A flip-top arc shield

Abstract

This invention relates to a reversible anti-flying arc device, belonging to the field of circuit breaker technology. The invention provides a reversible anti-flying arc device, installed outside the arc-extinguishing chamber of a circuit breaker, comprising a pair of anti-flying baffles hinged to the surface of the switchgear. Each anti-flying baffle has a sheet-like structure with a limiting edge and a reversible distal edge on the side closer to the switchgear and the side farther from the switchgear, respectively. The reversible distal edge is an arc-shaped edge structure. An elastic element is also provided at the hinge point between the anti-flying arc device and the switchgear. This solution precisely adapts to the circuit breaker layout where the arc-extinguishing chamber is located below the mechanism, achieving accurate interception and directional guidance of flying arcs with minimal size and cost. It effectively solves the problems of large space occupation, lack of targeted protection, and inconvenient installation and maintenance associated with integral enclosures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a reversible anti-flying arc device, belonging to the field of circuit breaker technology. Background Technology

[0002] In molded case circuit breakers, the structural layout of the arc extinguishing system has a critical impact on breaking performance and safety protection within the switchgear. A common arrangement in existing circuit breakers is to install the arc extinguishing chamber above the contact mechanism. The arc-guiding plates on the upper part of the contacts guide the arc generated during breaking into the arc extinguishing chamber for cutting and extinguishing. An external zero-flashover shield is then installed behind the arc extinguishing chamber to further block and extinguish any residual arc that may escape after arc extinguishing, thereby protecting the terminals and other circuit components within the switchgear.

[0003] This arc extinguishing and protection scheme is based on the premise that the arc extinguishing chamber is located above the contact mechanism, and the installation position and protection area of ​​the zero-flying arc cover are correspondingly set to the rear area of ​​the housing. However, for circuit breaker configurations where the arc extinguishing chamber is located below the mechanism, the above scheme cannot be directly applied, as the direction of arc ejection differs fundamentally from the protection area. For this type of layout where the arc extinguishing chamber is located below, one current approach is to install an integral enclosure on the outside of the circuit breaker to completely protect it and prevent the flying arc from spreading outwards. However, this integral enclosure method has significant drawbacks: firstly, the enclosure is large, occupying valuable space within the switchgear, and is inconvenient to install and disassemble, increasing maintenance difficulty; secondly, the integral enclosure lacks directional protection against flying arcs, failing to precisely constrain and block the flying arcs ejected from the arc extinguishing chamber's outlet, allowing the flying arcs to still spread vertically within the switchgear, posing a potential hazard to adjacent electrical components above or below.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to find a special arc protection structure solution that is suitable for arc-extinguishing chambers located below the mechanism. This solution should be able to accurately block the arc ejected from the arc-extinguishing chamber, effectively blocking its harmful path in the vertical direction of the switchgear, while avoiding the problems of large space occupation and inconvenient installation and maintenance caused by using an integral enclosure, so as to achieve reliable and convenient directional arc protection in a compact switchgear environment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a reversible anti-arc flash device, which is installed outside the arc-extinguishing chamber of a circuit breaker. It includes a pair of anti-arc flash baffles hinged to the surface of a switchgear. The anti-arc flash baffles are sheet-like structures, and the side closer to the switchgear and the side farther from the switchgear have a limiting edge and a reversible far edge, respectively. The reversible far edge is an arc-shaped edge structure. An elastic element is also provided at the hinge point between the anti-arc flash baffles and the switchgear. In a static state, the elastic element presses the anti-arc flash baffle against the surface of the switchgear and restricts the anti-arc flash baffle from flipping. When an arc is ejected from the arc extinguishing chamber to form an external arc flash, the anti-arc flash baffle begins to move and flip due to the instantaneous impact force of the arc flash. The elastic element deforms and stops flipping when the anti-arc flash baffle flips to the maximum limit position, i.e., when the limit edge contacts and interferes with the switchgear. In some embodiments, the anti-arc flash baffle has two symmetrically arranged lugs at the bottom of the side near the limiting edge, and the anti-arc flash baffle is hinged to the switching device through the cooperation of the lugs and the hinge.

[0006] In some embodiments, the surface of the switchgear is provided with a bearing seat, and the hinge member passes through both the lug seat and the bearing seat, so that the anti-arc baffle and the switchgear form a hinged connection.

[0007] In some embodiments, the hinge is a shaft, and the elastic element is sleeved on the shaft and abuts against the anti-arc baffle.

[0008] In some embodiments, the elastic element is a torsion spring.

[0009] In some embodiments, the torsion spring includes a wound portion sleeved on a shaft and a support portion abutting against the surface of an anti-arc baffle.

[0010] In some embodiments, the torsion spring allows the anti-arc baffle to rotate to form a 60-degree angle with the surface of the switching device.

[0011] In some embodiments, there are two anti-arc flying devices distributed vertically. When the anti-arc flying devices are used in pairs, the far side of the flip is an arc-shaped feature structure to avoid interference caused by flipping.

[0012] In some embodiments, there is a certain distance between the two anti-arc flash devices.

[0013] The present invention also provides a circuit breaker, including an arc-extinguishing chamber, wherein the arc-extinguishing chamber is provided with the aforementioned anti-flying arc device on its exterior.

[0014] Advantages and effects of the present invention: The flip-up anti-arc flash device provided by this invention utilizes a pair of anti-arc flash baffles hinged to the surface of the switchgear and an elastic element. When stationary, they remain in a closed, space-saving state. When an arc flash occurs, the device actively flips open using the instantaneous impact force, forming a directional physical barrier. This solution precisely adapts to the circuit breaker layout where the arc-extinguishing chamber is located below the mechanism, achieving accurate interception and directional guidance of the arc flash with minimal size and cost. It effectively solves the problems of large space occupation, lack of targeted protection, and inconvenient installation and maintenance associated with integral enclosures.

[0015] The specific beneficial effects are as follows: 1. Utilizing the impact force of the arc flash itself to trigger the flip-over mechanism, active and precise protection is achieved without external power. In a static state, the elastic element presses the anti-arc flash baffle against the surface of the switchgear. When an arc erupts from the arc-extinguishing chamber, forming an external arc flash, the instantaneous impact force of the high-temperature, high-pressure airflow generated by the arc flash acts directly on the anti-arc flash baffle, causing it to overcome the force of the elastic element and quickly flip upwards and open. This passively triggered flip-over mechanism requires no sensors, controllers, or external driving energy. Its response speed is synchronized with the generation of the arc flash, enabling it to form a shield at the first moment the arc flashes out, precisely blocking the path of the arc flash spreading vertically into the switchgear, protecting the circuit safety of the terminal block and adjacent electrical components above and below.

[0016] 2. Targeted shielding of the arc flash outlet provides highly specific protection, preventing the spread of hazards in the vertical direction. After the anti-arc flash baffle flips, it forms an inclined physical baffle outside the arc-extinguishing chamber, constraining and guiding the arc flash jet towards a safe area away from the wiring terminals and adjacent equipment. Compared to the indiscriminate full-coverage protection of an integral enclosure, this solution directly and precisely blocks the arc flash outlet area, effectively eliminating the potential hazards caused by arc flash in the vertical direction to electrical components above or below within the switchgear, making the protection more directional and effective.

[0017] 3. Compact size, requiring no additional installation space and improving the space utilization of the switchgear. The anti-arc flash baffle rests flat against the surface of the switchgear when stationary, adding almost no dimension to the equipment; it only briefly flips during the moment of arcing, with the flip angle limited by the interference between the limiting edge and the switchgear surface. Compared to existing integrated enclosure solutions, this device significantly reduces size, freeing up more installation space above and below the switch and inside the switchgear, facilitating a compact layout and heat dissipation design for other components within the switchgear.

[0018] 4. Simple structure, low cost, and convenient installation and maintenance. The anti-arc flash device consists of a pair of plate-shaped baffles, a hinge shaft, and elastic elements. It has few parts, a simple manufacturing process, and low material costs. Installation only requires the mating of the lug and shaft seats to complete the hinge connection, without requiring significant modifications to the circuit breaker body or the addition of complex supports. During maintenance, the baffles can be disassembled and installed separately without affecting the main structure of the circuit breaker, significantly reducing the difficulty and time cost of assembly and maintenance.

[0019] 5. Mechanically limited tilt angle ensures reliable operation and automatic reset after use. The anti-arc flash baffle has a limiting edge near the switchgear. When the baffle is tilted to its maximum angle, the limiting edge contacts and interferes with the switchgear surface, forming a reliable mechanical stop to prevent over-tilting. After the arc flash impact ends, the elastic element automatically pulls the baffle back and presses it firmly against the switchgear surface, restoring it to a static, fitted state. This ensures the device can withstand multiple arc flash impacts, resulting in high reliability and durability.

[0020] 6. Symmetrical vertical distribution structure forming a collaborative protective barrier. Two anti-arc flashover devices are distributed vertically and horizontally outside the arc-extinguishing chamber, respectively intercepting arc flashovers spreading upwards and downwards, forming a coordinated vertical directional protective barrier. This layout fully considers the characteristic that arc flashovers may spread bidirectionally in the vertical direction when the arc-extinguishing chamber is located below, achieving full coverage protection in key directions outside the arc-extinguishing chamber. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a view of the anti-flying arc device of the present invention installed on a switchgear.

[0022] Figure 2 This is another view of the anti-flying arc device of the present invention installed on a switchgear.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the anti-arc flash baffle of the present invention.

[0024] In the figure, 1 is the anti-arc flash baffle; 11 is the lug; 12 is the flipping far edge; 13 is the limiting edge; 2 is the hinge; 3 is the elastic element; 4 is the switchgear; and 41 is the shaft seat. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish similar components / parts in different positions or with different characteristics, and have no other limiting meaning; "upper" refers to the direction in which each component is away from the ground, and "lower" refers to the direction in which each component is away from the ground.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] This invention provides a reversible anti-arc flash device, installed outside the arc-extinguishing chamber of a circuit breaker. This device utilizes the interaction of a pair of anti-arc flash baffles hinged to the surface of the switchgear and an elastic element. The instantaneous impact force of the arc flash triggers the baffles to flip, achieving precise interception and directional guidance of the arc flash with minimal size and cost. This effectively solves the problems of large space occupation, lack of targeted protection, and inconvenient installation and maintenance associated with integral enclosures. The anti-arc flash device includes a pair of anti-arc flash baffles 1 hinged to the surface of the switchgear 4. Each anti-arc flash baffle 1 has a sheet-like structure with a limiting edge 13 on the side closest to the switchgear 4 and a flipping distal edge 12 on the side furthest from the switchgear 4. The flipping distal edge 12 has an arc-shaped edge structure. An elastic element 3 is also provided at the hinge point between the anti-arc flash baffle 1 and the switchgear 4. Compared to the indiscriminate full-coverage protection of existing integral enclosure solutions, this device consists of a pair of sheet-like baffles, a hinge, and an elastic element, resulting in fewer components, a simpler manufacturing process, and lower material costs. When stationary, the anti-arc baffle 1 is flat against the surface of the switchgear 4, which hardly increases the overall size of the equipment and greatly reduces its volume, freeing up more installation space above and below the switch and inside the switch cabinet, which facilitates the compact layout and heat dissipation design of other components inside the switch cabinet.

[0030] In a static state, the elastic element 3 presses the anti-arc flash baffle 1 against the surface of the switchgear 4 and restricts its rotation, keeping the device in a closed state when not in operation, without occupying extra space. When an electric arc erupts from the arc-extinguishing chamber, forming an external arc flash, the instantaneous impact force of the high-temperature, high-pressure airflow generated by the arc flash acts directly on the anti-arc flash baffle 1, causing it to overcome the force of the elastic element 3 and quickly flip upwards and open. This passively triggered flipping mechanism requires no sensors, controllers, or external driving energy. Its response speed is synchronized with the generation of the arc flash, forming a shield at the first moment of arc ejection, accurately blocking the path of the arc flash to spread vertically in the switchgear, and protecting the circuit safety of the terminal block and adjacent electrical components above and below. When the anti-arc flash baffle 1 flips to its maximum limit, i.e., when the limit edge 13 contacts and interferes with the switchgear 4, it stops flipping, forming a reliable mechanical stop to prevent over-flipping. After the arc flash impact ends, the elastic element 3 automatically pulls the anti-arc flash baffle 1 back and presses it firmly against the surface of the switchgear 4, restoring the static closed state, ensuring that the device can repeatedly withstand multiple arc flash impacts, with high operational reliability and durability.

[0031] After the anti-arc flash baffle 1 flips, it forms an inclined physical baffle outside the arc-extinguishing chamber, constraining and guiding the direction of the arc flash into a safe area away from the wiring terminals and adjacent equipment. This solution directly and precisely blocks the air outlet of the arc-extinguishing chamber, effectively eliminating the potential hazards caused by arc flash in the vertical direction to electrical components above or below within the switchgear, making the protection more directional and effective.

[0032] In some embodiments, the anti-arc flash baffle 1 has two symmetrically arranged lugs 11 at its bottom near the limiting edge 13. The anti-arc flash baffle 1 is hinged to the switching device 4 through the cooperation of the lugs 11 and the hinge 2. The lugs 11 are symmetrically arranged at the bottom of the anti-arc flash baffle 1, and cooperate with the hinge 2 to form a stable hinge fulcrum, ensuring that the anti-arc flash baffle 1 can rotate smoothly when subjected to arc impact, avoiding jamming or deflection due to uneven force.

[0033] In some embodiments, the switchgear 4 has a bearing seat 41 on its surface, and the hinge member 2 passes through both the lug seat 11 and the bearing seat 41, thus forming a hinged connection between the anti-flashover baffle 1 and the switchgear 4. During installation, the hinge can be completed simply by engaging the lug seat 11 with the bearing seat 41, without requiring significant modifications to the circuit breaker body or the addition of complex supports. During maintenance, the anti-flashover baffle 1 can also be disassembled and installed separately without affecting the main structure of the circuit breaker, significantly reducing the difficulty and time cost of assembly and maintenance.

[0034] In some embodiments, the hinge 2 is a shaft, and the elastic element 3 is sleeved on the shaft and abuts against the anti-arc baffle 1. The elastic element 3 is sleeved on the shaft of the hinge 2, which has a compact structure, does not occupy extra space, and is easy to assemble and replace.

[0035] In some embodiments, the elastic element 3 is a torsion spring. As an elastic element 3, the torsion spring has good torsional restoring performance and a stable elastic coefficient, and can reliably pull back and press the anti-arc baffle 1 after the arc impact ends.

[0036] In some embodiments, the torsion spring includes a wound portion sleeved on a shaft and a support arm portion abutting against the surface of the anti-arc flash baffle 1. The wound portion provides torsional torque, and the support arm portion acts directly on the surface of the anti-arc flash baffle 1, resulting in a short force transmission path and rapid response.

[0037] In some embodiments, the torsion spring allows the anti-arc flash baffle 1 to rotate to form a 60-degree angle with the surface of the switching device 4. This angle range ensures that the anti-arc flash baffle 1 can form an effective shielding barrier, while avoiding excessive rotation angle that would lead to excessively long reset time or fatigue of the elastic element 3.

[0038] In some embodiments, there are two anti-arc flash devices, arranged vertically. The two anti-arc flash devices are spaced vertically outside the arc-extinguishing chamber, respectively intercepting upward and downward spreading arc flashes, forming a coordinated vertical directional protective barrier. This arrangement fully considers the characteristic that arc flashes may spread bidirectionally in the vertical direction when the arc-extinguishing chamber is located below, achieving full coverage protection in key directions outside the arc-extinguishing chamber. When the anti-arc flash devices are used in pairs, the far side of the flipped section has an arc-shaped feature structure to avoid interference caused by flipping.

[0039] In some embodiments, a certain distance exists between the two anti-arc flash devices. This distance design ensures that the two anti-arc flash baffles 1 do not interfere with each other when they are flipped, and at the same time, they correspond to the upper and lower air outlet areas of the arc extinguishing chamber, respectively, ensuring that the arc flash can be effectively intercepted whether it is sprayed upwards or downwards, thus avoiding the spread of vertical hazards.

[0040] The present invention also provides a circuit breaker, including an arc-extinguishing chamber, wherein the arc-extinguishing chamber is provided with the aforementioned anti-flying arc device on its exterior. By configuring a reversible anti-flying arc device, the circuit breaker can respond immediately and form a physical shield when a flying arc is emitted from the arc-extinguishing chamber, effectively protecting the internal components of the circuit breaker and adjacent electrical components from damage by flying arcs, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the equipment.

[0041] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A reversible anti-flying arc device, installed outside the arc-extinguishing chamber of a circuit breaker, characterized in that, The device includes a pair of anti-arc flash baffles hinged to the surface of a switchgear. Each anti-arc flash baffle has a sheet-like structure with a limiting edge and a flipping edge on the side closer to the switchgear and the side farther from the switchgear, respectively. The flipping edge is an arc-shaped edge structure. An elastic element is also provided at the hinge point between the anti-arc flash baffle and the switchgear. In a static state, the elastic element presses the anti-arc flash baffle against the surface of the switchgear and restricts its flipping. When an electric arc is ejected from the arc-extinguishing chamber and forms an external arc flash, the anti-arc flash baffle begins to move and flip due to the instantaneous impact force of the arc flash. The elastic element deforms and stops flipping when the anti-arc flash baffle flips to its maximum limit, i.e., when the limiting edge contacts and interferes with the switchgear.

2. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anti-arc flash baffle has two symmetrically arranged lugs at the bottom of the side near the limiting edge. The anti-arc flash baffle is hinged to the switchgear through the cooperation of the lugs and the hinge.

3. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The switchgear surface is provided with a bearing seat, and the hinge member passes through both the lug seat and the bearing seat, so that the anti-arc baffle and the switchgear form a hinged connection.

4. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hinge is a shaft, and the elastic element is sleeved on the shaft and abuts against the anti-arc baffle.

5. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic element is a torsion spring.

6. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The torsion spring includes a coiled portion sleeved on the shaft and a support arm portion abutting against the surface of the anti-arc baffle.

7. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The torsion spring allows the anti-arc baffle to rotate to form a 60-degree angle with the surface of the switchgear.

8. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There are two anti-arc devices, one above the other. When the anti-arc devices are used in pairs, the far side is flipped to form an arc-shaped feature structure.

9. The anti-arc flash device according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a certain distance between the two anti-arc flash devices.

10. A circuit breaker comprising an arc-extinguishing chamber, wherein the arc-extinguishing chamber is provided with an anti-flying arc device as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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