Auxiliary contact for circuit breaker and circuit breaker

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides an auxiliary contact for a circuit breaker and the circuit breaker. The auxiliary contact comprises a main body part; and a state detection unit including a non-contact sensor disposed within the main body portion, in which the non-contact sensor is spaced apart from a push rod of the circuit breaker in a case where the auxiliary contact is connected to the circuit breaker, and under the condition that the position of the push rod is changed, the non-contact sensor can detect the position of the push rod and generate an indication signal for indicating the position of the push rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of electrical equipment, and more particularly to an auxiliary contact for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker. Background Art

[0002] In the power distribution system, accurately knowing the switch status of the circuit breaker is crucial for power distribution safety. Auxiliary contacts are generally used as accessories of the circuit breaker to detect the status of the circuit breaker. Auxiliary contacts generally use micro switches as trigger state switching elements, which can provide contact signals. With the development of digitalization and intelligence, the digitalization requirements in low-voltage power distribution scenarios are increasing. Obviously, a single contact signal cannot meet the current needs of digital diversity.

[0003] Micro switches are not conducive to structural design. After long-term use, the contacts may oxidize, resulting in poor contact or increased contact resistance, abnormal conduction, and even loss of function in severe cases. Moreover, most micro switches are driven mechanically, but the metal shrapnel of the micro switch has a limited service life and cannot meet the high life requirements of special occasions. In addition, the general auxiliary contact operating current is relatively large, and only some special products can operate at a lower operating current, but this has high requirements on the production environment and therefore cannot meet the needs of low-power scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an auxiliary contact for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker to at least partially solve the above problems.

[0005] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an auxiliary contact for a circuit breaker, the auxiliary contact comprising: a main body portion; and a state detection unit, the state detection unit comprising a non-contact sensor, the non-contact sensor being arranged in the main body portion, wherein the non-contact sensor is spaced apart from a push rod of the circuit breaker when the auxiliary contact is connected to the circuit breaker, and when the position of the push rod changes, the non-contact sensor is capable of detecting the position of the push rod and generating an indication signal for indicating the position of the push rod.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging a non-contact sensor in the main body of the auxiliary contact, the position of the push rod can be detected and an indication signal can be generated without contacting the push rod of the circuit breaker, thereby eliminating complex mechanical structures, improving detection reliability, and thereby extending the service life of the product.

[0007] In some embodiments, the auxiliary contact further includes a signal processing unit, which is disposed in the main body and electrically connected to the non-contact sensor, and the signal processing unit is capable of receiving the indication signal to trigger a predetermined action.

[0008] In some embodiments, the auxiliary contact also includes a functional unit, which includes a signal input interface, which is arranged on one side of the main body and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit, and the signal input interface is capable of transmitting an input signal from the outside to the signal processing unit so that the signal processing unit generates an output signal based on the input signal.

[0009] In some embodiments, the functional unit further includes a signal output interface, which is disposed adjacent to the signal input interface at one side of the main body portion and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit, and the signal output interface is capable of outputting the output signal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the functional unit also includes a configuration interface, which is arranged on one side of the main body adjacent to the signal input interface and the signal output interface and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit, and the configuration interface is capable of transmitting a configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit so that the signal processing unit configures the properties of the input signal and the output signal based on the configuration signal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the functional unit also includes a power interface, which is arranged on one side of the main body adjacent to the signal input interface and the configuration interface and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit, and the power interface can power the signal processing unit using the power input.

[0012] In some embodiments, the configuration interface includes a first configuration interface and a second configuration interface, wherein the first configuration interface is arranged adjacent to the signal output interface and is capable of transmitting a first configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit so that the signal processing unit configures the signal type of the output signal based on the first configuration signal, and the second configuration interface is arranged adjacent to the signal input interface and is capable of transmitting a second configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit so that the signal processing unit configures the signal type of the input signal based on the second configuration signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, the state detection unit includes: a driving member, which is movably disposed in the main body and adjacent to the push rod when the auxiliary contact is connected to the circuit breaker, and the driving member is capable of moving in a predetermined direction under the drive of the push rod; and a sensing member, which is connected to a side of the driving member facing away from the push rod, the sensing member is capable of moving in the predetermined direction together with the driving member, and the sensing member is capable of generating a magnetic field; and the non-contact sensor includes a Hall sensor, which is disposed on a side of the signal processing unit adjacent to the driving member, and the Hall sensor is capable of generating the indication signal when the sensing member moves in the predetermined direction and is less than a predetermined distance from the Hall sensor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the state detection unit includes: a driving member, which is movably disposed in the main body and adjacent to the push rod when the auxiliary contact is connected to the circuit breaker, and the driving member is capable of moving in a predetermined direction under the drive of the push rod; and a reflective coating, covering the outer surface of the driving member; and the non-contact sensor includes an optical coupling sensor, which is disposed on a side of the signal processing unit adjacent to the driving member, and the optical coupling sensor is capable of emitting light toward the reflective coating and receiving a light sensing signal reflected by the reflective coating when the distance between the reflective coating and the optical coupling sensor is less than a predetermined distance, so as to generate the indication signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the non-contact sensor includes: a distance sensor disposed at a position of the signal processing unit corresponding to the push rod of the circuit breaker, and the distance sensor is capable of generating the indication signal.

[0016] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a circuit breaker is provided, comprising the auxiliary contact according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] It should be understood that the content described in this content section is not intended to limit the key features or important features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other features, advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an auxiliary contact according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 2A circuit block diagram of an auxiliary contact according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram showing an auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0023] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Description of reference numerals:

[0025] 100 auxiliary contacts 200 circuit breaker

[0026] 10 main body 20 state detection unit

[0027] 202 non-contact sensor 201 push rod

[0028] 30Signal processing unit 40Functional unit

[0029] 41 Input interface 42 Output interface

[0030] 43 Configuration interface 44 Power interface

[0031] 431 first configuration interface 432 second configuration interface

[0032] 21 driving part 22 sensing part

[0033] X predetermined direction 23 Hall sensor

[0034] 24 reflective coating 25 optical coupler sensor

[0035] 26 distance sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0037] As used herein, the term "including" and its variations mean open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "based at least in part on". The terms "an example embodiment" and "an embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc. may refer to different or the same objects.

[0038] As described above, with the development of digitization and intelligence, the demand for digitization in low-voltage power distribution scenarios is increasing, and the contact signal of the microswitch obviously cannot meet the current demand for digital diversity. Moreover, most microswitches are driven mechanically, but the service life of the metal spring of the microswitch is limited and cannot meet the high life requirements of special occasions. In addition, the general auxiliary contact has a large operating current, and only some special products can work at a lower operating current, but this has high requirements on the production environment and therefore cannot meet the needs of low-power scenarios. The embodiment of the present disclosure provides an auxiliary contact and a circuit breaker for a circuit breaker. In this solution, a non-contact sensor is arranged in the main body of the auxiliary contact, so that the position of the push rod can be detected and an indication signal can be generated without contacting the push rod of the circuit breaker, so as to eliminate the complex mechanical structure, improve the reliability of detection, and thus extend the service life of the product. In the following, it will be combined with Figures 1 to 5 The principles of the present disclosure are described.

[0039] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an auxiliary contact 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of an auxiliary contact 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an auxiliary contact 100 and a circuit breaker 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the auxiliary contact 100 described herein generally includes a main body portion 10 and a state detection unit 20. The state detection unit 20 includes a non-contact sensor 202. The non-contact sensor 202 is disposed in the main body portion 10. The non-contact sensor 202 is spaced apart from a push rod 201 of the circuit breaker 200 when the auxiliary contact 100 is connected to the circuit breaker 200. In the case where the position of the push rod 201 changes, the non-contact sensor 202 can detect the position of the push rod 201 and generate an indication signal for indicating the position of the push rod 201.

[0040] In one embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the auxiliary contact 100 may further include a signal processing unit 30. The signal processing unit 30 is disposed in the main body 10 and is electrically connected to the non-contact sensor 202. The signal processing unit 30 is capable of receiving an indication signal to trigger a predetermined action. In one embodiment, the signal processing unit 30 may adopt a microcontroller unit (MCU). The signal processing unit 30 may analyze and process the indication signal to trigger a predetermined action such as an alarm. Based on the teachings given in the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art may conceive of other types of signal processing units to implement the above functions, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0041] In one embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the auxiliary contact 100 may also include a functional unit 40. The functional unit 40 includes a signal input interface 41. The signal input interface 41 is disposed on one side of the main body 10 and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit 30. The signal input interface 41 is capable of transmitting an input signal from the outside to the signal processing unit 30, so that the signal processing unit 30 generates an output signal based on the input signal. In one embodiment, the signal input interface 41 may transmit a digital signal or an analog signal from the outside to the signal processing unit 30 via a cable, so that the signal processing unit 30 may judge or collect and analyze the signal, thereby expanding the digital functions of the auxiliary contact 100, such as temperature detection, PLC control, etc. It should be understood that the signal type of the input signal may be one or more, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0042] Continue to refer Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the functional unit 40 may further include a signal output interface 42. The signal output interface 42 is disposed adjacent to the signal input interface 41 on one side of the main body 10 and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit 30, and the signal output interface 42 is capable of outputting an output signal. In one embodiment, the signal output interface 42 may be connected to various types of electronic devices, such as speakers, indicator lights, etc., to cooperate with the signal processing unit 30 to implement functions such as indication, alarm, and control of the circuit breaker status. It should be understood that based on the teachings given in the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art may think of other extended functions implemented using the signal output interface, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] Continue to refer Figure 1 and Figure 2In one embodiment, the functional unit 40 may further include a configuration interface 43. The configuration interface 43 is disposed on one side of the main body 10 adjacent to the signal input interface 41 and the signal output interface 42 and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit 30. The configuration interface 43 can transmit a configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit 30, so that the signal processing unit 30 configures the properties of the input signal and the output signal based on the configuration signal.

[0044] In one embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the configuration interface 43 includes a first configuration interface 431 and a second configuration interface 432. The first configuration interface 431 is arranged adjacent to the signal output interface 42 and is capable of transmitting a first configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit 30, so that the signal processing unit 30 configures the signal type of the output signal based on the first configuration signal. The second configuration interface 432 is arranged adjacent to the signal input interface 41 and is capable of transmitting a second configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit 30, so that the signal processing unit 30 configures the signal type of the input signal based on the second configuration signal. In one embodiment, the first configuration interface signal can be used to control the signal processing unit 30 to adjust the current size of the output signal, so that the auxiliary contact 100 can meet the low power consumption requirements under characteristic working conditions.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first configuration interface 431 may adopt a software configuration interface, and the second configuration interface 432 may adopt a hardware configuration interface. In one embodiment, the software configuration interface may include a communication interface for communicating with the outside. The hardware configuration interface may implement different operating modes of the signal processing unit 30 by short-circuiting or opening. The external device connected to the communication interface may perform a single type or multiple types of communication with the signal processing unit 30, such as I2C, Modbus and other communication methods, so that the auxiliary contact 100 has more abundant expansion functions to meet the actual needs under different working conditions. It should be understood that based on the teachings given in the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art may think of implementing the expansion function of the auxiliary contact through other types of communication, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] Continue to refer Figure 1 The functional unit 40 further includes a power interface 44. The power interface 44 is disposed at one side of the main body 10 adjacent to the signal input interface 41 and the configuration interface 43 and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit 30. The power interface 44 can supply power to the signal processing unit 30 using a power input.

[0047] In one embodiment, the number of interfaces included in the functional unit 40 can be determined according to actual needs, and can be more or less, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, each interface in the functional unit 40 can be set in a card slot on the main body 10, without the need to open an additional slot, and each interface can be electrically connected to the signal processing unit 30 through a cable passing through the internal space of the main body 10, so that the functional unit 40 can be installed on various types of auxiliary contacts, thereby improving the adaptability and compatibility of the functional unit 40.

[0048] In one embodiment, Figure 3 As shown, the state detection unit 20 may include a driving member 21 and a sensing member 22. The driving member 21 is movably disposed in the main body 10 and adjacent to the push rod 201 when the auxiliary contact 100 is connected to the circuit breaker 200. The driving member 21 can move along a predetermined direction X under the drive of the push rod 201. The sensing member 22 is connected to a side of the driving member 21 that is away from the push rod 201. The sensing member 22 can move along the predetermined direction X together with the driving member 21. In one embodiment, the non-contact sensor 202 may include a Hall sensor 23. The Hall sensor 23 is disposed on a side of the signal processing unit 30 adjacent to the driving member 21. The Hall sensor 23 can generate an indication signal when the sensing member 22 moves along the predetermined direction X and is less than a predetermined distance from the Hall sensor 23. In one embodiment, the sensing member 22 may be a magnetic steel. The sensing member 22 can generate a magnetic field. When the sensing member 22 is less than a predetermined distance from the Hall sensor 23, the Hall sensor 23 can detect the magnetic field generated by the sensing member 22, and then generate an indication signal. It should be understood that, based on the teachings of the present disclosure, a person skilled in the art may conceive of other induction components capable of generating a magnetic field to achieve the above functions, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an auxiliary contact 100 and a circuit breaker 200 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4As shown, the state detection unit 20 includes a driver 21 and a reflective coating 24. The driver 21 is movably disposed in the main body 10 and is adjacent to the push rod 201 when the auxiliary contact 100 is connected to the circuit breaker 200. The driver 21 can move along the predetermined direction X under the drive of the push rod 201. The reflective coating 24 covers the outer surface of the driver 21. In one embodiment, the non-contact sensor 202 may include an optical coupling sensor 25. The optical coupling sensor 25 is disposed on one side of the signal processing unit 30 adjacent to the driver 21. The optical coupling sensor 25 can emit light toward the reflective coating 24 and receive the light sensing signal reflected by the reflective coating 24 when the reflective coating 24 and the optical coupling sensor 25 are less than a predetermined distance apart to generate an indication signal. In one embodiment, the inner wall of the main body 10 is covered with a light shielding coating to prevent the optical coupling sensor 25 from generating errors in the detection of the light sensing signal. It should be understood that the reflective coating 24 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be made of any type of reflective material. The embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0050] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an auxiliary contact 100 and a circuit breaker 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the non-contact sensor 202 may include a distance sensor 26. The distance sensor 26 is disposed at a position of the signal processing unit 30 corresponding to the push rod 201 of the circuit breaker 200. In one embodiment, the distance sensor 26 can emit light toward the push rod 201 and detect the distance between it and the push rod 201. In the case where the position of the push rod 201 changes, the distance sensor 26 can generate an indication signal. It should be understood that based on the teachings given in the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art can think of other types of distance sensors to achieve the above functions, and these implementations all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0051] The non-contact sensor 202 used in the auxiliary contact 100 of the embodiment of the present disclosure can eliminate the complex mechanical structure, solve the problems of poor contact, increased contact resistance, abnormal conduction, etc. caused by the mechanical contacts of the traditional micro switch being in contact with the circuit breaker for a long time, improve the reliability of detection, and thus extend the service life of the product.

[0052] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, and the above description is exemplary, not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The selection of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements in the market, or to enable other persons of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An auxiliary contact (100) for a circuit breaker (200), characterized in that: The auxiliary contact (100) comprises: a main body portion (10); and A state detection unit (20), the state detection unit (20) comprising a non-contact sensor (202), the non-contact sensor (202) being arranged in the main body (10), wherein the non-contact sensor (202) is spaced apart from a push rod (201) of the circuit breaker (200) when the auxiliary contact (100) is connected to the circuit breaker (200), and when the position of the push rod (201) changes, the non-contact sensor (202) is capable of detecting the position of the push rod (201) and generating an indication signal for indicating the position of the push rod (201).

2. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary contact (100) further comprises a signal processing unit (30), wherein the signal processing unit (30) is arranged in the main body (10) and is electrically connected to the non-contact sensor (202), and the signal processing unit (30) is capable of receiving the indication signal to trigger a predetermined action.

3. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The auxiliary contact (100) further comprises a functional unit (40), wherein the functional unit (40) comprises a signal input interface (41), wherein the signal input interface (41) is arranged on one side of the main body (10) and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit (30), and wherein the signal input interface (41) is capable of transmitting an input signal from the outside to the signal processing unit (30), so that the signal processing unit (30) generates an output signal based on the input signal.

4. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The functional unit (40) further comprises a signal output interface (42), which is arranged on one side of the main body (10) adjacent to the signal input interface (41) and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit (30), and the signal output interface (42) is capable of outputting the output signal.

5. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The functional unit (40) further comprises a configuration interface (43), which is arranged on one side of the main body (10) adjacent to the signal input interface (41) and the signal output interface (42) and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit (30), and the configuration interface (43) is capable of transmitting a configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit (30), so that the signal processing unit (30) configures the properties of the input signal and the output signal based on the configuration signal.

6. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The functional unit (40) further comprises a power supply interface (44), which is arranged on one side of the main body (10) adjacent to the signal input interface (41) and the configuration interface (43) and is electrically connected to the signal processing unit (30), and the power supply interface (44) is capable of supplying power to the signal processing unit (30) using a power supply input.

7. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The configuration interface (43) includes a first configuration interface (431) and a second configuration interface (432), wherein the first configuration interface (431) is arranged adjacent to the signal output interface (42) and is capable of transmitting a first configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit (30), so that the signal processing unit (30) configures the signal type of the output signal based on the first configuration signal, and the second configuration interface (432) is arranged adjacent to the signal input interface (41) and is capable of transmitting a second configuration signal from the outside to the signal processing unit (30), so that the signal processing unit (30) configures the signal type of the input signal based on the second configuration signal.

8. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The state detection unit (20) comprises: a driving member (21) movably disposed in the main body (10) and adjacent to the push rod (201) when the auxiliary contact (100) is connected to the circuit breaker (200), the driving member (21) being capable of moving in a predetermined direction (X) under the drive of the push rod (201); and an induction member (22) connected to a side of the driving member (21) facing away from the push rod (201), the induction member (22) being capable of moving along the predetermined direction (X) together with the driving member (21), and the induction member (22) being capable of generating a magnetic field; and The non-contact sensor (202) comprises a Hall sensor (23), wherein the Hall sensor (23) is arranged on a side of the signal processing unit (30) adjacent to the driving member (21), and the Hall sensor (23) is capable of generating the indication signal when the sensing member (22) moves along the predetermined direction (X) and is less than a predetermined distance from the Hall sensor (23).

9. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The state detection unit (20) comprises: a driving member (21) movably disposed in the main body (10) and adjacent to the push rod (201) when the auxiliary contact (100) is connected to the circuit breaker (200), the driving member (21) being capable of moving in a predetermined direction (X) under the drive of the push rod (201); and A reflective coating (24) covers the outer surface of the driving member (21); and The non-contact sensor (202) comprises an optical coupling sensor (25), the optical coupling sensor (25) being arranged on a side of the signal processing unit (30) adjacent to the driving member (21), the optical coupling sensor (25) being capable of emitting light toward the reflective coating (24) and receiving a light sensing signal reflected by the reflective coating (24) when the reflective coating (24) and the optical coupling sensor (25) are less than a predetermined distance apart, so as to generate the indication signal.

10. The auxiliary contact (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The non-contact sensor (202) comprises: A distance sensor (26) is arranged at a position of the signal processing unit (30) corresponding to the push rod (201) of the circuit breaker (200), and the distance sensor (26) is capable of generating the indication signal.

11. A circuit breaker (200), characterized in that: The circuit breaker (200) comprises the auxiliary contact according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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