Leakage protection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a leakage protection device, which includes a housing and a movement assembly disposed within the housing. The movement assembly includes a control circuit board, as well as an input assembly and an output assembly coupled to the control circuit board. The leakage protection device includes a reset assembly and a test assembly. The reset assembly includes a reset button disposed outside the housing, and the test assembly includes a test button disposed outside the housing. Among them, the input assembly extends out of the housing along a first direction, and the reset button and the test button are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the housing parallel to the first direction, so that the operation directions of the reset button and the test button form an angle with the first direction. By arranging the buttons of the reset assembly and the test assembly on the outer peripheral surface of the housing parallel to the extending direction of the input assembly, the present invention improves the internal structure layout of the product. While ensuring the use safety of the product, it significantly reduces the volume of the product, improves the production and processing efficiency, reduces the cost, and is especially suitable for compact application environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the electrical field, and in particular to a leakage protection device. Background Art

[0002] As people's awareness of electricity safety continues to improve, the use of leakage protection devices is becoming more and more widespread. The application fields and places of use are also continuously increasing, which puts higher requirements on the research, development and manufacture of leakage protection devices. Taking the leakage protection plug as an example, the existing leakage protection plug is relatively large in size due to the limitation of the mechanical structure. When it needs to be used with some small household appliances (such as hair dryers, dryers, etc.), it will cause the overall appearance of the product to be inconsistent, reducing the overall aesthetics of the product. In addition, due to the large size of the existing leakage protection plug, it will not be able to be used normally under some limited conditions (such as in the standard socket waterproof box in the bathroom), which will cause certain troubles to the user. In addition, due to the complex structure and large size of the existing leakage protection plug, it also makes the product difficult to manufacture and the cost is high. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and design a new leakage protection device to make up for these defects. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a leakage protection device to further improve the safety of use and to propose improvements based on the above-mentioned factors that need to be considered.

[0004] To this end, according to the present invention, there is provided a leakage protection device, comprising a shell and a movement assembly arranged in the shell, the movement assembly comprising a control circuit board, and an input assembly and an output assembly coupled to the control circuit board, wherein the leakage protection device comprises a reset assembly and a test assembly, the reset assembly comprising a reset button arranged outside the shell, the test assembly comprising a test button arranged outside the shell, wherein the input assembly extends out of the shell along a first direction, and the reset button and the test button are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the shell parallel to the first direction, so that the operating directions of the reset button and the test button are at an angle to the first direction.

[0005] According to the above technical concept, the present invention may further include any one or more of the following optional forms.

[0006] In some optional forms, the reset button and the test button are arranged side by side on the outer peripheral surface of the housing along the first direction or perpendicular to the first direction.

[0007] In some optional forms, the housing is configured to have a circular, square, rectangular or polygonal cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] In some alternative forms, the output component extends out of the housing along a second direction on the housing surface where the input component, the reset button, and the test button are not provided, and the second direction is parallel to the first direction or forms an angle with the first direction.

[0009] In some alternative forms, the housing includes a base and a cover connected to each other. The cover is provided with openings for the reset button and the test button to protrude, and the output component extends out of the base or the cover.

[0010] In some alternative forms, the leakage protection device further includes a tripping component coupled to the control circuit board. The input component includes a pair of elastic contact arms, and each elastic contact arm is provided with a moving electrical contact. The output component includes a pair of contact arms, and each contact arm is provided with a static electrical contact to cooperate with the moving electrical contact. The tripping component is provided with a tripper for causing the moving electrical contact to contact or disengage from the static electrical contact.

[0011] In some alternative forms, the output component includes an output wiring device, and the output wiring device includes an output wire coupled to the movement component or a wiring component connected to the output wire.

[0012] In some alternative forms, the leakage protection device further includes a detection component coupled to the control circuit board. The pair of elastic contact arms of the input component pass through the detection component and are coupled to the power supply terminal.

[0013] In some alternative forms, the leakage protection device further includes a tripping coil coupled to the control circuit board. The pair of contact arms of the output component are limited, fixed, and connected to the output wiring device via the tripping coil.

[0014] In some alternative forms, the output component further includes a wire clip coupled to the output wiring device, and the wire clip is cooperatively connected to the housing.

[0015] By arranging the buttons of the reset component and the test component in the leakage protection device on the outer peripheral surface of the housing parallel to the extending direction of the input component, the present invention improves the internal structure layout of the product. While ensuring the use safety of the product, the volume of the product is significantly reduced, the production and processing efficiency is improved, and the cost is reduced, which is particularly suitable for compact application environments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood through the following alternative embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the drawings, in which the same reference numerals identify the same or similar components, where:

[0017] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the external shape of the leakage protection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where the output wiring device is arranged at an angle with the input end;

[0018] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the external shape of the leakage protection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to Figure 1 that, with the difference that the output wiring device is arranged parallel to the input end;

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the external shape of the leakage protection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to Figure 1 that, with the difference that the reset button and the test button are arranged at different positions on the outer peripheral surface along the direction parallel to the input end of the housing;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the external shape of the leakage protection device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to Figure 3 that, with the difference that the reset button and the test button are arranged at different positions on the outer peripheral surface along the direction parallel to the input end of the housing;

[0021] Figure 5 is Figure 1 exploded view of the leakage protection device;

[0022] Figure 6 is Figure 5 schematic diagram of further decomposition of the leakage protection device;

[0023] Figure 7 Exploded view of the movement assembly in the leakage protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the circuit principle of the leakage protection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific embodiments

[0025] The implementation and use of the embodiments are discussed in detail below. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments discussed are only illustrative of specific ways of implementing and using the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention. The descriptions of the structural positions of the various components, such as up, down, top, bottom, etc., are not absolute but relative. When the various components are arranged as shown in the figures, these directional descriptions are appropriate, but when the positions of the various components in the figures change, these directional descriptions also change accordingly.

[0026] In this text, terms such as "coupled" and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connected" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "coupled" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this text can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0027] The concept of the present invention is to provide a product with a reduced volume to address the problem that existing leakage protection devices are relatively large in size and not suitable for compact environments. Figures 1 to 4 Leakage protection devices according to various alternative embodiments of the present invention are shown. In the illustrated embodiments, a plug is taken as an example. However, it should be understood that any other leakage protection devices applicable to the concept of the present invention are not excluded.

[0028] Combined Figures 1 to 6 , the leakage protection device of the present invention includes a housing and a movement assembly 8 disposed within the housing. The housing may include a base 1 and a cover 2 that are fixedly connected together by a plurality of fasteners or mechanical structures such as snap-fittings. In the illustrated embodiment, the fasteners may be Figure 5 and Figure 6 the screws 21 and screw plugs 22 shown by way of example. The movement assembly 8 includes a control circuit board, as well as an input assembly and an output assembly coupled to the control circuit board, thereby achieving electrical connection between the input end and the output end.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown in the first embodiment, the input assembly includes plug blades 51, 52 that extend out of the base 1 of the housing along a first direction D1. The output assembly includes an output wiring device 6 that extends out of the base 1 of the housing along a second direction. The second direction may be parallel or angled to the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second direction is a direction D2 that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. Moreover, the output assembly may further include a wire clip 7 connected to the housing and extending outside the housing. The output wiring device 6 achieves the electrical connection of the leakage protection device via the wire clip 7 and has waterproof performance as well as improved anti-bending performance and service life of the output wiring device 6. It should be understood here that the output wiring device 6 may include output wires coupled to the movement assembly or a wiring assembly connected to the output wires to facilitate the user to freely connect the output wires.

[0030] In Figure 2 the second embodiment shown, the output wiring device 6 extends out of the cover 2 of the housing along the second direction. That is, the second direction in which the output wiring device 6 extends out of the housing may be parallel to the first direction D1, thereby enabling the leakage protection device to be applicable to more application environments.

[0031] According to the present invention, the leakage protection device includes a RESET component and a TEST component. The RESET component is used to control the movement component to turn on the power supply and includes a RESET button 3 disposed outside the housing. The TEST component is used to simulate and test the leakage current and includes a TEST button 4 disposed outside the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the housing parallel to the first direction D1, so that the operating direction or working direction of the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 forms an angle with the first direction D1, that is, forms an angle with the extending direction of the plug blades 51, 52 of the input component. Preferably, the operating directions of the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 are set to be perpendicular to the extending direction of the plug blades 51, 52. For example Figure 1 and Figure 2 as shown in, the operating directions of the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 are arranged along the direction D2. In this way, the internal structure of the leakage protection device can be designed to be more compact, and after the plug blades 51, 52 are inserted into the mating socket, the overall exterior of the leakage protection device will not occupy too much space.

[0032] In some embodiments, the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 can be arranged side by side along the first direction D1 on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown. In some embodiments, the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 can also be arranged side by side perpendicular to the first direction D1 on the outer peripheral surface of the housing, that is, arranged side by side in a manner surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the housing. Optionally, the outer periphery of the housing can be set in various forms. For example, in some embodiments, the housing is set to have a cross-sectional shape of a circle, a square, a rectangle or a polygon perpendicular to the first direction D1. For example, the polygon cross-sectional shape shown in the figure. It should be understood that regardless of the shape of the housing, the output component should extend out of the housing on the surface of the housing where the plug blades 51, 52 of the input component and the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 are not provided, so as to ensure the electrical connection between the input end and the output end while ensuring the normal operation of the user on the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4.

[0033] Thus, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively shown in the third and fourth embodiments, the housing is still constructed to have a cross-sectional shape of a polygon similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , and the RESET button 3 and the TEST button 4 can be set on any surface of the outer peripheral surface parallel to the first direction D1, as long as this surface does not conflict with the surface where the output component is provided.

[0034] In Figure 5 and Figure 6As can be seen, an opening is provided on the shell cover 2 for the reset button 3 and the test button 4 to protrude. In an alternative embodiment, the distance that the reset button 3 and the test button 4 protrude from the opening can be set not to exceed the outer peripheral surface of the housing, so that the overall appearance of the product is more beautiful and the size is more compact. In the illustrated embodiment, both the reset button 3 and the test button 4 are set to be generally rectangular in shape and have different sizes. In some embodiments, the reset button 3 and the test button 4 can also be designed in any other suitable shape or size. For example, one or both of the two buttons can be circular, square or polygonal in shape, or the two buttons can have the same size.

[0035] Combined with Figure 6 and Figure 7 , in this leakage protection device, the input assembly includes a pair of elastic contact arms for connecting to the power supply. It should be understood that the input assembly can be other similar electrical coupling structures. Optionally, the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 connected to the plug pieces 51 and 52 through the plug connecting wires 51A and 52A, and each elastic contact arm is provided with a moving electrical contact. Correspondingly, the output assembly includes a pair of contact arms. Optionally, the neutral (N) insert piece 861 and the live (L) insert piece 862 connected to the output connecting device 6 through the output connecting wires 61 and 62, and each contact arm is provided with a static electrical contact to cooperate with the moving electrical contact to form a switch. The movement mechanism assembly 8 includes a control circuit board 81, a tripping assembly and a detection assembly coupled to the control circuit board 81. Among them, the N insert piece 861, the L insert piece 862 and the L elastic contact arm 871, the N elastic contact arm 872 are respectively cooperatively installed with the control circuit board 81.

[0036] As can be seen from Figure 7 , the N insert piece 861 and the L insert piece 862 of the output assembly are connected to the control circuit board 81 through the positioning holes corresponding to the tripping coil 821. In some embodiments, the tripping assembly at least includes a tripping coil (SOL) 821, a tripping device 88, a tripping iron core 822 and a tripping spring 823. The tripping iron core 822 and the tripping spring 823 are arranged inside the tripping coil 821 and can be embedded through the coil baffle 824 to prevent the tripping iron core 822 and the tripping spring 823 from falling off. When the tripping coil 821 generates a magnetic field, the tripping iron core 822 will move along the channel inside the tripping coil 821 under the action of the magnetic force. The tripping device 88 is used to cooperate with the tripping iron core 822, so as to move in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the tripping iron core 822, so as to cause the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 of the input assembly lapped on the two arms of the tripping device 88 to deform and contact and close with the N insert piece 861 and the L insert piece 862 to connect the circuit, or vice versa, to cause the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 to disconnect from the N insert piece 861 and the L insert piece 862 to disconnect the circuit.

[0037] Specifically, the reset assembly at least includes a reset rod 84 and a reset spring 85 that cooperate with the release 88. One end of the reset rod 84 passes through the control circuit board 81 and is embedded in the reset button 3, and the other end is embedded in the reset spring 85. When the reset button 3 is pressed down, the reset rod 84 latches with the release 88, and through the elastic force of the reset spring 85, the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 lapped on the two arms of the release 88 are lifted upward to achieve contact connection with the N insert 861 and the L insert 862, thereby obtaining the electrical connection between the input end and the output end. When a leakage current occurs, the trip coil 821 generates a magnetic field, driving the trip iron core 822 to move, causing the reset rod 84 to be released from the release 88, and the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 to be disconnected from the N insert 861 and the L insert 862, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between the input end and the output end.

[0038] As can be seen Figure 7 from, the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 directly pass through the detection assembly and are connected to the control circuit board 81 and the input end. In some embodiments, the detection assembly at least includes a detection coil sleeve 831, a detection coil (CT) 832, and a detection coil cover 833. Among them, the detection coil 832 and the detection coil cover 833 are arranged inside the detection coil sleeve 831. In this way, it can be detected by the detection coil 832 whether there is a leakage current between the phase lines of the L elastic contact arm 871 and the N elastic contact arm 872 of the input assembly passing through, so as to be used to drive the leakage protection device to connect or cut off the electrical connection.

[0039] The following Figure 8 describes the working principle of the leakage protection device of the present invention. When there is no leakage current in L and N, pressing down the reset button (RESET) can achieve the electrical connection between the input end and the output end. When the detection coil (CT) detects a leakage current in L and N, the CT transmits the detected leakage current signal to the processor IC. If the leakage current exceeds the set value, the IC sends a signal to drive the thyristor SRC to conduct, so that the trip coil SOL generates a magnetic field, driving the trip iron core to move, and disconnecting the electrical connection between the input end and the output end.

[0040] It should be understood here that the embodiments shown in the figures only show the optional shapes, sizes, and arrangement manners of the optional components of the leakage protection device according to the present invention. However, they are only illustrative and not restrictive. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, other shapes, sizes, and arrangement manners may also be adopted.

[0041] The technical content and features of the present invention have been disclosed above. However, it can be understood that under the creative concept of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various changes and improvements to the above-disclosed concept, but all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The description of the above embodiments is illustrative rather than restrictive, and the protection scope of the present invention is determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A leakage protection device, comprising a housing and a movement assembly disposed within the housing. The movement assembly includes a control circuit board, an input assembly and an output assembly coupled to the control circuit board. Characterized in that, The leakage protection device includes a reset assembly and a test assembly. The reset assembly includes a reset button disposed outside the housing, and the test assembly includes a test button disposed outside the housing. Wherein, the input assembly extends out of the housing in a first direction, and the reset button and the test button are arranged on an outer peripheral surface of the housing parallel to the first direction, such that the operating directions of the reset button and the test button form an angle with the first direction; The leakage protection device further includes a tripping assembly coupled to the control circuit board. The input assembly includes a pair of elastic contact arms, and each elastic contact arm is provided with a moving electrical contact. The output assembly includes a pair of contact arms, and each contact arm is provided with a static electrical contact to cooperate with the moving electrical contact. The tripping assembly is provided with a tripper for causing the moving electrical contact to contact or separate from the static electrical contact. The leakage protection device includes a tripping coil coupled to the control circuit board, and the pair of contact arms of the output assembly are limited and fixed via the tripping coil; The leakage protection device further includes a detection assembly coupled to the control circuit board, and the pair of elastic contact arms of the input assembly pass through the detection assembly and are coupled to a power supply terminal.

2. The leakage protection device according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The reset button and the test button are arranged side by side on the outer peripheral surface of the housing along the first direction or perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The leakage protection device according to claim 1 or 2, Characterized in that, The housing is configured to have a cross-sectional shape that is circular, square, rectangular or polygonal in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The leakage protection device according to claim 1 or 2, Characterized in that, The output assembly extends out of the housing in a second direction on a surface of the housing where the input assembly, the reset button and the test button are not provided. The second direction is parallel to the first direction or forms an angle with the first direction.

5. The leakage protection device according to claim 4, Characterized in that, The housing includes a housing base and a housing cover connected to each other. The housing cover is provided with an opening for the reset button and the test button to protrude, and the output assembly extends out of the housing base or the housing cover.

6. The leakage protection device according to claim 1, Characterized in that, The output assembly includes an output wiring device, and the output wiring device includes an output wire coupled to the movement assembly or a wiring assembly connected to the output wire.

7. The leakage protection device according to claim 6, Characterized in that, The pair of contact arms of the output assembly are connected to the output wiring device.

8. The leakage protection device according to claim 6, Characterized in that, The output assembly further includes a wire clip coupled to the output wiring device, and the wire clip is cooperatively connected to the housing.

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