A trip structure of a circuit breaker

Abstract

The present application discloses a tripping structure of a circuit breaker, including a housing and an operating mechanism; an installation space is provided inside the housing, and the operating mechanism is arranged in the installation space; the operating mechanism includes a locking structure; after the locking structure is unlocked, the operating mechanism realizes a tripping operation to cause the circuit breaker to trip; the installation space is divided into at least one sub-space, and an arc extinguishing chamber, a contact system and an electromagnetic release are arranged in at least one sub-space; the arc extinguishing chamber is used for extinguishing the arc generated when the contact system is separated; the electromagnetic release has an armature rotatably arranged, and the locking structure has a first driving part corresponding to the armature; the arc extinguishing chamber has an exhaust port, and the armature is located at the exhaust port; when there is current in the circuit, the attractive force received by the armature and the air blowing force from the exhaust port are superimposed on each other, so that the armature triggers the first driving part to cause the locking structure to be unlocked; the present application has the effect of realizing rapid unlocking by driving the armature with air flow.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of low-voltage switch electrical appliances, and specifically to a tripping structure of a circuit breaker. Background Art

[0002] The operating mechanism of the tripping structure of a circuit breaker often has a locking structure. When the circuit breaker is closed, the locking structure locks, and the operating mechanism remains in a steady state under the action of the locking structure. When an overcurrent situation occurs in the circuit to be protected, the locking structure is driven by an electromagnetic release (such as a thermal magnetic release, a hydraulic electromagnetic release) to unlock, thereby achieving tripping.

[0003] The armature of the electromagnetic release of the existing circuit breaker can only be actuated by being attracted, which takes a long time and is not conducive to protection.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to design a tripping structure that can improve the movement speed of the armature, enable the locking structure to be quickly unlocked, and achieve rapid breaking of the product. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art and aims to provide a tripping structure of a circuit breaker.

[0006] This application provides: a tripping structure of a circuit breaker, which includes a housing and an operating mechanism; an installation space is provided inside the housing, and the operating mechanism is arranged in the installation space; the operating mechanism includes a locking structure, and when the circuit breaker is closed, the locking structure is locked to keep the operating mechanism in the closed state; after the locking structure is unlocked, the operating mechanism performs a tripping operation to cause the circuit breaker to break; the installation space is divided into at least one sub-space, and an arc extinguishing chamber, a contact system, and an electromagnetic release are arranged in at least one sub-space; the arc extinguishing chamber is used to extinguish the arc generated when the contact system separates; the electromagnetic release has an armature rotatably arranged, and the locking structure has a first driving part corresponding to the armature; the arc extinguishing chamber has an exhaust port, and the armature is located at the exhaust port; when there is current in the circuit, the attractive force received by the armature and the air blowing force from the exhaust port are superimposed on each other to jointly cause the armature to rotate and trigger the first driving part, causing the locking structure to unlock.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, the arc extinguishing chamber further includes an arc extinguishing chamber housing, and the exhaust port is opened on the arc extinguishing chamber housing; it further includes a mounting bracket, the electromagnetic release is fixed on the mounting bracket and placed in the sub-space through the mounting bracket; the mounting bracket has an air inlet at the armature mounting position, and the exhaust port is aligned with the air inlet.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the arc extinguishing chamber housing and the mounting bracket form an interleaved structure, and the interleaved structure is arranged around the intersection of the air inlet and the exhaust port to improve airtightness.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the arc extinguishing chamber further includes at least two arc extinguishing grid plates and an air flow passage; there is a gap between two adjacent arc extinguishing grid plates, and the gap communicates with the exhaust port through the air flow passage. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the gas generated flows into the air flow passage through the gap and is then ejected from the exhaust port towards the armature; the diameter of the exhaust port gradually decreases from the position close to the air flow passage to the position close to the air inlet, forming a Laval nozzle.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the housing includes a cover shell and a sealing plate. The installation space is provided on the cover shell, and the bottom of the cover shell has an installation opening for the installation space. The sealing plate is used to close the installation opening; the arc extinguishing chamber further includes at least two arc extinguishing grid plates, and there is a gap between two adjacent arc extinguishing grid plates; the arc extinguishing chamber shell and the sealing plate jointly form an air flow passage, and the gap communicates with the exhaust port through the air flow passage. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the gas generated flows into the air flow passage through the gap and is then ejected from the exhaust port towards the armature.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the arc extinguishing chamber shell includes a first bracket and an upper cover. The arc extinguishing grid plates are clamped on the first bracket, and the air flow passage is located on the first bracket; the first bracket has an open part communicating with the air flow passage, and the upper cover has a shielding part that shields a part of the open part to form an exhaust port.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the locking structure includes a first locking member, a second locking member, a third locking member, and a locking member return spring; the first locking member, the second locking member, and the third locking member are all rotatably arranged, and from the height direction of the installation space, the rotation center of the second locking member is higher than the rotation center of the third locking member; the first locking member includes a first latching part, the second locking member includes a second latching part and a third latching part, and the third locking member includes a fourth latching part; from the height direction of the installation space, both the first latching part and the second latching part are located between the rotation center of the second locking member and the rotation center of the third locking member and are higher than the third latching part and the fourth latching part; when the locking structure is locked, the first latching part and the second latching part form an abutment, and the third latching part and the fourth latching part form an abutment. When the locking structure is unlocked, the first latching part and the second latching part are disengaged from the abutment, and the third latching part and the fourth latching part are disengaged from the abutment; a first driving part is arranged on the second locking member, and the first driving part is driven by the armature to rotate the second locking member to unlock the locking structure; the locking member return spring abuts between the second locking member and the third locking member. After the locking structure is unlocked, the first locking member blocks on one side of the second locking member to limit the reset of the locking structure, and the locking member return spring is in an energy storage state.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the operating mechanism further includes a drive shaft, a transmission part, a transmission handle, a moving contact, and a main spring disposed within the installation space; the first end of the drive shaft penetrates through the housing, and the second end of the drive shaft is within the installation space, and the drive shaft is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing; the transmission part moves synchronously with the second end of the drive shaft, and the transmission part is offset from the rotation center of the drive shaft; the transmission handle is rotatably arranged and is in a linkage relationship with the transmission part; one end of the moving contact is hinged to the transmission handle, and the hinge point of the moving contact rotates following the transmission handle; the main spring is connected between the moving contact and the first locking member, providing a spring force for realizing the state switching of the operating mechanism; when the circuit breaker is in the closed state, the main spring is in the energy storage state, and the operating mechanism maintains a steady state due to the locking of the locking structure. After the locking structure is unlocked, the steady state is broken, and the operating mechanism switches to the tripping state under the action of the main spring; the rotation centers of the transmission handle, the first locking member, and the hinge point of the moving contact are all arranged in parallel and are perpendicular to the rotation center of the drive shaft; in the height direction, the rotation center of the transmission handle is higher than the rotation center of the first locking member, and the hinge point is always located between the rotation center of the transmission handle and the rotation center of the first locking member during the rotation following the transmission handle; the first locking member further includes a reset part, and the reset part is located on the side where the transmission handle moves in the opening direction. When the operating mechanism is in the tripping state, the transmission handle is driven to move in the opening direction, and the transmission handle pushes the reset part to cause the first locking member to rotate. Under the combined action of the transmission handle and the locking member return spring, the locking structure is locked.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, an installation bracket is further included. The second locking member, the third locking member, and the electromagnetic release are all fixed on the installation bracket and are installed into the housing through the installation bracket; the first locking member is rotatably connected to the wall of the installation space, while the second locking member and the third locking member are rotatably connected to the installation bracket.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, from the perspective of the height direction of the installation space, the position of the locking structure is higher than that of the armature, the position of the armature is higher than that of the exhaust port, and the armature drives the first driving part to move in a pushing manner.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the electromagnetic release is a thermal-magnetic electromagnetic release or a hydraulic electromagnetic release.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present application include:

[0018] It can accelerate the unlocking speed of the locking structure and improve the breaking speed. The reason is as follows: The exhaust port of the arc extinguishing chamber of this application is aligned with the armature, and the air blowing force and the attracting force (the attracting force generated by the electromagnetic release on the armature during overcurrent) can be superimposed on each other. In this way, in the case of overcurrent, due to the dynamic and static contacts of the contact system being repelled (temporarily separated) by the electro-dynamic repulsion force, the arc generated by the separation of the dynamic and static contacts causes the internal air pressure of the circuit breaker to rise, and the gas will be ejected onto the armature through the exhaust port. Since the armature itself also rotates due to being attracted, with the blowing of this air flow added, the movement speed of the armature will be faster, accelerating the unlocking speed of the locking structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other relevant drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 Shows an exploded view of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 Shows a cross-sectional view of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 Shows a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the sealing plate and the arc extinguishing chamber of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 Shows a schematic diagram of the locking structure of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application maintaining locking;

[0024] Figure 5 Shows a schematic diagram of the air flow accelerating the movement of the armature of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 Shows a schematic diagram of the mounting bracket in the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of the arc extinguishing chamber in the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 Shows a cooperation diagram between the mounting bracket and the arc extinguishing chamber in the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0028] Figure 9 Shows a schematic diagram of the housing in the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0029] Figure 10Shows a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic release and locking structure of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0030] Figure 11 Shows a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic release of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application when actuated by general overcurrent;

[0031] Figure 12 Shows a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0032] Figure 13 Shows a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism (closing) of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0033] Figure 14 Shows a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism (when opening and the locking structure resets) of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0034] Figure 15 Shows a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism (tripping) of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0035] Figure 16 Shows a schematic diagram of the locking structure of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application in the locked state;

[0036] Figure 17 Shows a schematic diagram of the locking structure of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application in the unlocked state;

[0037] Figure 18 Shows a schematic diagram of the locking structure in the locked state and the drive handle of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application;

[0038] Figure 19 Shows a schematic diagram of the drive handle of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application driving the locking structure to restore the locked state;

[0039] Figure 20 Shows a schematic diagram of the electromagnetic release, the second locking member, and the third being mostly arranged on the mounting bracket of the circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described by referring to the drawings below are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application and should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0041] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0042] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0043] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. should be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0044] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature. Embodiment

[0045] As Figure 1-20 shown in the figure, the embodiment of the present application provides a tripping structure of a circuit breaker, including the following structures:

[0046] The housing 1-00 includes a cover 1-01 and a sealing plate 1-02. An installation space 1-03 is provided inside the cover 1-01. An installation opening 1-03a of the installation space 1-03 is provided at the bottom of the cover 1-01. The sealing plate 1-02 is fixedly connected to the cover 1-01 to close the installation opening 1-03a. There are many fixing methods here, which can be screw fastening, riveting, etc. The installation space 1-03 is divided into at least one sub-space 1-03b. An arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00 are arranged in at least one sub-space 1-03b. For a multi-pole circuit breaker, the number of sub-spaces 1-03b is the same as the number of poles. In this embodiment, the number of sub-spaces 1-03b is two, and an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00 are arranged in both of the two sub-spaces 1-03b. Here, the number of sub-spaces 1-03b is related to the number of poles of the circuit breaker. For example, for a 1-pole circuit breaker, the number of its sub-spaces 1-03b is one, which is equal to the number of the installation space 1-03, and an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00 are arranged in the sub-space 1-03b. For a 3-pole circuit breaker, the number of its sub-spaces 1-03b is three, and an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00 are arranged in all of the three sub-spaces 1-03b. For a 4-pole circuit breaker, the number of its sub-spaces 1-03b is four. It is not necessary that an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00 are arranged in each sub-space 1-03b. For example, only 3 of the sub-spaces 1-03b may have an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, a contact system 3-00 and an electromagnetic release 4-00; or it is also possible that all 4 sub-spaces 1-03b have an arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 and a contact system 3-00, but only 3 sub-spaces 1-03b have an electromagnetic release 4-00.

[0047] The operating mechanism 5-00 has a locking structure 5-04. The locking structure 5-04 has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the circuit breaker is in the closed state (when the moving and static contacts 3-01, 3-02 are in contact), the locking structure 5-04 is in the locked state, and the operating mechanism 5-00 remains in the closed state due to the locked state of the locking structure 5-04. When the locking structure 5-04 is unlocked, the operating mechanism 5-00 performs a tripping operation (due to the main spring 5-05), causing the moving and static contacts 3-01, 3-02 to separate, realizing the opening of the circuit breaker.

[0048] The electromagnetic release 4-00 has an armature 4-01 (not only the armature 4-01, and the following will be further described according to the specific type of the electromagnetic release 4-00), and the armature 4-01 is rotatably arranged. The armature 4-01 here has a conventional overcurrent protection function, that is, in general overcurrent situations, the armature 4-01 can be attracted and move, triggering the first driving part 5-08d of the locking structure 5-04, prompting the locking structure 5-04 to unlock, and realizing the tripping of the operating mechanism 5-00.

[0049] The arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 is located near the contact system 3-00. When the moving and static contacts 3-01, 3-02 of the contact system 3-00 are separated, the arc is eliminated through the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00.

[0050] The arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 has an exhaust port 2-01a, and the armature 4-01 is located at the exhaust port 2-01a.

[0051] For the armature 4-01, when there is an overcurrent situation, the armature 4-01 will be attracted by the pole shoe of the oil cup (if it is a thermal magnetic structure, it will be attracted by the static iron core.) and rotate. While the armature 4-01 is being attracted, the contact system 3-00 separates due to the electro-dynamic repulsion (the moving and static contacts 3-01, 3-02 separate due to the electro-dynamic repulsion generated by the current). Due to the generation of the arc, the air pressure inside the circuit breaker increases, and the gas jets towards the armature 4-01 through the exhaust port 2-01a of the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, accelerating the rotation of the armature 4-01 until the first driving part 5-08d of the locking structure 5-04 is triggered, prompting the locking structure 5-04 to unlock, and realizing the tripping of the operating mechanism 5-00. Here, the direction of the air blowing force and the direction of the attractive force received by the armature 4-01 do not have to be exactly the same. As long as both forces can cause the armature 4-01 to rotate in the same direction (the direction of triggering the first driving part 5-08d), the effect of accelerating the tripping can be achieved.

[0052] For the above-mentioned tripping structure of the armature 4-01 realized by the air flow, when applied to a multi-pole circuit breaker, it can be that a certain group of current releases and the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 adopt this structure, or all the electromagnetic releases 4-00 and their corresponding arc extinguishing chambers 2-00 adopt this structure.

[0053] For the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, it includes an arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01, and an exhaust port 2-01a is provided on the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01. For the electromagnetic release 4-00, it is installed on the mounting bracket 4-02 and placed in the sub-space 1-03b through the mounting bracket 4-02 (assembled in this way during product assembly). The mounting bracket 4-02 has an air inlet 4-02a at the installation position of the armature 4-01, and the exhaust port 2-01a is aligned with the air inlet 4-02a. Through the design of the mounting bracket 4-02, the air inlet 4-02a, and the exhaust port 2-01a being aligned with the air inlet 4-02a, the gas can be more concentrated, which is beneficial for the air flow to push the armature 4-01 to move. At the same time, the design of the mounting bracket 4-02 will be more conducive to the modular assembly of the electromagnetic release 4-00 and beneficial for the assembly of the product.

[0054] By forming an interleaved structure 2-4 between the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 and the mounting bracket 4-02, and the interleaved structure 2-4 is arranged around the junction of the air inlet 4-02a and the exhaust port 2-01a, this can improve the airtightness, prevent gas leakage, and make the air flow more easily converge to the air inlet 4-02a to push the armature 4-01 to move. There are many specific ways to form such an interleaved structure 2-4. It can be the overlapping setting of protrusions, or the insertion of a protrusion and a groove. No matter which way, as long as the interleaved structure 2-4 can be arranged around the junction of the air inlet 4-02a and the exhaust port 2-01a to increase the airtightness of this part. In this embodiment, the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 has two side walls 2-4a, and the two side walls 2-4a are respectively arranged on both sides of the exhaust port 2-01a. The mounting bracket 4-02 has corresponding slots 2-4b, and the side walls 2-4a are inserted into the slots 2-4b to form an interleaving. The arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 forms a matching boss 2-4c, and the boss 2-4c is located between the two side walls 2-4a. The mounting bracket 4-02 forms a first protrusion 2-4d, and the boss 2-4c is located inside the first protrusion 2-4d and forms an interleaving.

[0055] The arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 has arc extinguishing grids 2-02 and an air flow path 2-03. Here, there are at least two arc extinguishing grids 2-02, and they are arranged in sequence. In this embodiment, the number of arc extinguishing grids 2-02 is 11. A gap 2-04 is formed between every two adjacent arc extinguishing grids 2-02, and the gap 2-04 is connected to the exhaust port 2-01a through the air flow path 2-03. That is to say, the gas flows into the air flow path 2-03 from the gap 2-04 and is then ejected from the exhaust port 2-01a towards the armature 4-01.

[0056] Here, there are many ways to form the air flow channel. It can be directly formed through the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01, or it can be formed by relying on the sealing plate 1-02 of the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 and the outer housing 1-00. As a more compact structure solution, here, the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 and the sealing plate 1-02 are jointly formed. This way makes the whole product more compact and is beneficial to reducing the volume of the product.

[0057] Regardless of which way the air flow channel is formed, for the exhaust port 2-01a, the diameter of the exhaust port 2-01a gradually decreases from the place close to the air flow channel 2-03 to the place close to the intake port 4-02a, forming a Laval nozzle 2-01a'. Such a Laval nozzle 2-01a' is beneficial to the convergence of the air flow, increasing the air flow speed blowing towards the armature 4-01, and is more beneficial to the unlocking of the locking structure 5-04 under the action of the air flow on the armature 4-01.

[0058] To facilitate the assembly of the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00, the arc extinguishing chamber housing 2-01 includes a first bracket 2-06 and an upper cover 2-05. The arc extinguishing grid 2-02 is arranged with the first bracket 2-06 by snap connection. The convex part formed on the arc extinguishing grid 2-02 is snapped into the slot of the first bracket 2-06 for snap connection. And the air flow channel 2-03 is located on the first bracket 2-06. One side of the first bracket 2-06 has an open part 2-06a, and the open part 2-06a is communicated with the air flow channel 2-03. The upper cover 2-05 has a shielding part 2-05b, and the shielding part 2-05b shields part of the open part 2-06a to form the exhaust port 2-01a. Such a structure divides the arc extinguishing chamber 2-00 into multiple components, which is not only beneficial to the injection molding of the structures of the first bracket 2-06 and the upper cover 2-05, but also beneficial to the assembly of the arc extinguishing grid 2-02 and the formation of the exhaust port 2-01a. For the fixing method of the upper cover 2-05 and the first bracket 2-06, the upper cover 2-05 and the first bracket 2-06 can be connected by plugging, or by snap connection, or by screw fastening. Even the upper cover 2-05, the first bracket 2-06 and the outer housing 1-00 can be fixed. No matter which method, as long as the upper cover 2-05 and the first bracket 2-06 can be stably located in the outer housing 1-00.

[0059] For the electromagnetic release 4-00, it is used to achieve general overcurrent protection functions. Such general overcurrent protection functions include overload protection and short-circuit protection. Therefore, such an electromagnetic release 4-00 can adopt a thermal-magnetic release, or a hydraulic electromagnetic release 4-00.

[0060] Taking the hydraulic electromagnetic release 4-00 as an example, it includes a solenoid 4-03, an oil cup 4-04, an iron core, an iron core return spring, an armature 4-01, and an armature return spring 4-05. Inside the oil cup 4-04, there is oil (such as silicone oil), an iron core, and an iron core return spring. The solenoid 4-03 surrounds the outside of the oil cup 4-04, and the solenoid 4-03 is part of the main circuit conductor (meaning it is connected in the circuit to be protected). One end of the oil cup 4-04 is a pole shoe 4-06, and the armature 4-01 is rotatably arranged (rotatably arranged with the yoke 4-07). The yoke 4-07 is arranged around components such as the solenoid 4-03. One end of the armature return spring 4-05 is connected to the yoke 4-07, and the other end is connected to the armature 4-01. When there is an overload or short circuit in the main circuit, the iron core moves towards the pole shoe 4-06 (the iron core return spring is stretched), and the pole shoe 4-06 attracts the armature 4-01 to linearly slide (the armature return spring 4-05 deforms), and the armature 4-01 triggers the first drive part 5-08d, causing the operating mechanism 5-00 to trip. Subsequently, the armature return spring 4-05 drives the armature 4-01 to reset, and the iron core return spring drives the iron core to reset. Of course, the armature 4-01 can also be arranged to be rotatable. This hydraulic electromagnetic release 4-00 has a relatively simple structural principle and occupies a small space volume, being suitable for a small space.

[0061] For the thermal magnetic release, in addition to the armature 4-01, it also has a bimetallic strip. In the event of a short circuit, it relies on the actuation of the armature 4-01. However, in the thermal magnetic release, the component attracting the armature 4-01 is the static iron core.

[0062] Regardless of which type of electromagnetic release 4-00 it is, it has an armature 4-01, so a scheme of using air flow to push for rapid tripping can be adopted.

[0063] Looking from the height direction F1 of the installation space 1-03, the position where the locking structure 5-04 is located is higher than that of the armature 4-01, the position of the armature 4-01 is higher than that of the exhaust port 2-01a, the armature 4-01 is rotatably arranged, and the armature 4-01 drives the first drive part 5-08d to move in a pushing manner. This relative relationship in height combined with the way of using air flow to push the armature 4-01 makes the structure more concise compared to other movement methods.

[0064] As a relatively preferred operating mechanism 5-00, it includes a drive shaft 5-01, a transmission part 5-02, a transmission handle 5-03, a locking structure 5-04, a moving contact 3-01, and a main spring 5-05.

[0065] Except for the drive shaft 5-01, the other components of the operating mechanism 5-00 are all located in the installation space 1-03.

[0066] The drive shaft 5-01 has its first end exposed outside the housing 1-00 for operation, and its second end is located in the installation space 1-03. Here, the drive shaft 5-01 is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing 1-00 about the first axis O1 (i.e., its rotation center), and the first axis O1 is parallel to the height direction F1. An insert nut is embedded in the housing 1-00, and the drive shaft 5-01 passes through the insert nut, with the first end exposed outside the housing 1-00 and the other end located in the installation space 1-03. Such a design of the insert nut is conducive to improving the sealing performance at the drive shaft 5-01.

[0067] The transmission part 5-02 moves synchronously with the second end of the drive shaft 5-01, and the position of the transmission part 5-02 is offset from the first axis O1. Here, the transmission part 5-02 is a shaft, and the transmission part 5-02 is fixed to the fixing piece 5-06, and the fixing piece 5-06 is fixed to the second end of the drive shaft 5-01. Here, the transmission part 5-02 performs an eccentric motion about the first axis O1. The transmission part 5-02 is inserted into the hole of the transmission handle 5-03 to realize the rotation of the drive shaft 5-01 driving the transmission handle 5-03. Of course, the transmission part 5-02 and the fixing piece 5-06 can be integrally formed parts. In addition to the shaft, the transmission part 5-02 can also be changed to a fork, and the fork is sleeved outside the transmission handle 5-03 to realize the rotation of the drive shaft 5-01 driving the transmission handle 5-03.

[0068] The transmission handle 5-03 is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing 1-00 about the second axis O2 (i.e., its rotation center). Here, the rotation can be formed either through an independent hinge shaft or through a shaft portion integrally formed on the transmission handle 5-03. Here, the second axis O2 is parallel to the width direction F2, and the transmission handle 5-03 is in linkage with the transmission part 5-02. From the height direction F1, the linkage position is above the second axis O2. Thus, when the drive shaft 5-01 rotates about the first axis O1, the transmission handle 5-03 can be driven to rotate about the second axis O2 through the transmission part 5-02; when the transmission handle 5-03 rotates about the second axis O2, the drive shaft 5-01 can be driven to rotate about the first axis O1 through the transmission part 5-02. The transmission handle 5-03 has three positions, namely the closing position ON, the opening position OF, and the tripping position TP, corresponding to the closing state, the opening state, and the tripping state of the operating mechanism 5-00 respectively.

[0069] The moving contact 3-01, one end of the moving contact 3-01 is hinged to the driving handle 5-03, and the other end is a moving contact (cooperating with the static contact). The axis of the hinge O4 of the moving contact 3-01 is parallel to the width direction F2, and the hinge O4 follows the rotation of the driving handle 5-03. That is to say, during the rotation of the driving handle 5-03 around the second axis O2, the position of the hinge O4 will also change (following the change of the driving handle 5-03). No matter where the hinge O4 is located, in the height direction F1, the hinge O4 is always between the second axis O2 and the third axis O3.

[0070] The locking structure 5-04 includes a first locking member 5-07, a second locking member 5-08, a third locking member 5-09 and a locking member return spring 5-10.

[0071] The first locking member 5-07 is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing 1-00 around the third axis O3 (that is, its rotation center). The rotation here can be formed by an independent hinge axis or by an integrally formed shaft portion on the first locking member 5-07. The third axis O3 is parallel to the width direction F2, and the first locking member 5-07 includes a first lapping portion 5-07a and a reset portion 5-07b.

[0072] The second locking member 5-08 is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing 1-00 around the fifth axis O5 (that is, its rotation center). The second locking member 5-08 has a second lapping portion 5-08a and a third lapping portion 5-08b.

[0073] The third locking member 5-09 (that is, its rotation center) is rotatably arranged with respect to the housing 1-00 around the sixth axis O6. The third locking member 5-09 has a fourth lapping portion 5-09a.

[0074] The second axis O2, the third axis O3, the axis of the hinge O4, the fifth axis O5, and the sixth axis O6 are all parallel to the width direction F2.

[0075] In the height direction F1, the fifth axis O5 is higher than the sixth axis O6. The first overlapping portion 5-07a and the second overlapping portion 5-08a are both located between the fifth axis O5 and the sixth axis O6. The third overlapping portion 5-08b and the fourth overlapping portion 5-09a are both located below the second overlapping portion 5-08a. When the locking structure 5-04 is in the locked state, the first overlapping portion 5-07a abuts against the second overlapping portion 5-08a, and the third overlapping portion 5-08b abuts against the fourth overlapping portion 5-09a. After the locking structure 5-04 is unlocked, the first overlapping portion 5-07a and the second overlapping portion 5-08a are disengaged from abutting, and the third overlapping portion 5-08b and the fourth overlapping portion 5-09a are disengaged from abutting. The first locking member 5-07 blocks on one side of the second locking member 5-08 to prevent the locking structure 5-04 from transitioning to the locked state. The locking member return spring 5-10 is in an energy storage state and provides a spring force for the locking structure 5-04 to transition to the locked state. The upper first overlapping portion 5-07a and the second overlapping portion 5-08a are both protrusions, the third overlapping portion 5-08 is a flat surface, and the fourth overlapping portion 5-09a is a protrusion.

[0076] The locking member return spring 5-10 is connected between the second locking member 5-08 and the third locking member 5-09 and provides a biasing force when the locking structure 5-04 transitions to the locked state.

[0077] After the locking structure 5-04 is unlocked, specifically, the reset portion 5-07b is located on the side where the drive handle 5-03 moves in the opening direction. When the drive handle 5-03 is in the trip position TP, after driving the drive handle 5-03 to move to the opening position OF (actually, the drive shaft 5-01 rotates due to an external driving force, causing the drive handle 5-03 to move), the drive handle 5-03 can push the reset portion 5-07b to rotate the first locking member 5-07, realizing that the first overlapping portion 5-07a releases the obstruction to the second locking member 5-08. Under the combined action of the locking member return spring 5-10 and the drive handle 5-03, the locking structure 5-04 is re-locked. The re-formation of the lock here can be exactly when the drive handle 5-03 reaches the opening position OF, or it can be when the drive handle 5-03 is about to reach the opening position OF.

[0078] With such a structure, by forming abutting or releasing abutting (which can also be said to be overlapping or releasing overlapping) between the above-mentioned locking portions, locking or unlocking is formed, and the locking structure 5-04 has the characteristic of simplicity.

[0079] The main spring 5-05 is connected between the moving contact 3-01 and the first locking member 5-07, providing spring force for realizing the state switching of the operating mechanism 5-00. Here, one end of the main spring 5-05 is suspended on the bent portion of the moving contact 3-01, and the other end is suspended on a shaft of the first locking member 5-07. When the circuit breaker is in the closed state, the main spring 5-05 is in the energy storage state. Due to the locking of the locking structure 5-04, the operating mechanism 5-00 maintains a steady state. When the locking structure 5-04 is driven to unlock, the steady state is broken, and the operating mechanism 5-00 switches to the tripping state under the action of the main spring 5-05. The main spring 5-05 here can achieve the effect of quickly switching between the closing and opening states. When the operating mechanism 5-00 is in the closed state (at this time, the locking structure 5-04 is locked with the first overlapping portion 5-07a), an external force causes the drive shaft 5-01 to rotate in the opening direction. Since the hinge point O4 between the transmission handle 5-03 and the moving contact 3-01 changes (as the transmission handle 5-03 rotates), the main spring 5-05 gradually deforms and crosses the critical point (also called the dead point). After crossing the critical point, the main spring 5-05 accelerates the rotation of the moving contact 3-01 and the transmission handle 5-03, enabling the operating mechanism 5-00 to quickly reach the opening state (the moving contact 3-01 is completely separated from the static contact 3-02). Similarly, when the operating mechanism 5-00 is in the opening state (at this time, the locking structure 5-04 is also locked with the first overlapping portion 5-07a), an external force causes the drive shaft 5-01 to rotate in the closing direction. Since the hinge point O4 between the transmission handle 5-03 and the moving contact 3-01 changes (as the transmission handle 5-03 rotates), the main spring 5-05 gradually deforms and crosses the critical point (also called the dead point). After crossing the critical point, the main spring 5-05 accelerates the rotation of the moving contact 3-01 and the transmission handle 5-03, enabling the operating mechanism 5-00 to quickly reach the closing state (the moving contact 3-01 contacts the static contact 3-02). To prevent the main spring 5-05 from being ablated by the arc, an insulating sleeve 5-050 is also sleeved on the main spring 5-05.

[0080] For such an operating mechanism 5-00, the operating mechanism 5-00 has three states, and it can remind the user through the tripping state that the tripping structure of this circuit breaker is due to a line fault. Moreover, for such an operating mechanism 5-00, basically all components are located in the installation space 1-03 (even the first end of the drive shaft 5-01 is not), which is very suitable for application in explosion-proof circuit breakers.

[0081] The locking member return spring 5-10 preferably adopts a compression spring. It includes a first abutting end and a second abutting end. The first abutting end abuts against the second locking member 5-08, and the second abutting end also abuts against the second locking member 5-08. The first abutting end and the second abutting end are always located below the sixth axis O6. Of course, as an alternative, the locking member return spring 5-10 can also adopt a spring sheet or a torsion spring, and it also has a first abutting end and a second abutting end. This way that the first abutting end and the second abutting end are always located below the sixth axis O6 is beneficial to pushing the second locking member 5-08 to reset (that is, to re-form the lock).

[0082] Similarly, the second locking member 5-08 has a first spring mounting portion 5-08c, and the third locking member 5-09 has a second spring mounting portion 5-09b. The two ends of the locking member return spring 5-10 are respectively connected to the first spring mounting portion 5-08c and the second spring mounting portion 5-09b. Here, the first spring mounting portion 5-08c and the second spring mounting portion 5-09b have different forms according to the specific type of the spring, as long as they can limit the two abutting ends of the locking member return spring 5-10. For example, when it is a compression spring, the first spring mounting portion 5-08c and the second spring mounting portion 5-09b adopt the form of positioning columns. For example, when it is a torsion spring or a spring sheet, there are protrusions with limiting grooves, and the limiting grooves are beneficial to the stable installation of the torsion spring and the spring sheet.

[0083] Here, the second locking member 5-08 and the third locking member 5-09 are rotatably arranged on the mounting bracket 4-02, and the mounting bracket 4-02 is arranged in the mounting space 1-03. Specifically, the second locking member 5-08 has a fifth rotating shaft (its axis is the fifth axis O5), and it is rotatably arranged on the mounting bracket 4-02 through the fifth rotating shaft, so as to rotate relative to the housing 1-00. The third locking member 5-09 has a sixth rotating shaft (its axis is the sixth axis O6), and it is rotatably arranged on the mounting bracket 4-02 through the sixth rotating shaft, so as to rotate relative to the housing 1-00. Of course, the above-mentioned fifth rotating shaft and sixth rotating shaft can be either an independent shaft or a cylindrical protrusion directly formed on the second locking member 5-08 and the third locking member 5-09. The mounting bracket 4-02 is also used to mount the electromagnetic release 4-00. After the electromagnetic release 4-00, the second locking member 5-08, and the third locking member 5-09 are assembled with the mounting bracket 4-02, then the mounting bracket 4-02 is installed in the mounting space 1-03, which can realize modular assembly and is beneficial to product assembly.

[0084] In the description of this specification, the description referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0085] Although the embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A tripping structure of a circuit breaker, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing and an operating mechanism; the housing has an installation space, and the operating mechanism is arranged in the installation space; the operating mechanism comprises a locking structure, and when the circuit breaker is in the closed state, the locking structure is locked to keep the operating mechanism in the closed state; after the locking structure is unlocked, the operating mechanism realizes a tripping operation, prompting the circuit breaker to be disconnected; The installation space is divided into at least one subspace, and an arc extinguishing chamber, a contact system and an electromagnetic release are arranged in at least one subspace; the arc extinguishing chamber is used to extinguish the arc generated when the contact system is separated; The electromagnetic release has an armature that is rotatably arranged, and the locking structure has a first driving part corresponding to the armature; the arc extinguishing chamber has an exhaust port, and the armature is located at the exhaust port; When current exists in the circuit, the attraction force on the armature and the air blowing force from the exhaust port are superimposed on each other, and together cause the armature to rotate and trigger the first driving part, causing the locking structure to unlock.

2. A tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc extinguishing chamber also includes an arc extinguishing chamber shell, and an exhaust port is arranged on the arc extinguishing chamber shell; it also includes a mounting bracket, and the electromagnetic release is fixed on the mounting bracket and placed in the subspace through the mounting bracket; the mounting bracket has an air inlet at the armature mounting position, and the exhaust port is aligned with the air inlet.

3. A tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The arc extinguishing chamber shell and the mounting bracket form a staggered structure, and the staggered structure is arranged around the junction of the air inlet and the exhaust port to improve the air tightness of the air inlet and the exhaust port.

4. The tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The arc extinguishing chamber also includes at least two arc extinguishing grids and an air flow channel; there is a gap between two adjacent arc extinguishing grids, the gap is connected to the exhaust port through the air flow channel, and the gas generated when the circuit breaker is disconnected flows into the air flow channel from the gap, and then sprayed toward the armature from the exhaust port; the diameter of the exhaust port gradually decreases from close to the air flow channel to close to the air inlet, forming a Laval nozzle.

5. The tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer shell includes a cover shell and a sealing plate, the installation space is set on the cover shell, the bottom of the cover shell has an installation opening of the installation space, and the sealing plate is used to close the installation opening; the arc extinguishing chamber also includes at least two arc extinguishing grids, and there is a gap between two adjacent arc extinguishing grids; the arc extinguishing chamber shell and the sealing plate jointly form an air flow channel, the gap is connected with the exhaust port through the air flow channel, and the gas generated when the circuit breaker is disconnected flows into the air flow channel from the gap, and then is sprayed toward the armature from the exhaust port.

6. A tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The arc extinguishing chamber shell includes a first bracket and an upper cover, the arc extinguishing grid is clamped on the first bracket, and the airflow channel is on the first bracket; the first bracket has an open part connected to the airflow channel, and the upper cover has a shielding part, which shields part of the open part to form an exhaust port.

7. The tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking structure includes a first locking piece, a second locking piece, a third locking piece and a locking piece return spring; the first locking piece, the second locking piece and the third locking piece are all rotatably arranged, and from the height direction of the installation space, the rotation center of the second locking piece is higher than the rotation center of the third locking piece; the first locking piece includes a first overlapping portion, the second locking piece includes a second overlapping portion and a third overlapping portion, and the third locking piece includes a fourth overlapping portion; from the height direction of the installation space, the first overlapping portion and the second overlapping portion are both located between the rotation center of the second locking piece and the rotation center of the third locking piece, and are higher than the third overlapping portion. , and the fourth overlapping part; when the locking structure is locked, the first overlapping part and the second overlapping part form an abutment, and the third overlapping part and the fourth overlapping part form an abutment. After the locking structure is unlocked, the first overlapping part and the second overlapping part are released from the abutment, and the third overlapping part and the fourth overlapping part are released from the abutment; the first driving part is arranged on the second locking member, and the first driving part is driven by the armature to rotate the second locking member to realize the unlocking of the locking structure; the locking member reset spring abuts between the second locking member and the third locking member. After the locking structure is unlocked, the first locking member blocks one side of the second locking member to limit the resetting of the locking structure, and the locking member reset spring is in an energy storage state.

8. The tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The operating mechanism also includes a driving shaft and a transmission part, a transmission handle, a moving contact, and a main spring in the installation space; the first end of the driving shaft passes through the shell, the second end of the driving shaft is in the installation space, and the driving shaft and the shell are rotatably arranged; the transmission part and the second end of the driving shaft form synchronous movement, and the transmission part deviates from the rotation center of the driving shaft; the transmission handle is rotatably arranged and is in a linkage relationship with the transmission part; one end of the moving contact is hinged to the transmission handle, and the hinge of the moving contact rotates with the transmission handle; the main spring is connected between the moving contact and the first locking member to provide spring force for realizing the state switching of the operating mechanism; when the circuit breaker is in the closed state, the main spring is in the energy storage state, and the operating mechanism maintains a steady state due to the locking of the locking structure, and after the locking structure is unlocked, the steady state is broken, and the operating mechanism switches to the tripping state under the action of the main spring; the rotation center of the transmission handle, the rotation center of the first locking piece, and the hinge of the moving contact are all arranged in parallel, and are arranged perpendicular to the rotation center of the drive shaft; in the height direction, the rotation center of the transmission handle is higher than the rotation center of the first locking piece, and the hinge of the moving contact is always located between the rotation center of the transmission handle and the rotation center of the first locking piece during the rotation of the transmission handle; the first locking piece also includes a reset part, which is located on the side of the transmission handle moving in the opening direction. When the operating mechanism is in the tripping state, the transmission handle is driven to move in the opening direction, and the transmission handle pushes the reset part to rotate the first locking piece. Under the joint action of the transmission handle and the reset spring of the locking piece, the locking structure is locked.

9. A tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting bracket, on which the second locking piece, the third locking piece, and the electromagnetic release are all fixed and installed in the housing through the mounting bracket; the first locking piece is rotatably connected to the wall of the mounting space, and the second locking piece and the third locking piece are rotatably connected to the mounting bracket.

10. The tripping structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: From the height direction of the installation space, the position of the locking structure is higher than the armature, and the position of the armature is higher than the exhaust port, and the armature drives the first driving part to move in a pushing manner; Alternatively, the electromagnetic release is a thermal-magnetic electromagnetic release or a hydraulic electromagnetic release.

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