Circuit breaker operating mechanism and circuit breaker

Abstract

The application provides a circuit breaker operating mechanism and a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker operating mechanism comprises a driving plate, a lock catch and a movable contact. One end of the driving plate is formed with an engaging step to abut against a connecting rod. The lock catch plate comprises a ring-shaped plate body, a tripping portion, a locking portion and a linkage hook. The plate body is buckled on the driving plate and connected to the driving plate through a lock catch spring and a rotating shaft. The tripping portion and the locking portion are formed at two ends of the plate body with the rotating shaft as the center. The linkage hook is connected to the plate body near the handle side and located between the rotating shaft and the locking portion. The end of the linkage hook extends beyond the engaging step and is located on the other side of the connecting rod opposite to the locking portion. An open hook groove for accommodating the connecting rod is formed between the locking portion and the linkage hook. In the tripping state, the tripping portion is triggered to rotate the lock catch plate in the opening direction. The locking portion is separated from the connecting rod and the linkage hook drives the connecting rod to rotate in the opening direction and into the open hook groove. The movable contact is connected to the other end of the driving plate to move with the driving plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of circuit breakers, and more particularly to a circuit breaker operating mechanism and a circuit breaker. Background Technology

[0002] A circuit breaker is a switching device capable of closing, carrying, and interrupting current under normal circuit conditions, and capable of carrying and interrupting current under abnormal circuit conditions within a specified time. To achieve the separation of the moving and stationary contacts, traditional circuit breakers require components such as contact supports, trip latches, latches, levers, and latch springs in addition to handles and connecting rods, resulting in large size and high cost. To address this, Chinese patent CN105575740A proposes using a drive wheel and trip frame to replace traditional trip latches, latches, levers, and contact supports, thereby simplifying the circuit breaker structure.

[0003] However, the circuit breaker provided by this patent has the following problems: the structure of housing the drive wheel body within the trip frame results in a large trip frame size, which restricts the miniaturization design of the circuit breaker housing. More importantly, its tripping mechanism has defects: during closing, the connecting rod is locked in the bayonet formed by the trip frame and the drive wheel. Although the lock is released during tripping, because the center of the connecting rod is still located below the rotation center of the handle, the reaction force of the first and second return springs is required to push the connecting rod out of the bayonet and change its center position before the drive wheel and moving contact can rotate counterclockwise to achieve opening. This tripping method that relies solely on the reaction force of the springs has three major problems: low tripping sensitivity, poor performance consistency, and the return springs are prone to tripping failure after long-term use. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a circuit breaker operating mechanism and a circuit breaker.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a circuit breaker operating mechanism located within the housing of a circuit breaker and between the connecting rod and the stationary contact of the circuit breaker, comprising a drive plate, a latch, and a moving contact. One end of the drive plate has an engaging step to abut against the connecting rod. The latch plate includes an annular plate body, a tripping portion, a locking portion, and a linkage hook. The plate body is fastened to the drive plate and connected to the drive plate via a latching spring and a rotating shaft. The tripping portion and the locking portion are formed at both ends of the plate body with the rotating shaft as the center. The linkage hook is connected to the side of the plate body near the handle and is located between the rotating shaft and the locking portion. The end of the linkage hook extends past the engaging step and is located opposite the locking portion on the other side of the connecting rod. An open hook groove for accommodating the connecting rod is formed between the locking portion and the linkage hook. In the tripped state, the tripping portion is triggered, causing the latch plate to rotate in the opening direction. The locking portion disengages from the connecting rod, and the linkage hook drives the connecting rod to rotate in the opening direction and enter the open hook groove. The moving contact is connected to the other end of the drive plate to follow the movement of the drive plate.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the hook portion and the locking portion of the linkage hook is close to the diameter of the connecting rod; in the locked state, the surface of the hook portion of the linkage hook abuts against the surface of the connecting rod extending into the engagement step.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, on the locking plate, a clearance area with a communicating open hook groove is formed on the side of the locking part near the handle, and the clearance area is configured to allow the linkage to rotate in the opening direction when the latch is released.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the linkage hook is a horizontal plate extending laterally along the housing; or, the linkage hook is an inclined hook with its end extending in the direction of the locking part.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drive plate includes a drive plate body and a contact blocking portion. The contact blocking portion is formed on the side of the drive plate body away from the latching plate. An open contact mounting groove is formed between the contact blocking portion and the drive plate body. The end of the moving contact extends into the contact mounting groove and is rotatably connected to the drive plate body.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the locking plate further includes a limiting part disposed on the plate body and close to the tripping part, and an assembly gap is formed between the limiting part and the plate body. The assembly gap is configured to connect the bimetallic tripping rod inside the circuit breaker.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, on the latch plate, the end of the release portion is provided with at least one protrusion for receiving release trigger.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating shaft passes through the mounting hole on the drive plate, is rotatable relative to the drive plate, and is rotatably connected to the housing.

[0013] On the other hand, the present invention provides a circuit breaker that includes the circuit breaker operating mechanism described above.

[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker further includes an arc-extinguishing cover disposed within the housing. The arc-extinguishing cover includes an insulating cover and a plurality of arc-extinguishing grids spaced apart within the insulating cover. Each arc-extinguishing grid has an arc-extinguishing opening. From the bottom of the arc-extinguishing opening to its opening, the inner wall of the arc-extinguishing opening includes a straight section parallel to the depth direction of the arc-extinguishing opening and a first inclined section and a second inclined section whose openings gradually increase in size.

[0015] In summary, the circuit breaker operating mechanism provided by this invention features a latching plate that engages with and is connected to the drive plate via a rotating shaft. This design ensures that both the latching plate and the drive plate are plate structures, resulting in minimal space occupied in the circuit breaker's thickness direction after engagement, thus achieving a miniaturized design for the circuit breaker operating mechanism. Furthermore, the latching plate has linkage hooks distributed opposite to the locking portion. During tripping, the latching plate rotates in the opening direction, releasing the locking portion from the connecting rod. Simultaneously, the linkage hooks engage the connecting rod, causing it to quickly disengage from the locking step. The force exerted on the drive plate by the handle via the connecting rod instantly disappears, and the drive plate rapidly rotates in the opening direction under the action of the latching spring, thereby achieving rapid disconnection of the moving contact. This disconnection method is not limited by the performance of the latching spring; it only needs to provide tripping reaction force. This design ensures good tripping consistency among batch products.

[0016] To make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic diagram of the circuit breaker in the open position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0019] Figure 3 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure when the circuit is closed.

[0020] Figure 4 As shown Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point B in the middle.

[0021] Figure 5 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the circuit breaker's operating structure.

[0022] Figure 6 As shown Figure 5 A schematic diagram of its breakdown.

[0023] Figure 7 As shown Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the drive board.

[0024] Figure 8 As shown Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of the central locking plate.

[0025] Figure 9 As shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the arc-extinguishing shield. Detailed Implementation

[0026] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the circuit breaker provided in this embodiment includes a housing 10, a handle 20, and a connecting rod 30, a stationary contact 40, a circuit breaker operating mechanism 50, and a magnetic tripping mechanism 60 disposed within the housing. The circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 is located between the connecting rod 30 and the stationary contact 40. When closing, the handle 20 rotates clockwise, driving the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 through the connecting rod 30 and locking the connecting rod 30 to the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 (i.e., locked state), thereby closing the moving contact 3 and the stationary contact 40. When opening, the magnetic tripping mechanism 60 acts on the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50, driving it to move counterclockwise, disengaging the connecting rod 30 from the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 (i.e., tripped state), thereby separating the moving contact 3 from the stationary contact 40. In this application, the closing direction refers to the rotation direction of the handle 20 and the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 when the moving contact 3 and the stationary contact 40 are closed. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The middle direction is clockwise; while the opening direction refers to the direction opposite to the closing direction. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The middle direction is counterclockwise.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 provided in this embodiment includes a drive plate 1, a locking plate 2, and a moving contact 3. One end of the drive plate 1 has an engaging step 110 to abut against the connecting rod 30. The locking plate 2 includes an annular plate body 21, a tripping part 22, a locking part 23, and a linkage hook 24. The plate body 21 is fastened to the drive plate 1 and connected to the drive plate 1 via a locking spring 25 and a rotating shaft 26. The tripping part 22 and the locking part 23 are formed at both ends of the plate body 21 with the rotating shaft 26 as the center. The linkage hook 24 is connected to the side of the plate body 21 near the handle 20 and is located between the rotating shaft 26 and the locking part 23. The end of the linkage hook 24 extends to the position of the engaging step 110 of the drive plate 1 and is arranged on both sides of the connecting rod 30 along with the locking part 23. An open hook groove 27 for accommodating the connecting rod is formed between the locking part 23 and the linkage hook 24. In the tripped state, after the tripping part 22 is triggered, the locking plate 2 rotates in the opening direction, the locking part 23 disengages from the connecting rod 30, and at the same time, the linkage hook 24 drives the connecting rod 30 to move in the opening direction and enter the open hook groove 27. The moving contact 3 is connected to the other end of the drive plate 1 to follow the movement of the drive plate 1.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in the figure, the rotating shaft 26 on the locking plate 2 passes through the mounting hole 14 on the drive plate 1 so that it can rotate relative to the drive plate 1, and the rotating shaft 26 is also rotatably connected to the housing 10. However, the present invention does not limit this in any way.

[0029] In this embodiment, the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 has a locking plate 2 and a drive plate 1 that are interlocked by a plate structure and connected by a rotating shaft 26. This design creates a compact stacked layout in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker, reducing space redundancy caused by misaligned installation of components (such as the drive wheel needing to be housed within the trip frame in traditional circuit breakers), thus providing conditions for miniaturization. Regarding tripping, the linkage hook 24 and locking part 23 on the locking plate 2 are spatially symmetrically distributed. When the locking plate 2 is subjected to tripping force and rotates in the opening direction (i.e.,...),... Figure 1 During the counter-clockwise rotation, the locking part 23 releases the mechanical constraint on the connecting rod 30, and the connecting rod 30 on the engaging step 110 is in a free state. At the same time, the linkage hook 24 moves counter-clockwise, hooking the connecting rod 30 and causing the connecting rod 30 to rotate counter-clockwise so that the connecting rod enters the open hook groove 27. The center of the connecting rod 30 changes, and the force applied by the handle 20 to the drive plate 1 through the connecting rod 30 is removed. Under the action of the locking spring 25, the drive plate 1 drives the moving contact 3 to rotate counter-clockwise, thereby realizing the opening of the circuit breaker. The handle 20 also rotates counter-clockwise to reset under the action of the handle torsion spring (not shown in the figure).

[0030] In the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 provided in this embodiment, when the latch plate 2 is triggered by tripping, the linkage hook 24 drives the connecting rod 30 to rotate, quickly changing the center of the connecting rod 30 so that it is located above the rotation center of the handle 20. The drive plate 1 is almost unloaded in the clockwise direction (closing direction), and the latch spring 25 only needs a small reverse restoring force to drive the drive plate 1 and the moving contact 3 to rotate counterclockwise (i.e., rotating in the opening direction), and the handle 20 is quickly reset through the connecting rod 30 after the center change. This not only results in extremely high tripping sensitivity but also excellent tripping consistency among different products.

[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the distance between the hook portion 241 of the linkage hook 24 and the locking portion 23 is close to the diameter of the connecting rod 30; in the locked state, the surface of the hook portion 241 of the linkage hook abuts against the surface of the connecting rod 30 extending into the engaging step 110. This arrangement ensures that when the linkage hook 2 rotates counterclockwise, the hook portion 241 of the linkage hook immediately hooks the connecting rod 30 to release it, thereby further improving the release sensitivity. However, the present invention does not limit this in any way. In other embodiments, the distance between the hook portion of the linkage hook and the locking portion may also be slightly larger than the diameter of the connecting rod for easier assembly.

[0032] In this embodiment, when the linkage hook 241 trips, it pulls the connecting rod 30 out of the engaging step 110 and causes it to rotate counterclockwise. To prevent interference with the connecting rod 30 during rotation, this embodiment provides a clearance area 28 on the locking plate 2, with the locking part 23 near the handle 20, which communicates with the open hook groove 27. The clearance area 28 is configured to allow the connecting rod 30 to rotate in the opening direction during tripping, quickly changing the center position of the connecting rod 30, thereby achieving rapid tripping of the drive plate 1 and the moving contact 3. However, this invention does not limit this in any way. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the linkage hook 24 is a horizontal plate extending laterally along the housing 10. However, the present invention does not limit this in any way. Other structures that can hook the connecting rod out from the engaging step when the circuit is opened are all within the protection scope of the present invention; specifically, in other embodiments, the linkage hook may also be an inclined hook with its end extending in the direction of the locking part. For the tripping part 22, as Figure 5 and Figure 8 As shown, the end of the tripping part 22 has a plurality of protrusions 221 for receiving tripping triggers.

[0033] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 As shown, the drive plate 1 includes a drive plate body 11 and a contact blocking part 12, with the contact blocking part 12 located on the side of the drive plate body 11 opposite to the locking plate 2. An open contact mounting groove 13 is formed between the drive plate body 11 and the contact blocking part 12. The end of the moving contact 3 extends into the contact mounting groove 13 and is rotatably connected to the drive plate body 11 via the contact compression spring 4. The contact mounting groove 13 effectively restricts the displacement of the moving contact 3 in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker, ensuring that the moving contact 3 is precisely aligned and tightly pressed with the stationary contact 40, thereby significantly improving the closing stability. In addition, this design effectively prevents the moving contact 3 from displacing in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker due to the restoring force of the locking spring 25, thus solving the problem of poor closing stability that may result from this.

[0034] In this embodiment, as Figure 8 As shown, the locking plate 2 also includes a limiting part 29 disposed on the plate body 21 and close to the tripping part 22. An assembly gap 290 is formed between the limiting part 29 and the plate body 21, and the assembly gap 290 is configured to connect the bimetallic tripping rod 70 inside the circuit breaker. Similarly, the limiting part 29 restricts the traction of the bimetallic tripping rod 70 in the thickness direction of the circuit breaker, ensuring that the force of the bimetallic tripping rod 70 can be quickly applied to the locking plate 2 in the event of overheating tripping, causing the locking plate 2 to rotate in the opening direction, thereby greatly improving the sensitivity of overheating tripping.

[0035] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 as well as Figure 9As shown, the circuit breaker including the circuit breaker operating mechanism 50 provided in this embodiment also includes an arc-extinguishing cover 80 disposed within the housing 10. The arc-extinguishing cover 80 includes an insulating cover 81 and a plurality of arc-extinguishing grid plates 82 spaced apart within the insulating cover 81, each arc-extinguishing grid plate 82 having an arc-extinguishing opening 820. From the bottom of the arc-extinguishing opening 820 to its opening, the inner wall of the arc-extinguishing opening 820 includes a straight section 821 parallel to the depth direction of the arc-extinguishing opening 820 and a first inclined section 822 and a second inclined section 823 with gradually increasing openings. The second inclined section 823 with the largest opening can increase the arc-extinguishing space, and the arc generated when the moving contact 3 and the stationary contact 40 break can be completely guided into the arc-extinguishing cover 80, improving the reliability of arc extinguishing.

[0036] In summary, the circuit breaker operating mechanism provided by this invention features a latching plate that engages with and is connected to the drive plate via a rotating shaft. This design ensures that both the latching plate and the drive plate are plate structures, resulting in minimal space occupied in the circuit breaker's thickness direction after engagement, thus achieving a miniaturized design for the circuit breaker operating mechanism. Furthermore, the latching plate has linkage hooks distributed opposite to the locking portion. During tripping, the latching plate rotates in the opening direction, releasing the locking portion from the connecting rod. Simultaneously, the linkage hooks engage the connecting rod, causing it to quickly disengage from the locking step. The force exerted on the drive plate by the handle via the connecting rod instantly disappears, and the drive plate rapidly rotates in the opening direction under the action of the latching spring, thereby achieving rapid disconnection of the moving contact. This disconnection method is not limited by the performance of the latching spring; it only needs to provide tripping reaction force. This design ensures good tripping consistency among batch products.

[0037] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of protection claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker operating mechanism, characterized in that, The circuit breaker operating mechanism, located within the circuit breaker housing and between the circuit breaker's connecting rod and stationary contact, includes: The drive plate has an engagement step at one end to abut against the connecting rod; The locking plate includes an annular plate body, a release part, a locking part, and a linkage hook. The plate body is fastened to the drive plate and connected to the drive plate via a locking spring and a rotating shaft. The release part and the locking part are formed at both ends of the plate body with the rotating shaft as the center. The linkage hook is disposed in the annular plate body, connected to the side of the plate body near the handle and located between the rotating shaft and the locking part. The end of the linkage hook extends past the engagement step and is located on the other side of the connecting rod opposite to the locking part. An open hook groove for accommodating the connecting rod is formed between the locking part and the linkage hook. In the released state, the release part is triggered to make the locking plate rotate in the opening direction, the locking part disengages from the connecting rod, and the linkage hook drives the connecting rod to rotate in the opening direction and enter the open hook groove. A moving contact is connected to the other end of the drive plate to follow the movement of the drive plate; Wherein, the linkage hook is a horizontal plate extending laterally along the housing; or, the linkage hook is an inclined hook with its end extending in the direction of the locking part; when disengaged, the linkage hook rotates in the opening direction and hooks the connecting rod, causing the connecting rod to rotate in the opening direction; the distance between the hook part of the linkage hook and the locking part is close to the diameter of the connecting rod; in the locked state, the surface of the hook part of the linkage hook abuts against the surface of the connecting rod extending into the engagement step.

2. The circuit breaker operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the latch plate, a clearance area with a communicating open hook groove is formed on the side of the locking part near the handle. The clearance area is configured to allow the linkage to rotate in the opening direction when the latch is released.

3. The circuit breaker operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive plate includes a drive plate body and a contact blocking part. The contact blocking part is formed on the side of the drive plate body away from the latch plate. An open contact mounting groove is formed between the contact blocking part and the drive plate body. The end of the moving contact extends into the contact mounting groove and is rotatably connected to the drive plate body.

4. The circuit breaker operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking plate also includes a limiting part disposed on the plate body and close to the tripping part, and an assembly gap is formed between the limiting part and the plate body. The assembly gap is configured to connect the double metal tripping rod inside the circuit breaker.

5. The circuit breaker operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the latch plate, the end of the release portion is provided with at least one protrusion for receiving release trigger.

6. The circuit breaker operating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating shaft passes through the mounting hole on the drive plate, is rotatable relative to the drive plate, and is rotatably connected to the housing.

7. A circuit breaker, characterized in that, Includes the circuit breaker operating mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The circuit breaker according to claim 7, characterized in that, The circuit breaker also includes an arc-extinguishing cover disposed within the housing. The arc-extinguishing cover includes an insulating cover and a plurality of arc-extinguishing grids spaced apart within the insulating cover. Each arc-extinguishing grid has an arc-extinguishing opening. From the bottom of the arc-extinguishing opening to its opening, the inner wall of the arc-extinguishing opening includes a straight section parallel to the depth direction of the arc-extinguishing opening and a first inclined section and a second inclined section with gradually increasing opening size.

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