Circuit breaker

Abstract

The utility model provides a circuit breaker, comprising a housing comprising a lead through hole extending through the housing for insertion of a lead; the wiring groove is arranged in the shell and is formed into a tubular shape with two open ends and opposite to each other along the extension direction of the wire through hole, and the screw penetrates through the upper side surface of the wiring groove and is screwed into the wiring groove; the lug plate is fixed in the shell and comprises a wiring part extending in the wiring groove, and the wiring part is arranged between the screw and the lower inner surface of the wiring groove; the elastic piece is arranged on the upper surface of the wiring part; a support member elastically supported on the wiring portion through an elastic member and facing a lower end of the screw; the movable rod is arranged in the shell in the up-down direction, and the lower end of the movable rod is connected with the supporting piece and moves up and down along with up-down movement of the supporting piece; and the indicating mechanism is arranged at the upper end of the movable rod, moves along with the movable rod and comprises an indicating piece, and at least one part of the indicating piece is visible from the outside through the indicating hole of the shell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a circuit breaker including an indicating mechanism for indicating torque. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, circuit breakers are wired using screws. During wiring, sufficient torque must be applied to fully tighten the screws for correct connection. If the screw torque does not reach the nominal torque, poor contact between the conductor and the circuit breaker's terminals will occur, leading to conductor overheating or even burnout. Therefore, a circuit breaker with an indicating mechanism is needed. This mechanism allows users to visually check whether the applied screw torque is sufficient and meets the nominal torque, ensuring correct wiring and preventing conductor overheating and burnout. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention provides a circuit breaker including an indicating mechanism for indicating torque.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a circuit breaker includes: a housing, including a wire through-hole extending through the housing for insertion of a wire; a wiring groove disposed within the housing and formed as a tube with open ends facing each other along the extension direction of the wire through-hole, a screw passing through the upper side of the wiring groove and screwed into the wiring groove; a terminal piece fixed within the housing and including a terminal portion extending within the wiring groove, the terminal portion being disposed between the screw and the lower inner surface of the wiring groove, wherein as the screw is tightened downwards, the wiring groove moves upwards relative to the housing, thereby reducing the distance between the terminal portion and the lower inner surface of the wiring groove, thereby pressing the wire inserted into the wiring groove; an elastic member disposed on the upper surface of the terminal portion; and a support. The device comprises a component, which is elastically supported on the wiring portion by an elastic element and faces the lower end of the screw; a movable rod, disposed in the housing in the vertical direction, whose lower end is connected to the support and moves vertically following the vertical movement of the support; and an indicating mechanism, disposed at the upper end of the movable rod and moving with the movable rod, and including an indicating element, at least a portion of which is visible from the outside through an indicating hole in the housing. As the screw is tightened downwards, the support moves downwards to compress the elastic element, and the movable rod moves downwards with the support, thereby driving the indicating element of the indicating mechanism to move. When the screw is not tightened, the indicating element is in a first position, and when the screw is tightened downwards and the torque of the screw reaches a predetermined torque, the indicating element is in a second position.

[0005] In one embodiment, the indicating element of the indicating mechanism is directly mounted on the upper end of the movable rod, thereby moving up and down along with the up and down movement of the movable rod.

[0006] In one embodiment, an indicator hole is provided on the side surface of the housing, so that the up-and-down movement of the indicator can be seen through the indicator hole.

[0007] In one embodiment, the indicating mechanism further includes a first gear having a first diameter and a second gear having a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The first gear and the second gear are coaxial and pivot synchronously. The upper end of the movable rod has a first rack, which meshes with the first gear, causing the first gear to pivot as the movable rod moves up and down. The lower side of the indicating element of the indicating mechanism has a second rack, which meshes with the second gear. The indicating element is positioned above the second gear and moves left and right as the second gear pivots. The indicating hole of the housing is located on the upper surface of the housing, so that the left and right movement of the indicating element can be seen through the indicating hole.

[0008] In one embodiment, the indicating mechanism is configured as a detachable indicating mechanism module.

[0009] In one embodiment, the indicating mechanism further includes a housing for accommodating the first gear, the second gear, and the indicating element.

[0010] In one embodiment, the circuit breaker further includes a return spring sleeved on the movable rod, the spring force of which abuts the lower end of the movable rod against the upper surface of a portion of the support extending beyond the wiring slot, so as to move up and down with the support.

[0011] In one embodiment, the movable rod is riveted to a portion of the support extending beyond the wiring slot, causing the movable rod to move up and down with the support.

[0012] In one embodiment, at a first position, a first portion of the indicator is visible from the outside through an indicator hole; at a second position, the first portion of the indicator moves out of the indicator hole, and a second portion of the indicator is visible from the outside through the indicator hole. The first and second portions of the indicator have different colors, patterns, and / or shapes from each other.

[0013] In one embodiment, the elastic element includes a leaf spring, a compression spring, or a disc spring.

[0014] In one embodiment, the elastic element includes one or more disc springs.

[0015] The circuit breaker according to this utility model may include an indicator mechanism for indicating whether the screws are tightened, so that users can easily visually identify whether the screw torque of the circuit breaker reaches the nominal torque, thereby ensuring that the wiring of the circuit breaker is correct and avoiding the problem of wires overheating and burning. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4A This is a structural schematic diagram showing the indicator of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention in the first position.

[0021] Figure 4B This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a circuit breaker in the second position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a partial perspective view showing some components included in a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial perspective view showing some components included in a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same components. It should be noted that the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0025] Compared to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, feasible embodiments within the scope of this disclosure may have fewer components, other components not shown in the drawings, different components, components arranged differently, or components with different connections, etc. Furthermore, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this patent application specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Where the number of components is not specified, the number of components may be one or more; similarly, the terms “a,” “the,” “described,” and similar terms do not necessarily indicate a quantity limitation. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or “including,” and similar terms mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the element or object listed following the word and its equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. The terms “install,” “set,” “connect,” or “link,” and similar terms are not limited to physical or mechanical installation, setting, or connection, but may include electrical installation, setting, or connection, whether direct or indirect. “Above,” “below,” “left,” “right,” etc., are used only to indicate the relative positional relationship of the equipment during use or the positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram showing a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to one embodiment of the present invention, the circuit breaker may include a housing 1, a wiring groove 2, a screw 3, a wiring piece 4, an elastic element 5, a support element 6, a movable rod 7, and an indicating mechanism 8.

[0029] The housing 1 may include a wire through-hole 11, which extends through the housing 1 to allow insertion of a wire 9 and to facilitate electrical wiring. A wiring groove 2 may be disposed within the housing 1 and formed as a tube with openings at both ends opposite each other along the extension direction of the wire through-hole 11. A screw 3 passes through the upper side of the wiring groove 2 and is screwed into the wiring groove 2. The upper side of the wiring groove 2 may include a threaded hole for screwing in the screw 3.

[0030] The connector 4 can be fixed inside the housing 1 and includes a connector portion 41 extending within the connector groove 2. The connector portion 41 and the wire 9 extend in the same direction within the connector groove 2. The connector portion 41 can be positioned between the lower end of the screw 3 and the lower inner surface of the connector groove 2. As the screw 3 is tightened downwards, the connector groove 2 can move upwards relative to the housing 1, reducing the distance between the connector portion 41 of the connector 4 and the lower inner surface of the connector groove 2, thereby compressing the wire 9 that extends into the connector groove 2 through the wire through hole 11.

[0031] The elastic element 5 can be disposed on the upper surface of the wiring portion 41 of the connector 4. The support member 6 is elastically supported on the wiring portion 41 by the elastic element 5 and is disposed corresponding to the screw 3, facing the lower end of the screw 3. When the screw 3 is tightened downwards, the lower end of the screw 3 contacts the support member 6 and applies pressure to the support member 6, causing the support member 6 to move downwards to elastically compress the elastic element 5. According to one embodiment, the support member 6 can be formed in the shape of a plate, for example, it can be a steel sheet, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the connector 4 can include a contact member 42 disposed on the wiring portion 41, which is disposed on both sides of the elastic element 5 opposite to the support member 6. For example, the contact member 42 can be a steel sheet, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the elastic element 5 can include a leaf spring, a compression spring, or a disc spring, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the elastic element 5 can include one disc spring or a combination of multiple disc springs, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0032] The movable rod 7 is disposed within the housing 1 in the vertical direction and is movable in that direction. The lower end of the movable rod 7 is connected to the support member 6 and moves vertically along with the support member 6. In other words, the movable rod 7 is configured to move in conjunction with the support member 6 in the vertical direction. (Reference) Figure 2 The indicating mechanism 8 can be located at the upper end of the movable rod 7 and moves with the movable rod 7. The indicating mechanism 8 may include an indicating element 81, at least a portion of which is visible from the outside through the indicating hole 12 of the housing 1. As the screw 3 is tightened downwards, the support member 6 moves downwards to compress the elastic member 5, and the movable rod 7 moves downwards along with the support member 6. According to the downward movement of the movable rod 7, the indicating element 81 of the indicating mechanism 8 moves within the indicating hole 12, thereby driving the indicating element 81 of the indicating mechanism 8 to move. When the screw is not tightened, the indicating element 81 is in a first position, and when the screw 3 is tightened downwards and the torque of the screw 3 reaches a predetermined torque, the indicating element 81 is in a second position. Thus, the user can easily identify whether the wiring screws of the circuit breaker are tightened by observing the indicating element in the indicating hole, thereby determining whether the correct wiring has been achieved.

[0033] like Figure 2As shown, according to one embodiment, the indicator 81 is directly mounted on the upper end of the movable rod 7, thus moving up and down with the movable rod 7. An indicator hole 12 is provided on the side surface of the housing 1, allowing the up-and-down movement of the indicator 81 to be seen through the indicator hole 12. According to one embodiment, when the screw is not tightened, the indicator 81 is in a first position, that is, the first part 811 of the indicator 81 protrudes through the indicator hole 12. As the screw 3 is tightened downwards, the support member 6 moves downwards to compress the elastic member 5, and the movable rod 7 moves downwards along with the support member 6. Simultaneously, the indicator 81, located at the upper end of the movable rod 7, also moves downwards. When the screw 3 is tightened downwards and the torque of the screw 3 reaches a predetermined torque, the indicator 81 moves from the first position to a second position, that is, the first part 811 of the indicator 81 moves out of the indicator hole 12, and the second part 812 of the indicator 81 protrudes through the indicator hole 12. At this time, the user can easily identify whether the wiring screw is tightened and whether the screw torque has reached the predetermined torque by observing the indicator in the indicator hole, thereby determining whether correct wiring has been achieved.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, the indicating mechanism 8 can be disposed at the upper end of the movable rod 7 and moves with the movable rod 7. Specifically, the indicating mechanism 8 may include a first gear 82 with a first diameter and a second gear 83 with a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first gear 82 and the second gear 83 can be coaxial and pivot synchronously. The upper end of the movable rod 7 may have a first rack 71, which meshes with the first gear 82, causing the first gear 82 to pivot left and right as the movable rod 7 moves up and down. The second gear 83 pivots left and right synchronously with the first gear 82. The lower side of the indicating element 81 of the indicating mechanism 8 may have a second rack 813, which meshes with the second gear 83. The indicating element 81 is disposed above the second gear 83 and moves left and right as the second gear 83 pivots. The indicating hole 12 of the housing 1 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing 1, through which the left and right movement of the indicating element 81 can be seen.

[0035] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Schematic diagrams are shown respectively when the indicator of the circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a first position and a second position. Figure 4AAs shown, when no torque is applied to the screw 3, the indicator 81 of the indicator mechanism 8 is in the first position, that is, the first part 811 of the indicator 81 protrudes through the indicator hole 12. As the screw 3 is tightened downwards, the support 6 moves downwards to compress the elastic member 5, and the movable rod 7 moves downwards following the support 6. The downward movement of the movable rod 7 causes the first gear 82 meshing with it to pivot to the left, and at the same time, the second gear 83 pivots to the left synchronously with the first gear 82. Further, the leftward pivoting of the second gear 83 causes the indicator 81 meshing with it above it to move to the left. Figure 4B As shown, when screw 3 is tightened downwards and the torque of screw 3 reaches the predetermined torque, indicator 81 moves from the first position to the left to the second position. That is, the first part 811 of indicator 81 moves to the left out of indicator hole 12, and the second part 812 of indicator 81 protrudes through indicator hole 12. Thus, the user can easily identify whether the wiring screw is tightened and whether the screw torque has reached the predetermined torque by observing the indicator in the indicator hole, thereby determining whether the correct wiring has been achieved.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first portion 812 and the second portion 813 of the indicator 81 have different colors, patterns, and / or shapes from each other. For example, the first portion 812 is red and the second portion 813 is green, or the first portion 812 has an "×" pattern and the second portion 813 has a "√" pattern, but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0037] Figure 5 and Figure 6 All figures show partial perspective views of some components included in a circuit breaker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a return spring 72 sleeved on the movable rod 7. By applying a return force to the movable rod 7 through the return spring 72, the lower end of the movable rod 7 is tightly pressed against the upper surface of the portion of the support member 6 extending beyond the wiring groove 2, thereby moving up and down with the support member 6. Thus, the linkage between the movable rod and the support member can be achieved with a simple structure and fewer components.

[0038] Optionally, according to one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lower end of the movable rod 7 can be riveted to a portion of the support member 6 extending beyond the wiring groove 2, allowing the movable rod 7 to move up and down with the support member 6. Thus, the linkage between the movable rod and the support member can be achieved without adding any additional components.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the indicating mechanism 8 can be configured as a detachable indicating mechanism module, thereby facilitating individual disassembly and replacement. The indicating mechanism 8 may include a housing for accommodating the first gear 82, the second gear 83, and the indicating element 81. When the indicating mechanism of the circuit breaker fails, the indicating mechanism module can be disassembled and replaced individually without removing and replacing the entire circuit breaker. This simplifies maintenance operations and reduces maintenance and replacement costs.

[0040] The circuit breaker of this utility model implements an indicator mechanism for whether the screw is tightened using very few components, allowing users to intuitively check whether the applied screw torque is sufficient and whether the screw torque of the circuit breaker reaches the nominal torque, thereby ensuring the correct wiring of the circuit breaker and avoiding the problem of wire overheating and burning.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments, and some technical features in the embodiments may not be necessary for solving specific technical problems, so these technical features may be omitted or omitted without affecting the solution to the technical problem or the formation of the technical solution; moreover, the features, elements and / or functions of one embodiment may be appropriately combined, combined or coordinated with the features, elements and / or functions of one or more other embodiments, unless such combination, combination or coordination is obviously not feasible.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker, characterized in that, The circuit breaker includes: The housing includes a wire through-hole extending through the housing for wire insertion; A wiring groove is provided inside the housing and is formed as a tube with open ends facing each other along the extension direction of the wire through hole. A screw passes through the upper side of the wiring groove and is screwed into the wiring groove. A connector is fixed inside the housing and includes a connector portion extending within the connector groove. The connector portion is disposed between the screw and the lower inner surface of the connector groove. As the screw is tightened downwards, the connector groove moves upwards relative to the housing, thereby reducing the distance between the connector portion and the lower inner surface of the connector groove, which in turn compresses the wire extending into the connector groove. An elastic element is disposed on the upper surface of the wiring portion; The support member is elastically supported on the wiring portion by the elastic member and faces the lower end of the screw; A movable rod, disposed within the housing in a vertical direction, has its lower end connected to the support member and moves vertically in tandem with the vertical movement of the support member; and An indicating mechanism is disposed at the upper end of the movable rod and moves with the movable rod, and includes an indicating element, at least a portion of which is visible from the outside through an indicating hole in the housing. As the screw is tightened downwards, the support member moves downwards to compress the elastic member, and the movable rod follows the support member downwards, thereby causing the indicator of the indicating mechanism to move. Specifically, when the screw is not screwed in, the indicator is in the first position, and when the screw is tightened downwards and the torque of the screw reaches the predetermined torque, the indicator is in the second position.

2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indicating element of the indicating mechanism is directly mounted on the upper end of the movable rod, thus moving up and down along with the up and down movement of the movable rod. The indicator hole of the housing is provided on the side surface of the housing, so that the up and down movement of the indicator can be seen through the indicator hole.

3. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indicating mechanism further includes a first gear having a first diameter and a second gear having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, the first gear and the second gear being coaxial and pivoting synchronously. The upper end of the movable rod has a first rack, which meshes with the first gear, causing the first gear to pivot as the movable rod moves up and down. The lower side of the indicating element of the indicating mechanism has a second rack, which meshes with the second gear. The indicating element is positioned above the second gear and moves left and right as the second gear pivots. The indicator hole of the housing is provided on the upper surface of the housing, so that the left and right movement of the indicator can be seen through the indicator hole.

4. The circuit breaker according to claim 3, characterized in that, The indicating mechanism is constructed as a detachable indicating mechanism module.

5. The circuit breaker according to claim 4, characterized in that, The indicating mechanism also includes a housing for accommodating the first gear, the second gear, and the indicating element.

6. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a return spring sleeved on the movable rod, the spring force of which abuts the lower end of the movable rod against the upper surface of the portion of the support extending beyond the wiring groove so as to move up and down with the support.

7. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the movable rod is riveted to a portion of the support extending beyond the wiring groove, allowing the movable rod to move up and down with the support.

8. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, At the first position, a first portion of the indicator is visible from the outside through the indicator hole; At the second position, the first portion of the indicator moves out of the indicator hole, and the second portion of the indicator is visible from the outside through the indicator hole. The first and second parts of the indicator have different colors, patterns and / or shapes from each other.

9. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a leaf spring, a compression spring, or a disc spring.

10. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element includes one disc spring or a combination of multiple disc springs.

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