Circuit breaker

Abstract

A circuit breaker includes: a housing; a static contact; a moving contact; a tripping assembly; the electric leakage protection assembly comprises an electric leakage protection unit and an electric leakage protection switch which are connected in series, the electric leakage protection switch can be switched between a closed position and an open position, and when the electric leakage protection switch is located at the closed position, the electric leakage protection unit is electrically connected to the main loop through the electric leakage protection switch; when the electric leakage protection switch is in the off position, the electric leakage protection unit is electrically insulated from the main loop; the electric leakage protection switch comprises a transmission member, and the transmission member is configured to contact and actuate the tripping assembly when the electric leakage protection switch is switched from a closed position to an open position, so that the tripping assembly is moved from a hasp state to a tripping state.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a circuit breaker, and more particularly, to a circuit breaker with a leakage protection function. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the event of a leakage event, the circuit breaker with a leakage protection unit can timely disconnect the circuit through the leakage protection unit to protect the electrical system and related users.

[0003] Before leaving the factory, the circuit breaker needs to be subjected to dielectric test to test the insulation capability of the dielectric performance of the circuit breaker body. During the dielectric test, in order to protect the leakage protection unit from being damaged by high voltage, the leakage protection unit needs to be disconnected from the main circuit.

[0004] However, in the prior art, after the dielectric test is completed, if the operator forgets to re-close the leakage protection switch, the leakage protection unit is not connected to the circuit and does not play a leakage protection role for the circuit. If the circuit breaker is delivered to the user without closing the leakage protection switch, the user actually uses a circuit breaker without leakage protection function, which causes great safety hazards to the electrical system and users.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a circuit breaker to improve the above-mentioned defects in the prior art. SUMMARY

[0006] According to an aspect of the present application, a circuit breaker is provided, comprising: a housing; a stationary contact fixed to the housing; a movable contact movable to contact or separate from the stationary contact to make the circuit breaker in an on state and an off state, respectively; a trip assembly coupled to the movable contact, the trip assembly being switchable between a tripped state and a latched state, when the trip assembly is in the tripped state, the trip assembly causes the movable contact to separate from the stationary contact, when the trip assembly is in the latched state, the movable contact is able to contact the stationary contact; a leakage protection assembly comprising a leakage protection unit and a leakage protection switch connected in series, the leakage protection switch being switchable between a closed position and an open position, when the leakage protection switch is in the closed position, the leakage protection unit is electrically connected to a main circuit via the leakage protection switch, such that the leakage protection unit is able to cause the movable contact to separate from the stationary contact in response to occurrence of a leakage event, when the leakage protection switch is in the open position, the leakage protection unit is electrically insulated from the main circuit; wherein the leakage protection switch comprises a transmission member arranged in the vicinity of the trip assembly, the transmission member being configured to contact and actuate the trip assembly when the leakage protection switch is switched from the closed position to the open position, to move the trip assembly from the latched state to the tripped state.

[0007] According to the scheme, the state of the residual current protective switch is associated with the state of the tripping assembly by the transmission member. After the dielectric test is completed, if the operator forgets to close the residual current protective switch, the tripping assembly will remain in the tripped state, so that the user cannot close the circuit breaker. Only after the user closes the residual current protective switch, the tripping assembly can return to the latched state, and the user can close the circuit breaker. So that the user will not operate the circuit breaker in the case that the residual current protective switch is not closed, ensuring that during the operation of the circuit breaker, the residual current protective switch has been closed, and the residual current protection unit can play a role in the residual current protection of the circuit.

[0008] In some schemes, the residual current protective switch can include: a switch static contact fixed to the housing; a switch dynamic contact movable relative to the switch static contact; a dynamic support, the dynamic contact is fixed on the dynamic support, and the transmission member is connected to the dynamic support.

[0009] In some schemes, the transmission member can be formed integrally with the dynamic support.

[0010] In some schemes, the transmission member can have a rod shape, the tripping assembly is rotatable relative to the housing and has a tripping body and a tripping arm extending from the tripping body, the first end of the transmission member is connected to the dynamic support, and the second end of the transmission member opposite to the first end thereof is configured to be able to actuate the tripping arm.

[0011] In some schemes, the dynamic support and the transmission member can be configured to move in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the extension direction of the transmission member, and when the tripping assembly is in the latched state, the extension direction of the tripping arm is parallel to the extension direction of the transmission member.

[0012] In some schemes, the residual current protective switch can further include a knob, the knob abutting against the dynamic support, the knob being rotatable between a first position and a second position, when the knob is in the first position, the knob is not allowed to move in the first direction, and when the knob is in the second position, the knob is allowed to move in the first direction.

[0013] According to the scheme, the operator can control the closing and opening of the residual current protective switch through the knob.

[0014] In some schemes, the knob can include an elongated knob body and a protrusion protruding from the knob body in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the knob body, the circuit breaker includes a channel extending in the first direction from the surface of the housing, the knob body is at least partially located in the channel, when the knob is in the first position, the protrusion is offset from the channel in the first direction, and when the knob is in the second position, the protrusion is in the channel in the first direction.

[0015] In some schemes, the residual current protective switch can further include a switch spring configured to bias the residual current protective switch towards the open position.

[0016] In some aspects, the circuit breaker can further include a switch cover, the knob being located within the housing when the leakage protection switch is in the closed position, the switch cover being capable of enclosing the housing; the knob extending out of the housing to an exterior of the housing when the leakage protection switch is in the open position.

[0017] According to this aspect, the knob is exposed outside the housing when the leakage protection switch is in the open state, to conspicuously remind the user that the leakage protection unit has not been connected into the circuit to provide leakage protection to the circuit.

[0018] In some aspects, the leakage protection unit can be electrically connected to the movable contact via the leakage protection switch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic view of a leakage protection function according to an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic view of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the leakage protection switch is in an open state;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic view of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the leakage protection switch is in a closed state;

[0022] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 2

[0023] Figure 5 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 3

[0024] Figure 6 A schematic view of a leakage protection switch according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the leakage protection switch is in an open state;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic view of a leakage protection switch according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, wherein the leakage protection switch is in a closed state.

[0026] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0027] 100 circuit breaker

[0028] 110 housing

[0029] 120 stationary contact

[0030] 130 movable contact

[0031] 140 trip assembly

[0032] 142 trip body ​​

[0033] 144 trip arm

[0034] 150 leakage protection unit

[0035] 160 leakage protection switch

[0036] 162 switch stationary contact

[0037] 164 switch movable contact

[0038] 166 movable bracket

[0039] 168 transmission member

[0040] 168-1 first end

[0041] 168-2 second end

[0042] 169 switch spring

[0043] 170 knob

[0044] 172 knob body

[0045] 174 protrusion

[0046] 176 passage

[0047] 180 switch cover DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the purpose, scheme and advantages of the technical solutions of the present application more clear, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings of the specific embodiments of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein have the meanings commonly used in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components.

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a leakage protection function according to an embodiment of the present application is shown, the leakage protection unit 150 is capable of providing a leakage protection function for the circuit. Specifically, for example for a three-phase circuit, three phase lines are connected to the leakage protection unit 150 respectively. When the circuit is in a normal state, the three-phase currents are balanced. When a leakage fault occurs in the circuit, a leakage signal appears in the three-phase current, at this time the current is no longer balanced. The leakage protection unit 150 is capable of detecting the leakage signal, sending a trip signal to the leakage tripper to trip the trip assembly 140 to trip the circuit breaker 100, thereby protecting the electrical system and the associated user.

[0050] The leakage protection switch 160 controls the conduction or disconnection of the leakage protection unit 150 and the main circuit. When the leakage protection switch 160 is closed, the leakage protection unit 150 is electrically connected to the main circuit (preferably, to the movable contact 130), and the leakage protection unit 150 can perform the leakage protection function on the main circuit. When the leakage protection switch 160 is disconnected, the leakage protection unit 150 is no longer electrically connected to the main circuit, and the leakage protection unit 150 can no longer perform the leakage protection function on the main circuit, at which time the leakage protection function of the circuit breaker 100 is turned off.

[0051] Before leaving the factory, the circuit breaker 100 needs to be subjected to a dielectric test to test the dielectric performance and insulation capability of the circuit breaker 100 in the open state. During the dielectric test, the leakage protection unit 150 can be damaged by the high voltage impact, and at the same time, the leakage protection unit 150 can interfere with the dielectric test results of the circuit breaker body. Therefore, during the dielectric test, the leakage protection switch 160 needs to be disconnected to protect the leakage protection unit 150 from the high test voltage.

[0052] After the dielectric test is completed, the operator can forget to close the leakage protection switch 160 again to connect the leakage protection unit 150 to the circuit to perform the leakage protection function on the circuit. If the circuit breaker 100 is delivered to the user without closing the leakage protection switch 160, the user can have difficulty in discovering that the leakage protection unit 150 is in a state of being unable to perform the leakage protection function (most likely, the user will discover this only when a leakage fault occurs), which causes a great safety hazard to the electrical system and the user.

[0053] To improve the above-mentioned defects, the embodiments of the present application associate the state (disconnected or closed) of the leakage protection switch 160 with the state (tripped or latched) of the trip assembly 140, and further with the state (open or closed) of the circuit breaker 100 (the specific association will be described in detail below). The above-mentioned association makes the trip assembly 140 in the tripped state when the leakage protection switch 160 is not closed, and the circuit breaker 100 cannot be normally closed. In this way, it can be avoided that the user mistakenly uses the circuit breaker 100 in the case that the leakage protection switch 160 has not been closed, resulting in that the leakage protection unit 150 fails to access the main circuit to perform the leakage protection function on the main circuit.

[0054] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the circuit breaker 100 mainly includes a housing 110, a stationary contact 120, a movable contact 130, a trip assembly 140, and a leakage protection assembly. The stationary contact 120 is fixed to the housing 110, and the movable contact 130 is movable relative to the stationary contact 120 to contact or separate from the stationary contact 120 to place the circuit breaker 100 in an on state and an off state, respectively. For example, the movable contact 130 is rotatable counterclockwise from an off position as shown in FIG. 1A to an on position as shown in FIG. 1B, and vice versa. The trip assembly 140 is associated with the movable contact 130 (e.g., the trip assembly 140 is coupled to the movable contact 130 through a transmission mechanism), and the trip assembly 140 is in a latched state in the absence of a fault in the circuit, and a user is able to manipulate a handle to bring the movable contact 130 into contact with the stationary contact 120 to place the circuit breaker 100 in the on state, thereby energizing the electrical system. Once a fault (e.g., a leakage fault) occurs in the circuit, the trip assembly 140 is switched from the latched state to the tripped state in response to the occurrence of the fault, thereby causing the movable contact 130 to separate from the stationary contact 120, and in turn, causing the circuit breaker 100 to be in the off state, to protect the electrical system. The leakage protection assembly includes the leakage protection unit 150 and the leakage protection switch 160 as described above, and the leakage protection unit 150 is connected in series with the leakage protection switch 160. Figure 2 Figure 3 The trip assembly 140 is associated with the movable contact 130 (e.g., the trip assembly 140 is coupled to the movable contact 130 through a transmission mechanism), and the trip assembly 140 is in a latched state in the absence of a fault in the circuit, and a user is able to manipulate a handle to bring the movable contact 130 into contact with the stationary contact 120 to place the circuit breaker 100 in the on state, thereby energizing the electrical system. Once a fault (e.g., a leakage fault) occurs in the circuit, the trip assembly 140 is switched from the latched state to the tripped state in response to the occurrence of the fault, thereby causing the movable contact 130 to separate from the stationary contact 120, and in turn, causing the circuit breaker 100 to be in the off state, to protect the electrical system. The leakage protection assembly includes the leakage protection unit 150 and the leakage protection switch 160 as described above, and the leakage protection unit 150 is connected in series with the leakage protection switch 160.

[0055] To achieve the linkage between the leakage protection switch 160 and the trip assembly, the leakage protection switch 160 includes a transmission member 168 arranged in the vicinity of the trip assembly 140, and the transmission member 168 is configured to contact and actuate the trip assembly 140 when the leakage protection switch 160 is switched from the closed position to the open position, to move the trip assembly 140 from the latched state to the tripped state. After the dielectric test is completed, if the operator forgets to close the leakage protection switch 160, the trip assembly 140 will remain in the tripped state, so that the user cannot place the circuit breaker 100 in the on state. Only after the user closes the leakage protection switch 160, the trip assembly 140 can be restored to the latched state, and the user can manipulate the handle to place the circuit breaker 100 in the on state. This ensures that the leakage protection switch 160 has been closed during the operation of the circuit breaker 100, and the leakage protection unit 150 can play a leakage protection role in the circuit.

[0056] Specifically, the leakage protection switch 160 can include a switch stationary contact 162, a switch movable contact 164, and a movable bracket 166. The switch stationary contact 162 is fixed to the housing 110, and the switch movable contact 164 is fixed to the movable bracket 166, and the switch movable contact 164 is movable relative to the switch stationary contact 162 to switch the leakage protection switch 160 between the open state and the closed state. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the switch movable contact 164 is in the open state, and as shown in FIG. 1B, the switch movable contact 164 is in the closed state. Figure 6 ​As shown, the moving contact 164 of the switch is separated from the stationary contact 162 of the switch, and the residual current device 160 is in the open state; as Figure 7 As shown, the moving contact 164 of the switch is in contact with the stationary contact 162 of the switch, and the residual current device (RCD) 160 is in the closed state. The transmission member 168 is connected to the moving bracket 166, so that the movement of the moving bracket 166 (switching the state of the RCD 160) causes the transmission member 168 to move, and the movement of the transmission member 168 causes the tripping assembly 140 to move, thus realizing the association between the RCD 160 and the tripping assembly 140. Preferably, the transmission member 168 can be integrally formed with the moving bracket 166. Alternatively, the transmission member 168 and the moving bracket 166 can be different components, mechanically connected together by screws or the like.

[0057] Preferably, the transmission member 168 may have a rod-like shape, the tripping assembly 140 is rotatable relative to the housing 110 and has a tripping body 142 and a tripping arm 144 extending from the tripping body 142. A first end 168-1 of the transmission member 168 is connected to a movable bracket 166, and a second end 168-2 is configured to actuate the tripping arm 144. For example, the movable bracket 166 and the transmission member 168 may be configured along a first direction (e.g., as shown in the image). Figures 2 to 7 The tripping arm 144 moves in the up-down direction (as shown in the diagram), with the first direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the transmission member 168. When the tripping assembly 140 is in the latched state, the extension direction of the tripping arm 144 is parallel to the extension direction of the transmission member 168 (i.e., as shown in the diagram). Figures 2 to 7 (as shown in the left and right directions). According to the arrangement described above, if the residual current circuit breaker 160 switches from the closed state to the open state, the moving bracket 166 moves upward, thereby driving the transmission member 168 to move upward. The upward movement of the transmission member 168 applies an upward force to the trip arm 144, causing the trip assembly 140 to rotate counterclockwise, resulting in the trip assembly 140 switching from the latched state to the tripped state.

[0058] Preferably, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the residual current circuit breaker 160 may also include a knob 170, which abuts against the movable bracket 166, and the knob 170 can be in a first position ( Figure 5 ) and the second position ( Figure 4 The knob 170 can rotate between the two positions. When the knob 170 is in the first position, the knob 170 cannot move in the first direction. When the knob 170 is in the second position, the knob 170 is allowed to move in the first direction.

[0059] Specifically, the knob 170 can include an elongated knob body 172 and a protrusion 174 protruding from the knob body 172 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the knob body 172, the circuit breaker 100 includes a channel 176 extending from the surface of the housing 110 in a first direction, the knob body 172 is at least partially located within the channel 176, when the knob 170 is in the first position, the protrusion 174 is staggered with the channel 176 in the first direction, when the knob 170 is in the second position, the protrusion 174 is within the channel 176 in the first direction. In addition, the residual current protective switch 160 can also include a switch spring 169, which is configured to bias the residual current protective switch 160 towards the open position.

[0060] According to the above arrangement, if it is necessary to perform dielectric test and open the residual current protective switch 160, the knob 170 can be rotated from the first position to the second position, so that the protrusion 174 of the knob 170 is moved from the position of blocking the up-and-down movement of the knob 170 to the position of not blocking the up-and-down movement of the knob 170, and then the movable bracket 166 is moved upward under the action of the switch spring 169 so that the movable contact 164 of the switch is separated from the fixed contact 162 of the switch, and the movable bracket 166 supports the knob 170 to pop up the housing 110. After the dielectric test is completed, the user can press the knob 170 downward into the housing 110, and then rotate the knob 170 from the second position to the first position, so that the protrusion 174 of the knob 170 returns to the position of blocking the up-and-down movement of the knob 170, so that the knob 170 will not pop out of the housing 110 even if it is subjected to the spring force of the switch spring 169, at the same time, the knob 170 presses the movable bracket 166 downward so that the movable bracket 166 drives the movable contact 164 of the switch to contact the fixed contact 162 of the switch.

[0061] Preferably, the circuit breaker 100 can also include a switch cover 180, when the residual current protective switch 160 is in the closed position, the knob 170 is located within the housing 110, the switch cover 180 can seal the housing 110; when the residual current protective switch 160 is in the open position, the knob 170 extends from the switch cover 180 to the outside of the housing 110. When the residual current protective switch 160 is in the open state, the knob 170 will be exposed outside the housing 110 to obviously remind the user that the residual current protection unit 150 has not been connected into the circuit to play the role of residual current protection for the circuit. In addition, after the dielectric test is completed and the residual current protective switch 160 is closed, the presence of the switch cover 180 prevents foreign matter such as dust from falling into the inside of the circuit breaker 100 to cause damage to the internal components of the circuit breaker 100.

[0062] The preferred embodiments of the present application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which multiple exemplary embodiments of the present application are disclosed. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the specific embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, and that the various technical features and structures proposed in the present application can be combined without departing from the scope of the present application, and the scope of protection of the present application is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker comprising: a housing; a stationary contact fixed to the housing; a movable contact movable to contact or separate from the stationary contact to place the circuit breaker in an on state and an off state, respectively; a trip assembly coupled to the movable contact, the trip assembly switchable between a tripped state and a latched state, the trip assembly causing the movable contact to separate from the stationary contact when the trip assembly is in the tripped state, the movable contact being contactable with the stationary contact when the trip assembly is in the latched state; a ground fault protection assembly comprising a ground fault protection unit and a ground fault protection switch connected in series, the ground fault protection switch being switchable between a closed position and an open position, the ground fault protection unit being electrically connected to a main circuit via the ground fault protection switch when the ground fault protection switch is in the closed position such that the ground fault protection unit is capable of causing the movable contact to separate from the stationary contact in response to occurrence of a ground fault event, the ground fault protection unit being electrically isolated from the main circuit when the ground fault protection switch is in the open position; wherein the ground fault protection switch comprises a transmission member arranged in proximity to the trip assembly, the transmission member being configured to contact and actuate the trip assembly when the ground fault protection switch is switched from the closed position to the open position to move the trip assembly from the latched state to the tripped state. 2.The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the ground fault protection switch comprises: a switch stationary contact fixed to the housing; a switch movable contact movable relative to the switch stationary contact; a movable bracket, the movable contact being fixed on the movable bracket, the transmission member being connected to the movable bracket. 3.The circuit breaker of claim 2, wherein the transmission member is integrally formed with the movable bracket. 4.The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the transmission member has a rod-like shape, the trip assembly is rotatable relative to the housing and has a trip body and a trip arm extending from the trip body, a first end of the transmission member is connected to the movable bracket, a second end of the transmission member opposite to the first end thereof is configured to be capable of actuating the trip arm. 5.The circuit breaker of claim 4, wherein the movable bracket and the transmission member are configured to be movable in a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to an extension direction of the transmission member, the extension direction of the trip arm being parallel to the extension direction of the transmission member when the trip assembly is in the latched state. 6.The circuit breaker of claim 2, wherein the ground fault protection switch further comprises a knob abutting against the movable bracket, the knob being rotatable between a first position and a second position, the knob being not allowed to be movable in the first direction when the knob is in the first position, the knob being allowed to be movable in the first direction when the knob is in the second position.

7. The circuit breaker of claim 6, wherein the knob comprises an elongated knob body and a protrusion protruding from the knob body in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the knob body, the circuit breaker comprising a channel extending from a surface of the housing in the first direction, the knob body being at least partially located within the channel, the protrusion being misaligned with the channel in the first direction when the knob is in the first position, the protrusion being within the channel in the first direction when the knob is in the second position.

8. The circuit breaker of claim 7, wherein the ground fault protection switch further comprises a switch spring configured to bias the ground fault protection switch toward the open position.

9. The circuit breaker of claim 6, wherein the circuit breaker further comprises a switch cover, the knob being located within the housing when the ground fault protection switch is in the closed position, the switch cover being capable of enclosing the housing; the knob protruding from the switch cover to an exterior of the housing when the ground fault protection switch is in the open position.

10. The circuit breaker of claim 1, the ground fault protection unit being electrically connected to the movable contact via the ground fault protection switch.

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