Bistable assembly for switchable electrical equipment

Abstract

A bistable assembly for a switch assembly, comprising: a cam configured to have two stable positions: a first stable position and a second stable position; a flexible member including: a first holding portion; a second holding part; and an intermediate portion between the first holding portion and the second holding portion; and an operation interface configured to rotate the cam relative to the flexible member. The first holding part is configured to hold the cam at a first stable position; the second holding portion is configured to hold the cam in a second stable position.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 407,810, filed on September 19, 2022, entitled “BI-STABLE ASSEMBLY FOR A SWITCHABLE ELECTRICAL APPARATUS,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a bistable assembly for a switchable electrical device. Background Art

[0004] A switchable electrical device is an electrical device having two stable states, a first state and a second state, wherein current can flow through a switch in the electrical device in the first state and current cannot flow through the switch in the second state, and the electrical device is used in an alternating current (AC) power supply system. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect, an electrical device includes: a switch assembly, including: a first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact configured to move relative to the first electrical contact. When the second electrical contact contacts the first electrical contact, the switch assembly is closed, and when the second electrical contact is not in contact with the first electrical contact, the switch assembly is opened. The electrical device also includes: an actuator, which is coupled to the second electrical contact and is configured to move the second electrical contact relative to the first electrical contact; and a bistable assembly, which is configured to drive the actuator. The bistable assembly also includes: a cam; and a flexible member, which includes a first retaining portion, a second retaining portion, and an intermediate portion between the first retaining portion and the intermediate member. The electrical device also includes an operating interface coupled to the cam. The operating interface is configured to rotate the cam so that the cam contacts the intermediate portion of the flexible member and moves along the intermediate portion of the flexible member between a first stable position and a second stable position, the first retaining portion of the flexible member is configured to retain the cam in the first stable position, and the second retaining portion of the flexible member is configured to retain the cam in the second stable position.

[0006] Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

[0007] The flexible member may include a single flexible strip made of a solid material, the single flexible strip including a first end and a second end, the first end may be located in a first guide region of the support structure, the second end may be located in a second guide region of the support structure, and the middle portion may be curved and extend away from the support structure. When the operation interface rotates the cam along the middle portion, the cam may press the middle portion toward the support structure. After the cam rotates past at least a portion of the middle portion, the middle portion may move away from the support structure.

[0008] The flexible member may include a leaf spring.

[0009] The flexible member may include a linear wave spring.

[0010] In some embodiments, the electrical device further comprises a housing enclosing the switch assembly, the cam and the flexible member. The operating interface can be accessed from the outside of the housing. The operating interface can include a shaft passing through the housing; and a handle mounted on the end of the shaft located outside the housing. The cam can be mounted on the shaft, and moving the handle can rotate the cam along the middle portion of the flexible member. The handle can be configured to move along an arc within a range of motion; the handle can have a first stable position at a first end of the range of motion; and the handle can have a second stable position at a second end of the range of motion. In some embodiments, the handle does not have any other stable positions except the first stable position and the second stable position.

[0011] The cam may include a body and a curved tip, and the curved tip may be configured to contact the middle portion of the flexible member.

[0012] In another aspect, a bistable assembly for a switch assembly includes: a cam configured to have two stable positions: a first stable position and a second stable position; a flexible member including: a first retaining portion; a second retaining portion; and an intermediate portion between the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion; and an operating interface configured to rotate the cam relative to the flexible member. The first retaining portion is configured to retain the cam in the first stable position; and the second retaining portion is configured to retain the cam in the second stable position.

[0013] Implementations may include one or more of the following features.

[0014] The flexible member may include a leaf spring.

[0015] The flexible member may include a linear wave spring.

[0016] The cam may include a tip, and in some embodiments, the tip is the only part of the cam in contact with the intermediate portion. The tip may include a curved profile.

[0017] The flexible member may have an uncompressed state; the intermediate portion may have a first position when the flexible member is in the uncompressed state; and the cam may press the intermediate portion away from the first position while rotating.

[0018] The bistable assembly may further include a support member holding the flexible member. The cam may press a middle portion of the flexible member toward the support member when rotating. The flexible member may extend from a first end to a second end, and at least one of the first end and the second end may be fixed to the support member. The flexible member may extend from a first end to a second end, and the first end and the second end may not necessarily be fixed to the support member.

[0019] The embodiments of any technology described herein may be electrical devices, bistable components, cam components, systems, methods or processes. The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, as well as from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1A is a block diagram of a system including one example of an electrical device.

[0021] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A External perspective view of an electrical equipment enclosure.

[0022] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional block diagram of the interior of an example of an electrical device enclosure.

[0023] Figure 2B is a side view of an example of a flexible member.

[0024] Figure 2C is a side view of an example of a cam assembly.

[0025] Figure 2D is a side view of an example of a bistable assembly.

[0026] Figures 3 to 5 Shows Figure 2A An example of manual operation of an electrical device.

[0027] Fig. 6A An example of a bistable assembly is shown in a first stable position.

[0028] Figure 6B Shows Fig. 6A An example of a bistable component being in a second stable position.

[0029] Figure 7 is a block diagram of a system including one example of a three-phase electrical device. Specific implementation plan

[0030] Figure 1A1 is a block diagram of a system 100 including an electrical device 110. The electrical device 110 includes a switch assembly 120, a bistable assembly 140, and an operating interface 170 coupled to the bistable assembly 140 via a link 197. The link 197 can be a mechanical link, such as a shaft. The switch assembly 120 has two operating states: a first operating state, in which current can flow in the switch assembly 120 (a closed state), and a second operating state, in which current cannot flow in the switch assembly 120 (a closed state). The electrical device 110 can be, for example, an automatic recloser, a recloser, or a switchgear. The switch assembly 120 is any type of switch having moving contacts that can be positioned to place the switch assembly 120 in one of two stable operating states. For example, the switch assembly 120 can be a vacuum circuit breaker. The operation interface 170 allows manual operation of the switch assembly 120 . The bistable assembly 140 has two stable states and ensures that the operation interface 170 has only two stable positions. Each of the two stable positions of the bistable assembly 140 corresponds to one of the two operation states of the switch assembly 120 .

[0031] Conventional operating handles can be configured to be used in one of two stable positions using a relatively complex system that includes a coil spring and its associated components, such as, for example, a spring guide, a spring bracket, and a mounting pin. The coil spring and its associated components take up a relatively large amount of space, introduce additional complexity, and increase overall operating costs. As discussed in more detail below, the bistable assembly 140 has fewer components, takes up less space, is easier to assemble and / or maintain, and is simpler than traditional methods of ensuring that the operating interface of the electrical device has only two stable positions. Therefore, the bistable assembly 140 can reduce the overall cost and size of the electrical device 110, and can also promote efficient operation of the electrical device 110.

[0032] Before further discussing the bistable assembly 140 , further details of the electrical device 110 and the system 100 are provided.

[0033] Switch assembly 120 is connected to node 102 via conductor 106 and to node 103 via conductor 107. Conductors 106 and / or 107 are any type of conductive devices or equipment. For example, conductors 106 and / or 107 may be transmission lines, cables, wires, and / or busbars. When switch assembly 120 is in a closed state, node 102 is electrically connected to node 103. When switch assembly 120 is in an open state, node 102 is not electrically connected to node 103.

[0034] Node 102 is part of an alternating current (AC) grid 101. AC grid 101 may be a three-phase grid operating at a base frequency of, for example, 50 or 60 Hertz (Hz). In some embodiments, AC grid 101 is a single-phase grid operating at a base frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. Grid 101 includes devices, systems, and components that transmit, distribute, generate, and / or absorb electricity. For example, grid 101 may include generators, power plants, substations, transformers, renewable energy sources, transmission lines, reclosers and switchgear, fuses, surge protectors, combinations of these devices, and any other device for transmitting or distributing electricity.

[0035] The grid 101 may be low voltage (e.g., up to 1 kilovolt (kV)), medium voltage or distribution voltage (e.g., between 1 kilovolt (kV) and 35 kV), or high voltage (e.g., 35 kV and above). The grid 101 may include multiple subgrids or portions. For example, the grid 101 may include an AC microgrid, an AC regional network, or an AC point network that serves a particular customer. These subgrids may be interconnected via switches and / or other devices to form the grid 101. In addition, the subgrids within the grid 101 may have different nominal voltages. For example, the grid 101 may include a medium voltage portion connected to a low voltage portion via a distribution transformer.

[0036] Grid 101 may be arranged in any manner. For example, all or part of grid 101 may be underground. All or part of grid 101 may be overhead. In some embodiments, grid 101 includes an overhead portion and an underground portion.

[0037] Node 102 may be any part of AC grid 101. For example, node 102 may be an AC power source. Node 103 may also be part of AC grid 101, or node 103 may be part of a different AC grid. Node 103 may be electrically connected to a load (referred to as load 103) that receives and / or provides power to AC grid 101. Load 103 may be any device that uses, transmits, or distributes power in a residential, industrial, or commercial setting, and load 103 may include multiple devices. For example, load 103 may be a motor, an uninterruptible power supply, or a lighting system. Load 103 may be a device that connects electrical device 110 to another part of grid 101. For example, load 103 may be a recloser or switchgear, a transformer, or a point of common coupling (PCC) that provides an AC bus for multiple discrete loads. Load 103 may include one or more distributed energy resources (DERs). DERs are power generation resources and / or controllable loads. Examples of DERs include, for example, solar-based energy sources, such as solar panels and solar arrays; wind-based energy sources, such as, for example, wind turbines and windmills; combined heat and power plants; rechargeable sources (such as batteries); natural gas generators; electric vehicles; and controllable loads, such as, for example, some heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and electric water heaters.

[0038] exist Figure 1A In FIG. 1 , each node 102 and 103 is shown as a single element. However, nodes 102 and 103 may include a plurality of nodes, each electrically connected to one phase of AC grid 101. Electrical device 110 may be a single-phase or multi-phase device.

[0039] The electrical device 110 includes a housing 111 that encloses a switch assembly 120 and a bistable assembly 140 in an interior space 112. Figure 1B , which is a perspective view of the housing 111, which is a three-dimensional body. Figure 1B In the example shown, the housing 111 is a parallelepiped having six sides (three of which are shown). The housing 111 may have other shapes. The housing 111 is made of any type of sturdy material that protects the contents of the interior space 112 from debris and the surrounding environment. The housing 111 includes a sleeve 114 that allows the conductor 106 to pass through the housing 111 and be electrically connected to the switch assembly 120.

[0040] exist Figure 1B In the example of FIG. 1 , the connecting rod 197 is a shaft 171 that passes through the housing 111. The shaft 171 is coupled to a handle 172 and a bistable assembly 140. The handle 172 is movable along an arc 177 between two stable positions. Moving the handle 172 drives the bistable assembly 140 from one stable state to another stable state, thereby switching the switch device 120 from a closed state to an open state.

[0041] Other embodiments may also be used. For example, the operation interface 170 includes a handle 172 and an axis 171. However, in other embodiments, the operation interface 170 may include additional and / or different components. For example, the operation interface 170 may be implemented with a button or a dial instead of the handle 172.

[0042] Figure 2A 2 is a cross-sectional block diagram of an interior 212 of a housing 211 of an electrical device 210. The electrical device 210 is an electrical device 110 ( Figure 1A ) is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical device 210 can be used in the AC power grid 101 ( Figure 1A ).

[0043] The electrical device 210 includes a switch assembly 220 located in the interior 212. The switch assembly 220 includes a first electrical contact 222a and a second electrical contact 222b movable relative to the first electrical contact 222a. The second electrical contact 222b is coupled to an actuator 230. The actuator 230 can be coupled to the electrical contact 222b using an operating lever and / or any other mechanical connection device.

[0044] The actuator 230 is driven by a bistable assembly 240 having two stable positions. The bistable assembly 240 includes a flexible member 250 and a cam assembly 260. See also Figure 2B and 2D , the flexible member 250 includes a first end 251 to a second end 252. The first end 251 and the second end 252 are mounted to the inner wall 213 of the housing 211. The first end 251 and the second end 252 are mounted to the inner wall 213 in a manner that allows the end 251 and / or the end 252 to move in the Z direction. For example, the first end 251 and the second end 252 can be held in a bracket or recess (not shown) that accommodates the end 251 and / or the end 252 while allowing movement in the Z direction. The flexible member 250 can be attached to a support structure other than the inner wall 213. Fig. 6A and 6B An example of flexible member 250 being mounted to a support structure is shown.

[0045] The flexible member 250 is any type of durable and bendable material, and may be a corrosion resistant material. The flexible member 250 may be made of any material that is suitable for outdoor applications, is non-corrosive, and maintains its structure and functionality over a wide range of outdoor temperatures (e.g., between -40 degrees Celsius and 55 degrees Celsius). In addition, the flexible member 250 is made of an elastic material so that despite repeated use of the bistable assembly 240, the flexible member 250 does not undergo permanent or sustained deformation or structural changes (or only undergoes minimal sustained deformation or structural changes). In other words, the flexible member 250 may be reused without undergoing structural changes that may interfere with the operation of the bistable assembly 240.

[0046] Specific examples of the flexible member 250 include, but are not limited to, leaf springs, linear wave springs, metal strips or sheets, solid polymer strips or sheets. Leaf springs are springs made of one or more slightly curved metal strips. Linear wave springs are strip springs formed of one or more continuous waves. Linear wave springs act in a straight line direction to generate axial pressure.

[0047] Regardless of its form, the flexible member 250 can be made of stainless steel, spring steel, nylon, or other plastics suitable for flexible mechanisms, or a combination of these materials. In addition, the flexible member 250 can include multiple parts. For example, the flexible member 250 can be a set of identical metal strips that are connected together and radially stacked. The flexible member 250 also has a limited range that extends to the page.

[0048] The flexible member 250 also includes a middle portion 253 located between the first end 251 and the second end 252. The flexible member 250 includes a midpoint 258 located in the middle between the first end 251 and the second end 252. The middle portion 253 includes the midpoint 258, but may also include other portions of the flexible member 250 located between the first end 251 and the second end 252.

[0049] The middle portion 253 is not attached to or in contact with the inner wall 213. The middle portion 253 extends away from the inner wall 213 in the Y direction. The distance between the inner wall 213 and the middle portion 253 of the flexible member 250 in the Y direction is referred to as the displacement distance 254. The displacement distance 254 may be the distance between the inner wall 213 and the midpoint 258, but this is not necessarily the case. Figure 2B 250 is shown in a stationary or uncompressed state. When the flexible member 250 is in a stationary or uncompressed state, the displacement distance 254 is the largest. When the flexible member 250 is fully or partially compressed (eg, Figure 2D As shown), the displacement distance 254 is reduced.

[0050] The flexible member 250 further includes a first holding point 255 and a second holding point 256. The first holding point 255 is located between the first end 251 and the middle portion 253. The second holding point 256 is located between the second end 252 and the middle portion 253. The flexible member 250 further includes a first portion 257 and a second portion 259. The first portion is located between the first end 251 and the first holding point 255. The second portion 259 is located between the second end 252 and the second holding point 256.

[0051] Figure 2C 2 is a side view of a cam assembly 260. The cam assembly 260 includes a tip portion 261 extending from a cam body 262. In the example shown, the tip portion 261 and the cam body 262 are a single piece. In some embodiments, the tip portion 261 and the cam body 262 are separate pieces connected to each other. The tip portion 261 has a curved profile in the YZ plane. However, other profiles may be used, such as Fig. 6A and 6B shown.

[0052] The cam assembly 260 can be made of any type of durable material as long as the material is capable of compressing the middle portion 253 without causing excessive damage to the middle portion 253. For example, the cam assembly 260 can be made of a solid plastic material, a metal, or a metal coated with a polymer. Specific examples of metal materials that can be used for the cam assembly 260 include, but are not limited to, aluminum and stainless steel. The cam assembly 260 can be made of a hard polymer for carrying mechanical loads in an outdoor environment. A specific example of such a hard polymer is a bulk molding compound (BMC).

[0053] The cam body 262 is mounted on a shaft 271 extending into the page (at Figure 2A and 2C The shaft 271 extends through the housing 211 and is connected to an operating handle 272 that can be operated from the outside of the housing 211. The handle 272 can be moved along an arc 277 ( Figure 2A ) moves from the first handle position 278 to the second handle position 279. The first and second handle positions 278 and 279 are stable positions of the handle 272. There are no intermediate stable positions of the handle 272 between the positions 278 and 279. In other words, the handle 272 does not stop at any point on the arc 277 when moving between the positions 278 and 279.

[0054] The shaft 271 and the tip portion 261 rotate with the handle 272. The tip portion 261 has a range of motion along a cam arc 276 between a first point 274 and a second point 275 ( Figure 2CWhen the handle 272 is in the first handle position 278 , the tip portion 261 is located at the second point 275 . When the handle 272 is in the second handle position 279 , the tip portion 261 is located at the first point 274 .

[0055] The cam body 262 is coupled to the actuator 230 so that the rotation of the cam body 262 moves the actuator 230 along the Z axis. The cam body 262 and the actuator 230 can be coupled to each other in any manner so that the rotation of the cam body 262 is converted into a linear motion of the actuator 230. For example, the cam body 262 and the actuator 230 can be coupled with a screw, a hinge, or a shaft so that the cam body 262 rotates relative to the actuator 230 and moves the actuator 230 along the Z axis. The cam body 262 and the actuator 230 can be indirectly coupled to each other. For example, the cam body 262 can drive a plate coupled to an operating rod attached to the movable contact 222b. In addition, the rotation of the cam body 262 can change the state of a micro switch that provides the state of the handle 272.

[0056] The tip portion 261 and the flexible member 250 are positioned relative to each other so that the tip portion 261 can be stationary at the first holding point 255 or the second holding point 256. Rotating the cam body 262 along the cam arc 276 causes the tip portion 261 to move along the middle portion 253, but the tip portion 261 is not stationary and is not fixed to any portion of the middle portion 253. In other words, the cam assembly 260 has two stable states: one is that the tip portion 261 is stationary at the first holding point 255, and the other is that the tip portion is stationary at the second holding point 256.

[0057] Figure 3-5 Manual operation of electrical device 210 is shown. Figure 3 The switch assembly 220 is shown in a closed or on state. The first and second electrical contacts 222a and 222b are in contact with each other. The bistable assembly 240 is in a first stable position, and the tip portion 261 is in contact with the flexible member 250 at the second holding point 256. The flexible member 250 is in a static or uncompressed state, and the displacement distance 254 is at a maximum value. The flexible member 250 applies a force F1 to the tip portion 261 in the Z direction. The force F1 holds the tip portion 261 at the second holding point 256.

[0058] The magnitude of force F1 depends on the characteristics of flexible member 250. These characteristics include the curvature of flexible member 250, the maximum value of displacement distance 254, the thickness of flexible member 250, the width of flexible member 250 (in this example, the width is the portion entering and leaving the page), the rigidity of flexible member 250, and the extent of middle portion 253 between first holding point 255 and second holding point 256. The greater the maximum value of displacement distance 254, the greater the extent of middle portion 253, and / or the more rigid the material, the greater the magnitude of force F1. The maximum value of displacement distance 254 can be, for example, 0.25 to 0.35 inches, 0.3 inches to 0.4 inches, 0.42 inches, or 0.4 inches to 0.5 inches. The extent of middle portion 253 can be, for example, 2.5 inches or less. The rigidity of flexible member 250 is determined by the type of material used for flexible member 250, the width of flexible member 250 ( Figure 3-5 The portion entering and leaving the page) and the thickness of the flexible member 250 are determined.

[0059] To open the switch assembly 220, an angular force F2 is applied to the handle 272. The force F2 is transmitted through the shaft 271 and causes the tip portion 261 to exert a force on the flexible member 250 that is opposite to the force F1. The handle 272 will not move along the arc 277 toward the second handle position 279, and the tip portion 261 will not move toward the first holding point 255 until the force F2 on the handle 272 is sufficient to generate an angular force at the tip portion 261 that overcomes the force F1. Therefore, the configuration of the flexible member 250 and the tip portion 261 ensures that the switch assembly 220 remains in a closed state until intentionally opened.

[0060] Figure 4 The electrical device 210 is shown immediately after the magnitude of the force F2 is sufficient to make the force at the tip portion 261 exceed the force F1. The magnitude of the force F2 that moves the handle 272 to the second handle position 279 depends on the characteristics of the flexible member 250. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the force F2 of the moving handle 272 is between 6 and 9 pounds or between 7 and 10 pounds. In other embodiments, the magnitude of the force F2 of the moving handle 272 is between 25 and 30 pounds. In other embodiments, the magnitude of the force F2 of the moving handle 272 is between 34 and 44 pounds. These force values ​​are provided as examples, and other forces are also possible. The bistable assembly 240 can be configured to make the magnitude of the force F2 of the moving handle 272 similar or identical to the magnitude of the force used in the conventional system, even if the bistable assembly 240 is simpler and more compact than the conventional system. Therefore, the operation of the handle 272 feels more familiar to experienced users.

[0061] The handle 272 moves counterclockwise along the arc 277 toward the position 279 without stopping at any intermediate point. The shaft 271 rotates the tip portion 261 counterclockwise, and the tip portion 261 moves along the middle portion 253 of the flexible member 250 away from the second holding point 256. The tip portion 261 presses the middle portion 253 toward the inner wall 213, and the flexible member 250 expands along the Z direction, and the displacement distance 254 decreases until a minimum displacement distance 254' is reached. The minimum displacement distance 254' occurs when the flexible member 250 is in a fully compressed state. The minimum displacement distance 254' can be, for example, between 0.1 and 0.2 inches, or 0.125 inches.

[0062] When the tip portion 261 passes the midpoint 258 of the flexible member 250, the intermediate portion 253 begins to move backward to the static position, thereby helping to push the tip portion 261 toward the first holding point 255. The cam body 262 rotates in the counterclockwise direction, causing the actuator 230 to move in the Z direction. The movable contact 222b is pulled in the Z direction by the actuator 230 and separated from the contact 222a.

[0063] See also Figure 5 , the tip portion 261 moves along the middle portion 253 until it reaches the first holding point 255, causing the handle 272 to move along the arc 277 until it stops at the second handle position 279. The contacts 222a and 222b are separated, and the switch assembly 220 is in the open state or OFF state. The middle portion 253 returns to the static position, and the displacement distance 254 is at a maximum value again. The curvature of the middle portion 253 applies a force F3 in the -Z direction, causing the tip portion 261 to remain fixed at the first holding point 255. The switch assembly 220 remains in the open state until it is intentionally closed. The switch assembly 220 can be manually closed using the handle 272 according to the above procedure, wherein the force on the handle 272 is applied toward the first handle position 278. In some embodiments, manual closing of the switch assembly 220 via the handle 270 is prohibited. In these embodiments, the switch assembly 220 can be converted from the open state to the closed state by the electronically controlled actuator 230. In some embodiments, the manual handle 272 can act as a mechanical interlock via the cam body 262 to prevent closing of the switch assembly 220 via the actuator 230 .

[0064] Thus, the bistable assembly 240 ensures that the handle 272 has two stable positions: a first handle position 278, which corresponds to the closed state of the switch assembly 220; and a second handle position 279, which corresponds to the open state of the switch assembly 220. There is no stable position of the handle 272 between positions 278 and 279.

[0065] remove Figure 3-5 Configurations other than those shown are possible, and the electrical device 210 may be configured in addition to Figure 3-5For example, with Figure 3-5 Compared to the orientation shown, the electrical device 210 can be oriented upside down so that the contact 222a is vertically located above the contact 222b, and the bistable assembly 240 is located on the right side of the device 210 instead of the left side. In addition, the handle 272 can be configured to be pulled downward (e.g., from Figure 2A to disconnect the switch assembly 220, pull upward (e.g., from position 279 to position 278) to disconnect the switch assembly 220. Figure 2A 278 to 279) to close the switch assembly 220, which is consistent with many conventional switchgear. Other directions are also possible. For example, Figure 3-5 Compared to the illustration, the electrical device 210 can be rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise. In other words, the electrical device 210 with the bistable assembly 240 can be oriented in any manner suitable for the application in which the device 210 is used.

[0066] Fig. 6A and 6B is a side view of bistable component 640. Bistable component 640 is one example of an implementation of bistable components 140 and 240. Bistable component 640 may be used in electrical device 110 in place of bistable component 140, or may be used in electrical device 210 in place of bistable component 240. Bistable component 640 has two stable positions. Fig. 6A The bistable assembly 640 is shown in a first stable position. Figure 6B The bistable assembly 640 is shown in a second stable position.

[0067] The bistable assembly 640 includes a flexible member 250 and a cam assembly 660. Fig. 6A and 6B In the example of , the flexible member 250 is mounted to a support bracket 618. The support bracket 618 includes a body 616 extending in the Z direction and arms 615a and 615b extending from the body 616 in the Y direction. The support bracket 618 also includes recesses or guide areas 619a and 619b. The recess 619a is an open area between the body 616 and a flange 617a extending from the arm 615a in the -Z direction. The recess 619b is an open area between the body 616 and a flange 617b extending from the arm 615b in the Z direction.

[0068] The flexible member 250 is mounted to the support bracket 618 by placing the end 252 in the notch 619a and the end 251 in the notch 619b. The size of the notch 619a and the extent of the flange 617a are such that the end 252 is retained in the notch 619a. Similarly, the size of the notch 619b and the extent of the flange 617b are such that the end 251 is retained in the notch 619b. However, the ends 251 and 252 are not fixed or fastened to the support bracket 618. The end 252 is free to move in the notch 619a and the end 251 is free to move in the notch 619b. This arrangement allows the flexible member 250 to expand along the Z axis while being compressed by the cam assembly 660, and also retains the flexible member 250 in the support bracket 618.

[0069] Furthermore, the configuration of notches 619a and 619b allows flexible member 250 to expand primarily or entirely along the Z axis. In other words, notches 619a and 619b hold flexible member 250 in a position to interact with cam assembly 660 while also allowing flexible member 250 to expand and contract.

[0070] Although in the example shown, ends 251 and 252 are not fixed to support bracket 618, in some embodiments, one or both of ends 251 and 252 are rigidly attached to support bracket 618. Fixing one or both of ends 251 and 252 to support bracket 618 can result in less expansion and / or compression of flexible member 250, such that the functionality may be limited but still usable.

[0071] The support bracket 618 is secured within a housing or casing of an electrical device including the bistable assembly 640. For example, the support bracket 618 may be attached to an interior wall (such as the interior wall 213 of the electrical device 210).

[0072] The cam assembly 660 includes a tip portion 661 coupled to a cam body 662. The cam body 662 can be coupled to the actuator 230 ( Figure 1A ) coupled and can be used to move the actuator 230 and / or change the open or closed state of the micro switch that provides the state of the handle 272.

[0073] The cam assembly 660 defines a mounting point 699 for mounting the cam assembly 660 to an axle or shaft. Fig. 6A and 6B The mounting point 699 may be, for example, in the X direction (in Fig. 6A and 6B660. The tip portion 661 and the cam body 662 form a rigid body such that rotating the shaft also rotates the tip portion 661 and the cam body 662.

[0074] Tip portion 661 has mirror symmetry about axis 665 and a curved profile 666 in the YZ plane. Tip portion 661 also includes a dot 667 extending from the midpoint of tip portion 661. Although curved profile 666 is symmetrical about axis 665, the curvature of curved profile 666 is not uniform due to dot 667. When cam assembly 660 is at second holding point 256 ( Fig. 6A ) and the first holding point 255 ( Figure 6B ), dot 667 and curved profile 666 move along middle portion 253. Dot 667 provides additional compressive force to middle portion 253, causing middle portion 253 to move closer to body 616 and store additional potential energy. When dot 667 passes midpoint 258, middle portion 253 begins to expand outward from body 616. The additional potential energy causes middle portion 253 to extend to the maximum value of displacement distance 254 more quickly. Therefore, dot 667 can promote a faster transition between first holding point 255 and second holding point 256.

[0075] Figure 7 700. The system 700 includes a three-phase electrical device 710, which is connected to a three-phase power source 702 and a three-phase load 703. The three-phase power source 702 and the three-phase load 703 can be an AC power grid 101 ( Figure 1A ) is part of the lattice. The phases are called phase a, phase b, and phase c.

[0076] The electrical device 710 includes a switch assembly 220, a bistable assembly 240 and an actuator 230 for each phase ( Figure 2A). Specifically, phase a of the electrical device 710 includes a switch assembly 220a, an actuator 230a, and a bistable assembly 240a; phase b of the electrical device 710 includes a switch assembly 220b, an actuator 230b, and a bistable assembly 240b; and phase c of the electrical device 710 includes a switch assembly 220c, an actuator 230c, and a bistable assembly 240c. The bistable assemblies 240a, 240b, and 240c are coupled to a shaft (not shown) and a handle 772. The handle 772 has two stable states and can open or close all the switch assemblies 220a, 220b, and 220c at the same time. In other words, the electrical device 710 can be configured for electric linkage operation. Other embodiments are also possible. For example, the electrical device 710 may include three handles, one for each phase, so that the switch assemblies 220a, 220b, and 220c can be manually operated separately. In another example, the electrical device 710 is configured as a mechanical linkage unit having a single actuator 230 that drives the contacts in the switch assemblies 220a, 220b, 220c to open and close. In the mechanical linkage embodiment, the electrical device 710 includes only one instance of the actuator 230.

[0077] These and other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An electrical device comprising: Switch assembly, comprising: a first electrical contact; and a second electrical contact configured to move relative to the first electrical contact, wherein the switch assembly is closed when the second electrical contact is in contact with the first electrical contact, and the switch assembly is open when the second electrical contact is not in contact with the first electrical contact; an actuator coupled to the second electrical contact and configured to move the second electrical contact relative to the first electrical contact; A bistable assembly configured to drive the actuator, the bistable assembly comprising: Cam; and a flexible member including a first holding portion, a second holding portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first holding portion and the intermediate member; and an operating interface coupled to the cam, wherein The operation interface is configured to rotate the cam so that the cam contacts the middle portion of the flexible member and moves along the middle portion of the flexible member between a first stable position and a second stable position, the first retaining portion of the flexible member is configured to retain the cam in the first stable position, and the second retaining portion of the flexible member is configured to retain the cam in the second stable position.

2. An electrical device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member comprises a single flexible strip made of a solid material, the single flexible strip comprises a first end and a second end, the first end is located in a first guide area of ​​the support structure, the second end is located in a second guide area of ​​the support structure, and the middle portion is curved and extends away from the support structure.

3. The electrical device according to claim 2, wherein: When the operation interface rotates the cam along the middle portion, the cam presses the middle portion toward the support structure.

4. The electrical device according to claim 3, wherein: After the cam rotates past at least a portion of the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion moves away from the support structure.

5. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible member includes a leaf spring.

6. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible member includes a linear wave spring.

7. The electrical device of claim 1, further comprising a housing enclosing the switch assembly, the cam, and the flexible member; wherein the operator interface is accessible from outside the housing.

8. The electrical device according to claim 7, wherein: The operation interface includes: a shaft extending through the housing; and A handle is mounted on the end of the shaft outside the housing, wherein the cam is mounted on the shaft and moving the handle causes the cam to rotate along the intermediate portion of the flexible member.

9. The electrical device according to claim 8, wherein: The handle is configured to move along an arc within a range of motion; the handle has a first stable position at a first end of the range of motion; and the handle has a second stable position at a second end of the range of motion.

10. The electrical device according to claim 9, wherein: The handle does not have any other stable positions besides the first stable position and the second stable position.

11. The electrical device according to claim 1, wherein: The cam includes a body and a curved tip, and the curved tip is configured to contact a middle portion of the flexible member.

12. A bistable component for a switch component, the bistable component comprising: a cam configured to have two stable positions: a first stable position and a second stable position; A flexible member including a first retaining portion; a second holding portion; and an intermediate portion between the first holding portion and the second holding portion; as well as an operating interface configured to rotate the cam relative to the flexible member, wherein the first retaining portion is configured to retain the cam in the first stable position; The second retaining portion is configured to retain the cam in the second stable position.

13. The bistable assembly according to claim 12, wherein: The flexible member includes a leaf spring.

14. The bistable assembly of claim 12, wherein: The flexible member includes a linear wave spring.

15. The bistable assembly of claim 12, wherein: The cam includes a tip, and the tip is the only portion of the cam that contacts the intermediate portion.

16. The bistable assembly of claim 15, wherein: The tip includes a curved profile.

17. The bistable assembly of claim 12, wherein: The flexible member has an uncompressed state; the intermediate portion has a first position when the flexible member is in the uncompressed state; and the cam presses the intermediate portion away from the first position while rotating.

18. The bistable assembly of claim 12, further comprising a support member holding the flexible member, wherein: When the cam rotates, the cam presses the intermediate portion of the flexible member toward the support.

19. The bistable assembly of claim 18, wherein: The flexible member extends from a first end to a second end, and at least one of the first end and the second end is fixed to the support.

20. The bistable assembly of claim 18, wherein: The flexible member extends from a first end to a second end, and neither the first end nor the second end is fixed to the support.

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