Locking device and method of using the same

Abstract

The present application discloses a locking device and a method for using the same. The locking device includes a moving contact assembly and a locking assembly. The moving contact assembly includes a locking rod. The locking end of the locking rod is provided with a concave groove. The locking assembly includes a locking shaft, a release member, and a locking base. The locking shaft is rotatable along the Y axis and is arranged in the locking base. The locking shaft is provided with a release member. The locking base is provided with an X-direction guide hole. The locking shaft is provided with a half-shaft located in the guide hole. The locking end of the locking rod extends into the guide hole. The concave groove in the locking position engages with the half-shaft lock, and the concave groove in the unlocking position disengages from the half-shaft. The method of use adopts the above-mentioned locking device. The beneficial effects of the present application are: it can achieve mechanical retention of the closing of the electrical switch, improve the closing reliability, and reduce the complexity of the opening control. A double tripping lever is provided to achieve symmetrical redundancy of the tripping and opening of the electrical switch. The locking device achieves opening by tripping. When applied to an electrical switch, it can achieve rapid and reliable opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of electrical switch technology, and specifically relates to a locking device and a method of using the same, which can be used for a DC magnetic field circuit breaker in an excitation system of a large generator set. Background Art

[0002] In the conventional circuit breaker closing holding mode, electric holding is affected by the unreliability of all control circuits and has relatively low overall reliability. Magnetic holding requires reverse power supply to the closing electromagnetic mechanism in all opening operations, which increases the complexity of control.

[0003] Magnetic field circuit breakers require faster voltage build-up speeds. Conventional opening methods, in addition to separating the moving contacts, often suffer from the large mass and inertia of the associated moving parts, such as the closing electromagnetic mechanism's moving iron core and the latch mechanism. The opening force provided by the opening spring is limited, making it impossible to quickly separate the moving contacts, the electromagnetic mechanism's moving iron core, and the latch mechanism simultaneously. This results in a slow contact opening speed, limiting the circuit breaker's voltage build-up speed. Furthermore, to ensure reliable de-excitation of the DC excitation system during faults, DC magnetic field circuit breakers must have a redundant opening design. Therefore, they must have an independent tripping actuator. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a locking device and a method of using the same, which solves the problem that existing circuit breakers cannot be opened quickly.

[0005] The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A locking device includes a moving contact assembly and a locking assembly. The moving contact assembly includes a locking rod. The locking end of the locking rod is provided with a concave groove. The locking assembly includes a locking shaft, a release piece and a locking base. The locking shaft is rotated along the Y axis and is arranged in the locking base. The locking shaft is provided with a release piece. The locking base is provided with an X-direction guide hole. The locking shaft is provided with a half shaft located in the guide hole. The locking end of the locking rod extends into the guide hole. The concave groove in the locking position cooperates with the half shaft lock, and the concave groove in the unlocking position is disengaged from the half shaft.

[0007] Furthermore, the lock assembly also includes a release paddle as a release member, and the release paddle is arranged on the lock shaft.

[0008] Furthermore, the release paddles are arranged at both ends of the lock shaft.

[0009] Furthermore, the lock assembly also includes a lock push block, a lock spring and a spring guide rod. The lock push block is movably arranged in the guide hole and arranged opposite to the half-axis. The top end of the spring guide rod abuts the back side of the lock push block, and the bottom end of the spring guide rod supports the lock spring.

[0010] Furthermore, the front side of the lock push block is an arc-shaped rod contact surface.

[0011] Furthermore, a locking spherical surface is provided at the top end of the spring guide rod, and the locking spherical surface is located in a hemispherical groove on the back side of the locking push block.

[0012] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes a shaft reset spring and a shaft reset plate. The shaft reset plate is arranged on the locking shaft. The shaft reset spring acts on the shaft reset plate to provide a torque for the locking shaft to rotate from the unlocking position to the locking position.

[0013] Furthermore, the locking assembly also includes a shaft adjustment screw, which acts on the shaft reset plate to calibrate the locking position of the locking shaft.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a conductive positioning copper block, and the moving contact assembly also includes a trip spring and a moving contact rod. The bottom end of the moving contact rod is swingably set on the conductive positioning copper block, the top end of the moving contact rod is hinged to the contact end of the locking rod, and a trip spring is provided between the locking base and the moving contact rod.

[0015] Furthermore, there are two locking rods, which are hinged on both sides of the moving contact rod respectively, and the locking ends of the two locking rods extend into the guide holes on both sides of the locking base respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, it also includes an overcurrent release assembly, which acts on a shaft reset plate serving as a tripping member.

[0017] Furthermore, the conductive positioning copper block is passed through the overcurrent release assembly, and the overcurrent release assembly includes an assembly body, a tripping lever and a tripping moving iron core. The tripping moving iron core is lifted and lowered on the assembly body, and the tripping moving iron core is connected to the tripping lever. When there is overcurrent, the tripping lever acts on the shaft reset plate to provide a torque for the locking shaft to rotate from the locking position to the unlocking position.

[0018] Furthermore, the overcurrent release assembly also includes a tripping guide shaft and a tripping reaction spring. The tripping movable iron core is connected to the tripping guide shaft. The tripping guide shaft lifting and sliding sleeve is arranged on the assembly body. A tripping reaction spring is arranged between the assembly body and the tripping movable iron core.

[0019] Furthermore, the overcurrent release assembly also includes a tripping rod, and the two sides of the tripping movable iron core are connected with the tripping rod. The tripping lever is clamped on the tripping lever by a nut, and the tripping lever is located between the tripping levers on both sides.

[0020] A method for using a locking device, using the above-mentioned locking device;

[0021] Closing: The moving contact assembly is subjected to the closing thrust, and the lock end of the lock rod moves into the guide hole until the concave groove fits with the half-shaft lock;

[0022] Closing hold: The closing thrust on the moving contact assembly disappears, and the concave groove and the half shaft remain locked;

[0023] Opening: The tripping piece is subjected to the opening force, the lock shaft rotates from the locking position to the unlocking position, the concave groove disengages from the half shaft, and the lock rod exits the guide hole.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this application include: achieving mechanical retention of the electrical switch closing, improving closing reliability, and reducing the complexity of opening control. The dual trip levers provide symmetrical redundancy for tripping and opening the electrical switch. The locking device trips to open the switch, and when applied to an electrical switch, this allows for rapid and reliable opening.

[0025] The aforementioned main solution and its various further options can be freely combined to form multiple solutions, all of which are solutions that can be adopted and protected by this application. Furthermore, in this application, (non-conflicting options) can also be freely combined with each other and with other options. After understanding the solution of this application, those skilled in the art will understand that there are many combinations based on existing technology and common knowledge, all of which are technical solutions to be protected by this application, and these are not exhaustive here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking rod along the ZX plane of this application (in the open state).

[0028] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the lock assembly of this application.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking rod along the ZX plane of this application (locked state).

[0030] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the present application along the ZX plane of the tripping guide axis.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the present application along the ZY plane of the tripping guide axis.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a structural diagram of the locking shaft of this application.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of the locking rod of this application.

[0034] Figure 9 It is a partial structural diagram of the overcurrent release assembly of the present application.

[0035] In the figure: 1. Conductive positioning copper block; 2. Moving contact assembly; 21. Opening spring; 22. Moving contact rod; 23. Lock rod; 24. Concave groove; 25. Lock surface; 3. Lock assembly; 31. Lock shaft; 32. Trip paddle; 33. Lock base; 34. Lock push block; 35. Lock spring; 36. Spring guide rod; 37. Shaft reset spring; 38. Shaft reset plate; 39. Shaft adjustment screw; 310. Guide hole; 311. Half shaft; 312. Lock edge; 313. Lock spherical surface; 4. Overcurrent release assembly; 41. Trip lever; 42. Trip guide shaft; 43. Trip reaction spring; 44. Trip pull rod; 45. Trip moving iron core.

[0036] Figure 1 The hollow arrow indicates the tripping direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following non-limiting examples illustrate the present application.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] refer to Figures 1 to 9 As shown, a locking device includes a conductive positioning copper block 1, a moving contact assembly 2, a locking assembly 3 and an overcurrent release assembly 4, which is suitable for electrical switches that require reliable closing and locking and fast tripping and opening.

[0040] The moving contact assembly 2 includes a trip spring 21, a moving contact rod 22 and a locking rod 23. The locking assembly 3 includes a locking shaft 31, a tripping paddle 32 (tripping part), a locking base 33, a locking push block 34, a locking spring 35, a spring guide rod 36, a shaft reset spring 37, a shaft reset plate 38 (tripping part) and a shaft adjustment screw 39.

[0041] The locking end of the locking rod 23 is provided with a concave groove 24. A side surface of the concave groove 24 near the end forms a locking surface 25 for specific locking engagement. A locking shaft 31 is rotatably mounted within the locking base 33 along the Y axis. A release member with a radial span is provided on the locking shaft 31. Actuating the release member allows the locking shaft 31 to rotate, thereby changing its angular position.

[0042] The latch base 33 is provided with an X-direction guide hole 310. The latch end of the latch rod 23 extends into the guide hole 310, allowing the latch rod 23 to move in the X-direction within the guide hole 310 to engage and disengage the latch. The latch shaft 31 is provided with a semi-shaft 311 that is positioned within the guide hole 310. The semi-shaft 311 is a slot on the latch shaft 31. The edge of the semi-shaft 311 away from the latch rod 23 forms a latch edge 312, which is used for specific latch engagement.

[0043] In the locked position, the concave groove 24 engages with the axle 311, while in the unlocked position, the concave groove 24 disengages from the axle 311. Specifically, during the closing process of the moving contact assembly 2, the locking rod 23 moves within the guide hole in the positive direction of the X-axis and contacts the axle 311, locking the contact. This locked state remains in place even after closing. During opening, the release member unlocks the concave groove 24 from the axle 311, and the locking rod 23 moves within the guide hole in the negative direction of the X-axis.

[0044] The locking base 33 is made of non-metallic materials with insulating and flame-retardant properties to avoid affecting the normal functions of other electrical components. The locking base 33 is fixedly installed to provide a foundation for the placement of other components.

[0045] A notch for installing a trip paddle 32 is provided on the lock shaft 31. The trip paddle 32 is radially arranged on the lock shaft 31. The trip paddle 32 is used as a form of tripping component for opening and tripping the switch. By turning the trip paddle 32, the lock shaft 31 is driven to rotate, thereby unlocking the concave groove 24 and the half shaft 311.

[0046] The tripping paddles 32 are arranged at both ends of the lock shaft 31, and the tripping and opening of the gate can be realized by individually shifting any of the tripping paddles 32. Similarly, the tripping paddles 32 can also be individually mounted at either end of the lock shaft 31.

[0047] The latch push block 34 is movably disposed within the guide hole 310 and is arranged opposite the axle 311. The top end of the spring guide rod 36 abuts the back of the latch push block 34, and the bottom end of the spring guide rod 36 supports the latch spring 35. In other words, the latch push block 34 can flexibly swing up and down within the latch base 33. The latch spring 35 acts on the spring guide rod 36, which provides elastic support for the latch push block 34. When the latch rod 23 moves to the axle 311, the latch push block 34 acts on the latch rod 23 to provide elastic thrust, ensuring that the concave groove 24 and the axle 311 are securely engaged.

[0048] The front of the lock push block 34 features an arc-shaped rod contact surface to optimize the contact friction between the lock rod 23 and the lock push block 34, preventing jamming. A lock spherical surface 313 is located at the top of the spring guide rod 36. This spherical surface 313 sits within a hemispherical groove on the back of the lock push block 34, allowing the lock push block 34 to swing flexibly using this spherical joint, similarly reducing jamming and optimizing the movement of the lock rod 23. A lock spring 35 is sleeved onto the spring guide rod 36 to optimize the elastic support effect.

[0049] The shaft reset plate 38 is provided on the locking shaft 31. Specifically, an installation plane for fixing the shaft reset plate 38 is reserved in the middle of the locking shaft 31. The middle part of the shaft reset plate 38 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the locking shaft 31. The shaft reset spring 37 is placed at the lower left side of the shaft reset plate 38. The shaft reset spring 37 is placed on the locking base 33. The shaft reset spring 37 acts on the shaft reset plate 38 to provide a torque for the locking shaft 31 to rotate from the unlocking position to the locking position.

[0050] The right end of the shaft reset plate 38 contacts the locking shaft adjustment screw 39, which is mounted on the locking base 33. The screw 39 acts on the shaft reset plate 38 to calibrate the locking position of the locking shaft 31. In other words, the position of the upper half shaft 311 of the locking shaft 31 can be adjusted using the screw 39, changing the rotation angle of the locking shaft 31 to ensure that the half shaft plane meets the required inclination angle.

[0051] The bottom end of the moving contact rod 22 swings onto the conductive positioning copper block 1 to complete the closing and opening of the switch. The top end of the moving contact rod 22 is hinged to the contact end of the lock rod 23. A trip spring 21 is installed between the lock base 33 and the moving contact rod 22. During closing, the moving contact rod 22 is pushed toward the lock assembly 3 by the closing force, driving the lock rod 23 to move in the positive direction of the X-axis within the guide hole. This process overcomes the elastic force of the trip spring 21. During opening, the elastic force of the trip spring 21 causes the moving contact rod 22 and the lock rod 23 to move together in the opposite direction of the lock assembly 3, driving the lock rod 23 to move in the opposite direction of the X-axis within the guide hole.

[0052] There are two locking rods 23, which are hinged on both sides of the moving contact rod 22 respectively. The locking ends of the two locking rods 23 extend into the guide holes 310 on both sides of the locking base 33 respectively. The symmetrical arrangement on both sides ensures that the locking effect is stable and reliable.

[0053] The overcurrent release assembly 4 works with the shaft reset plate 38 as a tripping member. The shaft reset plate 38 is another form of tripping member used for opening and tripping. When an overcurrent occurs, the shaft reset plate 38 is turned to drive the locking shaft 31 to rotate, thereby unlocking the concave groove 24 and the half shaft 311.

[0054] The lock base 33 of the lock assembly 3 is fixedly mounted on the top of the overcurrent release assembly 4 to achieve the placement and fixation of the lock assembly 3. Similarly, when the overcurrent release assembly 4 is not provided, the lock assembly 3 can be fixedly mounted on other fixing parts.

[0055] The overcurrent release assembly 4 includes an assembly body, a tripping lever 41, a tripping guide shaft 42, a tripping reaction spring 43, a tripping pull rod 44, and a tripping movable iron core 45. The conductive positioning copper block 1 is provided on the overcurrent release assembly 4, specifically on the assembly body.

[0056] The tripping movable core 45 is mounted on the main assembly body and is connected to the tripping lever 41. The shaft reset plate 38 is located below the tripping lever 41. When an overcurrent occurs, the tripping movable core 45 is lowered by electromagnetic attraction, and the tripping lever 41 presses the shaft reset plate 38 downward, causing the shaft reset plate 38 to rotate the locking shaft 31, unlocking the concave groove 24 and the half-shaft 311. Therefore, when an overcurrent occurs, the tripping lever 41 acts on the shaft reset plate 38 to provide a torque that rotates the locking shaft 31 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0057] The tripping movable core 45 is fixedly connected to the two sides of the tripping lever 44. The tripping lever 41 is clamped on the tripping lever 44 by nuts. The tripping lever 41 is located between the two tripping levers 44. The gap between the lock shaft reset plate 38 and the overcurrent tripping lever 41 can be adjusted by the nuts on both sides of the tripping lever.

[0058] The tripping movable iron core 45 is fixedly connected to the tripping guide shaft 42, and the tripping guide shaft 42 is slidingly sleeved on the component body. A tripping reaction spring 43 is provided between the component body and the tripping movable iron core 45. When overcurrent occurs, the tripping movable iron core 45 needs to overcome the elastic force of the tripping reaction spring 43 to descend. When there is no overcurrent, the tripping movable iron core 45 automatically resets under the elastic force of the tripping reaction spring 43.

[0059] The device's latch assembly forms a closing latch with a latch rod and latch shaft, maintaining the electrical switch closed. Electromagnetic force pulls the trip lever, driving the latch shaft for rapid tripping and opening. The latch assembly is suitable for electrical switches requiring rapid tripping and redundant tripping functions, such as DC field circuit breakers. By controlling the external electromagnetic force, either trip lever can be pulled independently to trigger the tripping action, ensuring redundant tripping forces.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] refer to Figures 1 to 9 As shown, a method for using a locking device, using the locking device of Example 1, includes the following action modes.

[0062] Closing: The moving contact assembly 2 is subjected to the closing thrust, and the moving contact rod 22 is subjected to the closing thrust and moves toward the lock assembly 3, driving the lock end of the lock rod 23 to move into the guide hole 310 (along the positive direction of the X-axis). After the lock rod 23 contacts the lock push block 34, the lock push block 34 pushes the lock rod 23 upward to push the concave groove 24 toward the half shaft 311, and then the lock edge 312 of the half shaft 311 falls into the concave groove 24 on the lock rod 23, realizing the locking fit between the concave groove 24 and the half shaft 311.

[0063] The rightward movement of the locking surface 25 on the concave groove 24 should exceed the locking edge 312 on the locking shaft 31 by a certain margin, and the closing thrust exerted on the moving contact assembly should last for a period of time to ensure the reliability of the locking closing process.

[0064] Closing retention: The closing electromagnet is reset when power is lost, the closing thrust on the moving contact assembly 2 disappears, and the moving contact rod 22 and the locking rod 23 retreat under the action of the opening spring 21, so that the locking surface 25 contacts the locking edge 312, the locking rod 23 is tightly engaged with the locking shaft 31, and the concave groove 24 and the half shaft 311 remain in a locked state.

[0065] Opening: The tripping member is subjected to the opening force, the locking shaft 31 rotates from the locking position to the unlocking position, the concave groove 24 disengages from the half shaft 311, and the locking rod 23 exits the guide hole 310 (in the opposite direction of the X axis) under the action of the opening spring 21, and the moving contact rod 22 is reset, completing the rapid opening.

[0066] There are two types of tripping. First, when the overcurrent release assembly 4 is subjected to the electromagnetic force of the short-circuit current, its tripping movable core 45 is attracted downward by the electromagnetic force. The trip lever 41 pulls the shaft reset plate 38 to rotate counterclockwise about the Y-axis, thereby tripping and opening the circuit breaker. Second, when the tripping paddle 32 is pulled by the tripping electromagnet, it moves in the tripping direction, driving the locking shaft 31 to rotate counterclockwise about the Y-axis, thereby tripping and opening the circuit breaker.

[0067] The aforementioned basic examples and their further selected examples can be freely combined to form multiple embodiments, all of which are embodiments that can be adopted and claimed for protection in this application. In this application, each selected example can be arbitrarily combined with any other basic examples and selected examples.

[0068] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A locking device, comprising a moving contact assembly (2) and a locking assembly (3), characterized in that: The movable contact assembly (2) includes a locking rod (23), a locking end of the locking rod (23) is provided with a concave groove (24), and the locking assembly (3) includes a locking shaft (31), a release member and a locking base (33), the locking shaft (31) is rotatable along the Y axis and is arranged in the locking base (33), the locking shaft (31) is provided with a release member, the locking base (33) is provided with an X-direction guide hole (310), the locking shaft (31) is provided with a half shaft (311) located in the guide hole (310), the locking end of the locking rod (23) extends into the guide hole (310), the concave groove (24) at the locking position is locked with the half shaft (311), and the concave groove (24) at the unlocking position is separated from the half shaft (311); The movable contact assembly (2) further comprises a conductive positioning copper block (1), and the movable contact assembly (2) further comprises a trip spring (21) and a movable contact rod (22). The bottom end of the movable contact rod (22) is swingably arranged on the conductive positioning copper block (1), the top end of the movable contact rod (22) is hinged to the contact end of the locking rod (23), and a trip spring (21) is arranged between the locking base (33) and the movable contact rod (22).

2. The locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lock assembly (3) further comprises a release paddle (32) as a release member, and the release paddle (32) is arranged on the lock shaft (31).

3. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The lock assembly (3) further comprises a lock push block (34), a lock spring (35) and a spring guide rod (36). The lock push block (34) is movably arranged in the guide hole (310) and arranged relative to the half shaft (311). The top end of the spring guide rod (36) abuts against the back of the lock push block (34), and the bottom end of the spring guide rod (36) supports the lock spring (35).

4. The locking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The locking assembly (3) further comprises a shaft reset spring (37) and a shaft reset plate (38), wherein the shaft reset plate (38) is arranged on the locking shaft (31), and the shaft reset spring (37) acts on the shaft reset plate (38) to provide a torque for rotating the locking shaft (31) from the unlocking position to the locking position.

5. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locking assembly (3) further comprises a shaft adjustment screw (39), which acts on the shaft reset plate (38) to mark the locking position of the locking shaft (31).

6. The locking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes an overcurrent release assembly (4), which acts on a shaft reset plate (38) serving as a release member.

7. The locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The overcurrent release assembly (4) is provided with a conductive positioning copper block (1). The overcurrent release assembly (4) comprises an assembly body, a tripping lever (41) and a tripping movable iron core (45). The tripping movable iron core (45) is lifted and lowered on the assembly body. The tripping movable iron core (45) is connected to the tripping lever (41). When an overcurrent occurs, the tripping lever (41) acts on the shaft reset plate (38) to provide a torque for rotating the locking shaft (31) from a locked position to an unlocked position.

8. The locking device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The overcurrent release assembly (4) further includes a release guide shaft (42) and a release reaction spring (43), the release movable iron core (45) is connected to the release guide shaft (42), the release guide shaft (42) is lifted and slidably sleeved on the assembly body, and a release reaction spring (43) is provided between the assembly body and the release movable iron core (45); the overcurrent release assembly (4) further includes a release pull rod (44), the release pull rods (44) are connected to both sides of the release movable iron core (45), the release lever (41) is clamped on the release lever (44) by a nut, and the release lever (41) is located between the release levers (44) on both sides.

9. A method for using a locking device, characterized in that: Adopting the locking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; Closing: The moving contact assembly (2) is subjected to a closing thrust, and the locking end of the locking rod (23) moves into the guide hole (310) until the concave groove (24) locks with the half shaft (311); Closing retention: the closing thrust applied to the moving contact assembly (2) disappears, and the concave groove (24) and the half shaft (311) maintain a locked state; Opening: The tripping member is subjected to the opening force, the locking shaft (31) rotates from the locking position to the unlocking position, the concave groove (24) is disengaged from the half shaft (311), and the locking rod (23) exits the guide hole (310).

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