Switching device

Abstract

The utility model provides a switching device. The switching device comprises a shell; a rotating shaft rotatably mounted to the housing about a rotation axis and switched between a closed position and an off position by rotation; the shaft rod is separably connected to the rotating shaft and is configured to rotate around the rotating axis along with the rotating shaft; a padlock element translationally mounted to the housing and configured to lock the spindle in the closed position or the closed position by translating from an unlocked position to a padlock position; a locking element pivotally connected to the padlock element and configured for translational movement with the padlock element; the biasing element is used for applying pivoting biasing force to the locking element so that the locking element can abut against the limiting part of the padlock element, and the locking element is configured to prevent the shaft rod from being separated from the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is locked and selectively allow the shaft rod to be separated from the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is unlocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to switching devices, and more specifically, to switching devices for use in electrical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Switchgear used to operate electrical equipment (such as circuit breakers) is typically mounted to the housing that houses the equipment. Some form of locking is required to prevent accidental or unauthorized operation of the switchgear and / or accidental or unauthorized opening of the housing doors. Conventional switchgear contains a large number of parts for implementing the locking function, and the interlocking relationships between these parts are complex. Furthermore, the non-removable handles of conventional switchgear hinder the dense installation of electrical equipment. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this disclosure provides a switching device comprising: a housing; a rotating shaft rotatably mounted to the housing about a rotation axis and switching between a closed position and an off position by rotation; a shaft detachably connected to the rotating shaft and configured to rotate with the rotating shaft about a rotation axis; a padlock element translatably mounted to the housing and configured to lock the rotating shaft in a closed position or an off position by translating from an unlocked position to a padlocked position; a locking element pivotally connected to the padlock element and configured to translate with the padlock element; and a biasing element applying a pivoting biasing force to the locking element to cause the locking element to abut against a limiting portion of the padlock element, wherein the locking element is configured to prevent the shaft from separating from the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is locked, and selectively allow the shaft to separate from the rotating shaft when the rotating shaft is unlocked.

[0004] In one embodiment, the shaft includes a shaft body and a cam, the shaft body extending in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and the cam having a varying outer profile in a plane perpendicular to the first direction. When the shaft is locked, at least a portion of the locking element is blocked by the cam in the first direction, preventing the shaft from separating from the shaft, and the pivoting of the locking element is limited by the shaft body. When the shaft is unlocked in the closed position, the locking element is not blocked by the cam in the first direction, allowing the shaft to separate from the shaft. When the shaft is unlocked in the closed position, at least a portion of the locking element is blocked by the cam in the first direction, preventing the shaft from separating from the shaft, and the locking element is configured to pivot against a pivoting bias force in response to an external force, so that it is not blocked by the cam in the first direction, allowing the shaft to separate from the shaft.

[0005] In one embodiment, the locking element is formed as a sheet and includes a first edge and a second edge that partially surround the rod body and intersect each other. When the pivot is locked in the closed position, the first edge is blocked by a cam in a first direction, thereby preventing the rod from separating from the pivot. When the pivot is locked in the closed position, the second edge is blocked by a cam in a first direction, thereby preventing the rod from separating from the pivot, and the pivoting of the locking element is restricted by the rod body. When the pivot is unlocked in the closed position, the second edge is blocked by a cam in a first direction, thereby preventing the rod from separating from the pivot, and the first edge is spaced apart from the rod body by a distance sufficient to allow the locking element to pivot in response to an external force so that it is not blocked by a cam in the first direction, thereby allowing the rod to separate from the pivot.

[0006] In one embodiment, the padlock element includes a protrusion, and the pivot includes a first groove and a second groove spaced apart from each other circumferentially on its outer periphery. When the pivot is in the closed position, the first groove faces the protrusion, and the padlock element locks the pivot in the closed position by translating to the padlock position, causing the protrusion to insert into the first groove. When the pivot is in the closed position, the second groove faces the protrusion, and the padlock element locks the pivot in the closed position by translating to the padlock position, causing the protrusion to insert into the second groove.

[0007] In one embodiment, the pivot includes a groove at its bottom, and the shaft includes a polygonal end that can be inserted into and mates with the groove.

[0008] In one embodiment, the padlock element includes a protrusion into which a locking element is inserted, the locking element being pivotable about the protrusion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the biasing element is a torsion spring surrounding the protrusion, with one end of the torsion spring inserted into a padlock element and the other end inserted into a locking element.

[0010] In one embodiment, the switching device further includes an operating handle that is detachably connected to the rotating shaft.

[0011] In one embodiment, the operating handle includes a groove at its bottom, and the pivot includes a polygonal end that can be inserted into and mates with the groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the end of the shaft protrudes through a through-hole in the housing to the outside of the housing.

[0013] In one embodiment, the padlock element has a keyhole for padlocking, which is exposed outside the housing when the padlock element is in the padlock position and hidden by the housing when the padlock element is in the unlock position.

[0014] The switching device according to this disclosure not only simplifies the linkage between components and reduces the number of required parts, thereby reducing costs, but also facilitates the dense installation of electrical equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The above and other features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure 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 this disclosure in any way, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a switching device installed in an electrical appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing a switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing some components of a switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an assembled state;

[0020] Figure 6 This is a plan view showing a switching device in the off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a plan view showing the rotating shaft of a switching device in the off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is not locked.

[0022] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a plan view showing the rotating shaft of a switching device in the off state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is locked.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing a switch device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a plan view showing the switch device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the shaft is not locked;

[0025] Figure 11A and Figure 11B This is a plan view showing a locking element pivoting in response to an external force when the shaft of a switch device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not locked.

[0026] Figure 12A and Figure 12B This is a plan view showing the rotating shaft of a switch device in a closed state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is locked.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a side view showing the case where multiple switching devices according to the comparative example are respectively connected to multiple electrical devices;

[0028] Figure 14 This is a side view showing a configuration in which multiple switching devices are connected to multiple electrical devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” 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. Terms such as “installed” or “connected” are not limited to physical or mechanical installation or connection, but may include electrical installation or connection, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used only to indicate the relative orientation of the equipment during use or the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings; this relative orientation may also change when the absolute position of the described object changes.

[0032] Various embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a switching device 1 installed in an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a switching device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing a switching device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing some components of a switching device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in an assembled state.

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 5 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the switching device 1 may include a housing 10, a rotating shaft 20, a shaft 30, a padlock element 40, a locking element 50, and a biasing element 60.

[0035] The rotating shaft 20 can be rotatably mounted to the housing 10 about a rotation axis A and can be switched between a closed (ON) position and an off (OFF) position by rotation. The shaft 30 can be detachably connected to the rotating shaft 20 and can be configured to rotate with the rotating shaft 20 about the rotation axis A. For example, the rotating shaft 20 may include a groove (not shown) at its bottom, and the shaft 30 may include a polygonal end 31 that can be inserted into and mate with the groove, thereby allowing it to rotate with the rotating shaft 20 about the rotation axis A.

[0036] The ON and OFF positions of the rotating shaft 20 can correspond to the ON and OFF states of the switching device 1, respectively. The shaft 30 of the switching device 1 can be connected to electrical equipment (such as a circuit breaker) for operation of the electrical equipment. During operation, the rotating shaft 20 can be switched between the ON and OFF positions by rotation, and the shaft 30 will rotate with the rotating shaft 20, thereby changing the state of the electrical equipment (e.g., changing the opening and closing state of the circuit breaker).

[0037] The shaft 30 may include a shaft body 32 and a cam 33. The shaft body 32 may extend in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation A, and the cam 33 may have a varying outer profile in a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0038] In some embodiments, the switching device 1 may further include an operating handle 70 detachably connected to the rotating shaft 20. The operating handle 70 may be connected to the rotating shaft 20, and rotation of the rotating shaft 20 may be achieved by rotating the operating handle 70, thereby changing the state of the switching device 1. When it is not necessary to change the state of the switching device 1, the operating handle 70 may be detached from the rotating shaft 20.

[0039] To connect the operating handle 70 and the rotating shaft 20, in some embodiments, the operating handle 70 may include a groove (not shown) at its bottom, and the rotating shaft 20 may include a polygonal end 21 that can be inserted into and mate with the groove, thereby allowing it to rotate with the operating handle 70. However, this disclosure is not limited to this, and the connection between the operating handle 70 and the rotating shaft 20 can be achieved through other structures, such as the rotating shaft 20 including a groove at its top and the operating handle 70 having a protrusion at its bottom into which it can be inserted, etc. In some embodiments, the end of the rotating shaft 20 may protrude through a through-hole in the housing 10 to the outside of the housing 10 to facilitate connection between the operating handle 70 and the rotating shaft 20.

[0040] It should be understood that the operating handle 70 is not necessary for the switching device 1 and can be omitted. The rotation of the shaft 20 can be achieved by other components or tools (e.g., a wrench, etc.).

[0041] Figure 13 This is a side view showing a case where multiple switching devices according to a comparative example are respectively connected to multiple electrical devices. Figure 14 This is a side view showing a configuration in which multiple switching devices are connected to multiple electrical devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Reference Figure 13 In conventional switchgear, the operating handle cannot be removed. Therefore, when installing multiple electrical devices each equipped with a switchgear, a sufficient gap D2 needs to be left between the operating handles of the switchgear to ensure operating space. This results in a larger gap D1' between the electrical devices, making it difficult to achieve dense installation of electrical equipment.

[0043] Reference Figure 14 In the switching device according to this disclosure, the operating handle is detachable. Therefore, when installing multiple electrical devices each equipped with the switching device 1, there is no need to consider the operating space between the operating handles, thereby shortening the distance D1 between the electrical devices and facilitating dense installation. Furthermore, the lever arm of the operating handle can be lengthened to achieve a labor-saving effect.

[0044] Return to reference Figures 1 to 5 The padlock element 40 can be translatably mounted to the housing 10 and can be configured to lock the pivot 20 in the ON or OFF position by translating it from the unlocked position to the padlock position. The locking element 50 can be pivotally connected to the padlock element 40 and can be configured to translate with the padlock element 40. The biasing element 60 can apply a pivoting biasing force F1 to the locking element 50. Figure 5The locking element 50 is abutted against the limiting portion 41 of the padlock element 40. The locking element 50 can be configured to prevent the shaft 30 from separating from the shaft 20 when the shaft 20 is locked, and to selectively allow the shaft 30 to separate from the shaft 20 when the shaft 20 is unlocked.

[0045] When the padlock element 40 is in the unlocked position, the shaft 20 is not locked and can rotate freely, allowing the state of the electrical equipment (such as a circuit breaker) equipped with the switching device 1 to be switched when needed. When the padlock element 40 is in the padlock position, the shaft 20 is locked and cannot rotate, preventing the state of the electrical equipment (such as a circuit breaker) equipped with the switching device 1 from being switched accidentally or without permission.

[0046] When the switch device 1 is installed on the housing door of the electrical equipment, as the door is opened, the rotating shaft 20 moves together with the housing 10 in a direction away from the shaft 30, thus separating from the shaft 30; as the door is closed, the rotating shaft 20 moves together with the housing 10 in a direction closer to the shaft 30, thus connecting with the shaft 30. Therefore, preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20 can mean prohibiting the opening of the housing door, thereby prohibiting the operator from approaching and operating the electrical equipment from the outside; allowing the shaft 30 to separate from the rotating shaft 20 can mean allowing the opening of the housing door, thereby allowing the operator to approach and operate the electrical equipment from the outside.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the padlock element 40 may include a post 42 inserted into the locking element 50 such that the locking element 50 is pivotally connected to the padlock element 40 about the post 42.

[0048] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a torsion spring surrounding the protrusion 42 can be provided as an example of a biasing element 60 to apply a pivoting biasing force F1 to the locking element 50, such that the locking element 50 abuts against the limiting portion 41 of the padlock element 40 under the action of the pivoting biasing force F1, thereby fixing it relative to the padlock element 40 without being subjected to external force. Figure 5 As shown, one end of the torsion spring is inserted into the padlock element 40 and the other end is inserted into the locking element 50. However, examples of the biasing element 60 are not limited to this. Various elements capable of applying a pivoting bias force F1 to the locking element 50 can be provided, such as tension springs, compression springs, other elastomers, magnetic elements, etc.

[0049] The following reference Figures 6 to 12B The switching process of switch device 1 between different states is described in detail.

[0050] Figure 6 This is a plan view showing a switching device 1 in the OFF state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7A and Figure 7BThis is a plan view showing the switch device 1 in the OFF state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, with the rotating shaft 20 unlocked. Figure 7B From Figure 7A The plan view of pivot 20 has been removed. Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a plan view showing the rotating shaft 20 of the switch device 1 in the OFF state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is locked. Figure 8B From Figure 8A The plan view of pivot 20 has been removed.

[0051] Figure 9 This is a plan view showing a switching device 1 in the ON state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a plan view showing the switch device 1 in the ON state and its rotating shaft 20 not locked according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10B From Figure 10A The plan view of pivot 20 has been removed. Figure 11A and Figure 11B This is a plan view showing the locking element 50 pivoting in response to an external force when the shaft 20 of the switch device 1 in the ON state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not locked.

[0052] Figure 12A and Figure 12B This is a plan view showing the rotating shaft 20 of the switching device 1 in the ON state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it is locked. Figure 11B From Figure 11A The plan view of pivot 20 has been removed.

[0053] Reference Figures 6 to 8B The rotating shaft 20 of the switching device 1 is in the OFF position, and the switching device 1 is in the OFF state.

[0054] like Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, the padlock element 40 is in the unlocked position, i.e., the rotating shaft 20 is unlocked. This means that the rotating shaft 20 can rotate freely, and the state of the switch device 1 can be switched. The locking element 50 is not obstructed by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thus allowing the shaft 30 to separate from the rotating shaft 20. This means that the housing door on which the switch device 1 is installed can be opened.

[0055] In other words, when the shaft 20 is in the OFF position and unlocked, it allows the switching device 1 to switch states and also allows the housing door to be opened to access and operate the electrical equipment. This is because when the shaft 20 is in the OFF position, the electrical equipment controlled by the switching device 1 is turned off (e.g., the circuit breaker is tripped) and therefore not energized, making it safe for operators to approach and operate the electrical equipment.

[0056] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the padlock element 40 translates from the unlocked position to the padlock position, thereby locking the rotating shaft 20. This means that the rotating shaft 20 cannot rotate, and the state of the switch device 1 cannot be switched. The locking element 50 can translate together with the padlock element 40, such that at least a portion of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20. This means that the housing door on which the switch device 1 is installed cannot be opened.

[0057] In other words, when the rotating shaft 20 is in the OFF position and locked, it is not permitted to switch the state of the switch device 1, nor is it permitted to open the housing door to access and operate the electrical equipment. This is to take into account that in some special circumstances, it is not permitted to switch the state of the switch device 1, and even if the rotating shaft 20 is in the OFF position, it is not permitted to open the housing door to access and operate the electrical equipment.

[0058] Reference Figures 9 to 12B The rotating shaft 20 of the switching device 1 rotates to the ON position by a certain angle, and the switching device 1 is in the ON state. At this time, the shaft 30 also rotates by a certain angle along with the rotating shaft 20.

[0059] like Figure 10A and Figure 10B As shown, the padlock element 40 is in the unlocked position, meaning the pivot 20 is unlocked. This means the pivot 20 can rotate freely, and the state of the switch device 1 can be switched. Figure 7B In comparison, such as Figure 10B As shown, because the cam 33 has a varying outer profile in a plane perpendicular to the first direction, after the shaft 30 has rotated a certain angle with the rotating shaft 20, at least a portion of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 in the first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20. This means that the housing door equipped with the switch device 1 cannot be opened.

[0060] like Figure 11A and Figure 11B As shown, when an external force F2 greater than the pivoting bias force F1 is applied to the locking element 50, the locking element 50 can pivot against the pivoting bias force F1 in response to the external force F2, preventing the cam 33 from blocking in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation A, thereby allowing the shaft 30 to separate from the rotating shaft 20. This means that the housing door with the switching device 1 installed can be opened. For example, the housing 10 may have a through hole at a position corresponding to the plane where the locking element 50 is located, through which a specific tool, such as a needle or rod, can apply an external force F2 to the locking element 50.

[0061] In other words, when the shaft 20 is in the ON position and unlocked, the state of the switching device 1 is allowed to be switched, and the housing door is only allowed to be opened to access and operate the electrical equipment if an external force F2 greater than the pivoting bias force F1 is applied to the locking element 50. This is because when the shaft 20 is in the ON position, the electrical equipment controlled by the switching device 1 is closed (e.g., the circuit breaker is closed) and therefore energized. At this time, it is unsafe for ordinary operators to approach and operate the electrical equipment. Only qualified personnel are allowed to open the housing door to access and operate the electrical equipment when necessary using specific tools.

[0062] like Figure 12A and Figure 12B As shown, the padlock element 40 translates from the unlocked position to the padlock position, thereby locking the rotating shaft 20. This means that the rotating shaft 20 cannot rotate, and the state of the switch device 1 cannot be switched. The locking element 50 can translate together with the padlock element 40, such that at least a portion of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20. Furthermore, due to the translation of the locking element 50, the locking element 50 is very close to or in contact with the rod body 32 of the shaft 30, so that the pivoting of the locking element 50 is restricted by the rod body 32, and therefore the locking element 50 cannot be released from the state blocked by the cam 33 by pivoting. This means that the housing door on which the switch device 1 is installed cannot be opened even when an external force F2 is applied to the locking element 50.

[0063] In other words, when the rotating shaft 20 is in the ON position and locked, the state of the switching device 1 is not allowed to be switched, and even if an external force F2 is applied to the locking element 50, the housing door is not allowed to be opened to access and operate the electrical equipment. This is because in some specific situations, even professionals are not allowed to open the housing door to access and operate the electrical equipment.

[0064] More specifically, in some embodiments, the locking element 50 may be formed as a sheet and may include a first edge 51 and a second edge 52 that partially surround the rod body 32 of the shaft 30 and intersect each other.

[0065] like Figure 7B As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is unlocked in the OFF position, the locking element 50, including the first edge 51 and the second edge 52, can be unobstructed by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation A, thereby allowing the shaft 30 to separate from the rotating shaft 20.

[0066] like Figure 8B As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is locked in the OFF position, the first edge 51 of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20.

[0067] like Figure 10B , Figure 11A and Figure 11B As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is unlocked in the ON position, the second edge 52 of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20. The first edge 51 of the locking element 50 can be spaced apart from the rod body 32 of the shaft 30 by a certain distance, which is sufficient to allow the locking element 50 to pivot in response to the external force F2 so that it is not blocked by the cam 33 in the first direction, thereby allowing the shaft 30 to separate from the rotating shaft 20.

[0068] like Figure 12B As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is locked in the ON position, the second edge 52 of the locking element 50 can be blocked by the cam 33 of the shaft 30 in a first direction parallel to the rotation axis A, thereby preventing the shaft 30 from separating from the rotating shaft 20. Furthermore, the first edge 51 of the locking element 50 is very close to or in contact with the rod body 32 of the shaft 30, causing the pivoting of the locking element 50 to be restricted by the rod body 32, so that the locking element 50 cannot be released from the state blocked by the cam 33 by pivoting.

[0069] In some embodiments, the padlock element 40 may include a protrusion 43, and the pivot 20 may include a first groove 23 and a second groove 24 spaced apart from each other circumferentially on its outer periphery.

[0070] like Figure 7A and Figure 8A As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is in the OFF position, the first groove 23 can face the protrusion 43, and the padlock element 40 can be moved to the padlock position so that the protrusion 43 is inserted into the first groove 23, thereby locking the rotating shaft 20 in the OFF position. Figure 10A and Figure 12A As shown, when the rotating shaft 20 is in the ON position, the second groove 24 can face the protrusion 43, and the padlock element 40 can be moved to the padlock position so that the protrusion 43 is inserted into the second groove 24, thereby locking the rotating shaft 20 in the ON position.

[0071] However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The padlock element 40 may lock the pivot 20 in other ways, such as by the padlock element 40 including a groove and the pivot 20 including a first protrusion and a second protrusion on its outer periphery into which the groove may be inserted, etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, the padlock element 40 may be provided with a keyhole 44 for padlocking. The keyhole 44 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 10 when the padlock element 40 is in the padlock position, and hidden by the housing 10 when the padlock element 40 is in the unlock position.

[0073] The switching device according to this disclosure can simplify the linkage between components, especially the linkage between padlock components and locking components, and can reduce the number of required parts, thereby reducing costs.

[0074] Although this disclosure 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 of 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 switching device, characterized in that, include: case; A rotating shaft is rotatably mounted to the housing about a rotation axis and can be switched between a closed position and a closed position by rotation; A shaft, detachably connected to the pivot and configured to rotate about the axis of rotation together with the pivot; A padlock element is translatably mounted to the housing and configured to lock the pivot in the closed or off position by translating it from the unlocked position to the padlock position. A locking element, pivotally connected to the padlock element and configured to translate together with the padlock element; A biasing element applies a pivoting biasing force to the locking element, causing the locking element to abut against the limiting portion of the padlock element, wherein... The locking element is configured to prevent the shaft from separating from the shaft when the shaft is locked, and to selectively allow the shaft to separate from the shaft when the shaft is unlocked.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shaft includes a shaft body and a cam, the shaft body extending in a first direction parallel to the axis of rotation, and the cam having a varying outer profile in a plane perpendicular to the first direction. When the pivot is locked, at least a portion of the locking element is blocked by the cam in a first direction, thereby preventing the shaft from separating from the pivot, and the pivoting of the locking element is restricted by the rod body. When the shaft is unlocked in the off position, the locking element is not obstructed by the cam in the first direction, thereby allowing the shaft to separate from the shaft. When the pivot is unlocked in the closed position, at least a portion of the locking element is blocked by the cam in a first direction to prevent the shaft from separating from the pivot, and the locking element is configured to pivot against the pivoting bias force in response to an external force so as not to be blocked by the cam in the first direction, thereby allowing the shaft to separate from the pivot.

3. The switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The locking element is formed in the shape of a sheet and includes a first edge and a second edge that partially surround the rod body and intersect each other. When the shaft is locked in the off position, the first edge is blocked by the cam in the first direction, thereby preventing the shaft from separating from the shaft. When the pivot is locked in the closed position, the second edge is blocked by the cam in the first direction, thereby preventing the shaft from separating from the pivot, and the pivoting of the locking element is restricted by the rod body. When the pivot is unlocked in the closed position, the second edge is blocked by the cam in the first direction to prevent the shaft from separating from the pivot, and the first edge is spaced apart from the rod body by a distance sufficient to allow the locking element to pivot in response to the external force so that it is not blocked by the cam in the first direction, thereby allowing the shaft to separate from the pivot.

4. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The padlock element includes a protrusion, and the pivot includes a first groove and a second groove spaced apart from each other circumferentially on its outer periphery. When the shaft is in the off position, the first groove faces the protrusion, and the padlock element, by translating to the padlock position, causes the protrusion to insert into the first groove, thereby locking the shaft in the off position. When the shaft is in the closed position, the second groove faces the protrusion, and the padlock element moves to the padlock position so that the protrusion is inserted into the second groove, thereby locking the shaft in the closed position.

5. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pivot includes a groove at its bottom, and the shaft includes a polygonal end that can be inserted into and mates with the groove.

6. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The padlock element includes a protrusion inserted into the locking element, the locking element being pivotable about the protrusion.

7. The switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The biasing element is a torsion spring surrounding the protrusion, with one end of the torsion spring inserted into the padlock element and the other end inserted into the locking element.

8. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an operating handle, which is detachably connected to the rotating shaft.

9. The switching device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The operating handle includes a groove at its bottom, and the pivot includes a polygonal end that can be inserted into and mates with the groove.

10. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the shaft protrudes through the through-hole of the housing and extends to the outside of the housing.

11. The switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The padlock element has a keyhole for padlocking. The keyhole is exposed outside the housing when the padlock element is in the padlock position, and is hidden by the housing when the padlock element is in the unlock position.

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