Overload indication structure for miniature circuit breaker

Abstract

The application discloses an overload indication structure of a miniature circuit breaker, and the miniature circuit breaker comprises a shell and a closing and opening driving assembly arranged in the shell, and is characterized in that: a positioning disc is arranged on the side wall of the shell; the overload indication structure comprises an overload indication piece and an overload transmission assembly, the overload indication piece is slidingly matched on the positioning disc, and the overload transmission assembly is located in the shell and matched with the bimetallic piece assembly; when overload occurs, the overload indication piece is driven to slide to display an alarm, and when the closing and opening driving assembly is in the closed state, the overload indication piece is driven to reset to cancel the alarm. The application can independently indicate overload faults and accurately indicate each pole of a multi-pole product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of circuit breakers, and more particularly to an overload indication structure for a miniature circuit breaker. Background Technology

[0002] Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs) are important protective electrical devices in terminal power distribution systems, used to distribute electrical energy and protect lines and equipment from faults such as overload and short circuit. The main structure of existing MCBs on the market includes a housing and a closing / opening drive assembly, a moving contact, a stationary contact, a magnetic drive assembly for short-circuit protection, and a bimetallic strip assembly for overload protection. The closing / opening drive assembly includes a drive handle on the housing, a support member rotatably connected to a positioning shaft inside the housing, a moving contact mounting member coaxial with the support member and located on the first side of the support member, a locking assembly rotatably connected to the second side of the support member, and a moving contact mounted on the moving contact mounting member. The drive handle is connected to the locking assembly via a connecting rod, causing the support member, the moving contact mounting member, and the moving contact to swing, thus closing and opening the moving contact with the stationary contact.

[0003] With increasing demands for electrical safety, users not only require circuit breakers to possess basic protective functions, but also expect them to provide more detailed operating status and fault information to facilitate rapid fault location, equipment lifespan assessment, and preventative maintenance. Some high-end miniature circuit breakers on the market already possess a single fault indication function; however, these miniature circuit breakers have certain shortcomings in practical use: 1. Most products do not have an independent overload fault indication function, so users cannot intuitively determine whether the circuit breaker has tripped due to overload.

[0004] 2. For multi-pole miniature circuit breakers, when an overload fault occurs in one pole, causing the entire circuit breaker to trip, the user cannot accurately determine which pole is overloaded, making troubleshooting difficult.

[0005] 3. Although some products are equipped with fault indicators, the overload indicator has a complex structure, occupies a large space, and cannot be reset in conjunction with the closing action, making it inconvenient to use.

[0006] Therefore, developing a miniature circuit breaker that can independently indicate overload faults, accurately indicate each pole of multi-pole products, has a compact structure, and can be automatically reset is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an overload indication structure for a miniature circuit breaker, which can independently indicate overload faults and achieve accurate indication for each pole of a multi-pole product.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: An overload indication structure for a miniature circuit breaker, the miniature circuit breaker including a housing and a switching drive assembly disposed in the housing, characterized in that: the overload indication structure includes an overload indicator, an overload transmission assembly and a positioning disc disposed on the side wall of the housing; The overload indicator is slidably fitted on the positioning plate. The overload transmission component is located inside the housing and cooperates with the bimetallic strip assembly. When overloaded, it drives the overload indicator to slide to display an alarm. It cooperates with the closing and opening drive component in the re-clamping state to drive the overload indicator to reset and clear the alarm when the circuit is closed.

[0009] Preferably, the positioning disk has a positioning groove for the overload indicator to slide in; The positioning groove includes a positioning section and a display section, and the inner wall of the positioning section has positioning grooves arranged along the extension direction of the positioning section. The overload indicator includes an elastic positioning arm that fits in a positioning groove and an indicator plate that fits in a display section. The elastic positioning arm has a positioning protrusion that fits in a positioning groove.

[0010] Preferably, the overload transmission assembly includes a second slot, an overload transmission rod, and an overload linkage rod; The second slot is located on the lower surface of the overload indicator; The overload transmission rod is rotatably connected to the positioning shaft and has a second lower transmission plate and a second upper transmission plate that cooperates with the second slot. The rear end of the overload linkage is rotatably connected to the second lower transmission plate, and the front end cooperates with the bimetallic strip assembly to move. When the deformable metal sheet in the overload bimetallic strip assembly deforms, the overload linkage rod is pulled forward, causing the second lower transfer plate to swing forward, and the second upper transfer plate to move backward with the overload indicator plate.

[0011] Preferably, the closing and opening drive assembly has a third transmission boss located on the front side of the second lower transmission plate. In the closing state, when the moving and stationary contacts are in the closing process, the third transmission boss swings backward synchronously against the second lower transmission plate, causing the second upper transmission plate to move forward with the overload indicator plate.

[0012] Preferably, two limiting guide posts are provided inside the housing, one above the other, and the overload linkage rod is located between the two limiting guide posts.

[0013] The advantages of this invention are: 1. The overload indication structure of the present invention is assembled in the circuit breaker. Through the independent overload indication structure, the user can intuitively judge whether the circuit breaker has tripped due to overload and quickly locate the cause of the fault.

[0014] 2. When multiple miniature circuit breakers of this invention are integrated into a multi-pole circuit breaker, each pole is equipped with an independent overload indication structure. When an overload fault occurs in a certain pole, the user can immediately and accurately locate the specific pole, solving the problem that existing multi-pole products cannot distinguish the faulty pole.

[0015] 3. The overload indication structure can automatically reset with the closing of the moving and stationary contacts after the overload fault is cleared and the circuit breaker is re-closed, without the need for manual operation, making it convenient to use.

[0016] 4. By integrating the overload transmission rod and overload linkage rod onto the positioning shaft within the housing, and utilizing guide columns to improve stability, the structure is compact and the cost is controllable. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the miniature circuit breaker with multi-functional fault indication provided in this embodiment; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the hidden window display panel provided in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the housing after it has been hidden in the closed state, as provided in this embodiment. Figure 4 This is an assembly diagram of the second side of the support member provided in this embodiment; Figure 5 This is an assembly diagram of the first side of the support member provided in this embodiment; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the uneven steps between the support member and the moving contact mounting member provided in this embodiment; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overload indication structure provided in this embodiment; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the alignment of the indicator provided in this embodiment on the positioning disk; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the engagement of the overload linkage rod between the two limiting guide posts provided in this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Combination Figures 1 to 9 The overload indication structure of the miniature circuit breaker of the present invention will be further described.

[0019] A miniature circuit breaker with multi-functional fault indication includes a housing 10 formed by two half-shells covering each other, and a closing / opening drive assembly 6, a moving contact 32, a stationary contact 31, a magnetic drive assembly 4 for short-circuit protection, and a bimetallic strip assembly 2 for overload protection disposed in the housing 10.

[0020] The opening / closing drive assembly 6 includes a drive handle 61 rotatably disposed within the housing, a support member 63 rotatably connected to a positioning shaft 102 within the housing, a movable contact mounting member 64 coaxial with the support member 63 and located on the first side of the support member 63, rotating with the support member 63, a locking assembly 62 rotatably connected to the second side of the support member 63, and a movable contact 32 disposed on the lower end 642 of the movable contact mounting member 64. The lower side of the drive handle 61 is located inside the housing 10, and the handle portion 612 is located outside the housing 10 through an opening in the housing 10 for the operator to hold. The drive handle 61 is connected to the locking assembly 62 via a connecting rod 66, causing the support member 63, the movable contact mounting member 64, and the movable contact 32 to swing, causing the movable contact 32 to open and close with the stationary contact 31. A torsion spring 67 is provided on the moving contact mounting member 64. The torsion spring 67 is coaxial with the positioning shaft 102. At the same time, the two ends of the torsion spring 67 are fixed on the support member 63 and the moving contact mounting member 64 respectively. Therefore, the moving contact mounting member 64 can rotate around the positioning shaft 102 with the support member 63 without any faulty external force.

[0021] The locking assembly 62 includes an upper latch 621 and a lower latch 622. An upper connecting shaft 631 and a lower connecting shaft 632 are located on the second side of the support member 63, corresponding to the front side of the positioning shaft 102. The first end of the upper latch 621 is connected to the upper connecting shaft 631, and the second end is connected to the connecting rod 66, with an upper engaging step 6211 on the second end. The lower latch 622 is connected to the lower connecting shaft 632, and has a locking arm 6222 on its upper side, with a lower engaging step 6221 on the locking arm. The lower latch 622 also has an elastic arm 6223, which is supported within the housing 10 and provides a rotational elastic force to the lower latch 622, ensuring that the locking arm 6222 always rests against the second end of the upper latch 621, causing the upper engaging step 6211 and the lower engaging step 6221 to engage with each other, thus achieving the locking function.

[0022] Based on the above structure, when the drive handle 61 is pushed forward, the upper end of the support member 63 and the moving contact mounting member 64 will swing forward around the positioning shaft 102 through the locking assembly 62, and the moving contact 32 mounted on the lower end of the moving contact mounting member 64 will swing backward and close with the stationary contact 31; conversely, when the drive handle 61 is pushed backward, the moving contact 32 will swing forward and separate from the stationary contact 31.

[0023] A spring 65 is provided between the support member 63 and the housing 10. This spring 65 provides a backward swinging force to the upper end of the support member 63, allowing the drive handle 61 to be stably held in the open or closed position. Specifically, when the drive handle 61 is in the open position, the spring 65, through the support member 63, the locking assembly 62, and the connecting rod 66, drives the handle portion 612 to swing backward, causing the handle portion 612 to rest against the rear edge of the opening for balance. Figure 4As shown; when the drive handle 61 is in the closed position, the spring force provided by the spring 65 drives the handle part 612 to swing forward, so that the handle part 612 abuts against the front edge of the opening to maintain balance. Figure 3 As shown.

[0024] like Figure 2 , 8 As shown, the present invention also includes an overload indication structure 5, which includes an overload indicator 51, an overload transmission assembly, and a positioning disk 101 disposed on the front side wall of the housing 10.

[0025] The overload indicator 51 is slidably fitted on the positioning disk 101. The overload transmission component is located inside the housing 10 and cooperates with the combination and separation drive component 6 and the bimetallic strip component 2 to drive the overload indicator 51 to slide back and forth.

[0026] like Figure 8 As shown, in the structure of the positioning disk 101, the positioning disk 101 has a positioning groove 1011 extending in the front-to-back direction for the overload indicator 51 to slide in. The positioning groove 1011 includes a positioning section 10112 located on the front side and a display section 10111 located on the rear side. The inner wall of the positioning section 10112 has at least two positioning grooves 10113 arranged in the front-to-back direction.

[0027] A window display panel 1 is covered on the upper surface of the positioning disk 101. Figure 1 As shown. The window display panel 1 has a display window 11, which corresponds to the display segment 10111. The size of the display window 11 is smaller than the size of the display segment 10111, so that the overload indicator 51 can only display a part of the part, so that the overload indicator 51 only displays the color area that needs to be observed.

[0028] The overload indicator 51 includes an elastic positioning arm 711 that fits in the positioning section 10112 and an indicator plate 712 that fits in the display section 10111. The elastic positioning arm 711 has a positioning protrusion 7111 that fits in the positioning groove 10113.

[0029] The indicator panel 712 in the overload indicator 51 has two indicator areas distributed front and back: a red area indicating an alarm and a green area indicating normal operation. The display window 11 can only display one area at a time, that is, only the red area or the green area, to provide the user with an alarm or normal operation notification.

[0030] Since the indicator plate 712 in the overload indicator 51 has two indicator areas, the positioning groove 10113 in the positioning section 10112 has two front and rear distributions, realizing the positioning of the indicator in the front and rear positions, so that the red or green area of ​​the indicator is displayed through the display window 11.

[0031] To facilitate user identification of the information displayed in the display window 11, a text mark is provided on the window display panel 1, which is “overload” corresponding to the overload indicator 51.

[0032] like Figure 7 As shown, the overload transmission assembly includes a second slot 52, an overload transmission rod 53, and an overload linkage rod 54. The second slot 52 is located on the lower surface of the overload indicator 51. The overload transmission rod 53 is rotatably connected to the positioning shaft 102 and has a second connecting piece 533, a second lower transmission piece 532, and a second upper transmission piece 531 that cooperates with the second slot 52. The rear end of the overload linkage rod 54 is rotatably connected to the second lower transmission piece 532 of the overload transmission rod 53, and the front end extends to the front side of the deformable metal piece 21 in the bimetallic strip assembly 2. When the upper end of the deformable metal piece 21 in the bimetallic strip assembly 2 deforms forward due to an overload, the overload linkage rod 54 is pulled forward, causing the second lower transmission piece 532 to swing forward, and the second upper transmission piece 531 to swing backward synchronously, causing the overload indicator 51 to move backward, so that the red area on the overload indicator 51 is displayed through the display window 11, realizing the alarm function.

[0033] The overload protection structure also includes a thermal trip rod 68 connected to the lower latch 622. The front end of the thermal trip rod 68 is also located on the front side of the deformable metal sheet 21 in the bimetallic strip assembly 2. When the deformable metal sheet 21 deforms, it simultaneously pulls the thermal trip rod forward. The thermal trip rod causes the lower end of the lower latch 622 to swing forward, disengaging the lower latch 622 from the upper latch 621. The upper latch 621 can then rotate freely, allowing the lower latch 622 to continue driving the support member 63 and the moving contact mounting member 64 to swing synchronously, thus opening the moving and stationary contacts. The surfaces of the lower latch 622 and the support member 63 facing each other have mutually cooperating concave and convex steps 20, such as... Figure 6 As shown, when the lower latch 622 rotates and disengages from the upper latch 621, the concave and convex steps 20 engage, allowing the upper end of the lower latch 622 to drive the support member 63 to swing backward synchronously. During operation, when the drive handle returns to the open position and is re-locked, the overload indicator 51 in the overload indicator structure 5 always displays red. When the circuit is closed again, the latch assembly 62, the support member 63, and the moving contact mounting member 64 rotate synchronously, closing the moving and stationary contacts. This simultaneously pushes the overload transmission rod 53, causing the overload indicator 51 to move forward, thus displaying a green area through the display window 11, and the alarm is deactivated.

[0034] The lower latch 622 has a third transmission boss 55, which is located in front of the second lower transmission plate 532. During the closing process, when the lower end of the lower latch 622 swings backward, the third transmission boss 55 swings backward synchronously against the second lower transmission plate 532, causing the second upper transmission plate 531 to move forward with the overload indicator plate 712.

[0035] To improve the stability of the overload linkage 54 movement, two upper and lower limit guide posts 103 are provided inside the housing 10. Figure 9 As shown, the overload linkage 54 is located between two limit guide posts to improve the stability of the operation of the overload linkage 54 and the overload transmission rod 53.

[0036] In practical use, the drive handle 61 is moved back and forth, which, through the locking assembly 62, the support 63, and the moving contact mounting part 64, can drive the moving and stationary contacts to close or open. In the overload indication structure 5, the overload transmission rod 53 cooperates with the bimetallic strip assembly 2. In the overload state, the deformable metal strip 21 drives the overload transmission rod 53 to move, which in turn moves the overload indicator 51 backward, displaying a red area through the display window 11; in the re-locking state, the overload transmission rod 53 is driven to rotate by the lower latch 622 when the circuit is closed, which moves the overload indicator 51 forward, displaying a green area through the display window 11.

[0037] The above structure enables independent fault indication. When a fault occurs in a certain pole, the user can immediately and accurately locate the specific pole, solving the problem that existing multi-pole products cannot distinguish the faulty pole.

[0038] Unless otherwise specified, in this invention, terms such as "width," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe orientation or positional relationships in this invention are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and according to the specific circumstances.

[0039] Unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set up," "connected," and "linked" in this invention should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An overload indication structure for a miniature circuit breaker, the miniature circuit breaker comprising a housing (10) and a switching drive assembly (6) disposed within the housing (10), characterized in that: The overload indication structure (5) includes an overload indicator (51), an overload transmission assembly, and a positioning disk (101) disposed on the side wall of the housing (10). The overload indicator (51) is slidably fitted on the positioning plate (101). The overload transmission component is located inside the housing (10) and cooperates with the bimetallic strip assembly (2). When overloaded, it drives the overload indicator (51) to slide to display an alarm. It cooperates with the closing and opening drive assembly (6) in the re-clamping state to drive the overload indicator (51) to reset and clear the alarm when the circuit is closed.

2. The overload indication structure of the miniature circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning disk (101) has a positioning groove (1011) for the overload indicator (51) to slide in; The positioning groove (1011) includes a positioning section (10112) and a display section (10111). The inner sidewall of the positioning section (10112) has positioning grooves (10113) arranged along the extension direction of the positioning section (10112). The overload indicator (51) includes an elastic positioning arm (711) fitted in a positioning groove (1011) and an indicator plate (712) fitted in a display section (10111). The elastic positioning arm (711) has a positioning protrusion (7111) that fits into a positioning groove (10113).

3. The overload indication structure of the miniature circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The overload transmission assembly includes a second slot (52), an overload transmission rod (53), and an overload linkage rod (54). The second slot (52) is located on the lower surface of the overload indicator (51); The overload transmission rod (53) is rotatably connected to the positioning shaft (102) and has a second lower transmission piece (532) and a second upper transmission piece (531) that cooperates with the second slot (52). The rear end of the overload linkage rod (54) is rotatably connected to the second lower transmission plate (532), and the front end cooperates with the bimetallic strip assembly (2) to operate. When the deformable metal sheet (21) in the overload bimetallic strip assembly (2) deforms, the overload linkage rod (54) is pulled forward, causing the second lower transfer plate (532) to swing forward, and the second upper transfer plate (531) to move backward with the overload indicator plate (712).

4. The overload indication structure of the miniature circuit breaker according to claim 3, characterized in that: The closing and opening drive assembly (6) has a third transmission boss (55). The third transmission boss (55) is located on the front side of the second lower transmission plate (532). In the closing state, when the moving and stationary contacts are in the closing process, the third transmission boss (55) pushes against the second lower transmission plate (532) and swings backward synchronously, so that the second upper transmission plate (531) moves forward with the overload indicator plate (712).

5. The overload indication structure of the miniature circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two limiting guide posts (103) are provided inside the housing (10), and the overload linkage rod (54) is located between the two limiting guide posts (103).

Images