EP0199579A2 - Auxiliary switch actuator mechanism - Google Patents
Auxiliary switch actuator mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0199579A2 EP0199579A2 EP86303017A EP86303017A EP0199579A2 EP 0199579 A2 EP0199579 A2 EP 0199579A2 EP 86303017 A EP86303017 A EP 86303017A EP 86303017 A EP86303017 A EP 86303017A EP 0199579 A2 EP0199579 A2 EP 0199579A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- actuator
- arm
- breaker
- auxiliary switch
- movable
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
- H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
- H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
- H01H2071/467—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts with history indication, e.g. of trip and/or kind of trip, number of short circuits etc.
Definitions
- the present invention relates to circuit breakers with auxiliary switch mechariisms. More particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch mechanisms which indicate the status of the breaker. Still more particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch actuator mechanisms which, once set, operate only during an overcurrent condition to indicate an electrically tripped condition of the breaker, and which remain in - their set state during normal manual operation of the circuit breaker.
- Circuit breakers having auxiliary switch mechanisms are known.
- the auxiliary switch is usually connected in an alarm circuit with an indicating device (eg a light; bell, etc) to provide a remote indication of the condition of the breaker.
- an indicating device eg a light; bell, etc.
- Some of the more complex auxiliary circuits provide differing outputs responsive to the three basic breaker conditions: manually OFF, manually ON, and electrically tripped. Other common mechanisms provide an indication only when the breaker has been electrically tripped.
- the auxiliary switch indicates whether the breaker is on or off, the latter state being indicated whether the breaker has been manually turned off or electrically tripped. Breakers of this type thus do not discriminate between manual operation and overcurrent conditions, and cannot be used effectively in applications which require an alarm signal to be generated when the breaker is tripped by an overcurrent condition occurring in the circuit.
- breakers overcome this problem by providing an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which discriminates between on, manual off, and overcurrent tripped conditions.
- breakers of this type one example of which is shown in U.S. Patent 3,742,402, issued June 26, 1973 to Nicol, require a complicated mechanical operating mechanism having a multitude of parts which must be closely fitted into a small space.
- the present invention is directed to providing a circuit breaker auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which utilizes a simpler, more positive, and less critically dimensioned mechanism than known devices, which provides a signal which indicates whether the breaker is in normal operation (whether the breaker contacts are open or closed) or has tripped.
- the invention comprises an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism for a circuit breaker.
- the breaker has a frame, and a breaker mechanism mounted to the frame.
- the breaker mechanism includes a manually operable handle, a breaker contact pivotably mounted to the frame and movable between open and closed positions, a collapsible linkage coupling the handle and movable contact, and a sear pin cooperating with the collapsible linkage to collapse the linkage upon detection of an overcurrent through the breaker.
- the actuator mechanism includes an auxiliary switch having a movable contact and an actuator member coupled to the auxiliary switch movable between first and second positions for moving the auxiliary switch contact between normally-open and normally-closed positions, respectively.
- the actuator member has a base member including a locking arm receiving recess.
- the recess has a stepped bottom surface, including a lower bottom portion and an upper raised portion, having a definite edge.
- An arm portion extends upwardly from the base member to abuttingly- engage the movable breaker rontact when the movable breaker contact is moved to its closed position. In this way, closing of the movable breaker contact also closes the auxiliary switch.
- the actuator mechanism also includes a locking member having a central portion pivotably mounted directly to the frame, preferably coaxially with the movable breaker contact.
- This locking member comprises- first and second arms extending outwardly from the central portion.
- the first arm has its distal end portion disposed in the recess in the locking arm housing of the acuator member, and is biased thereagainst. Ldistal end of the first arm locks the actuator member when the actuator member is disposed in the closed position, locking the auxiliary switch.
- the second arm extends into the path of movement of the sear pin when the sear pin is tripped.
- the second arm When tripped, the second arm is pivoted by the sear pin to pivot the first arm out of locking engagement with the actuator member, thus releasing the auxiliary switch upon detection of an overcurrent condition.
- the sear pin does not contact the second arm when the breaker is manually opened, such that the auxiliary switch is not thereby affected.
- Shibuya et al US Patent 3,593,232 shows a circuit breaker including an auxiliary switch which provides an unambiguous indication of tripping due to overcurrent.
- the device shown therein (and the commercial embodiment thereof) is unduly complex, has a large number of parts, and is difficult to manufacture.
- the Shibuya device includes a first frame, not shown in the Shibuya patent, on which are mounted the coil 3 and the armature 31.
- the pivot axis of the moving contact arm-5 is defined by a pin 30 carried in recesses in the two halves of the breaker housing. (This design is the source of some of the assembly difficulties mentioned above).
- the collapsible linkage and sear pin triggering assembly 21, 24, 25 and 23 is carried between pin 30 and a second pin 20, which in turn is retained by a boss on the handle 18.
- handle 18 includes two . pins 19 which fit into recesses in the casing halves. In the commercial device, these were molded integrally with the handle.
- second frame 29 is located by pin 19.
- the second frame in the commercial embodiment of the Shibuya device is located by pin 30 and by yet another pin fitting into recesses in the case halves, which is not shown in the patent.
- FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary contact switch mechanism of the present invention as incorporated into a circuit breaker.
- the circuit breaker 10 comprises a case 12 formed of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic.
- the case contains a breaker mechanism, generally designated 14, which includes a collapsible linkage mechanism operatively connecting a handle 16 and a movable contact arm 18.
- a trigger mechanism which includes a sear pin 20, comprises a portion of the breaker mechanism which controls the collapsible linkage.
- the breaker mechanism 14, handle 16, and contact arm 18 are all mounted to a frame 22.
- auxiliary switch 24 is mounted in the lower portion of casing 12.
- casing 12 is composed of two halves, each of which contains pin members 26 which mate with holes 28 in the auxiliary switch 24 for mounting the auxiliary switch 24 in the proper position in the breaker 10.
- the switch 24 comprises a microswitch assembly having a set of auxiliary contacts which are operated by an internal contact (not shown).
- a movable pin 30 is spring biased to extend upwardly through the plastic housing of switch 24. Pin 30 engages the internal contact to control its on-off operation.
- switches are known in the art and are exemplified by the switch shown in the Shibuya et al. U.S. Patent 3,593,232, discussed above. The disclosure of the '232 Shibuya patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference as though set forth in full.
- actuator member 32 comprises a base plate 34 and an arm 36 extending upwardly from the base plate 34.
- the distal end of the arm 36 terminates in a flange 38 having a downwardly bent lip 4.0 at its end..
- a pair of pivot pins 42 extend laterally outwardly from the plate 34 near an end 44 thereof.
- the longitudinally opposite end 46 of plate 34 has a channel 48 formed therein to thereby define a bifurcated or forkshaped end portion, whose purpose will be described in more detail below.
- Pivot pins 42 seat in corresponding pivot mount openings 50 in the casing of switch 24.
- Base plate 34 rests on movable pin 30.
- An end portion 44 cooperates with the switch casing to act as a stop to limit the pivotal motion of actuator 32 in the direction away from pin 30.
- the auxiliary switch actuating mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention also includes a locking member or arm, generally designated 52.
- the locking member 52 has a central portion 54 which defines a central opening 55 therein.
- a first arm 56 extends radially from central portion 54 in a first direction.
- a finger 60 and a shoulder 62 are formed at the distal end of first arm 56.
- Arm 56 of locking member 52 rides in channel 48 of actuator member 32.
- a second arm 58 extends from central opening 54 at an angle to arm 56.
- Second arm 58 has a generally J-shaped configuration.
- Arm 58 has an intermediate body portion 64 and a hooked end portion 66, extending from the distal end of intermediate body portion 64.
- a connecting leg portion 68 extends from the proximal end of the intermediate body portion 64 substantially at right angles thereto and connects it to the central portion 54 substantially at right angles to the first arm 56. Intermediate portion 64 therefore extends substantially parallel to the first arm 56.
- the locking member 52 is mounted on frame 22 by means of a pivot pin 70 which passes through opening 55 and corresponding counting holes in the frame 22.
- Pin 70 also mounts contact arm 18 to the frame 22.
- Pin 70 thus defines an axis about which both contact arm 18 and locking arm 52 pivot.
- a bias spring 72 also mounts on pin 70 over a spring bushing (not shown) and engages arm 56 to bias the locking member 52 toward a normally locked position. That is, spring 72 urges member 52 to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 1.
- a second spring (not shown) is coaxial with spring 72, and acts similarly to bias contact arm 18 in the counterclockwise direction, to ensure that the contacts 7 and 8 are separated when the breaker is tripped.
- Fig. 1 shows a side view of the auxiliary switch and switch actuator and breaker mechanism of this embodiment of the invention with the breaker in the ON position, i.e. the main contacts 7 and 8 are abutting.
- Fig. 4 shows a partly cut-away perspective view of this breaker in the OFF position. Comparison of these two figures will make the operation of the breaker of the invention clear to those of skill in the art.
- the breaker mechanism 14 acts on movable contact arm 18, causing it to pivot about the pivot axis defined by mounting pin.70, bringing the movable contact 7 on arm 18 into engagement with the fixed breaker contact 8 as shown in Fig. 1.
- the electrical circuit through the breaker is then completed and current can flow through the breaker in the normal manner.
- the bottom surface 19 of arm 18 engages the flange 38 of actuator arm 36.
- actuator member 32 pivots about the axis defined by mounting pins 42 against the spring pressure exerted by the internally sprung contact of the auxiliary switch, acting through movable pin 30.
- actuator 32 causes the inward edge 48a of the slot 48 formed by the bifurcated end shape of actuator member 32 to slide past shoulder 62 of locking member 52.
- shoulder 62 overrides the upper surface of base plate 34 at this.point, forming a stop and preventing movement of actuator member 32 in the opposite direction, i.e. upwardly in Fig. 1.
- Finger 60 engages the back edge 48a of the slot 48, limiting the counterclockwise motion of arm 52.
- the auxiliary switch is then held in the actuated position until the shoulder 62 of locking arm 56 is moved out of engagement with the actuator member 32.
- auxiliary switch 24 will have three contact terminals: a common or “C” terminal (to which the spring contact is connected), a normally open or “N/O” terminal, and a normally closed or °N/C” terminal.
- the actuator member 32 sets the auxiliary switch 24, in the manner described above, to close a circuit between the C and N/O terminals. This is the N/O state of auxiliary switch 24.
- Operation of the auxiliary switch in the opposite sense, i.e. such that the C terminal is connected to the N/C terminal when the main breaker contacts abut, is, of course, also within the scope of this invention.
- sear pin 20 engages the link members of the breaker mechanism 14 to prevent the linkage from collapsing.
- the link mechanism 14 remains locked by the engagement of the sear pin 20.
- sear pin 20 follows a first path of travel which keeps the sear pin 20 clear of contact with the arm 58 of locking member 52.
- FIGS 5-8 show a second embodiment of the auxiliary switch mechanism of the present invention. Elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment retain the same reference numbers. Elements which are modified forms of those shown in the first embodiment are represented by primed reference numbers, and totally new elements are shown with new reference numbers.
- Fig. 5 shows a side view of the breaker mechanism of the second embodiment with the main contacts closed
- Fig. 8 shows a cutaway perspective view of the second embodiment with the main contacts open
- Fig. 8 shows the auxiliary switch in the H/0 state, that is, after a manual opening of the main contacts. Except as discussed below, the operation of the breaker in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.
- actuator member 80 comprises a base portion 82 and an arm 84. Arm 84 extends upwardly from the base portion 82.
- the base portion 82. further has a box-shaped housing for receiving locking member 52 1 .
- a recess 92 in housing 90 terminates in a floor portion 94 and a raised edge portion 96.
- a lower wall portion 95 joins floor portion 94 and raised edge portion 96, and a back wall portion 97 joins raised edge portion 96 with the periphery of recess 92.
- a step is thus formed at the junction of the bottom and back walls of the recess 92.
- a shim 98 may be attached to the outer bottom surface of the actuator member 80, where it engages the movable pin 30.
- the shim 98 can be used as needed to compensate for varying tolerances due to the fit of the auxiliary switch in the casing, or to increase the upward force exerted on the actuator member 80 by the spring biased movable pin 30.
- a pair of pivot pins 86a and 86b extend laterally outward from the base portion 82 of the actuator-member 80 near an end 88 thereof opposite the end from which the arm 84 extends. Pivot pins 86a and 86b seat in corresponding pivot mounting openings in breaker casing 12.
- FIGS. 6A and 6B show the locking member 52' of the second embodiment.
- Locking member 52' has an arm 56' which terminates at a square end 63; whereas locking member 52 terminates in finger 60 and shoulder 62.
- the second embodiment of the invention operates generally similarly to the first, with some differences as noted below:
- the bottom surface 19 of arm 18 abuttingly engages arm portion 84 of actuator. member 80.
- This causes the actuator member 80 to pivot about the axis defined by mounting pins 86a and 86b against the spring bias acting through movable pin 30.
- actuator 80 is pivoted clockwise about the axis defined by pins 86a and 86b during resetting of the breaker, the end 63 of the locking member 52' slides upwardly along wall portion 95 connecting the floor 94 of recess 92 in actuator.80 toward the raised edge portion 96.
- bias spring 72 urges member 52' to pivot about pin 70, so that end 63 overrides the raised edge portion 96, to abut the back wall 97 of ; recess 92, as shown in Fig. 5.
- This locking action caused by the interaction between the squared end 63 and the raised edge portion 96 corresponds to the interaction between the finger 60 and shoulder 62 of locking arm 52 and the bifurcated end portion of actuator member 32 in the first embodiment of the invention.
- sear pin 20 is pivoted by arm 46 to strike arm 58' of locking member 52' and rotate member 52' clockwise about the pivot pin 70 against the action of bias spring 72.
- This causes end 63 of the locking arm 52' to be disengaged from raised edge portion 96 of recess 92.
- the auxiliary switch actuator mechanism of this invention is composed of only three essential parts: the actuator member 32 or 80, the locking member 52 or 52 ', and the bias spring 72.
- the actuator member 32 or 80 and locking member 52 or 52' are mountable to almost any standard breaker mechanism. Since the two parts are mounted in an interlocking arrangement, there is no need to manufacture them to close tole- ranee. By virtue of their interlocking arrangement, they provide essentially trouble-free, reliable operation over the normal life of the breaker. Further, the locking member 52 or 52' pivots on the same frame as does the contact arm, resulting in a simplified construction over known devices.
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- Breakers (AREA)
- Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to circuit breakers with auxiliary switch mechariisms. More particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch mechanisms which indicate the status of the breaker. Still more particularly, the invention relates to auxiliary switch actuator mechanisms which, once set, operate only during an overcurrent condition to indicate an electrically tripped condition of the breaker, and which remain in - their set state during normal manual operation of the circuit breaker.
- Circuit breakers having auxiliary switch mechanisms are known. The auxiliary switch is usually connected in an alarm circuit with an indicating device (eg a light; bell, etc) to provide a remote indication of the condition of the breaker. Some of the
more complex auxiliary circuits provide differing outputs responsive to the three basic breaker conditions: manually OFF, manually ON, and electrically tripped. Other common mechanisms provide an indication only when the breaker has been electrically tripped. - More particularly, in some known breakers, the auxiliary switch indicates whether the breaker is on or off, the latter state being indicated whether the breaker has been manually turned off or electrically tripped. Breakers of this type thus do not discriminate between manual operation and overcurrent conditions, and cannot be used effectively in applications which require an alarm signal to be generated when the breaker is tripped by an overcurrent condition occurring in the circuit.
- Other known breakers overcome this problem by providing an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which discriminates between on, manual off, and overcurrent tripped conditions. However, breakers of this type, one example of which is shown in U.S. Patent 3,742,402, issued June 26, 1973 to Nicol, require a complicated mechanical operating mechanism having a multitude of parts which must be closely fitted into a small space.
- These known breakers had the problem that in order to provide a remote indication which distinguished between normal breaker on and off conditions and the electrically tripped condition and provide signals responsive to each, a complicated mechanism was required. The less complicated mechanisms were capable of distinguishing only between on and off positions of the breaker, whether the off position was attributable to manual operation or an 'overcurrent condition. These problems were partially overcome by the development of a simpler auxiliary switch actuator mechanism that was capable of distinguishing between manual on/ off operation and the overcurrent tripped condition of the breaker. An example of such a mechanism is shown in U.S. Patent No. 3,593,232, issued July 13, 1971, to Shibuya et al. However, these predecessor actuator mechanisms also have certain disadvantages. Their designs present manufacturing difficulties, particularly in trying to ensure reliability of operation. These mechanisms do not operate reliably leading to increased manufacturing costs and in some cases to excessive numbers of returns. Furthermore, the commercial. embodiment of the Shibuya device is unduly complex and would desirably be made using fewer parts.
- The present invention is directed to providing a circuit breaker auxiliary switch actuator mechanism which utilizes a simpler, more positive, and less critically dimensioned mechanism than known devices, which provides a signal which indicates whether the breaker is in normal operation (whether the breaker contacts are open or closed) or has tripped.
- The invention comprises an auxiliary switch actuator mechanism for a circuit breaker. The breaker has a frame, and a breaker mechanism mounted to the frame. The breaker mechanism includes a manually operable handle, a breaker contact pivotably mounted to the frame and movable between open and closed positions, a collapsible linkage coupling the handle and movable contact, and a sear pin cooperating with the collapsible linkage to collapse the linkage upon detection of an overcurrent through the breaker. The actuator mechanism includes an auxiliary switch having a movable contact and an actuator member coupled to the auxiliary switch movable between first and second positions for moving the auxiliary switch contact between normally-open and normally-closed positions, respectively.
- The actuator member has a base member including a locking arm receiving recess. The recess has a stepped bottom surface, including a lower bottom portion and an upper raised portion, having a definite edge. An arm portion extends upwardly from the base member to abuttingly- engage the movable breaker rontact when the movable breaker contact is moved to its closed position. In this way, closing of the movable breaker contact also closes the auxiliary switch.
- The actuator mechanism also includes a locking member having a central portion pivotably mounted directly to the frame, preferably coaxially with the movable breaker contact. This locking member comprises- first and second arms extending outwardly from the central portion. The first arm has its distal end portion disposed in the recess in the locking arm housing of the acuator member, and is biased thereagainst.
Ldistal end of the first arm locks the actuator member when the actuator member is disposed in the closed position, locking the auxiliary switch. The second arm extends into the path of movement of the sear pin when the sear pin is tripped. When tripped, the second arm is pivoted by the sear pin to pivot the first arm out of locking engagement with the actuator member, thus releasing the auxiliary switch upon detection of an overcurrent condition. The sear pin does not contact the second arm when the breaker is manually opened, such that the auxiliary switch is not thereby affected. - The above-described features and advantages are best understood in view of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and in view of the accompanying drawings.
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- Figure 1 is a side view of the circuit breaker mechanism not forming part of the present invention with the circuit breaker in the ON position;
- Figure 2A is a front elevational view of the locking arm of Fig 1;
- Figure 2B is a side elevational view of the locking arm of Fig 1;
- Figure 3A is a top plan view of the actuator member of Fig 1;
- Figure 3B is a side elevational view of the actuator member of Fig 1;
- Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the locking arm, the actuator member, and the auxiliary contact switch of Fig 1, showing the circuit breaker in the tripped position;
- Fjgure 5 is a side view of the circuit breaker mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the circuit breaker in the ON position;
- Figure 6A is a front elevational view of the locking arm of Fig 5;
- Figure 6B is a side elevational view of the locking arm of Fig 5.
- Figure 7A is a top plan view of the actuator member of Fig 5;
- Figure 7B is a side elevational view of the actuator member of Fig 5; and
- Figure 8 is a side perspective view of the locking arm, the actuator member, and the auxiliary contact switch in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, showing the circuit breaker in the tripped position.
- As mentioned, Shibuya et al US Patent 3,593,232 shows a circuit breaker including an auxiliary switch which provides an unambiguous indication of tripping due to overcurrent. The device shown therein (and the commercial embodiment thereof) is unduly complex, has a large number of parts, and is difficult to manufacture.
- In particualr the Shibuya device includes a first frame, not shown in the Shibuya patent, on which are mounted the
coil 3 and the armature 31. The pivot axis of the moving contact arm-5 is defined by apin 30 carried in recesses in the two halves of the breaker housing. (This design is the source of some of the assembly difficulties mentioned above). The collapsible linkage and searpin triggering assembly 21, 24, 25 and 23 is carried betweenpin 30 and asecond pin 20, which in turn is retained by a boss on thehandle 18. In the Shibuya patent,handle 18 includes two .pins 19 which fit into recesses in the casing halves. In the commercial device, these were molded integrally with the handle. Finally, the locking lever for the auxiliary switch is carried by a second frame 29.. In the '232 patent, second frame 29 is located bypin 19. The second frame in the commercial embodiment of the Shibuya device is located bypin 30 and by yet another pin fitting into recesses in the case halves, which is not shown in the patent. - Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the auxiliary contact switch mechanism of the present invention as incorporated into a circuit breaker. The
circuit breaker 10 comprises acase 12 formed of an electrically insulating material, such as plastic. The case contains a breaker mechanism, generally designated 14, which includes a collapsible linkage mechanism operatively connecting ahandle 16 and amovable contact arm 18. A trigger mechanism which includes asear pin 20, comprises a portion of the breaker mechanism which controls the collapsible linkage. Thebreaker mechanism 14, handle 16, andcontact arm 18 are all mounted to aframe 22. Upon passage of an overcurrent throughcoil 1, connected in circuit between B.H, 4/11/86TERMINALS end 4a'of armature 4 pivoted about a pin 5 carried byframe 22 is attracted to the coil. Thereupon asecond end 4b of the armature is pivoted to strikesear pin 20 of the trigger mechanism, causing the collapsible linkage to collapse, tripping the breaker, and separatingcontacts - An
auxiliary switch 24 is mounted in the lower portion ofcasing 12. Typically, casing 12 is composed of two halves, each of which containspin members 26 which mate withholes 28 in theauxiliary switch 24 for mounting theauxiliary switch 24 in the proper position in thebreaker 10. Typically, theswitch 24 comprises a microswitch assembly having a set of auxiliary contacts which are operated by an internal contact (not shown). Amovable pin 30 is spring biased to extend upwardly through the plastic housing ofswitch 24.Pin 30 engages the internal contact to control its on-off operation. Such switches are known in the art and are exemplified by the switch shown in the Shibuya et al. U.S. Patent 3,593,232, discussed above. The disclosure of the '232 Shibuya patent is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference as though set forth in full. - In a first embodiment of. the present invention, the
movable pin 30 and hence theswitch 24 are under the immediate control of anactuator member 32. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B,actuator member 32 comprises abase plate 34 and anarm 36 extending upwardly from thebase plate 34. The distal end of thearm 36 terminates in aflange 38 having a downwardly bent lip 4.0 at its end.. - A pair of pivot pins 42 extend laterally outwardly from the
plate 34 near anend 44 thereof. The longitudinallyopposite end 46 ofplate 34 has achannel 48 formed therein to thereby define a bifurcated or forkshaped end portion, whose purpose will be described in more detail below. Pivot pins 42 seat in correspondingpivot mount openings 50 in the casing ofswitch 24.Base plate 34 rests onmovable pin 30. Anend portion 44 cooperates with the switch casing to act as a stop to limit the pivotal motion ofactuator 32 in the direction away frompin 30. - The auxiliary switch actuating mechanism of the first embodiment of this invention also includes a locking member or arm, generally designated 52. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the locking
member 52 has acentral portion 54 which defines acentral opening 55 therein. Afirst arm 56 extends radially fromcentral portion 54 in a first direction. Afinger 60 and ashoulder 62 are formed at the distal end offirst arm 56.Arm 56 of lockingmember 52 rides inchannel 48 ofactuator member 32. Asecond arm 58 extends fromcentral opening 54 at an angle toarm 56.Second arm 58 has a generally J-shaped configuration.Arm 58 has anintermediate body portion 64 and ahooked end portion 66, extending from the distal end ofintermediate body portion 64. A connectingleg portion 68 extends from the proximal end of theintermediate body portion 64 substantially at right angles thereto and connects it to thecentral portion 54 substantially at right angles to thefirst arm 56.Intermediate portion 64 therefore extends substantially parallel to thefirst arm 56. - The locking
member 52 is mounted onframe 22 by means of apivot pin 70 which passes throughopening 55 and corresponding counting holes in theframe 22.Pin 70 also mountscontact arm 18 to theframe 22.Pin 70 thus defines an axis about which bothcontact arm 18 and lockingarm 52 pivot. (Mountingpin 70 corresponds to the mounting pin 83 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the aforementioned '716 application.) Abias spring 72 also mounts onpin 70 over a spring bushing (not shown) and engagesarm 56 to bias the lockingmember 52 toward a normally locked position. That is,spring 72urges member 52 to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 1. A second spring (not shown) is coaxial withspring 72, and acts similarly tobias contact arm 18 in the counterclockwise direction, to ensure that thecontacts - Fig. 1 shows a side view of the auxiliary switch and switch actuator and breaker mechanism of this embodiment of the invention with the breaker in the ON position, i.e. the
main contacts - When the
breaker handle 16 is moved from the OFF position to the ON position, that is, to the right in Fig. 1, thebreaker mechanism 14 acts onmovable contact arm 18, causing it to pivot about the pivot axis defined by mounting pin.70, bringing themovable contact 7 onarm 18 into engagement with the fixedbreaker contact 8 as shown in Fig. 1. The electrical circuit through the breaker is then completed and current can flow through the breaker in the normal manner. As themovable contact arm 18 pivots under the action of thebreaker mechanism 14, thebottom surface 19 ofarm 18 engages theflange 38 ofactuator arm 36. This causesactuator member 32 to pivot about the axis defined by mountingpins 42 against the spring pressure exerted by the internally sprung contact of the auxiliary switch, acting throughmovable pin 30. Continued movement ofactuator 32 causes the inward edge 48a of theslot 48 formed by the bifurcated end shape ofactuator member 32 to slide pastshoulder 62 of lockingmember 52. Due to the bias ofspring 72, urgingmember 52 to pivot counterclockwise aboutpin 70,shoulder 62 overrides the upper surface ofbase plate 34 at this.point, forming a stop and preventing movement ofactuator member 32 in the opposite direction, i.e. upwardly in Fig. 1.Finger 60 engages the back edge 48a of theslot 48, limiting the counterclockwise motion ofarm 52. The auxiliary switch is then held in the actuated position until theshoulder 62 of lockingarm 56 is moved out of engagement with theactuator member 32. - Typically,
auxiliary switch 24 will have three contact terminals: a common or "C" terminal (to which the spring contact is connected), a normally open or "N/O" terminal, and a normally closed or °N/C" terminal. Current flows through the auxiliary switch spring contact member between the common'or "C" terminal and either the N/C or N/O terminal. When the circuit breaker is turned ON (closing the circuit through the main breaker contacts), theactuator member 32 sets theauxiliary switch 24, in the manner described above, to close a circuit between the C and N/O terminals. This is the N/O state ofauxiliary switch 24. Operation of the auxiliary switch in the opposite sense, i.e. such that the C terminal is connected to the N/C terminal when the main breaker contacts abut, is, of course, also within the scope of this invention. - During normal operation of the circuit breaker, when the
hadle 4/11/86 16 is manually moved between the ON and OFF positions, shown respectively in Figs. 1 and 4,sear pin 20 engages the link members of thebreaker mechanism 14 to prevent the linkage from collapsing. When thehandle 16 is manually moved from the ON to the OFF position by an operator under normal operating conditions, thelink mechanism 14 remains locked by the engagement of thesear pin 20. As the handle pivots from the ON to the OFF position,sear pin 20 follows a first path of travel which keeps thesear pin 20 clear of contact with thearm 58 of lockingmember 52. Asmovable contact arm 18 pivots upwardly aboutpivot pin 70, movingmovable contact 7 out of engagement with the fixedcontact 8, and thereby opening the main circuit, the force exerted byarm 18 onpin 30 ofauxiliary switch 24 througharm 36 of actuator member 32-is released. In the absence of any restraint onactuator 32, the bias onpin 30 exerted by the internal spring ofswitch 24 would cause the internal contact to be returned to the N/C position. This is prevented, however, by the' action of the lockingmember 52. Theshoulder 62 ofarm 56 acts as a stop againstbase plate 34 ofactuator member 32 to restrain the upward movement ofactuator member 32 due to the biasing force exerted thereon by the auxiliary switch internal contact throughmovable pin 30. Therefore, when the breaker is manually opened, the contacts ofauxiliary switch 24 remain in the N/0 state. - By comparison, when the breaker is tripped by an overcurrent through the main circuit, the
armature 4 strikes thesear pin 20, causing it to collapse the linkage mechanism in a known manner, and opening the main circuit. The collapsing- action of the linkage mechanism causes thesear pin 20 to move in a second path of travel which brings it into contact with thesecond arm 58 of lockingmember 52. Continued movement ofsear pin 20causes locking member 52 to rotate aboutpivot pin 70, against the bias provided byspring 72. This, in turn, causesshoulder 62 to be disengaged fromplate 34, releasing theactuator member 32.Movable pin 30 can then be moved outwardly by the internally biased spring contact, so that theauxiliary switch 24 switches from the N/O state to the N/C state. An alarm circuit connected between the C and N/C terminals of theauxiliary switch 24 thus will be closed. This can be used to provide a remote indication of the tripped breaker condition. - Figures 5-8 show a second embodiment of the auxiliary switch mechanism of the present invention. Elements which are identical to those of the first embodiment retain the same reference numbers. Elements which are modified forms of those shown in the first embodiment are represented by primed reference numbers, and totally new elements are shown with new reference numbers.
- Fig. 5 shows a side view of the breaker mechanism of the second embodiment with the main contacts closed, and Fig. 8 shows a cutaway perspective view of the second embodiment with the main contacts open. Fig. 8 shows the auxiliary switch in the H/0 state, that is, after a manual opening of the main contacts. Except as discussed below, the operation of the breaker in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.
- Referring to Figure 5, the
movable pin 30 is under the immediate control of anactuator member 80. As shown in Figures 7A and 7B,actuator member 80 comprises abase portion 82 and anarm 84.Arm 84 extends upwardly from thebase portion 82. Thebase portion 82. further has a box-shaped housing for receiving lockingmember 521. Arecess 92 inhousing 90 terminates in afloor portion 94 and a raisededge portion 96. Alower wall portion 95 joinsfloor portion 94 and raisededge portion 96, and aback wall portion 97 joins raisededge portion 96 with the periphery ofrecess 92. A step is thus formed at the junction of the bottom and back walls of therecess 92. Ashim 98 may be attached to the outer bottom surface of theactuator member 80, where it engages themovable pin 30. Theshim 98 can be used as needed to compensate for varying tolerances due to the fit of the auxiliary switch in the casing, or to increase the upward force exerted on theactuator member 80 by the spring biasedmovable pin 30. - A pair of pivot pins 86a and 86b extend laterally outward from the
base portion 82 of the actuator-member 80 near anend 88 thereof opposite the end from which thearm 84 extends. Pivot pins 86a and 86b seat in corresponding pivot mounting openings inbreaker casing 12. - Figures 6A and 6B show the locking member 52' of the second embodiment. Locking member 52' has an arm 56' which terminates at a
square end 63; whereas lockingmember 52 terminates infinger 60 andshoulder 62. - The second embodiment of the invention operates generally similarly to the first, with some differences as noted below: When the
movable contact arm 18 is pivoted under the action of thebreaker mechanism 14 during resetting of the breaker, thebottom surface 19 ofarm 18 abuttingly engagesarm portion 84 of actuator.member 80. This causes theactuator member 80 to pivot about the axis defined by mounting pins 86a and 86b against the spring bias acting throughmovable pin 30. When actuator 80 is pivoted clockwise about the axis defined by pins 86a and 86b during resetting of the breaker, theend 63 of the locking member 52' slides upwardly alongwall portion 95 connecting thefloor 94 ofrecess 92 in actuator.80 toward the raisededge portion 96. When, theend 63 reaches the level of raisededge portion 96 of lockingarm housing 80,bias spring 72 urges member 52' to pivot aboutpin 70, so thatend 63 overrides the raisededge portion 96, to abut theback wall 97 of ;recess 92, as shown in Fig. 5. This forms a stop against movement ofactuator member 80 in the opposite direction, i.e. prevents it from pivoting upwardly if the breaker contacts are opened normally. This locking action caused by the interaction between thesquared end 63 and the raisededge portion 96 corresponds to the interaction between thefinger 60 andshoulder 62 of lockingarm 52 and the bifurcated end portion ofactuator member 32 in the first embodiment of the invention. - As in the first embodiment, when the breaker is tripped by an overcurrent through the main circuit,
sear pin 20 is pivoted byarm 46 to strike arm 58' of locking member 52' and rotate member 52' clockwise about thepivot pin 70 against the action ofbias spring 72. This, in turn, causesend 63 of the locking arm 52' to be disengaged from raisededge portion 96 ofrecess 92. This releases theactuator member 80; as the movingcontact arm 18 has already moved out of engagement witharm 84, the bias onmovable pin 30 urges actuator 80 upwardly. This allowsswitch 24 to switch from the N/O 9A. 4/11/86 state to the NH.1/11/86 N/C state. - When the breaker is manually turned off, the
sear pin 20 travels in a path so that it does not strike the locking member 52'. Hence the auxiliary switch is not disturbed, and it remains it its N/O B.Z. 4/11/86 state. - The auxiliary switch actuator mechanism of this invention is composed of only three essential parts: the
actuator member member 52 or 52', and thebias spring 72. Theactuator member member 52 or 52' are mountable to almost any standard breaker mechanism. Since the two parts are mounted in an interlocking arrangement, there is no need to manufacture them to close tole- ranee. By virtue of their interlocking arrangement, they provide essentially trouble-free, reliable operation over the normal life of the breaker. Further, the lockingmember 52 or 52' pivots on the same frame as does the contact arm, resulting in a simplified construction over known devices. - The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (18)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US72548685A | 1985-04-22 | 1985-04-22 | |
US725486 | 1985-04-22 | ||
US852147 | 1986-04-15 | ||
US06/852,147 US4707674A (en) | 1986-01-02 | 1986-04-15 | Auxiliary switch actuator mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0199579A2 true EP0199579A2 (en) | 1986-10-29 |
EP0199579A3 EP0199579A3 (en) | 1987-09-16 |
Family
ID=27111156
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP86303017A Withdrawn EP0199579A3 (en) | 1985-04-22 | 1986-04-22 | Auxiliary switch actuator mechanism |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0199579A3 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2221347A (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1990-01-31 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly |
EP0439882A1 (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1991-08-07 | Eaton Corporation | Auxiliary switch retainer for circuit breakers and actuator member |
WO1995022161A1 (en) * | 1994-02-09 | 1995-08-17 | Klöckner-Moeller Gmbh | Low-voltage power switch with relative auxiliary switch |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3388357A (en) * | 1964-10-08 | 1968-06-11 | Texas Instruments Inc | Magnetic type circuit breaker |
US3593232A (en) * | 1969-07-29 | 1971-07-13 | Sanken Airpax Co Ltd | Auxiliary contact interlocking device |
US3720891A (en) * | 1971-12-06 | 1973-03-13 | Heinemann Electric Co | Circuit breaker with improved auxiliary switch actuator |
US3742402A (en) * | 1970-10-01 | 1973-06-26 | Heinemann Electric Co | Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication |
-
1986
- 1986-04-22 EP EP86303017A patent/EP0199579A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3388357A (en) * | 1964-10-08 | 1968-06-11 | Texas Instruments Inc | Magnetic type circuit breaker |
US3593232A (en) * | 1969-07-29 | 1971-07-13 | Sanken Airpax Co Ltd | Auxiliary contact interlocking device |
US3742402A (en) * | 1970-10-01 | 1973-06-26 | Heinemann Electric Co | Circuit breaker with on off and trip indication |
US3720891A (en) * | 1971-12-06 | 1973-03-13 | Heinemann Electric Co | Circuit breaker with improved auxiliary switch actuator |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2221347A (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1990-01-31 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly |
AU623153B2 (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1992-05-07 | Westinghouse Electric Corporation | Circuit breaker auxiliary switch assembly |
GB2221347B (en) * | 1988-07-25 | 1992-10-14 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Electric circuit breaker |
EP0439882A1 (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1991-08-07 | Eaton Corporation | Auxiliary switch retainer for circuit breakers and actuator member |
WO1995022161A1 (en) * | 1994-02-09 | 1995-08-17 | Klöckner-Moeller Gmbh | Low-voltage power switch with relative auxiliary switch |
US5774031A (en) * | 1994-02-09 | 1998-06-30 | Klockner-Moeller Gmbh | Low-voltage power switch with relative auxiliary switch |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0199579A3 (en) | 1987-09-16 |
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