrichtungen der beiden Pole;
  • sowie eine Einrichtung zur gleichzeitigen Betätigung der Kontaktanordnungen des ersten und des zweiten Poles.
The invention relates to a multi-pole circuit breaker with the following features:
  • A first pole with an insulating housing and a frame mounted therein;
  • a drive device attached to the frame with an operating handle protruding through an opening of the housing;
  • a contact arrangement to be actuated by the drive device;
  • a triggering device for automatic separation of the contacts of the contact arrangement depending on fault conditions;
  • a second pole with an insulating material housing and a contact arrangement arranged therein and with a tripping device;
  • coupling members accessible in openings of the housing of the first and second poles for connecting the triggering devices of the two poles;
  • and a device for simultaneously actuating the contact arrangements of the first and the second pole.

Ein Leistungsschalter dieser Art ist durch die DE-A-2 657 414 bekannt geworden. Zur gleichzeitigen Betätigung der Kontaktanordnungen dient dabei eine Traverse, die sich durch Öffnungen der einander zugewandten Wände der Einzelpolgehäuse erstreckt und die darin befindlichen Antriebsvorrichtungen miteinander verbindet. Nur einer der Pole ist dabei mit einem Betätigungshandgriff versehen. In ähnlicher Weise sind die Auslösevorrichtungen der einzelnen Pole durch eine Auslösewelle oder gemeinsame Betätigungsstange verbunden, die sich durch Öffnungen der einander benachbarten Gehäusewände erstreckt.A circuit breaker of this type is known from DE-A-2 657 414. For the simultaneous actuation of the contact arrangements, a crossbeam is used which extends through openings in the mutually facing walls of the single-pole housing and connects the drive devices located therein to one another. Only one of the poles is provided with an operating handle. Similarly, the trip devices of the individual poles are connected by a trip shaft or common actuating rod which extends through openings in the adjacent housing walls.

Eine andere bekannte Bauform von Niederspannungs-Leistungsschaltern (z. B. US-A-4 286 130) mit Isolierstoffgehäuse geht im Unterschied hierzu von einem zweiteiligen Gehäuse aus, wobei jeder Gehäuseteil Kammern für die einzelnen Pole des Schalters aufweist. Diese Bauform von Leistungsschaltem besitzt nur eine Antriebsvorrichtung, von der ausgehend durch eine Traverse oder Welle die einzelnen Kontaktanordnungen zum Ausschalten und zum Einschalten betätigt werden. Auch sind die Auslösevorrichtungen der einzelnen Pole durch eine gemeinsame Auslösewelle oder Auslösestange verbunden, so daß die Kontaktanordnungen aller Pole getrennt werden, gleichgültig in welchem Pol die Auslösevorrichtung angesprochen hat. Für zweipolige, dreipolige oder vierpolige Schalter sind jeweils unterschiedliche Gehäuseteile erforderlich.Another known design of low-voltage circuit breakers (e.g. US-A-4 286 130) with an insulating housing, in contrast, starts from a two-part housing, each housing part having chambers for the individual poles of the switch. This type of power switch has only one drive device, from which the individual contact arrangements for switching off and switching on are actuated by means of a traverse or shaft. The tripping devices of the individual poles are also connected by a common tripping shaft or tripping rod, so that the contact arrangements of all the poles are separated, regardless of which pole the tripping device has responded to. Different housing parts are required for two-pole, three-pole or four-pole switches.

Die zunächst erläuterte Bauform von Niederspannungs-Leistungsschaltem, von der die Erfindung ausgeht, hat den Vorteil der leichteren Herstellbarkeit der Isolierstoffteile, weil diese nicht nur einheitlich, sondern auch kleiner sind und ein geringeres Stückgewicht aufweisen als die umfangreicheren und komplizierteren Gehäuseteile der Bauart mit zweiteiligem Gehäuse. Dem erwähnten Vorteil stehen jedoch gewisse Erschwernisse bei der Bildung der mehrpoligen Schalter aus den einpoligen Einheiten gegenüber, die sich aus den Kupplungselementen ergeben, die zur Verbindung der Kontaktanordnungen und der Auslösevorrichtung der einzelnen Pole benötigt werden.The initially explained design of low-voltage power switches, from which the invention is based, has the advantage that the insulating material parts are easier to manufacture because they are not only uniform, but also smaller and have a lower unit weight than the more extensive and complicated housing parts of the type with a two-part housing . However, the advantage mentioned is offset by certain difficulties in the formation of the multi-pole switches from the single-pole units which result from the coupling elements which are required for connecting the contact arrangements and the tripping device of the individual poles.

Es sind auch mehrpolige Leitungsschutzschalter bekannt (DE-B-2 349 600), die aus jeweils für sich vollständig funktionsfähigen Einzelpoleinheiten zusammengesetzt werden. Jede dieser Poleinheiten weist somit eine eigene Antriebsvorrichtung mit einem Betätigungshandgriff und eine Auslösevorrichtung auf. Nur für diese ist eine Kupplung vorgesehen, und zwar durch beim Zusammenfügen der Poleinheiten miteinander in Eingriff gelangende Kupplungsteile. Zusätzlich wird ein Zentrierring benötigt, der in die Gehäuseöffnungen eingelegt wird und der die benachbarten Schaltergehäuse gegeneinander ausrichtet.Multi-pole circuit breakers are also known (DE-B-2 349 600), which are each composed of fully functional single-pole units. Each of these pole units thus has its own drive device with an actuating handle and a triggering device. A coupling is provided only for these, namely by coupling parts which come into engagement with one another when the pole units are joined together. In addition, a centering ring is required, which is inserted into the housing openings and which aligns the neighboring switch housings with each other.

Der Erfindung liegt in diesem Zusammenhang die Aufgabe zugrunde, diese Schwierigkeiten zu überwinden und ein System zur besonders einfachen Herstellung der benötigten Wirkverbindungen zwischen den einzelnen Schalterpolen anzugeben.The object of the invention in this context is to overcome these difficulties and to provide a system for the particularly simple establishment of the required operative connections between the individual switch poles.

Diese Aufgabe wird gemäß der Erfindung durch folgende weitere Merkmale gelöst:

  • Die zur Verbindung der Auslösevorrichtungen dienenden Kupplungsglieder des ersten und des zweiten Poles sind unmittelbar miteinander formschlüssig in Eingriff bringbar ausgebildet;
  • und die Kontaktanordnung des ersten und des zweiten Poles sind durch eine Traverse zur gemeinsamen Bewegung der Kontakte beider Pole verbunden.
This object is achieved according to the invention by the following further features:
  • The coupling members of the first and the second pole, which are used to connect the triggering devices, can be directly and positively engaged;
  • and the contact arrangement of the first and second poles are connected by a cross member for moving the contacts of both poles together.

Die formschlüssig zusammenwirkenden Kupplungsglieder der Auslösevorrichtungen machen es entbehrlich, eine in ihrer Länge auf die jeweils gewünschte Polzahl des Leistungsschalters abgestimmte Auslösestange oder Auslösewelle bereitzuhalten. Vielmehr kommt die gewünschte Kupplung lediglich durch Zusammenfügen der einzelnen Pole zustande. Im Unterschied zu den bisher gebräuchlichen längeren Kupplungsgliedem in der Gestalt von Stangen oder Wellen ist hierdurch auch die Gefahr einer Beschädigung vermieden, weil die neuen Kupplungsglieder entweder gar nicht oder nur um ein geringes Maß über die Breite der einzelnen Gehäuse überstehen. Ferner werden dadurch, daß die Kontaktanordnungen durch eine Traverse verbunden werden, gesonderte Antriebsvorrichtungen für die zusätzlichen Pole entbehrlich. Der in den zusätzlichen Polen hierdurch frei werdende Raum kann zur Unterbringung zusätzlicher Einrichtungen oder für Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der mechanischen Festigkeit ausgenutzt werden.The form-fittingly interacting coupling members of the tripping devices make it unnecessary to have a tripping rod or tripping shaft that is matched in length to the desired number of poles of the circuit breaker. Rather, the desired coupling only comes about by joining the individual poles together. In contrast to the previously used longer coupling elements in the form of rods or shafts, this also avoids the risk of damage because the new coupling elements either do not protrude at all or only slightly over the width of the individual housings. Furthermore, separate drive devices for the additional poles are dispensed with by the fact that the contact arrangements are connected by a crossmember. The space thus freed up in the additional poles can be used to accommodate additional facilities or for measures to improve the mechanical strength.

Bei einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung kann das Kupplungsglied des einen Poles eine über die Öffnung des Gehäuses vorstehende Zunge und das Kupplungsglied des zweiten Poles eine mit der Zunge in Eingriff zu bringende Rille aufweisen. Aufgrund dieser Gestaltung sind die Auslösevorrichtungen eines mehrpoligen Leistungsschalters ohne Schwierigkeit miteinander in Eingriff zu bringen, während gleichzeitig die Anforderungen an die Herstellung solcher Kupplungsglieder leicht zu beherrschen sind.In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling member of the one pole can have a tongue protruding beyond the opening of the housing and the coupling member of the second pole can have a groove to be engaged with the tongue. Because of this design, the tripping devices of a multi-pole circuit breaker can be brought into engagement with one another without difficulty, while at the same time the requirements for the production of such coupling elements are easy to master.

Die zur Verbindung der Kontaktanordnungen vorgesehene Traverse kann mit der Kontaktanordnung des ersten Poles fest verbunden sein und der zweite Pol kann auf die Traverse aufschiebbar ausgebildet sein. Dies hat den Vorteil, daß die Traverse als relativ starres und robustes Teil bei der Zusammenfügung mehrerer Pole gewissermaßen als Montagehilfe dient. Hierdurch wird eine Ausrichtung der Gehäuse erzielt, durch die auch die Kupplungsglieder der Auslösevorrichtungen leicht miteinander in Eingriff zu bringen sind.The cross member provided for connecting the contact arrangements can be firmly connected to the contact arrangement of the first pole and the second pole can be designed to be slidable onto the traverse. This has the advantage that the traverse serves as a relatively rigid and robust part when assembling several poles as an assembly aid. In this way, an alignment of the housing is achieved, through which the coupling members of the triggering devices can also be easily brought into engagement with one another.

Nach einer weiteren Ausgestaltung der Erfindung kann die Traverse aus kuppelbaren Teilstücken bestehen, von denen das eine an dem ersten Pol befestigt und ein weiteres dem zweiten Pol zugeordnet ist und die miteinander formschlüssig in Eingriff zu bringen sind. Diese Ausführungsform eignet sich besonders für solche Fälle, in denen Leistungsschalter wechselnder Polzahl herzustellen sind. In diesem Fall gelangen sowohl die Kontaktanordnungen der einzelnen Pole, als auch deren Auslöseinrichtungen beim Zusammenfügen der einzelnen Gehäuse formschlüssig miteinander in Eingriff.According to a further embodiment of the invention, the crossmember can consist of detachable sections, one of which is attached to the first pole and another is assigned to the second pole and which can be brought into positive engagement with one another. This embodiment is particularly suitable for those cases in which circuit breakers with a changing number of poles are to be produced. In this case, both the contact arrangements of the individual poles and their tripping devices come into positive engagement with one another when the individual housings are joined together.

Die Erfindung wird im folgenden anhand des in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispieles näher erläutert.

  • Die Figur 1 ist die Ansicht des mittleren Poles eines Leistungsschalters mit entfernter Abdeckung zur Sichtbarmachung der inneren Baugruppen.
  • Die Figur 2 ist eine Draufsicht des Poles nach der Figur 1, wobei eine Traverse und ein Kupplungsglied der Auslösevorrichtung erkennbar sind.
  • Die Figur 3 ist eine Ansicht ähnlich der Figur 1, zeigt jedoch einen linksseitig anschließend anzuordnenden Pol.
  • Die Figur 4 ist eine Draufsicht ähnlich der Figur 2, zeigt jedoch den linken Pol gemäß der Figur 3, wobei der mittlere Pol gemäß der Figur 2 angedeutet ist.
The invention is explained below with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures.
  • Figure 1 is the view of the center pole of a circuit breaker with the cover removed to visualize the internal assemblies.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the pole according to FIG. 1, a cross member and a coupling member of the release device being recognizable.
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but shows a pole to be subsequently arranged on the left.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2, but shows the left pole according to FIG. 3, the middle pole according to FIG. 2 being indicated.

Es wird zunächst auf die Figur 4 Bezug genommen, in der ein mehrpoliger Niederspannungs-Leistungsschalter 10 mit zwei Polen gezeigt ist. Dieser besitzt einen nur teilweise gezeigten mittleren oder ersten Pol 12 und einen linken oder zweiten Pol 14. Jeder Pol besitzt ein eigenes Isolierstoffgehäuse. Die beiden Gehäuse sind miteinander verbunden und bilden einen einzelnen Niederspannungs-Leistungsschalter 10 der Bauart MCCB. Während die Ausführungsform gemäß der Figur 4 im wesentlichen eine zweipolige Anordnung zeigt, kann auch eine dreipolige Anordnung werden. Hierzu wird ein rechter Pol zu den beiden in Figur 4 gezeigten Polen hinzugefügt. Der linke Pol und der rechte Pol sind einander ähnlich.Reference is first made to FIG. 4, in which a multi-pole low-voltage circuit breaker 10 with two poles is shown. This has a middle or first pole 12 and a left or second pole 14 which is only partially shown. Each pole has its own insulating material housing. The two housings are connected to one another and form a single low-voltage circuit breaker 10 of the MCCB type. While the embodiment according to FIG. 4 essentially shows a two-pole arrangement, a three-pole arrangement can also be used. For this purpose, a right pole is added to the two poles shown in FIG. 4. The left pole and the right pole are similar to each other.

Wie die Figuren 1 und 2 zeigen, ist der mittlere Pol mit einer Antriebsvorrichtung 16 versehen, die einen Betätigungshandgriff 18 aufweist, der zwischen einer Einschaltstellung und einer Ausschaltstellung bewegbar ist. Die Antriebsvorrichtung 16 ist nur bei dem mittleren Pol 12 vorhanden. Werden rechte und linke Pole benutzt, so weisen diese keine Antriebsvorrichtungen auf, wie sie der mittlere Pol besitzt. Somit besitzt der mehrpolige Leistungsschalter nur eine Antriebsvorrichtung.As FIGS. 1 and 2 show, the middle pole is provided with a drive device 16 which has an actuating handle 18 which can be moved between an on position and an off position. The drive device 16 is only present at the central pole 12. If right and left poles are used, they do not have any drive devices as the middle pole has. Thus, the multi-pole circuit breaker has only one drive device.

Der mittlere Pol enthält ferner eine bewegbare Kontaktanordnung 20, die elektrodynamisch öffnende Kontakte besitzt, die zwischen einer geschlossenen Stellung und einer geöffneten Stellung bewegbar sind. Ein Beispiel für ein elektrodynamisch öffnendes Kontaktsystem ist in der US-A-4409573 beschrieben. Ein Hebelwerk 22 verbindet die Antriebsvorrichtung 16 und die Kontaktanordnung 20, so daß die Kontakte durch Betätigung des Betätigungshandgriffes 18 geöffnet und geschlossen werden können.The center pole also includes a movable contact assembly 20 that has electrodynamically opening contacts that are movable between a closed position and an open position. An example of an electrodynamically opening contact system is described in US-A-4409573. A lever mechanism 22 connects the drive device 16 and the contact arrangement 20, so that the contacts can be opened and closed by actuating the actuating handle 18.

Der mittlere Pol 12 enthält eine Auslösevorrichtung 23c, der in dem Gehäuse angeordnet ist und zur Auslösung des Leistungsschalters 10 dient. Die Bewegung des Betätigungshandgriffes 18 aus der Ausschaltstellung in die Einschaltstellung schließt die Kontakte und speichert die Energie zur mechanischen Trennung der Schaltkontakte beim Ansprechen der Auslösevorrichtung. Wird die Auslösewelle 25C der Auslösevorrichtung 23C gedreht, so wird die gespeicherte Energie zur Öffnung der Kontakte freigesetzt. Wie erwähnt, enthält nur der mittlere Pol die Antriebsvorrichtung 16, welche die Energie zum Ausschalten speichert. Wird ein linker Pol 14 benutzt, so erfaßt dessen Auslösevorrichtung 23L den Auslösemechanismus 23C des mittleren Poles 23, so daß jeder Pol die Auslöseenergie freisetzen kann. Die Auslösevorrichtungen 23L und 23C können miteinander durch eine Zungen-und Rillenanordnung oder auf andere geeignete Weise, z. B. durch eine Stiftverbindung, verbunden sein. Auf diese Weise werden beim Ansprechen der Auslösevorrichtung aus beliebigen Grund selbsttätig und gleichzeitig die anderen Auslösevorrichtungen betätigt und dadurch die Schaltkontakte geöffnet.The middle pole 12 contains a tripping device 23c, which is arranged in the housing and is used to trip the circuit breaker 10. The movement of the actuating handle 18 from the switch-off position to the switch-on position closes the contacts and stores the energy for mechanical separation of the switch contacts when the triggering device responds. If the trigger shaft 25C of the trigger device 23C is rotated, the stored energy is released to open the contacts. As mentioned, only the central pole contains the drive device 16, which stores the energy for switching off. If a left pole 14 is used, its release device 23L detects the release mechanism 23C of the middle pole 23, so that each pole can release the release energy. The trigger devices 23L and 23C can be interconnected by a tongue and groove arrangement or in any other suitable manner, e.g. B. be connected by a pin connection. In this way, when the triggering device responds for any reason, the other triggering devices are actuated automatically and at the same time, thereby opening the switching contacts.

Die Kontaktanordnung 20 ist mit einer Klammer 24 versehen, durch die sich eine Traverse 26 erstreckt. Die Traverse ist aus einem sehr festen Isoliermaterial hergestellt z. B. aus Glasfaserepoxidharz. Die Traverse 26 kann ein einzelnes Teil sein oder kann aus einem Teilstück pro Pol bestehen, wobei die Teilstücke in geeigneter Weise formschlüssig miteinander in Eingriff zu bringen sind. Es hat sich als wirtschaftlich vorteilhaft erwiesen, die Traverse 26 als einzelnes Teil herzustellen. Die Traverse 26 paßt in die Klammer 24 und ist darin vorzugsweise durch eine Verformung der Klammer 24 um die Traverse 26 herum befestigt. Dies kann in der Gestalt von Vertiefungen oder anderen Verzahnungen oder durch eine Schraube oder ein Spannband geschehen. Als einfach und wirksam hat sich eine leichte Verzahnung oder Riffelung erwiesen, um die Traverse 26 mit der Klammer 24 zu verbinden. Aufgrund ihrer Anordnung in der Kontaktanordnung bewegt sich die Traverse 26 gemeinsam mit der Kontaktanordnung 20. Daher findet eine Bewegung der Traverse 26 unabhängig davon ab, ob sich die Kontakte aufgrund eines starken Überstromes oder eines Fehlerstromes öffnen oder ob die Bewegung mittels des Betätigungshandgriffes 18 bewirkt wird oder ob eine Auslösung aufgrund eines Überstromes eintritt.The contact arrangement 20 is provided with a clamp 24, through which a cross member 26 extends. The traverse is made of a very strong insulating material such. B. made of glass fiber epoxy. The cross member 26 can be a single part or can consist of one section per pole, the sections being appropriately positively engaged with one another. It has proven to be economically advantageous to manufacture the cross member 26 as a single part. The cross member 26 fits into the bracket 24 and is preferably fastened therein by a deformation of the bracket 24 around the cross member 26. This can be done in the form of depressions or other toothing or by means of a screw or a tensioning strap. A slight toothing or corrugation has proven to be simple and effective in order to connect the cross member 26 to the clamp 24. Due to their arrangement in the contact arrangement, the crossmember 26 moves together with the contact arrangement 20. Therefore, a movement of the crossmember 26 takes place regardless of whether the contacts open due to a strong overcurrent or a fault current or whether the movement is effected by means of the actuating handle 18 or whether tripping occurs due to an overcurrent.

Wie die Figur 3 zeigt, ist der zweite oder linke Pol 14 ähnlich wie der rechte Pol 12 ausgebildet mit dem Unterschied, daß der linke Pol keine Antriebsvorrichtung besitzt. Der linke Pol enthält jedoch eine bewegbare Kontaktanordnung 28 mit einer Klammer 30. Die Klammer 30 wird einfach über die Traverse 26 geschoben, so daß es einfach ist, einen Pol hinzuzufügen. Der linke Pol 14 enthält auch Mittel 32 zur Einstellung des Auslösestromes und ein Mittel 34 zur Auslösung des Poles von Hand. Die ersten und zweiten Pole besitzen ferner Auslösevorrichtungen 23C und 23L, die miteinander in Verbindung stehen, so daß bei Auslösung eines Poles der andere ebenfalls ausgelöst wird.As FIG. 3 shows, the second or left pole 14 is designed similarly to the right pole 12, with the difference that the left pole has no drive device. However, the left pole contains a movable contact assembly 28 with a bracket 30. The bracket 30 is simply slid over the cross member 26 so that it is easy to move a pole inflict. The left pole 14 also contains means 32 for setting the tripping current and means 34 for tripping the pole by hand. The first and second poles also have tripping devices 23C and 23L which communicate with each other so that when one pole is tripped, the other is also tripped.

Gemäß den Figuren 1 bis 4 erstreckt sich die Traverse 26 von dem ersten Pol 12 zu dem zweiten Pol 14. Die Traverse 26 erstreckt sich von der Klammer 24 des Hauptpoles durch eine Öffnung des Gehäuses des Hauptpoles 12, dann durch eine Öffnung in dem Gehäuse des zweiten Poles 14 und in die Klammer 30 der Kontaktanordnung 28 des zweiten Poles 14. Durch diese Konstruktion wird eine Bewegung jedes Kontaktarmes zu dem anderen Kontaktarm durch die Traverse 26 übertragen. Dies zwingt die Kontaktanordnungen zu gemeinsamer Bewegung. Z. B. gibt ein Druck auf den Auslöseknopf 34 die Kontaktanordnung 28 frei, so daß die Kontakte öffnen. Weil die Kontaktanordnung 20 mit der Kontaktanordnung 28 durch die Traverse 26 verbunden ist, öffnet die Kontaktanordnung 20 ebenfalls. In ähnlicher Weise wird die Öffnungskraft durch die. Traverse zu der anderen Kontaktanordnung zur gleichzeitigen Öffnung der Kontakte übertragen, wenn eine der Kontaktanordnungen durch einen Überstrom zum Öffnen gebracht wird. Auch bei einer Bedienung des Betätigungshandgriffes 18 werden beide Kontaktanordnungen gleichzeitig geöffnet oder geschlossen aufgrund ihrer Verbindung durch die Traverse 26. In allen Fällen können sich die Kontaktanordnungen aufgrund ihrer Verbindung durch die Traverse 26 nur gleichzeitig bewegen.According to FIGS. 1 to 4, the crossmember 26 extends from the first pole 12 to the second pole 14. The crossmember 26 extends from the clamp 24 of the main pole through an opening in the housing of the main pole 12, then through an opening in the housing of the main pole 12 second pole 14 and into the bracket 30 of the contact arrangement 28 of the second pole 14. This construction transmits movement of each contact arm to the other contact arm through the cross member 26. This forces the contact assemblies to move together. For example, pressing the trigger button 34 releases the contact assembly 28 so that the contacts open. Because the contact arrangement 20 is connected to the contact arrangement 28 by the crossmember 26, the contact arrangement 20 also opens. Similarly, the opening force is determined by the. Transverse to the other contact arrangement for simultaneous opening of the contacts when one of the contact arrangements is caused to open by an overcurrent. Even when the actuating handle 18 is operated, both contact arrangements are opened or closed simultaneously due to their connection by the cross member 26. In all cases, the contact arrangements can only move simultaneously due to their connection by the cross member 26.

Claims (4)

1. A multi-poled circuit breaker (10) with the following features:
a first pole (12) with an insulating material housing and a frame attached therein;
a drive device (16) attached to the frame with an actuating handle (18) projecting through an opening of the housing;
a contact arrangement (20) to be actuated by the drive device (16);
a release device (23C, 23L) for automatic separation of the contacts of the contact arrangements (20) in dependence on the error conditions;
a second pole (14) with an insulating material housing and a contact arrangement arranged therein as well as with a release device (23L);

accessible coupling elements (25C, 25L) for connecting the release devices (23C, 23L) of both poles in openings of the housing of the first and second pole (12, 14);
a device for simultaneous activation of the contact arrangements (20, 28) of the first and second pole (12, 14); characterised by the following further features:
the coupling elements (25C, 25L) serving to connect the release devices (23C, 23L) of the first and second poles (12, 14) are constructed so that they can be brought to engage directly with each other in a form-locking manner;
the contact arrangements (20, 28) of the first and second pole (12, 14) are connected by a crossrail (26) for common movement of the switch contacts of both poles.
2. A circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling element of the one pole (12) has a tongue projecting over the opening of the housing and the coupling element of the second pole (14) has a groove to be brought into engagement with the tongue.
3. A circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-rail (26) is connected firmly to the contact arm arrangement (20) of the first pole and in that the second pole (14) is constructed on the cross-rail (26) in a displaceable manner.
4. A circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterised in that the cross-rail (26) consists of connectable partial pieces, one of which is secured to the first pole (12) and a further one is allocated to the second pole (14) and in that the partial pieces are to be brought into engagement with each other in a form-locking manner.
EP85730128A 1984-10-01 1985-09-17 Multiple circuit breaker with separate insulating cases for every pole Expired - Lifetime EP0177438B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/656,233 US4680564A (en) 1984-10-01 1984-10-01 Multi-pole molded case circuit breaker with a common contact operating crossbar member
US656233 1984-10-01

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0177438A2 EP0177438A2 (en) 1986-04-09
EP0177438A3 EP0177438A3 (en) 1987-08-12
EP0177438B1 true EP0177438B1 (en) 1990-08-01

Family

ID=24632197

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85730128A Expired - Lifetime EP0177438B1 (en) 1984-10-01 1985-09-17 Multiple circuit breaker with separate insulating cases for every pole

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4680564A (en)
EP (1) EP0177438B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6185744A (en)
CA (1) CA1241987A (en)
DE (1) DE3578970D1 (en)

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KR101413859B1 (en) 2013-01-04 2014-07-01 현대중공업 주식회사 Multi pole circuit breaker
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3578970D1 (en) 1990-09-06
CA1241987A (en) 1988-09-13
EP0177438A2 (en) 1986-04-09
US4680564A (en) 1987-07-14
EP0177438A3 (en) 1987-08-12
JPS6185744A (en) 1986-05-01

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