Tripping device, breaking unit and electrical device
By adjusting the idle distance between the actuator and the tripping rod in the tripping device, stepless adjustment of the tripping threshold is achieved, solving the problems of unstable and complex adjustment in the prior art, improving the adjustment accuracy and simplifying the operation process.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
Smart Images
Figure CN224400342U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the electrical field, and more particularly to a tripping device and an electrical apparatus including the tripping device. Background Technology
[0002] The tripping device, the brain of a circuit breaker, is the component that issues the tripping command and is crucial to the circuit breaker. Tripping devices include magnetic tripping schemes, which require precise identification of current values to determine whether to trip based on set targets. To achieve accurate tripping, the threshold of magnetic tripping often needs to be adjusted at the factory. Therefore, the design scheme of magnetic tripping becomes the foundation for ensuring accurate tripping of the trip unit and enabling rapid factory preparation.
[0003] Existing products typically adjust the magnetic tripping threshold by regulating the force of the magnetic spring and the air gap between the yoke and the armature. This often results in large product size, complex parts, cumbersome adjustments, and low first-pass yield. Furthermore, existing technologies, when only adjusting the magnetic spring force, have a limited adjustable range, and the tripping threshold can only vary within a small interval, failing to meet functional requirements. In addition, existing products have limited adjustment levels, with significant differences between levels, which may prevent adjustment to the optimal tripping threshold, leading to over-adjustment or under-adjustment. Existing products also suffer from precision issues; dimensional fluctuations can cause variations in the adjustment amount, resulting in unstable adjustment.
[0004] Therefore, a completely new tripping threshold adjustment scheme is needed. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies. According to one aspect of this disclosure, a tripping device is provided, comprising: a tripping mechanism actuated to perform a tripping operation; a tripping lever configured to rotate about a rotation axis between a reset position and a tripping position, wherein when the tripping lever moves to the tripping position, it actuates the tripping mechanism to perform a tripping operation; and an actuation mechanism including an actuating member configured to cause the actuating member to move from a first position to a second position along a first direction perpendicular to the rotation axis when the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold. The tripping lever has a first protrusion that engages with the actuating portion of the actuating member. The movement of the actuating member from the first position to the second position drives the tripping lever from the reset position to the tripping position via the first protrusion. The clearance distance between the actuating portion of the actuating member and the first protrusion of the tripping lever is adjustable, and the clearance distance is the distance between the actuating portion and the first protrusion in the first direction when the actuating member is in the reset position and the tripping lever is in the corresponding first position.
[0006] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the actuator is provided with an adjustment member that can be switched between multiple positions in a first direction and held in each of the multiple positions, the adjustment member protruding toward the first protrusion in the first direction as an actuating part cooperating with the first protrusion.
[0007] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the actuator is provided with an adjusting screw, the adjusting screw being able to be turned relative to the actuator, the adjusting screw protruding from the actuator toward the first protrusion in a first direction as an actuating part cooperating with the first protrusion.
[0008] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the actuator is provided with an adjustment through hole for receiving the adjustment screw, and the adjustment screw engages with the adjustment through hole by self-tapping.
[0009] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, a through groove is provided on the outer periphery of the adjustment through hole, which is arranged along a first direction.
[0010] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the end of the adjustment through hole away from the first protrusion is provided with a radially outwardly expanding guide groove.
[0011] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the trip lever is provided with a biasing element to bias the trip lever toward a reset position, and / or the actuation mechanism is provided with a biasing element to bias the actuation element toward a first position.
[0012] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the actuation mechanism includes a magnetic yoke and an armature fixed to the actuator, wherein when the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold, the magnetic yoke attracts the armature so that the actuator moves from a first position to a second position along a first direction.
[0013] For example, according to another aspect of this disclosure, a disconnection unit is also proposed, comprising: a moving contact and a stationary contact capable of contacting and separating from each other; and a tripping device according to any embodiment of this disclosure. The tripping operation of the tripping mechanism causes the moving contact and the stationary contact to separate.
[0014] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electrical device is also provided, comprising: a tripping device according to any embodiment of this disclosure or a disconnecting unit according to any embodiment of this disclosure.
[0015] For example, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the tripping device includes multiple breaking units, each breaking unit having an independent actuation mechanism, and the multiple breaking units sharing a single tripping rod. The tripping rod has multiple first protrusions spaced apart in an axial direction extending along the rotation axis of the tripping rod, and each first protrusion cooperates with an actuation mechanism on one of the breaking units. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 A plan view of a portion of the tripping device with the actuator in a first position state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the dashed lines indicate the obscured portion;
[0017] Figure 2 A plan view of a portion of the tripping device with the actuator in a second position state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the dashed lines indicate the obscured portion;
[0018] Figure 3 A perspective view of a portion of the tripping device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;
[0019] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 An enlarged plan view of the trip lever engaging with the actuator in the indicated state;
[0020] Figure 5 An enlarged perspective view of an actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.
[0021] Figure Labels
[0022] 100 Tripping Device
[0023] 1. Tripping mechanism
[0024] 2. Actuation mechanism
[0025] 21 Actuator
[0026] 210 Adjustment through hole
[0027] 211 Through-slot
[0028] 212 Guide groove
[0029] 22 Adjusting screws
[0030] 3. Trip lever
[0031] 31 First protrusion
[0032] 32 Second protrusion
[0033] 41 First bias component
[0034] 42 Second bias component
[0035] D1 First Direction Detailed Implementation
[0036] To make the objectives, 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. Unless otherwise stated, the terms used herein have their ordinary meanings in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same parts.
[0037] In the description of this disclosure, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this disclosure based on the specific circumstances.
[0038] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specifically specified, the direction of extension of the rotation axis of the trip lever is designated as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the axial direction and intersecting the rotation axis is designated as the radial direction, and the direction of movement of the actuator is designated as the first direction.
[0039] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a tripping device 100 is provided that can cause the moving and stationary contacts of an electrical device (e.g., a circuit breaker) on which the tripping device is installed to separate, thereby breaking the circuit at the electrical device and protecting the circuit.
[0040] According to embodiments of this disclosure, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrical device may be equipped with a tripping device 100, which may include a tripping mechanism 1, an actuation mechanism 2, and a tripping lever 3.
[0041] The tripping mechanism 1 can be actuated to perform a tripping operation, causing the moving contact and stationary contact (not shown) of the electrical device equipped with the tripping device to separate. Trip actuators capable of performing tripping operations are existing technology in the art; therefore, the tripping mechanism 1 in this disclosure can be a trip actuator of various types and structures in the art, which will not be elaborated here.
[0042] Actuation mechanism 2 may include actuator 21, which may be configured to cause actuator 21 to move along a first direction D1 to a first position (e.g., when the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold). Figure 1 (as shown) and the second position (as shown) Figure 2(As shown) Movement, for example, the first direction D1 may be perpendicular to the axial direction. For example, the actuation mechanism 2 may include an electromagnetic actuation mechanism and / or a thermal actuation mechanism, that is, the actuator 21 can be moved along the first direction D1 by electromagnetic force and / or thermal deformation. For example, the electromagnetic braking mechanism may include a magnetic yoke and an armature fixed to the actuator 21. When the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold, the magnetic yoke can attract the armature, causing the actuator to move from a first position to a second position along the first direction D1, thereby triggering the tripping mechanism 1 to disconnect the circuit and provide magnetic protection. For example, the thermally deformable actuator 21 may include a bimetallic strip. Under overload conditions, the current exceeding the set value for a long time will cause the bimetallic strip to heat up and bend, thereby triggering the tripping mechanism to disconnect the circuit and provide thermal protection.
[0043] The trip lever 3 can be positioned between the tripping mechanism 1 and the actuation mechanism 2, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the trip lever 3 may include a first protrusion 31 and a second protrusion 32 to cooperate with the tripping mechanism 1 and the actuating mechanism 2, respectively. The first protrusion 31 and the second protrusion 32 may extend radially outward from the body of the trip lever 3, as shown... Figure 3 As shown, the second protrusion 32 is offset from the first protrusion 31 along the axial direction. Furthermore, the projections of the second protrusion 32 and the first protrusion 31 onto a plane perpendicular to the axial direction form a non-zero angle, for example, an obtuse angle. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown.
[0044] The trip lever 3 can be configured to be in the reset position about its axis of rotation (e.g., Figure 1 (as shown) and the tripping position (as shown) Figure 2 Rotate between (as shown). Combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 The movement of the actuator 21 of the actuating mechanism 2 from the first position to the second position drives the trip lever 3 from the reset position to the trip position via the first protrusion 31, thereby completing the tripping function of the tripping device. Figure 2 As shown, when the trip lever 3 moves to the trip position, the second protrusion 32 abuts against the trip mechanism 1, actuating the trip mechanism 1 to perform the trip operation.
[0045] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the trip lever 3 may be provided with a first biasing member 41, such as a torsion spring, to bias the trip lever 3 toward the reset position, and / or the actuation mechanism 2 may be provided with a second biasing member 42, such as a coil spring, to bias the actuator 21 toward the first position. This can prevent the trip lever 3 from accidentally actuating the tripping mechanism 1.
[0046] This disclosure proposes a scheme for adjusting the tripping threshold. The tripping device 100 is configured such that the travel distance between the actuating portion of the actuator 21 (the portion for contacting the first protrusion 31) and the first protrusion 31 of the tripping lever 3 is adjustable. This travel distance is such that when the actuator 21 is in the reset position and the tripping lever 3 is in the corresponding first position (i.e., when...) Figure 1 (The distance between the actuating part and the first protrusion 31 in the first direction D1) as shown.
[0047] This disclosure does not adjust the threshold by adjusting the cooperation relationship between the trip lever 3 and the trip mechanism 1, but rather by adjusting the cooperation relationship between the trip lever 3 and the braking mechanism 2. During the tripping operation, the resistance that the trip lever 3 needs to overcome is related to the characteristics of the trip mechanism 1. For example, the trip lever may experience a peak resistance at a certain angle when rotating around the rotation axis from the reset position, and this peak resistance corresponds to a fixed position of the trip lever 3. As for the actuation mechanism 2, the power it can provide gradually increases as the actuating member 21 moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction D1. The aforementioned idle distance determines at which position between the first and second positions the actuating member 21 begins to apply force to the trip lever 3. The larger the idle distance, the greater the force that can be applied to the first protrusion 31 when the actuating part of the actuating member contacts the first protrusion 31. Therefore, for a specific resistance experienced by the trip lever 3, a larger idle distance allows tripping to be achieved with a smaller current.
[0048] Therefore, according to the embodiments of this disclosure, the tripping current threshold can be adjusted by adjusting the idle distance. This setting does not require adjusting the force of the magnetic spring, is simple to operate, and adds very little structure to the entire tripping device for adjustment. The parts are simple, and the precision requirements are low. Furthermore, this setting has a larger adjustment range, and multiple adjustment levels can be set or even stepless adjustment can be achieved.
[0049] Specifically, the actuator 21 may be provided with an adjusting member that can be switched between multiple positions in a first direction and held in each of the multiple positions. This adjusting member protrudes from the actuator towards the first protrusion 11 along the first direction, serving as an actuating part that engages with the first protrusion 11. For example, the adjusting member may snap-fit with the actuator 21 to select a suitable holding position among the multiple positions, thereby changing the clearance distance between it and the first protrusion 11. Alternatively, the adjusting member may be threaded into the actuator 21, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.
[0050] For example, an adjusting screw 22 may be provided on the actuator 21, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the adjusting screw 22 can be screwed relative to the actuator 21. The adjusting screw 22 protrudes from the actuator 21 along the first direction D1 toward the first protrusion 31, serving as an actuating part that engages with the first protrusion 21. Through the threaded engagement, stepless adjustment can be achieved, increasing the adjustment accuracy.
[0051] For example, a thread that mates with the adjusting screw 22 can be provided on the actuator 21, or an embedded nut that mates with the adjusting screw 22 can be fixedly installed on the actuator 21 to achieve the turning of the adjusting screw 22 relative to the actuator 21.
[0052] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the actuator 21 may be provided with an adjustment through hole 210 for accommodating an adjustment screw 22, and the adjustment screw 22 can engage with the adjustment through hole 210 through self-tapping. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown, before the adjusting screw 22 is located in the adjusting through hole 210, the adjusting through hole 210 has no threads. The threads are generated during the adjustment operation. This increases the connection strength between the actuator 21 and the adjusting screw 22 and prevents the adjusting screw 22 from moving relative to the actuator 21 during use.
[0053] like Figure 5 As shown, a through groove 211 arranged along the first direction D12 can also be provided on the outer periphery of the adjusting through hole 210. This further ensures the self-tapping engagement of the adjusting screw, provides additional clamping force, and guarantees engagement strength. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the end of the adjusting through hole 210 away from the first protrusion 31 may also be provided with a radially outwardly expanding guide groove 212. The guide groove 212 can guide the adjusting screw to be installed vertically, ensuring that the adjustment amount is effective.
[0054] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the electrical device may include multiple actuators 21 because it may include multiple poles, such as bipolar, tripolar, and quadpolar, with each pole corresponding to a disconnecting unit. To protect each pole, an independent actuation mechanism 2 can be provided on each disconnecting unit (not shown). If any pole experiences an abnormality, the tripping mechanism 1 needs to perform a tripping operation. To reduce cost and device size, only one tripping mechanism 1 can be provided. To connect the actuation mechanism 2 of each pole to the tripping mechanism 1, multiple actuation mechanisms 2 can share a single tripping lever 3, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Multiple first protrusions 31 may be provided on the trip lever 3. These first protrusions 31 may be arranged at intervals along the axial direction and aligned along the axial direction to cooperate with the corresponding actuators 21.
[0055] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a disconnection unit is provided, in which a moving contact and a stationary contact are provided, which can contact and separate each other to realize the switching of the connected circuit. A tripping device 100 as described in any embodiment of this disclosure may be provided on the disconnection unit, such that the tripping operation of the tripping mechanism 1 causes the moving contact and the stationary contact to separate.
[0056] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electrical device is also proposed, which includes a tripping device 100 according to any embodiment of this disclosure or a disconnecting unit according to any embodiment of this disclosure.
[0057] For example, the tripping device 100 may include multiple disconnecting units, each with an independent actuation mechanism. Each disconnecting unit corresponds to one pole, providing protection for each pole. If any pole experiences an abnormality, the tripping mechanism 1 must perform a tripping operation. To reduce cost and device size, only one tripping mechanism 1 may be used. To allow each pole's actuation mechanism 2 to connect to the tripping mechanism 1, multiple actuation mechanisms 2 can share a single tripping rod 3, such as... Figure 3 As shown. Multiple first protrusions 31 may be provided on the trip lever 3. These first protrusions 31 may be arranged at intervals along the axial direction and aligned along the axial direction, so that each first protrusion 31 can cooperate with the actuator 21 on a corresponding disconnecting unit.
[0058] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The functions or performance of the various elements or modules described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are by no means limiting, but merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.
[0059] In the appended claims, the terms “comprising” and “wherein” are used as simple English equivalents to the corresponding terms “including” and “in which”. Furthermore, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as notations and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Claims
1. A tripping device (100), characterized in that, include The tripping mechanism (1) can be actuated to perform a tripping operation. The trip lever (3) is configured to rotate around a rotation axis between a reset position and a trip position. When the trip lever (3) moves to the trip position, it actuates the tripping mechanism (1) to perform a tripping operation. Actuation mechanism (2), including actuator (21), is configured such that when the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold, the actuator (21) moves from a first position to a second position along a first direction. The trip lever (3) is provided with a first protrusion (31) that cooperates with the actuation part of the actuator (21). The movement of the actuator (21) from the first position to the second position drives the trip lever (3) from the reset position to the tripped position via the first protrusion (31). The idle distance between the actuating part of the actuator (21) and the first protrusion (31) of the trip lever (3) is adjustable. The idle distance is the distance in a first direction between the actuating part and the first protrusion (31) when the actuator (21) is in the reset position and the trip lever (3) is in the corresponding first position.
2. The tripping device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The actuator (21) is provided with an adjustment member that can be switched between multiple positions in a first direction and held in each of the multiple positions relative to the actuator (21), the adjustment member protruding from the actuator (21) toward the first protrusion (31) in the first direction as an actuating part cooperating with the first protrusion (31).
3. The tripping device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, An adjusting screw is provided on the actuator (21). The adjusting screw can be turned relative to the actuator (21). The adjusting screw protrudes from the actuator (21) toward the first protrusion (31) in a first direction, so as to serve as an actuating part that cooperates with the first protrusion (31).
4. The tripping device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The actuator (21) is provided with an adjustment through hole (210) for accommodating the adjustment screw, and the adjustment screw engages with the adjustment through hole (210) by self-tapping.
5. The tripping device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, A through groove (211) is provided on the outer periphery of the adjustment through hole (210) along the first direction.
6. The tripping device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The end of the adjustment through hole (210) away from the first protrusion (31) is provided with a radially outwardly expanding guide groove (212).
7. The tripping device (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The trip lever (3) is provided with a biasing member to bias the trip lever (3) toward the reset position, and / or the actuation mechanism (2) is provided with a biasing member to bias the actuation member (21) toward the first position.
8. The tripping device (100) according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The actuation mechanism (2) includes a magnetic yoke and an armature fixed to the actuator (21). When the current flowing through the electrical device exceeds a threshold, the magnetic yoke attracts the armature so that the actuator (21) moves from a first position to a second position along a first direction.
9. A segmentation unit, characterized in that, include The moving contact and the stationary contact can come into contact with each other and separate. The tripping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The tripping operation of the tripping mechanism (1) causes the moving contact and the stationary contact to separate.
10. An electrical device, characterized in that, include The tripping device (100) according to any one of claims 1-8 or the disconnecting unit according to claim 9.
11. The tripping device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The tripping device (100) includes multiple disconnection units, each of which is equipped with an independent actuation mechanism (2), and the multiple disconnection units share a single tripping rod (3). The trip lever (3) is provided with a plurality of first protrusions (31) spaced apart in an axial direction extending along the rotation axis of the trip lever (3), each first protrusion (31) cooperating with an actuation mechanism (2) on a break unit.