JP5275101B2

JP5275101B2 - Circuit breaker arc gas exhaust structure

Info

Publication number: JP5275101B2
Application number: JP2009073443A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 啓太清水
Original assignee: 河村電器産業株式会社
Priority date: 2009-03-25
Filing date: 2009-03-25
Publication date: 2013-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-25
Also published as: JP2010225504A

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively exhaust an arc gas outside a breaker case without making foreign matters invade inside the breaker case. <P>SOLUTION: A separator 9 for supporting a movable contact is arranged inside the breaker case 2, and the separator 9 moves up and down between a contact closed position and a contact open position. An exhaust hole 6 for discharging the arc gas is formed on a side face of the case 2, and the exhaust hole 6 is blocked with a side wall 17 of the separator 9 from the inside of the case 2. A vent hole 23 for communicating with the exhaust hole 6 is formed on the side wall 17. The vent hole 23 continuously has a penetrating section 23a for penetrating the side wall 17, and a groove 23b which is dented on the outer face of the side wall 17. When the separator 9 moves to the contact open position, the groove 23b is opposite to the exhaust hole 6 while the penetrating section 23a is blocked by the case 2, and the arc gas generated in an arc-extinguishing chamber 19 is discharged outside the case 2 through the shortest exhaust passage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、接点開放時に発生したアークガスを遮断器ケースの外部に排出する排気構造を備えた回路遮断器に関する。 The present invention relates to a circuit breaker having an exhaust structure for discharging arc gas generated when a contact is opened to the outside of a breaker case.

従来、アークガスを遮断器ケースの端面に形成した排気穴から排出する回路遮断器が知られている。例えば、特許文献１には、遮断器ケースの端面に左右２つの配線用端子穴と警報出力コネクタを上下２段に配設し、警報出力コネクタの下側に排気穴を形成した回路遮断器が記載されている。特許文献２には、遮断器ケースの電源側端面と負荷側端面の両方に排気穴を形成した回路遮断器が記載されている。 Conventionally, a circuit breaker that discharges arc gas from an exhaust hole formed in an end face of a breaker case is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a circuit breaker in which two left and right wiring terminal holes and an alarm output connector are arranged in two upper and lower stages on the end face of a circuit breaker case, and an exhaust hole is formed below the alarm output connector. Have been described. Patent Document 2 describes a circuit breaker in which exhaust holes are formed on both the power supply side end face and the load side end face of the circuit breaker case.

特開２００８−２８８１００号公報JP 2008-288100 A 特開２００６−２２８４９２号公報JP 2006-228492 A

ところが、従来の回路遮断器によると、排気穴を端子穴やコネクタと一緒に比較的狭い面積の端面に設けているので、排気穴の大きさが制限され、アークガスがケース内に残留しやすくなる。特に、薄型の回路遮断器の場合は、排気穴が一層小さくなるうえ、ケース内に多数の部品が密集するため、アークガス中の溶融金属や炭素成分が付着しやすく、短絡遮断性能に悪影響が及ぶという問題点があった。また、端面ではなく、遮断器ケースの側面に大きな排気穴を形成する排気構造も考えられるが、この場合は、排気穴からゴミや埃などの異物がケース内に侵入しやすくなるという別の課題が発生する。 However, according to the conventional circuit breaker, since the exhaust hole is provided in the end face of a relatively small area together with the terminal hole and the connector, the size of the exhaust hole is limited, and the arc gas tends to remain in the case. . In particular, in the case of a thin circuit breaker, the exhaust holes are further reduced, and a large number of parts are concentrated in the case, so that molten metal and carbon components in the arc gas are likely to adhere, and the short circuit breaking performance is adversely affected. There was a problem. In addition, an exhaust structure in which a large exhaust hole is formed in the side surface of the circuit breaker case instead of the end face is also conceivable, but in this case, another problem is that foreign matter such as dust and dust easily enters the case from the exhaust hole. Will occur.

そこで、本発明の目的は、遮断器ケースの内部に異物を侵入させることなく、アークガスを遮断器ケースの外部に効率よく排出できる回路遮断器を提供することにある。 Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker that can efficiently discharge arc gas to the outside of the breaker case without allowing foreign matter to enter the breaker case.

上記課題を解決するために、本発明は次のような回路遮断器を提供する。
（１）遮断器ケースの内部に固定接点と可動接点を配置し、可動接点を支持する移動体を接点閉鎖位置と接点開放位置とに移動可能に設け、遮断器ケースの側面にアークガスの排気穴を形成し、移動体に排気穴を遮断器ケースの内側から遮蔽する側壁を設け、側壁の一部に排気穴と連通可能な通気穴を形成し、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、通気穴が排気穴に相対することを特徴とする回路遮断器。 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following circuit breaker.
(1) A fixed contact and a movable contact are arranged inside the circuit breaker case, and a moving body that supports the movable contact is provided so as to be movable between a contact closed position and a contact open position, and an arc gas exhaust hole is provided on the side of the circuit breaker case. When the moving body is moved to the contact open position, a side wall that shields the exhaust hole from the inside of the circuit breaker case is provided in the moving body, and a vent hole that communicates with the exhaust hole is formed in a part of the side wall. A circuit breaker characterized in that the vent hole faces the exhaust hole.

（２）通気穴が側壁を貫通する貫通部と側壁の外面に凹む溝部とを連続的に備え、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、貫通部が遮断器ケースの内面に相対した状態で、溝部が排気穴に相対することを特徴とする上記（１）に記載の回路遮断器。 (2) A state in which the ventilation hole continuously includes a penetration portion that penetrates the side wall and a groove portion that is recessed on the outer surface of the side wall, and the penetration portion faces the inner surface of the circuit breaker case when the moving body moves to the contact open position. The circuit breaker according to (1) above, wherein the groove portion faces the exhaust hole.

（３）側壁が遮断器ケースの内面に近接し、移動体が側壁の内側に固定接点と可動接点を収容する消弧室を備え、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、消弧室が通気穴を介して排気穴に連通することを特徴とする上記（１）又は（２）に記載の回路遮断器。 (3) The arc-extinguishing chamber is provided when the side wall is close to the inner surface of the circuit breaker case, the moving body includes an arc-extinguishing chamber that accommodates the fixed contact and the movable contact inside the side wall, and the moving body moves to the contact open position. The circuit breaker according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the circuit is communicated with the exhaust hole through the vent hole.

上記（１）の回路遮断器において、移動体が接点閉鎖位置に配置されている状態では、遮断器ケースの側面に形成された排気穴が移動体の側壁によって遮蔽される。短絡発生時に、移動体が接点開放位置に移動すると、側壁に形成した通気穴が排気穴に相対し、遮断器ケースの内外に排気通路が形成される。したがって、遮断器ケースの内部に異物を侵入させることなく、アークガスを遮断器ケースの外部に効率よく排出し、短絡遮断性能を改善できるという効果がある。 In the circuit breaker of the above (1), when the moving body is disposed at the contact closing position, the exhaust hole formed in the side surface of the breaker case is shielded by the side wall of the moving body. When the moving body moves to the contact open position when a short circuit occurs, the vent hole formed in the side wall faces the exhaust hole, and an exhaust passage is formed inside and outside the breaker case. Therefore, there is an effect that the arc gas can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the circuit breaker case and the short circuit breaking performance can be improved without allowing foreign matter to enter the circuit breaker case.

上記（２）の回路遮断器では、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、通気穴が貫通部を塞いだ状態で、溝部を排気穴に相対させるため、アークをケース外部に飛散させることなく、アークガスのみを排気穴からスムーズに排出できるという効果がある。 In the circuit breaker of (2) above, when the moving body moves to the contact open position, the arc is scattered outside the case so that the groove portion is opposed to the exhaust hole with the vent hole blocking the through portion. In addition, only the arc gas can be smoothly discharged from the exhaust hole.

上記（３）の回路遮断器によれば、消弧室に発生したアークガスを最短の排気通路に通して遮断器ケースの側面から瞬時に排出でき、特に、薄型の回路遮断器において短絡遮断性能を改善できるという効果がある。 According to the circuit breaker of (3) above, the arc gas generated in the arc extinguishing chamber can be instantaneously discharged from the side surface of the circuit breaker case through the shortest exhaust passage. There is an effect that it can be improved.

本発明の一実施形態を示す回路遮断器の外観斜視図である。It is an external appearance perspective view of the circuit breaker which shows one Embodiment of this invention. 遮断器ケースに内蔵されたセパレータの構成を示す側面図である。It is a side view which shows the structure of the separator incorporated in the circuit breaker case. セパレータの動作を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows operation | movement of a separator. 接点閉鎖状態で通気穴と排気穴の相対位置を示す側面／断面図である。It is a side surface / sectional view which shows the relative position of a vent hole and an exhaust hole in a contact closed state. 接点開放状態で通気穴と排気穴の相対位置を示す側面／断面図である。It is a side surface / sectional view which shows the relative position of a vent hole and an exhaust hole in a contact open state.

以下、本発明を単相３線式電路用の回路遮断器に具体化した一実施形態を図面に基づいて説明する。図１に示すように、回路遮断器１のケース２は四角薄箱型に形成され、遮断器ケース２の上面に電路を開閉するハンドル３が設けられている。遮断器ケース２の後端面には３つの電源側端子４が縦一列に配列され、遮断器ケース２の前端面（傾斜面）に３つの負荷側端子５が縦一列に配列されている。そして、遮断器ケース２の左右両側面に、それぞれ、アークガスを排出するための３つの排気穴６が形成されている。 DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the invention is embodied in a circuit breaker for a single-phase three-wire electric circuit will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the case 2 of the circuit breaker 1 is formed in a rectangular thin box shape, and a handle 3 for opening and closing the electric circuit is provided on the upper surface of the breaker case 2. Three power supply side terminals 4 are arranged in a vertical row on the rear end surface of the circuit breaker case 2, and three load side terminals 5 are arranged in a vertical row on the front end surface (inclined surface) of the circuit breaker case 2. Then, three exhaust holes 6 for discharging arc gas are formed on both the left and right side surfaces of the circuit breaker case 2.

図２、図３に示すように、遮断器ケース２の内部には、３つの固定接点７、３つの可動接点８、両方の接点７，８を開閉するセパレータ９、セパレータ９を動作させる引外し部材１０、引外し部材１０を駆動する遮断機構（図示略）等が配設されている。固定接点７は、固定端子金具１１を介して負荷側端子５に接続されている。可動接点８は、可動端子金具１２と可撓導線１３を介して電源側端子４に接続されている。可動端子金具１２は、セパレータ９の掛止溝１５に支持されている。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the breaker case 2 has three fixed contacts 7, three movable contacts 8, a separator 9 that opens and closes both contacts 7, and a tripper that operates the separator 9. A blocking mechanism (not shown) for driving the member 10 and the tripping member 10 is provided. The fixed contact 7 is connected to the load side terminal 5 via the fixed terminal fitting 11. The movable contact 8 is connected to the power supply side terminal 4 via the movable terminal fitting 12 and the flexible lead wire 13. The movable terminal fitting 12 is supported by the retaining groove 15 of the separator 9.

移動体としてのセパレータ９は、上下に長い箱形に形成され、スプリング１６で上方へ付勢され、可動接点８が固定接点７に接触する接点閉鎖位置（図３a参照）と、可動接点８が固定接点７から上方へ離れる接点開放位置（図３ｂ参照）とに斜めに移動可能に設けられている。セパレータ９には、左右の側壁１７と背壁１８の内側に上下３段の消弧室１９が形成され、消弧室１９に固定接点７と可動接点８が収容されている。なお、セパレータ９は前面と下面が開放し、固定接点７が前面側から消弧室１９に挿入されている。 The separator 9 as a moving body is formed in a box shape that is vertically long and is urged upward by a spring 16 so that the movable contact 8 is in contact with the fixed contact 7 (see FIG. 3a), and the movable contact 8 is It is provided so as to be able to move obliquely to a contact opening position (see FIG. 3b) that is separated upward from the fixed contact 7. In the separator 9, three upper and lower arc extinguishing chambers 19 are formed inside the left and right side walls 17 and the back wall 18, and the stationary contact 7 and the movable contact 8 are accommodated in the arc extinguishing chamber 19. In addition, the front surface and the lower surface of the separator 9 are open, and the fixed contact 7 is inserted into the arc extinguishing chamber 19 from the front surface side.

セパレータ９の上端には、２つのカム２０，２１が配設され、一方のカム２０が引外し部材１０に係合し、他方のカム２１がリンク２２に係合している。通電状態では、ＯＮ位置のハンドル３がリンク２２を押し下げ、カム２１がリンク２２を拘束し、セパレータ９が接点閉鎖位置に保持される。短絡発生時には、引外し部材１０がカム２０，２１を駆動してリンク２２を解放し、セパレータ９がスプリング１６の付勢力で接点開放位置に上昇し、ハンドル３がＯＦＦ位置に起立するようになっている。 Two cams 20 and 21 are disposed at the upper end of the separator 9, one cam 20 is engaged with the tripping member 10, and the other cam 21 is engaged with the link 22. In the energized state, the handle 3 at the ON position pushes down the link 22, the cam 21 restrains the link 22, and the separator 9 is held at the contact closed position. When a short circuit occurs, the tripping member 10 drives the cams 20 and 21 to release the link 22, the separator 9 rises to the contact open position by the biasing force of the spring 16, and the handle 3 stands up in the OFF position. ing.

図４に示すように、３つの通気穴６はセパレータ９と対応する位置で遮断器ケース２の側面に形成され、セパレータ９の側壁１７が遮断器ケース２の内面に近接する位置で排気穴６を遮蔽している。側壁１７の３箇所には排気穴６と連通可能な通気穴２３が形成され、通気穴２３に側壁１７を貫通する貫通部２３ａと、貫通部２３ａの上側で側壁１７の外面に凹む溝部２３ｂとが連続的に設けられている。 As shown in FIG. 4, the three ventilation holes 6 are formed in the side surface of the circuit breaker case 2 at a position corresponding to the separator 9, and the exhaust hole 6 is formed at a position where the side wall 17 of the separator 9 is close to the inner surface of the circuit breaker case 2. Shielding. A vent hole 23 that can communicate with the exhaust hole 6 is formed at three locations on the side wall 17, a through portion 23 a that penetrates the side wall 17 through the vent hole 23, and a groove portion 23 b that is recessed on the outer surface of the side wall 17 above the through portion 23 a. Are provided continuously.

そして、図５に示すように、短絡発生時に、セパレータ９が接点開放位置に上昇すると、貫通部２３ａが遮断器ケース２の内面に相対した状態で、溝部２３ｂが排気穴６に相対し、消弧室１９が貫通部２３ａと溝部２３ｂを介して排気穴６に連通するようになっている。なお、セパレータ９の下面が開放しているため、下段の通気穴２３は貫通部を備えず、溝部２３ｂのみが設けられている（図２参照）。 Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the separator 9 rises to the contact open position when a short circuit occurs, the groove 23 b faces the exhaust hole 6 with the penetration 23 a facing the inner surface of the circuit breaker case 2, and the The arc chamber 19 communicates with the exhaust hole 6 through the through portion 23a and the groove portion 23b. In addition, since the lower surface of the separator 9 is open, the lower vent hole 23 is not provided with a through portion, and only the groove portion 23b is provided (see FIG. 2).

したがって、この実施形態の回路遮断器１によれば、次のような作用効果が得られる。
（ａ）図４に示すように、電路の通電状態で、セパレータ９が接点閉鎖位置に配置されているときには、通気穴２３が排気穴６と重ならず、側壁１７が排気穴６を遮蔽しているので、外部のゴミや埃などの異物が遮断器ケース２の内部に侵入するおそれがない。
（ｂ）このとき、側壁１７が遮断器ケース２の内面に近接しているので、異物の侵入を確実に防止できる。 Therefore, according to the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(A) As shown in FIG. 4, when the separator 9 is disposed at the contact closed position in the energized state of the electric circuit, the vent hole 23 does not overlap the exhaust hole 6, and the side wall 17 shields the exhaust hole 6. Therefore, there is no possibility that foreign matter such as external dust or dust will enter the circuit breaker case 2.
(B) At this time, since the side wall 17 is close to the inner surface of the circuit breaker case 2, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign matter from entering.

（ｃ）図５に示すように、短絡発生時に、セパレータ９が接点開放位置に上昇すると、通気穴２３の溝部２３ｂが排気穴６に重なり、消弧室１９が貫通部２３ａと溝部２３ｂを介して排気穴６に連通するので、消弧室１９に発生したアークガスを最短の排気通路に通して、遮断器ケース２の側面から瞬時に排出できる。
（ｄ）このとき、通気穴２３の貫通部２３ａが排気穴６に重ならず、遮断器ケース２でふさがれているので、消弧室１９に発生したアークが排気穴６から遮断器ケース２の外部に飛散するおそれがない。
（ｅ）また、貫通部２３ａが塞がれているので、接点開放状態を長期間にわたって放置した場合でも、異物の侵入を防止できる。 (C) As shown in FIG. 5, when the separator 9 rises to the contact open position when a short circuit occurs, the groove portion 23b of the vent hole 23 overlaps the exhaust hole 6, and the arc extinguishing chamber 19 passes through the through portion 23a and the groove portion 23b. Therefore, the arc gas generated in the arc extinguishing chamber 19 can be instantaneously discharged from the side surface of the circuit breaker case 2 through the shortest exhaust passage.
(D) At this time, the penetrating portion 23a of the vent hole 23 does not overlap the exhaust hole 6 but is blocked by the circuit breaker case 2, so that the arc generated in the arc extinguishing chamber 19 is discharged from the exhaust hole 6 to the circuit breaker case 2 There is no risk of splashing outside.
(E) Further, since the through-hole 23a is blocked, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering even when the contact open state is left for a long period of time.

本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、以下に例示するように、発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で適宜に変更して実施することも可能である。
（１）上記実施形態では、セパレータ９の消弧室１９が３段に設けられているが、一つの消弧室に３組の接点７，８を収容してもよい。
（２）セパレータ９の移動方向は、斜め方向に限定されず、垂直方向または水平方向に変更できる。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not departing from the spirit of the invention, as exemplified below.
(1) In the above embodiment, the arc extinguishing chambers 19 of the separator 9 are provided in three stages, but three sets of contacts 7 and 8 may be accommodated in one arc extinguishing chamber.
(2) The moving direction of the separator 9 is not limited to the oblique direction, and can be changed to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

（３）セパレータ９は、図２に示す長箱形に限定されず、一対の側壁板を対向させた開放型の移動体を使用してもよい。
（４）図２に示す通気穴２３の溝部２３ｂは、貫通部２３ａの上側に限定されず、下側、右側、左側など、セパレータ９の接点開放方向に合わせて適宜に変更できる。
（５）その他、回路遮断器の種類に応じて、固定接点７、可動接点８、排気穴６、通気穴２３の数や形状を任意に変更することも可能である。 (3) The separator 9 is not limited to the long box shape shown in FIG. 2, and an open type moving body in which a pair of side wall plates are opposed to each other may be used.
(4) The groove 23b of the ventilation hole 23 shown in FIG. 2 is not limited to the upper side of the through-hole 23a, and can be appropriately changed according to the contact opening direction of the separator 9, such as the lower side, the right side, and the left side.
(5) In addition, the number and shape of the fixed contact 7, the movable contact 8, the exhaust hole 6, and the vent hole 23 can be arbitrarily changed according to the type of the circuit breaker.

１回路遮断器
２遮断器ケース
６排気穴
７固定接点
８可動接点
９移動体
１７側壁
１９消弧室
２３通気穴
２３ａ貫通部
２３ｂ溝部 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circuit breaker 2 Circuit breaker case 6 Exhaust hole 7 Fixed contact 8 Movable contact 9 Moving body 17 Side wall 19 Arc extinguishing chamber 23 Vent hole 23a Through part 23b Groove part

Claims

遮断器ケースの内部に固定接点と可動接点を配置し、可動接点を支持する移動体を接点閉鎖位置と接点開放位置とに移動可能に設け、遮断器ケースの側面にアークガスの排気穴を形成し、移動体に排気穴を遮断器ケースの内側から遮蔽する側壁を設け、側壁の一部に排気穴と連通可能な通気穴を形成し、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、通気穴が排気穴に相対することを特徴とする回路遮断器。 A fixed contact and a movable contact are arranged inside the circuit breaker case, a moving body that supports the movable contact is provided to be movable between the contact closed position and the contact open position, and an arc gas exhaust hole is formed on the side of the circuit breaker case. The moving body is provided with a side wall that shields the exhaust hole from the inside of the circuit breaker case, and a ventilation hole that can communicate with the exhaust hole is formed in a part of the side wall, and when the moving body moves to the contact open position, the ventilation hole Is a circuit breaker characterized by facing the exhaust hole.

前記通気穴が側壁を貫通する貫通部と側壁の外面に凹む溝部とを連続的に備え、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、貫通部が遮断器ケースの内面に相対し、溝部が排気穴に相対することを特徴とする請求項１記載の回路遮断器。 The vent hole is continuously provided with a through portion penetrating the side wall and a groove portion recessed in the outer surface of the side wall, and when the moving body moves to the contact open position, the through portion faces the inner surface of the circuit breaker case, and the groove portion The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the circuit breaker faces the exhaust hole.

前記側壁が遮断器ケースの内面に近接し、移動体が側壁の内側に固定接点と可動接点を収容する消弧室を備え、移動体が接点開放位置に移動したときに、消弧室が通気穴を介して排気穴に連通することを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の回路遮断器。 The side wall is close to the inner surface of the circuit breaker case, the moving body has an arc extinguishing chamber that accommodates the fixed contact and the movable contact inside the side wall, and the arc extinguishing chamber is ventilated when the moving body moves to the contact open position. The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the circuit breaker communicates with the exhaust hole through the hole.