Improved Structure of Ground Fault Circuit Breaker

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved structure of a ground fault circuit breaker. Specifically, a locking arm is further provided inside the ground fault circuit breaker. A stop surface is provided on the locking arm, and a stop portion capable of interfering with the downward-moving stop surface is provided on the support body fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body. The locking arm is also connected to an elastic element. Under normal conditions, the elastic element causes the stop surface on the locking arm to move downward to interfere with the stop portion on the support body, so as to prevent the soft magnetic body from moving towards the permanent magnet. The locking arm can also be driven to move upward by pressing the reset button, so that the stop portion and the stop surface no longer interfere with each other. By adding a stop structure, the present invention avoids the accidental connection of the load circuit under uncontrolled conditions and prevents secondary injuries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Background Art

[0002] A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can keep the power-on contacts closed under normal conditions, and when a ground fault occurs, it can make the power-on contacts open through the magnetic force of an electromagnetic coil, so as to effectively prevent accidents or disasters such as electric shock to people and electrical equipment open circuit.

[0003] A relatively typical ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), such as CN815664A, has a detailed introduction to the structure of the ground fault circuit interrupter.

[0004] However, the existing ground fault circuit interrupters still have some deficiencies in use.

[0005] For example, when a ground fault occurs, although the existing ground fault circuit interrupter can make the power-on contacts open through the magnetic force of the electromagnetic coil; but at this time, if an external force acts, the power-on contacts may be restored to closed, resulting in the secondary occurrence of accidents or disasters such as electric shock to people and electrical equipment open circuit, there is a potential safety hazard. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above situation, the present invention provides an improved structure of a ground fault circuit interrupter to avoid the situation where the power-on contacts are uncontrollably closed.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0008] An improved structure of a ground fault circuit interrupter, a leakage protection action mechanism is provided inside the ground fault circuit interrupter, the leakage protection action mechanism includes a sleeve, a permanent magnet fixed at one end of the sleeve, a soft magnetic body capable of sliding in the sleeve, an elastic mechanism connected between the soft magnetic body and the sleeve, and an action coil arranged outside the sleeve. A reset button capable of triggering the action coil is also provided on the ground fault circuit interrupter, and its characteristics are as follows:

[0009] A locking arm is also provided inside the ground fault circuit interrupter, a stop surface is provided on the locking arm, and a stop portion capable of interfering with the downward moving stop surface is provided on the support body fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body;

[0010] The locking arm is also connected with an elastic element. Under normal conditions, the elastic element makes the stop surface on the locking arm move downward to interfere with the stop portion on the support body, so as to prevent the soft magnetic body from moving towards the permanent magnet;

[0011] The locking arm can also be driven by the reset button to be pressed downward to make the stop surface move upward, so that the stop portion and the stop surface no longer interfere with each other.

[0012] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: the middle part of the locking arm is fixed by a torsion beam, and the torsion beam constitutes the elastic element.

[0013] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: a conversion arm that can be pushed downward by the reset button is arranged below the reset button, and a convex block is arranged downward at one end of the conversion arm; the locking arm is arranged below the conversion arm, one end of which can come into contact with the convex block of the conversion arm, and the other end protrudes downward to form the stop surface.

[0014] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: a slope surface is provided on the back side of the stop surface, and / or, a slope surface is provided at the position on the stop portion that is connected to the back side of the stop surface.

[0015] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: a moving contact piece is connected to the bracket body and can contact a fixed-position static contact piece to connect the load circuit of the ground fault circuit breaker;

[0016] A pair of parallel and spaced-apart receiving grooves are provided on the bracket body fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body, and a spring is arranged in each receiving groove. Both ends of the moving contact piece are each fixed with a moving contact. One side of each moving contact forms an abutment with the extended end of a spring, and a static contact is arranged on the other side of each moving contact. The position of the static contact is fixed and is connected to the load circuit.

[0017] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: safety doors are provided inside each pair of power sockets of the ground fault circuit breaker. The safety doors include a baffle, a bracket and an elastic component, wherein:

[0018] The baffle has a front slope surface and a rear slope surface with the same inclination direction and arranged at intervals in the front and rear. The lower end of the front slope surface is unobstructed, and the lower end of the rear slope surface is open for the positive and negative plug pieces to pass through simultaneously; a pair of sliders are arranged on the left and right at the position between the front slope surface and the rear slope surface of the baffle;

[0019] The bracket has a front through hole and a rear through hole arranged at intervals in the front and rear, corresponding to the positions of the front slope surface and the rear slope surface respectively; a pair of slideways are arranged on the left and right sides of the bracket;

[0020] The baffle is placed on the bracket, and the sliders are connected to the slideways, enabling the baffle to slide relative to the bracket. At the same time, the contact positions of the sliders and the slideways also constitute a pair of fulcrums, enabling the baffle to perform a seesaw-like movement on the bracket;

[0021] The elastic component abuts against the baffle, so that when the sliders of the baffle are located on the slideways, they are subjected to a restoring force that resets them upward.

[0022] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: the inclination direction of the bottom surface of the slider is opposite to that of the front inclined surface.

[0023] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: a retaining hook extends downward at the front end of the baffle, a retaining wall is provided at the front end of the bracket, and the retaining hook can interfere with the retaining wall of the bracket under the drive of the sinking of the front inclined surface, so that the baffle cannot move backward;

[0024] A pair of support wings are arranged at the rear end of the baffle, a retaining groove is provided at the rear end of the bracket, and the support wings can interfere with the retaining groove of the bracket under the drive of the sinking of the front inclined surface, so that the baffle cannot move backward.

[0025] The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker, wherein: an auxiliary slideway further extends behind the retaining groove, and the support wing can slide in the auxiliary slideway, so that the baffle slides smoothly relative to the bracket.

[0026] The advantages of the present invention are as follows: when the reset button is not pressed, the conversion arm will not contact the locking arm. Under the initial positioning action of the torsion beam (which can be fixed through the bracket and the sleeve), the locking arm maintains a horizontal state, and the stop surface interferes with the stop portion on the bracket body. At this time, if the soft magnetic body encounters an external force, or due to a circuit disorder, the soft magnetic body moves uncontrollably towards the permanent magnet, due to the blocking effect of the stop surface, the soft magnetic body will not move, and no secondary injury of accidentally conducting the power supply will occur. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the ground fault circuit breaker provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 、 Figure 3 are schematic structural diagrams of the leakage protection action mechanism in the on and off states of the load circuit respectively;

[0029] Figure 4 、 Figure 5 are respectively cross-sectional structural diagrams of the ground fault circuit breaker provided by the present invention before and after the reset button is pressed (compared with Figure 1 , a grounding installation iron sheet is added);

[0030] Figure 6 、 Figure 7 are respectively schematic diagrams of the action of the moving contact piece and the static contact piece of the ground fault circuit breaker provided by the present invention when they are connected;

[0031] Figure 8 、 Figure 9 are respectively an exploded structural diagram and an assembled structural diagram of the safety door;

[0032] Figure 10 、Figure 11 They are respectively schematic diagrams showing the safety protection function of the safety door when it is stabbed by iron wire;

[0033] Figure 12 It is a schematic diagram of the action of the safety door when inserting the plug.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the drawings: bottom shell 1; middle shell 2; top cover 3; power socket 31; reset button 32; test button 33; retaining wall 34; power plug sleeve 4; safety door 5; leakage protection action mechanism 6; reset contact 601; current transformer 61; sleeve 62; permanent magnet 63; soft magnetic body 64; elastic mechanism 65; action coil 66; support body 67; stop portion 671; accommodation groove 672; spring 673; moving contact piece 68; moving contact 681; static contact 691; conversion arm 71; convex block 711; locking arm 72; torsion beam 73; stop surface 74; inclined plane 741; baffle 8; front inclined plane 81; rear inclined plane 82; slider 83; support wing 84; retaining hook 85; support 9; front through hole 91; rear through hole 92; slideway 93; retaining arm 931; auxiliary slideway 94; retaining wall 95; retaining groove 96; elastic member 99. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below in an exemplary but not restrictive manner with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar components or parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0036] As Figure 1 shown, the skeleton of the ground fault circuit breaker is formed by sequentially assembling a bottom shell 1, a middle shell 2 and a top cover 3. A power plug sleeve 4 is fixed on the middle shell 2, a power socket 31 is provided on the top cover 3, a safety door 5 for preventing accidental electric shock is provided between the power socket 31 and the power plug sleeve 4, a leakage protection action mechanism 6 is fixed between the middle shell 2 and the bottom shell 1, and the leakage protection action mechanism 6 passes through the middle shell 2 to form a reset contact 601. A reset button 32 and a test button 33 are provided on the top cover 3. When the reset button 32 is pressed, the reset contact 601 can be brought into a closed state.

[0037] Again, as Figure 2 、 Figure 3 shown, the leakage protection action mechanism 6 includes a sleeve 62, a permanent magnet 63 fixed at one end of the sleeve 62, a soft magnetic body 64 that can slide in the sleeve 62, an elastic mechanism 65 connected between the soft magnetic body 64 and the sleeve 62, and an action coil 66 arranged outside the sleeve 62.

[0038] Combined with Figures 2 - 6As shown, when the operating coil 66 is energized, under the action of magnetic force, the soft magnetic body 64 overcomes the resistance of the elastic mechanism 65 and attracts to the permanent magnet 63. At this time, the moving contact point 681 on the moving contact piece 68 on the support body 67 fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body 64 contacts the static contact point 691 on the static contact piece with a fixed position, enabling the ground fault circuit breaker to output power outward.

[0039] When a fault occurs at the load end, the current transformer 61 collects the fault signal, causing the operating coil 66 to lose power. Under the action of the elastic mechanism 65, the soft magnetic body 64 separates from the permanent magnet 63, so that the moving contact point 681 on the moving contact piece 68 on the support body 67 disengages from the static contact point 691 on the static contact piece with a fixed position, and the ground fault circuit breaker no longer outputs power outward.

[0040] In the fault state, if the soft magnetic body 64 is subjected to an external force, or due to a circuit disorder, the soft magnetic body 64 moves and contacts the permanent magnet 63 uncontrollably, causing the fault circuit breaker to resume outputting power outward, which may cause secondary damage to the fault point.

[0041] To avoid the situation of secondary damage, the present invention is provided with a conversion arm 71 below the reset button 32. The conversion arm 71 is arranged on the middle shell 2 and can be pushed downward by the reset button 32. A convex block 711 is provided downward at one end of the conversion arm 71; a locking arm 72 is provided below the conversion arm 71. The middle part of the locking arm 72 is fixed by a torsion beam 73. One end can contact the convex block 711 of the conversion arm 71, and the other end protrudes downward to form a stop surface 74; a stop portion 671 that can interfere with the stop surface 74 is provided on the support body 67 fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body 64; the torsion beam 73 makes the stop surface 74 of the locking arm 72 extend downward to the stop position under normal conditions. The torsion beam 73 can be replaced by other elastic elements.

[0042] When the reset button 32 is not pressed, the conversion arm 71 does not contact the locking arm 72. Under the initial positioning action of the torsion beam 73 (which can be fixed on the sleeve 62), the locking arm 72 maintains a horizontal state, and the stop surface 74 interferes with the stop portion 671 on the support body 67. At this time, if the soft magnetic body 64 is subjected to an external force, or due to a circuit disorder, the soft magnetic body 64 moves uncontrollably towards the permanent magnet 63. Due to the blocking action of the stop surface 74, the soft magnetic body 64 will not move, and no secondary damage of accidentally conducting power will occur.

[0043] When the operator confirms that the fault has been eliminated, the reset button 32 can be pressed, causing the conversion arm 71 to be pressed down by the reset button 32. The bump 711 of the conversion arm 71 presses down one end of the locking arm 72, and the other end of the locking arm 72 (i.e., the end provided with the stop surface 74) tilts upward and no longer blocks the support body 67, enabling the soft magnet 64 to come into smooth contact with the permanent magnet 63.

[0044] Once the reset button 32 is released, the stop surface 74 of the locking arm 72 returns to the stop position under the action of the torsion beam 73. When a fault occurs and the soft magnet 64 drives the support body 67 to move away from the permanent magnet 63, since the back side of the stop surface 74 has a ramp surface 741 (a ramp surface can also be provided at the position on the stop portion 671 that abuts against the back side of the stop surface 74), the support body 67 can slide over along the ramp surface 741, pushing up and passing through the end of the locking arm 72 with the stop surface 74. After the support body 67 passes through, the stop surface 74 of the locking arm 72 returns to the stop position again; this process repeats continuously.

[0045] In addition, the present invention also improves the structure of the moving contact piece 68 of the ground fault circuit breaker so that it can form balanced force with the static contact piece.

[0046] As Figure 6 、 Figure 7 shown, a pair of parallel and spaced-apart receiving grooves 672 are provided on the support body 67 fixedly connected to the soft magnet 64. A spring 673 is arranged in each receiving groove 672. Two moving contact points 681 are fixedly provided at both ends of the moving contact piece 68. One side of each moving contact point 681 abuts against the extended end of a spring 673, and a static contact point 691 is arranged on the other side of each moving contact point 681. The position of the static contact point 691 is fixed and is connected to the load circuit.

[0047] The support body 67 can reciprocate with the soft magnet 64. When the two moving contact points 681 approach the static contact points 691, if due to skewing, one of the moving contact points 681 comes into contact with one of the static contact points 691 first (as Figure 6 shown), during the continuous approach of the support body 67, the spring 673 against which the first contacted moving contact point 681 abuts will be compressed until the other moving contact point 681 comes into contact with the other static contact point 691 (as Figure 7 shown), and the support body 67 can continue to approach until both springs 673 are compressed.

[0048] During this process, due to the presence of the springs 673, the balance of the moving contact piece 68 can be maintained, avoiding damage or failure of each contact point caused by forced extrusion. It can also make the fitting between the moving contact point 681 and the static contact point 691 closer, and it is not easy to generate gaps to cause electrical fire.

[0049] To prevent children from inserting conductive objects such as iron wires into power sockets, resulting in accidental electric shock, a safety door is provided inside each pair of power sockets in the present invention.

[0050] As Figure 8 、 Figure 9 shown, they are respectively the exploded view and the combined view of the safety door, which includes a baffle 8 and a bracket 9, where:

[0051] The baffle 8 has a front inclined surface 81 and a rear inclined surface 82 with the same inclined direction and arranged at intervals front and back. The lower end of the front inclined surface 81 is unobstructed, and the lower end of the rear inclined surface 82 is open, allowing the positive and negative contact blades on the plug to pass through smoothly; on the left and right sides of the baffle 8, at the position between the front inclined surface 81 and the rear inclined surface 82, there are arranged sliders 83, and the bottom surface of the slider 83 is preferably an inclined surface with an inclined direction opposite to that of the front inclined surface 81 and the rear inclined surface 82;

[0052] The bracket 9 has a front through hole 91 and a rear through hole 92 arranged at intervals front and back, corresponding to the positions of the front inclined surface 81 and the rear inclined surface 82 respectively; on the left and right sides of the bracket 9, there are arranged slideways 93 with inclined directions opposite to those of the front inclined surface 81 and the rear inclined surface 82 at intervals front and back;

[0053] The baffle 8 is placed on the bracket 9, and the slider 83 is in contact with the slideway 93, enabling the baffle 8 to slide relative to the bracket 9. At the same time, the contact position between the slider 83 and the slideway 93 also forms a pair of fulcrums, enabling the baffle 8 to perform a seesaw-like movement on the bracket 9;

[0054] The baffle 8 also abuts against an elastic member 99 (such as a spring piece), and the elastic member 99 causes the slider 83 of the baffle 8 to receive a restoring force towards the higher position when it is located on the slideway 93.

[0055] Combined with Figures 8 - 11 shown, the safety door is installed inside the top cover 3. The bracket 9 is fixed on the top cover 3. The baffle 8 is clamped between the upper side of the bracket 9 and the lower side of the top cover 3. The spring piece is fixed inside the top cover 3 and abuts against the rear end of the baffle 8, causing the baffle 8 to have a tendency to move forward; and there is a retaining wall 34 inside the top cover 3, which is used to limit the front extreme position of the baffle 8; at the lower part of the slideway 93, there is a protruding retaining arm 931, which is used on the one hand to limit the lowest position that the slider 83 can slide to, that is, to limit the rear extreme position of the baffle 8, and on the other hand to provide sufficient height space between the bracket 9 and the top cover 3 for the baffle 8 to move within this height space;

[0056] As Figure 10As shown in the figure, when a child holds a conductive object such as a wire and inserts it into the front jack of the power socket, since only the front inclined surface 81 is pressed, at this time, the baffle 8 undergoes a seesaw-like movement, the front inclined surface 81 sinks, and the rear inclined surface 82 tilts upward. Since a retaining hook 85 extends downward at the front end of the baffle 8 and a retaining wall 95 is provided at the front end of the bracket 9, the retaining hook 85 is driven by the sinking of the front inclined surface 81 and interferes with the retaining wall 95 of the bracket 9, preventing the baffle 8 from moving backward, thus playing a role in safety protection.

[0057] As Figure 11 shown in the figure, when a child holds a conductive object such as a wire and inserts it into the rear jack of the power socket, since only the rear inclined surface 82 is pressed, at this time, the baffle 8 undergoes a seesaw-like movement, the rear inclined surface 82 sinks, and the front inclined surface 81 tilts upward. Since a pair of support wings 96 are provided on both sides of the rear end of the baffle 8 and a retaining groove 96 is provided at the rear end of the bracket 9, the support wing 84 is driven by the sinking of the front inclined surface 81 and interferes with the retaining groove 96 of the bracket 9, preventing the baffle 8 from moving backward, thus playing a role in safety protection. Additionally, an auxiliary slideway 94 extends behind the retaining groove 96, and the support wing 84 can slide in the auxiliary slideway 94, enabling the baffle 8 to slide smoothly relative to the bracket 9.

[0058] As Figure 12 shown in the figure, it is a schematic diagram of the action of the safety door when inserting a plug normally. Since the front inclined surface 81 and the rear inclined surface 82 are simultaneously pressed, the seesaw remains balanced, and the baffle 8 slides relative to the bracket 9, enabling the plug to pass through the front through-hole 91 and the rear through-hole 92 to complete the power-taking operation.

[0059] The above description is illustrative rather than restrictive to the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art understand that without departing from the spirit and scope defined by the claims, many modifications, variations or equivalents can be made, but all will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An improved structure of a ground fault circuit breaker. Inside the ground fault circuit breaker, there is a leakage protection actuating mechanism. The leakage protection actuating mechanism includes a sleeve, a permanent magnet fixed at one end of the sleeve, a soft magnetic body capable of sliding inside the sleeve, an elastic mechanism connected between the soft magnetic body and the sleeve, and an actuating coil arranged outside the sleeve. The ground fault circuit breaker is also provided with a reset button capable of triggering the actuating coil. Its characteristics are as follows: Inside the ground fault circuit breaker, there is also a locking arm. The locking arm is provided with a stop surface. On the support body fixedly connected to the soft magnetic body, there is a stop portion capable of interfering with the downward-moving stop surface. The locking arm is also connected with an elastic element. Under normal conditions, the elastic element causes the stop surface on the locking arm to move downward to interfere with the stop portion on the support body, so as to prevent the soft magnetic body from moving towards the permanent magnet. The locking arm can also be driven to move upward by the reset button being pressed down, so that the stop portion and the stop surface no longer interfere with each other. On the inner side of each pair of power sockets of the ground fault circuit breaker, there is a safety door. The safety door includes a baffle, a support, and an elastic member. Among them: The baffle has a front inclined surface and a rear inclined surface with the same inclination direction and arranged at intervals front and back. The lower end of the front inclined surface is unobstructed, and the lower end of the rear inclined surface is open, allowing the positive and negative plug blades to pass through simultaneously. At the position between the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface of the baffle, there are a pair of sliders arranged left and right. The support has a front through hole and a rear through hole arranged at intervals front and back, corresponding to the positions of the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface respectively. On the left and right sides of the support, there are a pair of slideways. The baffle is placed on the support, and the sliders are connected to the slideways, enabling the baffle to slide relative to the support. At the same time, the contact positions of the sliders and the slideways also form a pair of fulcrums, enabling the baffle to perform a seesaw-like movement on the support. The elastic member abuts against the baffle, so that when the sliders of the baffle are located on the slideways, they are subjected to an elastic force for resetting upward. At the front end of the baffle, there is a downward-extending retaining hook. At the front end of the support, there is a retaining wall. The retaining hook can be driven by the downward movement of the front inclined surface to interfere with the retaining wall of the support, preventing the baffle from moving backward. At the rear end of the baffle, there are a pair of supporting wings. At the rear end of the support, there are a pair of retaining grooves. The supporting wings can be driven by the downward movement of the front inclined surface to interfere with the retaining grooves of the support, preventing the baffle from moving backward.

2. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle part of the locking arm is fixed by a torsion beam, and the torsion beam constitutes the elastic element.

3. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein: Below the reset button, there is a conversion arm that can be pushed downward by the reset button. At one end of the conversion arm, there is a downward protruding block. The locking arm is arranged below the conversion arm, and one end can come into contact with the protruding block of the conversion arm, and the other end protrudes downward to form the stop surface.

4. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: On the back side of the stop surface, there is a ramp surface, and / or, at the position on the back side of the stop portion where it abuts against the stop surface, there is a ramp surface.

5. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: A moving contact piece is connected to the support body, and can contact a fixed static contact piece to connect the load circuit of the ground fault circuit breaker. A pair of accommodating grooves arranged in parallel at intervals are provided on a bracket body fixedly connected to a soft magnetic body. A spring is arranged in each accommodating groove. Two moving contacts are respectively fixed at both ends of a moving contact piece. One side of each moving contact abuts against the outer extending end of a spring, and a static contact is arranged on the other side of each moving contact. The position of the static contact is fixed and is connected to the load circuit.

6. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inclination direction of the bottom surface of the slider is opposite to that of the front inclined surface.

7. The improved structure of the ground fault circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein: An auxiliary slideway also extends behind the retaining groove, and the support wing can slide in the auxiliary slideway so that the baffle plate slides smoothly relative to the bracket.

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