Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch
The actuating mechanism for rotary switches locks the switch in the welded state, addressing the unreliable indication of contact welding, enhancing safety by preventing accidental operation and ensuring the handle accurately reflects the switch's position.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG BENYI NEW ENERGY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2019-07-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing rotary switches fail to reliably indicate a welded contact condition, posing a safety risk due to potential electric shock, as the operating force difference in abnormal states is not consistently detectable, especially for those unfamiliar with the switch or with strong strength.
An actuating mechanism with a rotary plate assembly and energy storage element that locks the switch in the closed position if contacts are welded, using a limiting element and elastic return elements to prevent rotation to the open position, ensuring the handle indicates the correct state.
The mechanism reliably prevents accidental operation by locking the switch in the welded state, allowing operators to detect and address the issue, reducing safety hazards by ensuring the handle reflects the actual switch position.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to a rotary switch, in particular an actuating mechanism of a rotary switch. State of the art
[0002] When the rotary switch is used as a disconnect switch, an insulation distance that meets regulatory requirements must be maintained between the moving and fixed contacts in the open position. The switch must have a clearly visible disconnect mark. In the closed position, the contacts should be able to withstand current under normal circuit conditions and current under abnormal conditions for a predetermined time. If operation by an electrician is required, the power supply must be switched off to ensure personnel safety. A lock is necessarily used on the switch to prevent accidental operation by another person and to ensure personnel safety. However, sometimes the moving and fixed contacts of the switch are welded together.This means the power supply cannot be switched off via the rotary switch at this time. If the moving and fixed contacts are not open, and the rotary handle indicates the open position, the operator can work while the circuit is still closed, creating a risk of electric shock. Existing national standards require the operation of a rotary switch as follows: When the contacts are welded together in the closed position, the operating force required to turn the rotary handle to the open position must be at least three times (and not less than 100 N) the operating force required to open the switch in its normal state. Existing operating mechanisms typically achieve this standard using torsion springs. The operator detects an abnormal condition by feeling the difference in the opening force. However, this is not entirely reliable.People who are unfamiliar with the rotary switch or possess relatively strong strength may not feel it, so there is a potential safety risk.
[0003] Document CN 1 06 057 545 A describes a rotary switch mechanism consisting of a housing, a drive element, and a stop disc. The drive element comprises an actuating arm and a drive disc connected to it. The drive disc and stop disc are located within the housing and can rotate about the same x-axis relative to the housing. An energy storage element is located between the drive disc and the stop disc, which drives the rotation of the stop disc. A stop is arranged on the stop disc in the x-direction. A bracket connected to the stop is located within the housing. The bracket has a holding element with a first and a second position that differ in the x-direction. The drive disc is equipped with a synchronizing structure that moves the holding element from the first to the second position.
[0004] German patent application DE 43 22 214 A1 describes a lockable rotary actuator for circuit breakers. In this rotary actuator, the return force of the switch lock, when the switching contacts are welded or stuck, serves to prevent the switch lock from engaging.
[0005] The publication DE 695 01 990 T2 describes rotary switches with locking in at least one switch position, with a switch housing in which fixed contacts are embedded, a switching bridge which is provided with a number of movable contacts which can be brought into contact with or separated from the fixed contacts by a translational movement of the switching bridge, a switch shaft, a rotation / translation converter in which a rotatable input element is coupled to the switch shaft and its movable output element is coupled to the switching bridge, and with a locking device for locking a position of the rotatable switch. Object of the invention
[0006] The invention is based on the objective of creating an actuating mechanism for a rotary switch that can eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0007] This problem is solved by the actuating mechanism of a rotary switch with contacts according to claim 1, which comprises a mounting base in which an actuating rod assembly and a rotary plate assembly for manual rotation are arranged, wherein an energy storage element is provided between the actuating rod assembly and the rotary plate assembly, wherein the rotary plate assembly closes or opens the rotary switch by forward or backward rotation, wherein, when the actuating rod assembly is rotated, the energy storage element rotates the rotary plate assembly with it, wherein a limiting element is articulated in the mounting base, wherein the limiting element has a pressure section and a locking section, wherein the rotary plate assembly interacts with the pressure section so that the limiting element can be rotated relative to the mounting base between a first position and a second position, wherein,When the rotary plate assembly is in the closed position, the rotary plate assembly abuts the pressure section, so that the limiting element is in the first position, wherein the locking section is on the rotational path of the actuating rod assembly or the energy storage element to lock the rotation of the actuating rod assembly in the case of welded contacts of the rotary switch, wherein when the rotary plate assembly is in the open position, the rotary plate assembly releases the pressure section, with the limiting element being in the second position, so that the locking section releases the actuating rod assembly.
[0008] The limiting element is provided with a first elastic return element to hold the limiting element in the second position.
[0009] The limiting element comprises a first limiting bar at the pressure section, wherein the first elastic restoring element is a compression spring and is placed around the first limiting bar, the mounting base having a limiting recess for the compression spring.
[0010] The printing section has a first smooth curved surface on one side, which interacts with the rotary plate arrangement.
[0011] The actuating rod assembly comprises an actuating rod and a cam that is placed around the actuating rod and engages with the actuating rod in the circumferential direction, wherein the rotary plate assembly comprises a rotary plate and a slide that is arranged on the rotary plate and can slide radially relative to the rotary plate, wherein the mounting base for the open and closed positions of the rotary plate assembly has two detent recesses, wherein a second elastic return element is arranged between the rotary plate and the slide that can press the slide into the detent recess, wherein when the slide is in the detent recess, the rotary plate assembly is non-rotatable, wherein when the slide leaves the detent recess, the rotary plate assembly is rotatable, wherein the slide is arranged below the cam and has a pressure plate corresponding to the cam, wherein when the cam rotates,the pressure plate can move the slider away from the detent recess.
[0012] The rotary plate has a raised side wall, wherein a second limiting bar is provided on the inside of the side wall, wherein the pressure plate has a first through-hole through which the second limiting bar runs, wherein the second elastic return element is a compression spring and is placed around the second limiting bar, wherein the two ends of the second elastic return element rest against the side wall and the pressure plate.
[0013] The mounting base has a first boundary plate and a second boundary plate that can interact with the side wall, the side wall being able to be rotated between the first boundary plate and the second boundary plate.
[0014] The energy storage element is a torsion spring and has two elastic legs, wherein the cam forms a raised first spring support plate, wherein the slider forms a raised second spring support plate, wherein the first spring support plate and the second spring support plate are of the same width, and wherein the two elastic legs abut the two sides of the first spring support plate and the second spring support plate.
[0015] The turntable is provided with a square piece, the slider forming a square sliding recess in which the square piece is slidably arranged.
[0016] The square piece has a round through-hole, with the lower end of the actuating rod inserted into the round through-hole.
[0017] The advantages of the invention are: In the normal state, the actuating rod assembly is connected to the handle. When the handle is turned, the energy storage element rotates the rotary plate assembly, thus opening and closing the switch. If the contacts are welded together, the rotary plate assembly is held in the closed position and cannot be rotated. The rotary plate assembly abuts the pressure section, and the locking section prevents the actuating rod assembly from being turned to the open position. The rotary handle does not indicate the open state. The lock for the open state is unusable. Therefore, the operator can easily detect the welding and take further safety precautions to reduce potential safety risks. Brief description of the drawings
[0018] To clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art technical solutions, the drawings used to depict these embodiments or the prior art are described below. The drawings referred to in the following description represent only the embodiments of the invention. For a person skilled in the art, other embodiments based on these drawings are still within the scope of the invention. Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the internal structure of the invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the mounting base of the invention; Fig. Figure 4 shows a representation of the connection between the actuating rod arrangement and the rotary plate arrangement according to the invention; Fig. 5 a representation of the cam and the rotary plate arrangement according to the invention; Fig. Figure 6 shows a representation of the rotary plate arrangement, wherein in (a) the slider is in the detent recess and in (b) the slider leaves the detent recess; Fig. 7 a representation of the rotating plate of the invention. Ways to implement the invention
[0019] To illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the invention, the invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the invention, all terms designated as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish between two elements with the same name but different parameters. The definitions of "first" and "second" serve only for the sake of clarity and should not be interpreted as limiting the embodiments of the invention, which are therefore not explained individually in subsequent embodiments.
[0021] The directional and positional terms used in the invention, such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", "front", "bottom", "side", etc., are merely directions or positions in the drawings. Therefore, these directional and positional terms are used to explain the invention and are not intended to limit its scope of protection.
[0022] Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. Figure 3 shows the actuating mechanism according to the invention for a rotary switch, comprising a mounting base 1 in which an actuating rod assembly 2 and a rotary plate assembly 3 for manual rotation are arranged. An energy storage element 4 is provided between the actuating rod assembly 2 and the rotary plate assembly 3. The rotary plate assembly 3 closes or opens the switch by rotating it forwards or backwards. When the actuating rod assembly 2 is rotated, the energy storage element 4 rotates the rotary plate assembly 3 with it. A limiting element 5 is pivotally mounted in the mounting base 1. The limiting element 5 has a pressure section 501 and a locking section 502. The rotary plate assembly 3 interacts with the pressure section 501 so that the limiting element 5 can be rotated relative to the mounting base 1 between a first position and a second position.When the rotary plate assembly 3 is in the closed position, it abuts the pressure section 501, causing the limiting element 5 to be in its first position. The locking section 502 is positioned in the path of rotation of the actuating rod assembly 2 or the energy storage element 4, thus locking the rotation of the actuating rod assembly 2. When the rotary plate assembly 3 is in the open position, it releases the pressure section 501, with the limiting element 5 in its second position, allowing the locking section 502 to release the actuating rod assembly 2. In the normal state, the actuating rod assembly 2 is connected to the handle. When the handle is turned, the energy storage element 4 can rotate the rotary plate assembly 3, thereby opening and closing the switch.If the contacts are welded shut, the rotary plate assembly 3 is held in the closed position and cannot be rotated. The rotary plate assembly 3 abuts the pressure section 501, and the locking section 502 prevents the actuating rod assembly 2 from rotating into the open position. The rotary handle does not indicate the open state. The lock for the open state is unusable. Therefore, the operator can easily detect the welding and take further safety precautions to reduce potential safety hazards.
[0023] The limiting element 5 is provided with a first elastic return element 503 for holding the limiting element 5 in the second position.
[0024] The limiting element 5 comprises a first limiting rod 504 on the pressure section 501. The first elastic return element 503 is a compression spring and is placed around the first limiting rod 504. The mounting base 1 has a limiting recess 101 for the compression spring. It is also possible for a torsion spring to be arranged on the pivot pin to perform a return function.
[0025] The printing section 501 has a first smooth curved surface 505 on one side, which interacts with the rotary plate arrangement 3.
[0026] In Fig. 2 The rotary plate assembly 3 and the actuating rod assembly 2 are both in the closed position, with the limiting element 5 in the first position. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, when the rotary plate assembly 3 is rotated counterclockwise, the limiting element 5 is rotated counterclockwise around the pivot pin by the first elastic return element 503 and thus enters the second position, so that the locking section 502 releases the actuating rod assembly 2. When the rotary plate assembly 3 is rotated clockwise back to its original position, the rotary plate assembly 3 pushes the pressure section 501, which is thus rotated clockwise around the pivot pin, so that the limiting element 5 returns to the first position. The locking section 502 is located in the path of rotation of the energy storage element 4. This prevents the energy storage element 4 and the actuating rod assembly 2 from rotating. The first smooth curved surface 505 serves to reduce friction and thus facilitates pressing. The energy storage element 4 has two elastic legs 401.When the limiting element 5 is in the first position, the locking section 502 lies on the path of rotation of the right elastic leg 401 in . Fig. 4. It is also possible that the actuating rod arrangement 2 includes a limiting projection that interacts with the limiting element 5.
[0027] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the actuating rod assembly 2 comprises an actuating rod 201 and a cam 202, which is positioned around the actuating rod 201 and engages with the actuating rod 201 in the circumferential direction. The rotary plate assembly 3 comprises a rotary plate 301 and a slide 302, which is arranged on the rotary plate 301 and can slide radially relative to the rotary plate 301. The mounting base 1 has two detent recesses 102 for the open and closed positions of the rotary plate assembly 3. A second elastic return element 303 is arranged between the rotary plate 301 and the slide 302, which can press the slide 302 into the detent recess 102. When the slide 302 is in the detent recess 102, the rotary plate assembly 3 cannot be rotated. When the slide 302 leaves the detent recess 102, the rotary plate assembly 3 can be rotated.The slide 302 is located below the cam 202 and has a pressure plate 3011 corresponding to the cam 202. When the cam 202 rotates, the pressure plate 3011 can move the slide 302 away from the detent recess 102. The cam 202 and the slide 302 allow the rotary plate assembly 3 to be positioned in the open and closed positions to hold the switch in the open or closed state.
[0028] The rotating plate 301 forms a raised side wall 304. A second limiting bar 305 is provided on the inside of the side wall 304. The pressure plate 3011 has a first through-hole 306 through which the second limiting bar 305 passes. The second elastic return element 303 is a compression spring and is placed around the second limiting bar 305. The two ends of the second elastic return element 303 rest against the side wall 304 and the pressure plate 3011.
[0029] The mounting base 1 has a first limiting plate 103 and a second limiting plate 104, which can interact with the side wall 304. The side wall 304 can be rotated between the first limiting plate 103 and the second limiting plate 104.
[0030] The energy storage element 4 is a torsion spring and has two elastic legs 401. The cam 202 forms a raised first spring support plate 203. The slide 302 forms a raised second spring support plate 307. The first spring support plate 203 and the second spring support plate 307 are of the same width. The two elastic legs 401 abut the two sides of the first spring support plate 203 and the second spring support plate 307.
[0031] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the closed state.
[0032] When opening, the actuating rod 201 and the cam 202 are rotated counterclockwise, causing the cam 202 to engage the right elastic leg 401. Fig. 4 presses into the closed position. The projection of the cam 202 presses the pressure plate 3011, causing the slide 302 to leave the detent recess 102. The rotary plate assembly 3 in the mounting base 1 is non-rotatable. The left elastic leg 401 rotates the rotary plate assembly 3 into the closed position. When opening, the cam 202 presses the left elastic leg 401 into the open position. Simultaneously, the pressure plate 3011 is pressed, causing the slide 302 to leave the other detent recess. The right elastic leg 401 rotates the rotary plate assembly 3 into the open position.
[0033] If the contacts are welded shut, the rotary plate assembly 3 cannot be rotated. When opened, the actuating rod assembly 2 can only be rotated as far as the locking section 502. If the handle is released at this point, the energy storage element 4 can rotate the actuating rod assembly 2 back to its original position.
[0034] The rotary plate 301 is provided with a square piece 308. The slide 302 forms a square sliding recess 309 in which the square piece 308 is slidably arranged.
[0035] The square piece 308 has a round through-hole 3010. The lower end of the actuating rod 201 is inserted into the round through-hole 3010 and fixed.
[0036] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 6(b), when the slide 302 leaves the detent recess, it forms a circular shape with the rotary plate 301. The side wall 304 of the rotary plate 301 is a segment-shaped projection and interacts with the first limiting plate 103 and the second limiting plate 104 to limit the angle of rotation. Simultaneously, the segment-shaped projection interacts with the pressure section 501. Reference symbol list 1 Mounting base 101 Limitation exemption 102 Rest recess 103 first boundary plate 104 second boundary plate 2 Actuating rod arrangement 201 Actuating rod 202 cams 203 first spring support plate 3 Turntable arrangement 301 Turntable 302 slides 303 second elastic restoring element 304 Side wall 305 second boundary rod 306 first through hole 307 second spring support plate 308 square pieces 309 square sliding recess 3010 round through hole 3011 Printing plate 4 Energy storage element 401 elastic thigh 5 Boundary element 501 Print section 502 Blocking Section 503 first elastic restoring element 504 first boundary rod 505 first smooth curved surface
Claims
[1] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch with contacts, comprising a mounting base (1) in which an actuating rod assembly (2) and a rotary plate assembly (3) for manual rotation are arranged, wherein an energy storage element (4) is provided between the actuating rod assembly (2) and the rotary plate assembly (3), wherein the rotary plate assembly (3) closes or opens the rotary switch by being rotated forwards or backwards, wherein when the actuating rod assembly (2) is rotated, the energy storage element (4) rotates the rotary plate assembly (3), wherein a limiting element (5) is pivotally mounted in the mounting base (1), wherein the limiting element (5) has a pressure section (501) and a locking section (502), wherein the rotary plate assembly (3) interacts with the pressure section (501) so that the limiting element (5) can be rotated relative to the mounting base (1) between a first position and a second position, wherein,When the rotary plate assembly (3) is in the closed position, the rotary plate assembly (3) abuts the pressure section (501), so that the limiting element (5) is in the first position, wherein the locking section (502) is on the rotation path of the actuating rod assembly (2) or the energy storage element (4) to lock the rotation of the actuating rod assembly (2) in the case of welded contacts of the rotary switch, wherein when the rotary plate assembly (3) is in the open position, the rotary plate assembly (3) releases the pressure section (501), wherein the limiting element (5) is in the second position, so that the locking section (502) releases the actuating rod assembly (2). [2] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized by, that the limiting element (5) is provided with a first elastic restoring element (503) for holding the limiting element (5) in the second position. [3] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 2, characterized by , that the limiting element (5) comprises a first limiting rod (504) on the pressure section (501), wherein the first elastic restoring element (503) is a compression spring and is placed around the first limiting rod (504), wherein the mounting base (1) has a limiting recess (101) for the compression spring. [4] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized by , that the printing section (501) has a first smooth curved surface (505) on one side, which interacts with the rotary plate arrangement (3). [5] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 1, characterized bythat the actuating rod assembly (2) comprises an actuating rod (201) and a cam (202) which is placed around the actuating rod (201) and engages with the actuating rod (201) in the circumferential direction, wherein the rotary plate assembly (3) comprises a rotary plate (301) and a slide (302) which is arranged on the rotary plate (301) and can slide radially relative to the rotary plate (301), wherein the mounting base (1) has two detent recesses (102) for the opening and closing positions of the rotary plate assembly (3), wherein a second elastic return element (303) is arranged between the rotary plate (301) and the slide (302) which can press the slide (302) into the detent recess (102), wherein when the slide (302) is in the detent recess (102), the rotary plate assembly (3) is non-rotatable is, wherein, when the slider (302) leaves the detent recess (102), the rotary plate assembly (3) is rotatable,wherein the slide (302) is arranged below the cam (202) and has a pressure plate (3011) corresponding to the cam (202), wherein, when the cam (202) rotates, the pressure plate (3011) can move the slide (302) away from the detent recess (102). [6] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 5, characterized by , that the rotary plate (301) has a raised side wall (304), wherein a second limiting bar (305) is provided on the inside of the side wall (304), wherein the pressure plate (3011) has a first through-hole (306) through which the second limiting bar (305) passes, wherein the second elastic restoring element (303) is a compression spring and is placed around the second limiting bar (305), wherein the two ends of the second elastic restoring element (303) bear against the side wall (304) and the pressure plate (3011). [7] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 6, characterized by, that the mounting base (1) has a first limiting plate (103) and a second limiting plate (104) which can interact with the side wall (304), wherein the side wall (304) can be rotated between the first limiting plate (103) and the second limiting plate (104). [8] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 5, characterized by , that the energy storage element (4) is a torsion spring and has two elastic legs (401), wherein the cam (202) forms a raised first spring support plate (203), wherein the slider (302) forms a raised second spring support plate (307), wherein the first spring support plate (203) and the second spring support plate (307) are of equal width, and wherein the two elastic legs (401) abut the two sides of the first spring support plate (203) and the second spring support plate (307). [9] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 5, characterized by, that the rotating plate (301) is provided with a square piece (308), wherein the slider (302) forms a square sliding recess (309) in which the square piece (308) is arranged to slide. [10] Actuating mechanism of a rotary switch according to claim 9, characterized by , that the square piece (308) has a round through hole (3010), wherein the lower end of the actuating rod (201) is inserted into the round through hole (3010).