Tripping indication structure of circuit breaker and circuit breaker

Abstract

The application provides a trip indication structure of a circuit breaker, comprising a trip indication member and an elastic member, the elastic member being connected between a housing and the trip indication member, the trip indication member being installed on the housing and being movable back and forth between an on-off position and a tripping position, the trip indication member being provided with a limiting portion in limiting cooperation with a resisting portion of the housing, and an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker having a driving portion; when the circuit breaker is in the on-off position, the limiting portion cooperates with the resisting portion; when the circuit breaker trips, the driving portion drives the limiting portion to disengage from the resisting portion, and the trip indication member moves from the on-off position to the tripping position under the elastic force of the elastic member. The application also provides a circuit breaker comprising the operating mechanism and the trip indication structure. The trip indication structure of the circuit breaker and the circuit breaker of the application can drive the trip indication member to disengage from the resisting portion when the circuit breaker trips, and the trip indication member can realize position switching under the action of the elastic member, thereby displaying the tripping state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of low-voltage electrical appliances, specifically to a tripping indication structure for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker. Background Technology

[0002] Miniature circuit breakers and residual current circuit breakers generally have overload and short-circuit protection functions. When an overload or short-circuit fault occurs in the line, the product will trip and disconnect. However, most existing miniature circuit breakers have closing and opening indication functions, but lack a tripping indication function, making it impossible to distinguish between fault-induced disconnection and manual disconnection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome at least one defect of the prior art and to provide a tripping indication structure for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker includes a tripping indicator and an elastic element inside the circuit breaker housing. The elastic element is connected between the housing and the tripping indicator. The tripping indicator is mounted on the housing and can move back and forth between the open / closed position and the tripped position. The tripping indicator has a limiting part that cooperates with the blocking part of the housing. The operating mechanism of the circuit breaker has a driving part. When the circuit breaker is open or closed, the limiting part of the tripping indicator cooperates with the blocking part of the housing, and the tripping indicator remains in the open / closed position. When the circuit breaker trips, the driving part of the operating mechanism drives the limiting part of the tripping indicator to disengage from the blocking part of the housing, and under the elastic force of the elastic element, the tripping indicator moves from the open / closed position to the tripped position.

[0006] Preferably, the reciprocating motion of the trip indicator is a linear movement, and the limiting part of the trip indicator cooperates with the blocking part of the housing to prevent the trip indicator from moving from the open / close position to the trip position; the driving part of the operating mechanism drives the trip indicator in a direction perpendicular to the linear movement of the trip indicator.

[0007] Preferably, the housing is provided with a support plate for supporting the tripping indicator. The tripping indicator is placed on the support plate and located above the drive unit. The limiting part of the tripping indicator is a downwardly protruding structure. The support plate is provided with a movable hole for the movement of the limiting part. The blocking part is one side wall of the movable hole.

[0008] Preferably, the other side wall of the movable hole is provided with a clearance notch for avoiding the drive unit.

[0009] Preferably, the tripping indicator has an elastic rib, with a fixed end of one end of the elastic rib connected to the tripping indicator, and a movable end of the other end of the elastic rib raised to abut against the top wall of the housing above.

[0010] Preferably, the elastic rib and the limiting part are located on two opposite sides of the tripping indicator.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic element is a spring, the direction of its elastic force is the linear movement direction of the tripping indicator, one end of the elastic element is connected to the inner side wall of the housing, and the other end is connected to one end of the tripping indicator.

[0012] Preferably, the operating mechanism further includes a reset part, which freely cooperates with the limiting part of the tripping position indicator and drives the limiting part of the tripping position indicator.

[0013] Preferably, the reset part is a protruding structure, located in front of the trip indicator in the direction from the opening / closing position to the tripping position. The front end of the trip indicator is provided with a movable notch corresponding to the reset part, and the movable notch has a pushed sidewall on the movement trajectory of the reset part.

[0014] Preferably, the tripping indicator includes an indicator body, the indicator body has a normal indicator area of ​​a different color from the indicator body, the housing has a window, the window of the tripping indicator faces the normal indicator area when the circuit is open or closed, and the window faces the indicator body when the circuit is tripped.

[0015] A circuit breaker, including an operating mechanism and a trip indication structure of any of the above-mentioned technical solutions, wherein the operating mechanism includes a trip latch and a latch for performing tripping, one end of the trip latch is locked with the latch, and the other end of the trip latch has a protruding driving part. When the circuit breaker is open or closed, the trip latch is locked with the latch. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the trip latch rotates due to unlocking from the latch, and the driving part then drives the limiting part of the trip indication element to disengage from the blocking part of the housing.

[0016] Preferably, the operating mechanism further includes a handle and a lever for linking the handle with the moving contact. The trip latch and the locking latch are rotatably mounted on the lever, and the lever has a reset part. When the circuit breaker is opened or closed, the trip latch is linked with the lever. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the trip latch and the locking latch are unlocked, thereby breaking the linkage between the handle and the lever, and the trip latch rotates on the lever. The handle is located on the top wall of the circuit breaker housing, and the tripping indicator is located between the top wall of the housing and the operating mechanism.

[0017] The circuit breaker trip indication structure and circuit breaker of this invention add a trip indication function to the existing circuit breaker structure. When the circuit breaker trips due to overload or short circuit fault, the operating mechanism drive unit drives the trip indication to release the restriction between itself and the housing's blocking part. Under the action of the elastic element, the trip indication switches positions, thereby displaying the trip status. This distinguishes between a manually tripped circuit breaker during normal operation and a tripped circuit breaker due to a fault, helping users to troubleshoot line faults in a timely manner. In addition, it effectively avoids misoperation or incorrect switching caused by product aging or assembly issues, improving the stability and reliability of the trip indication's position switching, thereby improving the accuracy of product status indication. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit breaker in the open state created by the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the circuit breaker housing created by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom shell portion of the housing created in this invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This invention is a creation Figure 3 Enlarged view of part of the structure;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a bottom perspective view of the tripping indicator created in this invention;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a top perspective view of the tripping indicator created in this invention;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit breaker in the tripped state created by the present invention;

[0025] Housing 1; blocking part 101; support plate 102; housing top wall 103; movable cavity 104; movable hole 105; window 106; clearance notch 107; tripping indicator 2; limiting part 201; elastic rib 202; indicator body 203; normal indicator area 204; movable notch 205; pushed side wall 2051; clearance through hole 206; elastic element 3; operating mechanism 4; tripping buckle 41; driving part 410; lock 42; lever 43; reset part 430; handle 44; linkage rod 45; moving contact 5; stationary contact 6; magnetic tripping system 7; thermal tripping device 8. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following embodiments, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, further illustrate the trip indication structure of the circuit breaker and the specific implementation of the circuit breaker created by the present invention. The trip indication structure of the circuit breaker and the circuit breaker created by the present invention are not limited to the descriptions in the following embodiments.

[0027] like Figure 1-2 and Figure 7 As shown, the circuit breaker in this embodiment includes a housing 1, an operating mechanism 4, a cooperating moving contact 5 and a stationary contact 6, a magnetic tripping system 7, a thermal tripping device 8, and a tripping indication structure. The operating mechanism 4 includes a tripping latch 41 and a locking latch 42 for performing tripping, a handle 44 for operation, and a lever 43 for linking the handle 44 with the moving contact 5. The handle 44 is linked to the lever 43 via a linkage rod 45, the tripping latch 41, and the two ends of the linkage rod 45 are respectively hinged to the handle 44 and the tripping latch 41. The tripping latch 41 and the locking latch 42 are locked together and rotatably mounted on the lever 43. One end of the moving contact 5 is mounted on a contact support and together with it on the lever 43, and the other end is used to contact and cooperate with the stationary contact 6 to realize the switching of the circuit breaker. When the circuit breaker opens or closes, the trip latch 41 and the locking latch 42 lock together and are linked with the lever 43. The handle 44 can drive the lever 43, which in turn drives the moving contact 5 and the stationary contact 6 to open and close normally. When the circuit breaker trips, the trip latch 41 and the locking latch 42 unlock, breaking the linkage between the handle 44 and the lever 43. As a result, the handle 44 cannot drive the moving contact 5 and the stationary contact 6 to make contact, and the trip latch 41 rotates on the lever 43. The other structures of the circuit breaker in this embodiment, except for the trip indication structure, as well as their working process and principle, are existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0028] The trip indication structure of the circuit breaker in this embodiment is used to distinguish between the normal operating state of the circuit breaker (open / closed) and the trip state of a fault trip. The trip indication structure includes a trip indicator 2 and an elastic element 3. The elastic element 3 is connected between the housing 1 and the trip indicator 2. The trip indicator 2 is mounted on the housing 1 and can move back and forth between the open / closed position and the tripped position. The trip indicator 2 is provided with a limiting part 201 that cooperates with the blocking part 101 of the housing 1 to limit the trip indicator 2 to overcome the elastic force of the elastic element 3 and remain in the open / closed position. One end of the trip latch 41 of the circuit breaker's operating mechanism 4 is provided with a locking tooth that engages with the latch 42 for locking cooperation. The other end of the trip latch 41 has a protruding driving part 410. When the circuit breaker opens or closes, the latch 42 locks the trip latch 41 at a specific angle onto the lever 43. The drive part 410 of the trip latch 41 does not contact the trip indicator 2 during operation. Therefore, the limiting part 201 of the trip indicator 2 always cooperates with the blocking part 101 of the housing 1, and the trip indicator 2 remains in the open / closed position. When the circuit breaker trips, the trip latch 41 disengages from the latch 42 and rotates on the lever 43, undergoing angle adjustment (e.g., ...). Figure 2(In the counterclockwise direction), the driving part 410 of the tripping buckle 41 contacts the tripping indicator 2, and the driving part 410 drives the tripping indicator 2, thereby causing the limiting part 201 of the tripping indicator 2 to disengage from the blocking part 101 of the housing 1. Under the elastic force of the elastic member 3, the tripping indicator 2 moves from the opening and closing position to the tripping position.

[0029] The trip indication structure and circuit breaker of this embodiment, based on the existing circuit breaker structure, add a trip indication function. When the circuit breaker trips due to overload or short circuit fault, the operating mechanism 4 driving part 410 drives the trip indication 2 to release the restriction between it and the blocking part 101 of the housing 1. Under the action of the elastic member 3, the trip indication 2 achieves position switching, thereby displaying the trip status. This distinguishes between the circuit breaker being manually tripped during normal operation and tripped due to a fault, which can help users troubleshoot line faults in a timely manner. In addition, it can effectively avoid misoperation or mis-switching caused by product aging, assembly, etc., improve the stability and reliability of the position switching of the trip indication 2, and thus improve the accuracy of product status indication.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the reciprocating motion of the trip indicator 2 is a linear movement. The limiting part 201 of the trip indicator 2 cooperates with the blocking part 101 of the housing 1 to prevent the trip indicator 2 from moving from the open / close position to the trip position. When the trip indicator 2 moves to the trip position, the blocking part 101 is located directly in front of the limiting part 201. The driving part 410 of the trip lever 41 of the operating mechanism 4 drives the trip indicator 2 in a direction perpendicular to the linear movement of the trip indicator 2. The position switching direction of the trip indicator 2 is the same as the restricted direction and perpendicular to the driving direction of the driving part 410, which is also the direction of releasing the restriction of the trip indicator 2. This helps the trip indicator 2 to be stably maintained in the open / close position. At the same time, when tripped, the driving part 410 can easily drive the trip indicator 2 to release the restriction and switch to the trip position. The structure is simple and improves the accuracy of the trip indication.

[0031] like Figure 3-6 As shown, the housing 1 has a support plate 102 for supporting the tripping indicator 2. The support plate 102 and the top wall 103 of the housing form a movable cavity 104 for the movement of the tripping indicator 2. The support plate 102 has a movable hole 105 for the movement of the limiting part 201. The tripping indicator 2 is placed on the support plate 102 and located above the driving part 410. The driving part 410 is as follows: Figure 2 The diagram shows a raised structure. During the rotation of the trip lever 41 when the circuit breaker trips, the drive unit 410 abuts against the bottom surface of the trip indicator 2 and lifts the trip indicator 2. (See diagram for details.) Figure 5-6As shown, the tripping indicator 2 is an integrally formed structure, including an indicator body 203, a limiting part 201 integrally disposed on the indicator body 203, and an elastic rib 202. The limiting part 201 is a protruding structure that protrudes downward on the bottom surface of the indicator body 203. The limiting part 201 is movably placed in the movable hole 105. The blocking part 101 is one side wall of the movable hole 105, specifically the side wall away from the elastic member 3. The other side wall of the movable hole 105 is provided with a clearance notch 107 for avoiding the driving part 410. The driving part 410 moves by rotation. The clearance notch 107 is preferably arc-shaped. The handle 44 is located on one end of the top wall 103 of the circuit breaker housing, and the tripping indicator 2 is located below the other end of the top wall 103 of the housing and between the top wall 103 of the housing and the operating mechanism 4. It moves linearly between the top wall 103 of the housing and the operating mechanism 4, and the direction of linear movement is basically parallel to the top wall 103 of the housing. It occupies little space and does not require changes to the existing circuit breaker mechanism.

[0032] like Figure 5-6 As shown, the tripping indicator 2 is provided with a clearance through hole 206 corresponding to the elastic rib 202. The fixed end of one end of the elastic rib 202 is connected to the side wall of the clearance through hole 206 of the tripping indicator 2, and the movable end of the other end of the elastic rib 202 is raised and abuts against the upper shell top wall 103. During the compression process of the elastic rib 202, the movable end of the elastic rib 202 enters the clearance through hole 206. During the process of the drive unit 410 lifting the tripping indicator 2, the elastic rib 202 is compressed and deformed by the shell top wall 103 and stores energy. After the drive unit 410 removes its action on the tripping indicator 2, the elastic rib 202 releases energy, the tripping indicator 2 moves down, and the tripping indicator 2 is reset in the vertical direction.

[0033] like Figure 6 As shown, the indicator body 203 has a normal indicator area 204 of a different color than the indicator body 203. Specifically, the normal indicator area 204 is located on the top front surface of the indicator body 203 in the direction from the open / close position to the trip position. The housing 1 has a window 106. When the trip indicator 2 is in the open / close position, the window 106 faces the normal indicator area 204; when it is in the trip position, the window 106 faces the indicator body 203. In a specific embodiment, the indicator body 203 is set to red, and the normal indicator area 204 is set to white. The window 106 displays white during the normal operating state of the circuit breaker (open / closed) and red during the trip state of the circuit breaker (fault trip). The distinguishing colors between the indicator body 203 and the normal indicator area 204 include, but are not limited to, red and white.

[0034] like Figure 2As shown, the elastic element 3 is a spring, and its elastic force is in the same direction as the linear movement of the trip indicator 2. One end of the elastic element 3 is connected to the inner wall of the housing 1, and the other end is connected to one end of the trip indicator 2. During the energy release process of the elastic element 3, the trip indicator 2 moves from the open / closed position to the tripped position; during the movement of the trip indicator 2 from the tripped position to the open / closed position, the elastic element 3 compresses and stores energy. The driving direction of the elastic element 3 is the same as the moving direction of the trip indicator 2, resulting in a simple structure and stable and reliable driving.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, the lever 43 of the operating mechanism 4 has a reset part 430, which freely cooperates with the limiting part 201 of the tripping indicator 2 at the opening / closing position and drives the limiting part 201 of the tripping indicator 2 at the tripping position. The reset part 430 is a protruding structure, located in front of the tripping indicator 2 in the direction from the opening / closing position to the tripping position. The front end of the tripping indicator 2 is provided with a movable notch 205 corresponding to the reset part 430, and the movable notch 205 has a pushed sidewall 2051 on the movement trajectory of the reset part 430. When the circuit breaker is tripped or closed, the reset part 430 can move freely within the movable notch 205 without interfering with the trip indicator 2. After the circuit breaker trips, the reset part 430 abuts against the pushed side wall 2051 of the movable notch 205. After the circuit breaker fault is resolved, the circuit breaker is manually reclosed. The operating mechanism 4 is reset, and the reset part 430 moves, thereby pushing the pushed side wall 2051 of the movable notch 205, so that the trip indicator 2 is reset in the horizontal direction and moves from the trip position to the tripped position. At this time, the elastic rib 202 releases energy, so that the trip indicator 2 is reset in the vertical direction. The trip indicator 2 moves downward, and the limiting part 201 of the trip indicator 2 is limited and cooperates with the blocking part 101 of the housing 1. The elastic element 3 is in a compressed and stored energy state.

[0036] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship conventionally placed during use. They are used only for ease of description and do not indicate that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating relative importance.

[0037] The above description, in conjunction with specific preferred embodiments, provides a further detailed explanation of the present invention. It should not be construed that the specific implementation of the present invention is limited to these descriptions. For those skilled in the art, various simple deductions or substitutions can be made without departing from the inventive concept, and all such modifications and substitutions should be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tripping indication structure for a circuit breaker, characterized in that: The circuit breaker includes a tripping indicator (2) and an elastic element (3) inside the housing (1). The elastic element (3) is connected between the housing (1) and the tripping indicator (2). The tripping indicator (2) is mounted on the housing (1) and can move back and forth between the open / closed position and the tripped position. The tripping indicator (2) is provided with a limiting part (201) that cooperates with the blocking part (101) of the housing (1). The operating mechanism (4) of the circuit breaker has a driving part (41). 0); When the circuit breaker is opened or closed, the limiting part (201) of the trip indicator (2) cooperates with the blocking part (101) of the housing (1), and the trip indicator (2) remains in the open or closed position; when the circuit breaker is tripped, the driving part (410) of the operating mechanism (4) drives the limiting part (201) of the trip indicator (2) to disengage from the blocking part (101) of the housing (1), and under the elastic force of the elastic member (3), the trip indicator (2) moves from the open or closed position to the trip position; The reciprocating motion of the trip indicator (2) is a linear movement. The limiting part (201) of the trip indicator (2) is in a limiting cooperation with the blocking part (101) of the housing (1) to prevent the trip indicator (2) from moving from the opening and closing position to the trip position. The driving part (410) of the operating mechanism (4) drives the trip indicator (2) in the direction perpendicular to the linear movement of the trip indicator (2).

2. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (1) is provided with a support plate (102) for supporting the tripping indicator (2). The tripping indicator (2) is placed on the support plate (102) and located above the drive unit (410). The limiting part (201) of the tripping indicator (2) is a downward protruding structure. The support plate (102) is provided with a movable hole (105) for the movement of the limiting part (201). The blocking part (101) is one side wall of the movable hole (105).

3. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The other side wall of the movable hole (105) is provided with a clearance notch (107) for avoiding the drive unit (410).

4. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The tripping indicator (2) has an elastic rib (202), one fixed end of which is connected to the tripping indicator (2), and the other movable end of which is raised and abuts against the top wall (103) of the housing above.

5. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to claim 4, characterized in that: The elastic rib (202) and the limiting part (201) are located on opposite sides of the release indicator (2).

6. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The elastic element (3) is a spring, and its elastic force is in the direction of linear movement of the tripping indicator (2). One end of the elastic element (3) is connected to the inner wall of the housing (1), and the other end is connected to one end of the tripping indicator (2).

7. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The operating mechanism (4) also has a reset part (430), which freely cooperates with the limiting part (201) of the trip position trigger indicator (2) and drives the limiting part (201) of the trip position trigger indicator (2).

8. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The reset part (430) is a protruding structure located in front of the trip indicator (2) in the direction from the opening / closing position to the tripping position. The front end of the trip indicator (2) is provided with an active notch (205) corresponding to the reset part (430). The active notch (205) has a pushed sidewall (2051) on the movement trajectory of the reset part (430).

9. The tripping indication structure of the circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The tripping indicator (2) includes an indicator body (203), on which a normal indicator area (204) of a different color from the indicator body (203) is provided. The housing (1) is provided with a window (106). When the tripping indicator (2) is in the open / close position, the window (106) faces the normal indicator area (204), and when it is in the trip position, the window (106) faces the indicator body (203).

10. A circuit breaker, characterized in that: The circuit breaker includes an operating mechanism (4) and a trip indication structure according to any one of claims 1-9. The operating mechanism (4) includes a trip latch (41) and a latch (42) for performing tripping. One end of the trip latch (41) is locked to the latch (42), and the other end of the trip latch (41) has a protruding driving part (410). When the circuit breaker is opened or closed, the trip latch (41) is locked to the latch (42). When the circuit breaker is tripped, the trip latch (41) is unlocked from the latch (42) and rotates. The driving part (410) then drives the limiting part (201) of the trip indication element (2) to disengage from the blocking part (101) of the housing (1).

11. The circuit breaker according to claim 10, characterized in that: The operating mechanism (4) further includes a handle (44) and a lever (43) for linking the handle (44) with the moving contact (5). The trip latch (41) and the latch (42) are rotatably mounted on the lever (43). The lever (43) has a reset part (430). When the circuit breaker is opened or closed, the trip latch (41) is linked with the lever (43). When the circuit breaker is tripped, the trip latch (41) and the latch (42) are unlocked, so that the linkage between the handle (44) and the lever (43) is broken. The trip latch (41) rotates on the lever (43). The handle (44) is located on the top wall (103) of the circuit breaker housing. The tripping indicator (2) is located between the top wall (103) of the housing and the operating mechanism (4).

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