Circuit breaker protection structure for distribution boxes and distribution boxes

Abstract

This utility model relates to a circuit breaker protection structure for a distribution box and the distribution box itself. The distribution box includes a shell defining a distribution cavity. The circuit breaker protection structure includes: a panel disposed within the distribution cavity and having an opening; a plurality of miniature circuit breakers arranged side-by-side within the distribution cavity and shielded by the panel, each miniature circuit breaker having an operating handle operable through the opening; a plurality of cover plates movably disposed at the opening and corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of miniature circuit breakers, each cover plate having a closed position that shields the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker and an open position that exposes the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker to allow operation; and a heat dissipation partition sandwiched between two adjacent miniature circuit breakers and forming a heat dissipation channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of power distribution system safety protection technology, and in particular to a circuit breaker protection structure for a distribution box and the distribution box itself. Background Technology

[0002] In certain electrical environments, such as thermal power plants and nuclear power plants, there are numerous single-phase AC and DC loads. Therefore, the design of distribution boxes inevitably involves installing a large number of miniature circuit breakers in parallel. This integrated design significantly reduces installation space and facilitates operation and maintenance.

[0003] However, as a single-pole miniature circuit breaker, its standard width is only 17.5 mm. If miniature circuit breakers are installed side by side, operating one miniature circuit breaker can easily lead to accidental activation of the adjacent ones. This is especially true when the operator is wearing insulated gloves. Furthermore, miniature circuit breakers require derating when installed in parallel, which increases the cost of components and cables. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a circuit breaker protection structure for distribution boxes, which can at least solve some of the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] This utility model also aims to provide a distribution box with the above-mentioned improved circuit breaker protection structure.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a circuit breaker protection structure for a distribution box is provided, the distribution box including a shell defining a distribution cavity. The circuit breaker protection structure includes: a panel disposed within the distribution cavity and having an opening; a plurality of miniature circuit breakers arranged side-by-side within the distribution cavity and shielded by the panel, each miniature circuit breaker having an operating handle operable through the opening; a plurality of cover plates movably disposed at the opening and corresponding one-to-one with the plurality of miniature circuit breakers, each cover plate having a closed position that shields the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker and an open position that exposes the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker to allow operation; and a heat dissipation partition sandwiched between two adjacent miniature circuit breakers and forming a heat dissipation channel.

[0007] This solution provides a switchboard with a movable, independent cover design, achieving "one-to-one" circuit breaker protection to avoid accidental activation and enabling selective maintenance. The cover's dual-position design (closed / open) ensures both ease of operation and safe isolation during non-operational states. Furthermore, heat dissipation baffles create independent cooling ducts between adjacent circuit breakers, effectively reducing temperature rise during dense installations and ensuring that miniature circuit breakers do not require derating. Testing shows that this switchboard improves heat dissipation efficiency by over 30%, meeting the temperature rise limits for high-density power distribution units. Individual covers can be independently removed and installed, facilitating quick replacement of damaged components and reducing maintenance costs.

[0008] In some embodiments, each cover plate is provided with an elastic biasing member that continuously applies a force toward the closed position to the cover plate.

[0009] The continuous force applied by the elastic biasing element ensures that the cover automatically returns to the closed position when not in use, preventing safety malfunctions due to forgetfulness or negligence. Users only need to overcome slight resistance from the elastic biasing element to open the cover; manual reset is unnecessary afterward, simplifying the process and improving efficiency. Furthermore, the continuously applied elastic biasing element ensures the cover will not open accidentally due to vibration or external forces.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cover plate is mounted to an adjacent heat dissipation partition via a pivot axis and is rotatable about the pivot axis between the closed position and the open position, and the resilient biasing member abuts against the cover plate and provides a biasing force to the cover plate toward the closed position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cover plate has a lateral protrusion at its free end away from the pivot axis, and when the cover plate is in the closed position, the lateral protrusion interferes with the adjacent heat dissipation partition.

[0012] The lateral protrusion at the free end of the cover plate forms mechanical interference with the heat dissipation baffle, ensuring precise positioning when closed and limiting excessive closing displacement of the protective cover plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the panel has a ridge formed along the edge of the opening, the ridge forming a first lock hole, and the cover plate has a bent section extending at an angle relative to its surface, the bent section forming a second lock hole. When the cover plate is in the closed position, the bent section abuts against the ridge, and the second lock hole aligns with the first lock hole to form a channel for a lock to pass through.

[0014] The alignment design of the first and second keyholes allows for the attachment of external locks (such as padlocks or electronic locks) to physically lock the cover plate, preventing unauthorized personnel from operating the circuit breaker and meeting industrial safety regulations. The keyholes are integrated into the panel and cover plate respectively, eliminating the need for additional lock brackets, saving space and maintaining an overall aesthetic appeal.

[0015] In some embodiments, the power distribution cavity of the housing is provided with a guide rail, and a first slot and a second slot are formed on opposite sides of the heat dissipation baffle, respectively. The opposite sides of the guide rail are respectively inserted into the first slot and the second slot, so that the heat dissipation baffle can move along the extension direction of the guide rail, wherein the size of at least one of the first slot and the second slot is adjustable.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heat dissipation baffle has an integrally formed first protruding foot on one side of the bottom, and the first latch is formed on the inner side of the first protruding foot facing the second latch.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heat dissipation baffle bends into an elongated, flexible cantilever on the other side of its bottom, and the second latch is formed between the cantilever and the bottom portion of the adjacent heat dissipation baffle.

[0018] In some embodiments, the heat dissipation baffle is configured with a concave shape at the bottom, the first bayonet and the second bayonet are respectively formed on opposite sides of the concave shape, the guide rail is placed in the concave shape and is respectively embedded in the first bayonet and the second bayonet.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a distribution box is provided, comprising a shell defining a distribution cavity and the aforementioned circuit breaker protection structure, wherein the circuit breaker protection structure is installed within the distribution cavity.

[0020] Other features and advantages of this invention will partly be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this application, and partly will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a partial schematic diagram of a distribution panel according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of a distribution panel according to an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of a distribution panel according to an embodiment of the present utility model, in which one of the cover plates is in the open position;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of a distribution panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the panel and cover are omitted;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a partial schematic diagram of a distribution panel according to an embodiment of the present utility model, wherein the stop block is further omitted;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a heat dissipation partition according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a plan view of the heat dissipation partition according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the heat dissipation partition and guide rail combined according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the stop block according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the combination of the stop and the guide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a cover plate according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0035] 1-Circuit breaker protection structure; 2-Panel; -21-Flanged edge; 22-Rib; 23-First locking hole; 3-Miniature circuit breaker; 31-Operating handle; 4-Guide rail; 41-Wing; 5-Stop; 51-Second protruding foot; 511-Upper section; 512-Lower section; 513-Third bayonet; 514-Protrusion; 52-Third protruding foot; 521-Fourth bayonet; 522-Protrusion; 523-Protrusion; 524-Hook; 53-First protruding structure; 54-Second protruding structure; 55-Second recess; 56-Boss; 561-First protruding angle; 562-Second protruding angle; 563-Slot; 564-Protruding ridge; 57-First top section; 58-Second top section; 6-Heat dissipation baffle; 61-Upper section; 611-Top Surface; 612-First through hole; 613-Second through hole; 614-First inclined section; 62-Middle section; 621-Straight section; 63-Lower section; 630-Second inclined section; 631-Bottom surface; 6311-First micro-protrusion; 6312-Second micro-protrusion; 632-Concave structure; 633-First protruding foot; 634-First bayonet; 635-First notch; 6351-Peripheral surface; 6352-Flat section; 636-Second bayonet; 637-Outer surface; 638-Cantilever; 6381-Groove; 639-Hook; 64-Heat dissipation channel; 7-Cover plate; 71-Elastic biasing component; 72-Transverse protrusion; 73-Bending section; 74-Second locking hole; 75-Pivot shaft; 76-Extension shaft section; 77-Receiving groove Detailed Implementation

[0036] The schematic solutions of the technical solutions disclosed in this utility model are now described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the drawings are provided to illustrate some embodiments of this utility model, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to the dimensions of the specific embodiments, and certain features may be enlarged, removed, or partially cut to better illustrate and explain the disclosure of this utility model. Some components in the drawings may be repositioned according to actual needs without affecting the technical effect. The phrase "in the drawings" or similar terms appearing in the specification do not necessarily refer to all drawings or examples.

[0037] Certain directional terms used in the description of the accompanying drawings below, such as “inner,” “outer,” “above,” “below,” and other directional terms, will be understood to have their normal meaning and refer to those directions as normally viewed in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the directional terms used in this specification are generally in accordance with the conventional directions understood by those skilled in the art.

[0038] The terms “first,” “first,” “second,” “second,” and similar terms used in this utility model do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are used to distinguish one component from other components.

[0039] Figures 1 to 6An exemplary circuit breaker protection structure of this utility model is illustrated. This circuit breaker protection structure 1 is suitable for distribution boxes, especially for distribution boxes in thermal power plants or nuclear power plants where high safety and reliability are required, where the distribution box controls multiple AC or DC single-phase loads. The outer shell of the distribution box can be made of metal, such as galvanized steel sheet, or an insulating material with a certain strength. An electrical distribution cavity is formed inside the shell to house electronic components and cables. The robust shell provides dust protection, protection against electric shock, and mechanical protection for the internal components. The shell has a movable door on its front wall, such as a door that can rotate around a pivot axis, to open or close the electrical distribution cavity. A panel 2 is provided inside the electrical distribution cavity, located between the front and rear walls of the shell, and defines a compartment between the panel 2 and the rear wall. In one embodiment, the panel 2 extends laterally across the entire width of the electrical distribution cavity and is connected to the left and right side walls of the shell respectively. Thus, the panel 2 is configured as a protective partition or baffle. An opening is formed on panel 2 that communicates with the compartment. Through this opening, the operator can access the devices in the compartment from outside the distribution box with the distribution box door open.

[0040] Multiple single-pole miniature circuit breakers 3 are integrated and installed side-by-side within the distribution cavity, specifically in this embodiment, within the compartment between the panel 2 and the rear wall of the housing. Each miniature circuit breaker 3 is equipped with an exposed operating handle 31. A heat dissipation baffle 6 with a heat dissipation channel 64 is provided between two adjacent miniature circuit breakers 3, and stops 5 are provided on the outermost sides of the assembly consisting of these miniature circuit breakers 3 and the heat dissipation baffle 6 to clamp them. The miniature circuit breakers 3, the heat dissipation baffle 6, and the stops 5 are all mounted in the compartment of the housing via guide rails 4. The guide rails 4 can be made of galvanized steel or aluminum alloy and can be fixed to the rear wall of the housing in a horizontal or vertical direction. The miniature circuit breakers 3 are connected to the guide rails 4 and can move along the guide rails 4 to be adjusted to a suitable position. Multiple miniature circuit breakers 3 can be installed side-by-side on each guide rail 4 as needed.

[0041] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the guide rail 4 has wings 41 extending away from each other on opposite sides, and the bottom of the miniature circuit breaker 3 opposite to the operating handle 31 can have slots formed on opposite sides. By slidingly engaging the two wings 41 of the guide rail 4 into the slots on both sides of the miniature circuit breaker 3, the miniature circuit breaker 3 can move along the guide rail 4.

[0042] like Figures 7 to 9As shown, the heat dissipation baffle 6 is sandwiched between two adjacent miniature circuit breakers 3, providing a heat dissipation channel 64 for the side-by-side miniature circuit breakers 3 and preventing them from degrading due to overheating. The heat dissipation baffle 6 can be integrally formed, including an upper section 61, a lower section 63, and an intermediate section 62 connecting the upper section 61 and the lower section 63. The lateral dimension of the intermediate section 62 is significantly smaller than that of the upper section 61 and the lower section 63, thus forming a distinct narrowing section. This creates heat dissipation channels 64, similar to "notches," on opposite sides of the intermediate section 62 of the heat dissipation baffle 6. When arranged in the pattern of "miniature circuit breaker - heat dissipation baffle - miniature circuit breaker," the heat dissipation channels 64 of the heat dissipation baffle provide space for heat to dissipate from the two miniature circuit breakers 3 on both sides.

[0043] The top surface 611 of the upper section 61, which faces the lower section 63, is also the top surface of the entire heat dissipation baffle 6, and it can be a flat planar configuration. The upper section 61 can also be connected to the middle section 62 via a first inclined section 614. Specifically, the upper section 61 forms a first inclined section 614 on each of its opposite sides, and the distance between the two first inclined sections 614 gradually decreases towards the lower section 63, while the middle section 62 connects the two first inclined sections 614.

[0044] The middle segment 62 has two roughly parallel straight segments 621 on either side, which connect to the two first inclined segments 614 of the upper segment 61. The lower segment 63 can be connected to the middle segment 62 via similar inclined segments. As shown, the lower segment 63 forms second inclined segments 630 on opposite sides, and the distance between the second inclined segments 630 on both sides gradually decreases towards the upper segment 61 until they connect to the straight segments 621 on both sides of the middle segment 62. Since the middle segment 62 connects the upper segment 61 and the lower segment 63 in a basically horizontally centered manner and is significantly narrower, the "gap" formed on both sides of the middle segment 62 by the first inclined segments 614 of the upper segment 61, the straight segments 621 of the middle segment 62, and the second inclined segments 630 of the lower segment 63 is trapezoidal, with the side 621 of the middle segment 62 forming the upper base of this trapezoidal gap. As described above, when two miniature circuit breakers 3 are arranged side by side with a heat dissipation baffle 6 sandwiched in between, a gap is formed between the two miniature circuit breakers 3 at the trapezoidal "gap", which helps the miniature circuit breakers 3 dissipate heat.

[0045] The heat dissipation baffle 6 can be slidably connected to the guide rail 4 via a first latch 634 and a second latch 636 laterally opposite to each other on the lower section 63, thereby allowing it to move and adjust its position along the guide rail 4. The two latches can be formed in any suitable manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 631 of the lower section 63, facing away from the upper section 61, is also the bottom surface of the entire heat dissipation baffle 6. On one side of the bottom surface 631, the lower section 63 is provided with a first protrusion 633, which extends relative to the bottom surface 631 in a direction away from the upper section 61. A recessed first latch 634 is formed on the inner side of the first protrusion 633 facing the opposite lateral side, for inserting a wing 41 of the guide rail 4 (e.g., ...). Figure 9 (As shown). The dimensions of the first bayonet 634 do not need to be perfectly matched with the dimensions of the wing 41 of the guide rail 4, but rather allow for appropriate leeway to accommodate guide rails of different specifications. In addition, the first bayonet 634 may not be horizontal like the side wing 41 of the guide rail 4, but may be tilted downwards at a certain angle, which facilitates the smooth insertion of the side wing 41 into the first bayonet 634.

[0046] To ensure the installation stability of the guide rail 4, in this embodiment, the side wall of the first bayonet 634 (e.g., Figure 8 The sidewall (connected to the bottom surface 631) is provided with a first micro-protrusion 6311 for pressing the inserted wing 41. This micro-protrusion structure can adopt a progressive slope design to provide progressive resistance during the insertion of the wing 41. When the wing 41 is fully in place, the first micro-protrusion 6311 can abut against the root of the wing 41, and the elastic deformation force generated therein will continue to act on the surface of the wing 41, forming a reliable anti-dislodgement holding force. This micro-protrusion will not obstruct the insertion or withdrawal of the wing 41 into the first latch 634, but can provide sufficient holding force to hold the wing 41 tightly, effectively preventing the guide rail 4 from loosening due to vibration or accidental collision. In addition, the first micro-protrusion 6311 is integrally formed from the heat dissipation partition 6 to ensure structural strength and durability.

[0047] On the other side of the bottom surface 631, the lower section 63 is also provided with a slender elastic cantilever 638 with specific geometric features to form a second latch 636. Specifically, on the other side of the bottom surface 631, the lower section 63 has a first notch 635. The circumferential surface 6351 forming the first notch 635 adopts an arc-shaped transition design with a gradually changing radius of curvature from the other side of the bottom surface 631, which, together with the outer surface 637 of the lower section 63 on this side, defines a generally arched cantilever 638. The cantilever 638 has a certain degree of elasticity and good resistance to plastic deformation. The mating area between the circumferential surface 6351 of the first notch 635 and the bottom surface 631 forms a dynamic fitting gap with the inner side of the elastic cantilever 638. This gap defines the second latch 636, which can adaptively adjust within a certain range according to the elastic deformation of the cantilever 638. During assembly, the continuous elastic restoring force generated by the cantilever 638 can ensure stable clamping of the wings 41 of the guide rail 4 with different thicknesses. Furthermore, a near-right-angled groove 6381 can be formed on the inner side of the cantilever 638 to accommodate the free end of the wing 41. The first notch 635 forming the cantilever 638 roughly corresponds to the arc vent of the adjacent miniature circuit breaker 3. Generally, to prevent the miniature circuit breaker 3 from exploding due to pressure changes caused by arcing, an arc vent connected to the arc-extinguishing chamber is provided to allow the release of pressurized gas. The heat dissipation baffle 3, by forming the first notch 635 corresponding to the arc vent of the miniature circuit breaker 3, allows the pressurized gas discharged from the miniature circuit breaker 3 to be further discharged to the surrounding environment through the first notch 635, ensuring the safe opening and closing of the miniature circuit breaker 3.

[0048] Similar to the first micro-protrusion 6311 of the first bayonet 634, a second micro-protrusion 6312 can be formed in the second bayonet 636. Specifically, in the peripheral surface 6351 forming the first notch 635, a portion connecting to the bottom surface 631 can be a planar segment 6352, and the second micro-protrusion 6312 is formed at the junction of the bottom surface 631 and the planar segment 6352. This micro-protrusion structure can adopt a progressive slope design to provide progressive resistance during the insertion of the wing 41. When the wing 41 is fully in place, the elastic deformation force generated by the second micro-protrusion 6312 will continue to act on the surface of the wing 41, forming a reliable anti-detachment holding force. This micro-protrusion will not obstruct the insertion or withdrawal of the wing 41 from the second bayonet 636, but can provide sufficient holding force to hold the wing 41 tightly, effectively preventing the guide rail 4 from loosening due to vibration or accidental collision. Furthermore, the second micro-protrusion 6312 is integrally formed from the heat dissipation baffle 6, ensuring structural strength and durability. A hook 639 extending away from the first protruding foot 633 can also be formed at the end of the cantilever 638.

[0049] like Figures 7 to 9As shown, since the first protruding foot 633 and the cantilever 638 extend from opposite sides of the bottom surface 631, the first protruding foot 633, the cantilever 638, and the bottom surface 631 generally form a concave configuration 632. The guide rail 4 can be embedded in this concave configuration 632 and its two wings 41 are respectively inserted into the first and second bayonets. This embedded design reduces the superimposed size of the guide rail and the heat dissipation plate, which helps to make the structure more compact, especially suitable for power distribution cabinets with limited space.

[0050] Figures 10 to 11 An embodiment of a stop 5 sandwiched between the outermost part of a component consisting of a miniature circuit breaker and a heat dissipation plate is shown. As shown, the stop 5 can also be slidably connected to a guide rail 4 via two slots formed on opposite sides of its lower portion, allowing it to move along the guide rail 4 and be adjusted to a suitable position. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 5 has a protruding second protrusion 51 on one side of its lower portion. This second protrusion 51 can be a two-section structure, where the upper section 511 has a wider lateral dimension and extends from the body of the stop 5, while the lower section 512 is connected to the upper section 511 and has a narrower lateral dimension than the upper section 511, thus forming a step between the upper section 511 and the lower section 512. A third latch 513 is formed at this step and opens to the opposite side of the lateral portion for insertion of a wing 41 of the guide rail 4. At the entrance of the third latch 513, a protrusion 514 can be formed by the sidewall of the third latch 513. The protrusion 514 can continuously press the wing 41 inserted into the third bayonet 513. In particular, when the wing 41 is installed in the third bayonet 513, the protrusion 514 presses the root of the wing 41, and the resulting elastic deformation force will continue to act on the surface of the wing 41, forming a reliable anti-disengagement holding force.

[0051] At the bottom of the stop block 5, adjacent to the second protruding foot 51, a first protruding structure 53 may be formed. This first protruding structure 53 extends in the same direction as the second protruding foot 51 and extends approximately to or slightly beyond the third latch 513. When the wing 41 of the guide rail 4 is inserted into the third latch 513, the first protruding structure 53 can block the wing 41 on the other side (i.e., the side where the root of the wing is located) relative to the third latch 513, restricting the lateral movement of the wing 41 within the third latch 513. In the illustrated embodiment, the first protruding structure 53 may be configured such that the end connecting to the main body of the stop block 5 is narrower, while the free end near the third latch 513 has a significantly wider dimension. Furthermore, the free end of the first protruding structure 53 may further be configured to protrude towards the third latch 513 on the side facing the third latch 513.

[0052] At the bottom of the stop block 5, on the side laterally opposite to the second protruding foot 51, a protruding third protruding foot 52 is formed. This third protruding foot 52 may have a fourth latch 521 formed on the side facing the second protruding foot 51 for the insertion of the wing 41 of the guide rail 4. As shown, two protrusions 522 and 523 spaced vertically apart may be formed on the side of the third protruding foot 52 facing the second protruding foot 51, and the recess between these two protrusions 522 and 523 constitutes the fourth latch 521. The fourth latch 521 is laterally opposite to the third latch 513, allowing the two wings 41 of the guide rail 4 to be inserted respectively. A hook 524 may also be formed on the side of the third protruding foot 52 facing away from the second protruding foot 51.

[0053] A second recess 55 is formed between the third protruding foot 52 extending from the bottom of the stop 5 and the bottom surface of the stop 5. When the heat dissipation baffle 6 and the stop 5 are sequentially mounted on the guide rail 4, the first recess 635 of the heat dissipation baffle 6 and the second recess 55 of the stop 5 are at least partially aligned, thereby forming a passage for the arc pressure gas of the miniature circuit breaker 3 to dissipate.

[0054] At the bottom of the stop block 5, between the first protruding structure 53 and the third protruding foot 52, a second protruding structure 54 can be formed. This second protruding structure 54 has a certain lateral width, for example, it can be substantially the same as the lateral width of the third protruding foot 52. However, the length of the second protruding structure 53 extending from the bottom of the stop block 5 does not exceed the extension length of the first protruding structure 53. In this way, the second recess 55 can be formed by the second protruding structure 53, the bottom surface of the stop block 5, and the third protruding foot 52.

[0055] A boss 567 may extend from the top of the stop block 5. This boss 567 may be laterally offset from the stop block 5, for example, more offset towards the side where the third protrusion 52 is located. Furthermore, the first top surface segment 57 of the top surface of the stop block 5, from the boss 567 to the side where the second protrusion 51 is located, may have a greater height than the second top surface segment 58 of the top surface of the stop block 5, from the boss 567 to the side where the third protrusion 52 is located, thus creating different "shoulder heights" on opposite sides of the boss 567. This top surface, which is not composed of a single flat plane but rather of two planar segments with a height difference, can effectively adjust the thickness of the main body of the stop block 5, preventing local thinning of the stop block 5 due to the numerous structures present at the bottom of the stop block 5, thereby improving the strength of the stop block 5. In one embodiment, the lateral width and position of the second top surface segment 58 of the stop block 5 substantially correspond to the lateral width and position of the third protrusion 52.

[0056] Furthermore, the top of the boss 56 can also be configured as non-flat. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the boss 56 has two laterally opposing protrusions, namely a first protrusion 561 and a second protrusion 562. The inner surfaces of the two protrusions 561 and 562 facing each other can also be constructed with arcuate surfaces or slopes, so that the distance between the first protrusion 561 and the second protrusion 562 gradually decreases in the direction close to the bottom of the stop block 5. Thus, a groove is formed between the two protrusions 561 and 562. A ridge 564 can also be formed on the bottom surface of the groove. The height of the ridge 564 is significantly lower than the height of the two protrusions 561 and 562. A groove 563 can also be formed on the inner surface of the second protrusion 562 facing the first protrusion 561 near the bottom surface of the groove.

[0057] For ease of operation, all miniature circuit breakers 3 are aligned with the openings in panel 2, allowing operators to access the operating handles 31 of each miniature circuit breaker 3 from the outside through these openings. Since the width of a single miniature circuit breaker 3 is typically no more than 18 mm, generally around 17.5 mm, their side-by-side installation poses a challenge to accurate operation. To prevent misoperation, each miniature circuit breaker 3 is equipped with a cover plate 7. The cover plate 7 can move between an open and closed position. When in the open position, the operating handle 31 of the miniature circuit breaker 3 protrudes from the opening in panel 2, allowing the operator to operate the miniature circuit breaker 3. When the cover plate 7 is in the closed position, it blocks the miniature circuit breaker 3, preventing operation. This one-to-one, independently opening and closing cover plate effectively prevents misoperation of the single-pole miniature circuit breaker 3 and is simple in structure and easy to manage.

[0058] The movement of the cover plate 7 can be designed as needed. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover plate 7 is flip-up to open and expose the operating handle 31 of the miniature circuit breaker 3, or to close and block the operating handle 31 of the miniature circuit breaker 3. For this purpose, the cover plate 7 is mounted via a pivot and can rotate about the pivot. Figure 10 As shown, in one embodiment, the pivot 75 extends integrally from the cover plate 7 and can be inserted into the first through hole 612 of the heat dissipation partition 6 to allow the cover plate 7 to rotate about it. In other embodiments, the pivot may also be formed in the heat dissipation partition. Alternatively, the housing or panel 2 of the distribution panel 1 may be provided with a structure for mounting the pivot.

[0059] A limiting stop can be provided between the cover plate 7 and its mounting base (in this embodiment, a heat dissipation partition) to prevent the cover plate 7 from rotating excessively. A simple limiting stop is a lateral protrusion 72 formed at the free end of the cover plate 7 away from the pivot axis 75. Due to the presence of the lateral protrusion 72, the lateral dimension of the cover plate 7 at this point is larger than the distance between the two heat dissipation partitions 6 on opposite sides of the same miniature circuit breaker 3. Therefore, when the cover plate 7 moves to the closed position, the lateral protrusion 72 interferes with the heat dissipation partition, preventing the cover plate 7 from continuing to rotate and encroaching on the operating area of ​​the miniature circuit breaker 3.

[0060] Although only the rotatable cover plate 7 is shown in the figure, those skilled in the art will understand that the cover plate can have other forms of movement to meet the need for switching between the open and closed positions. For example, a straight-lined slide can be formed on the heat dissipation partition, and the edge of the cover plate can be embedded in the slide, allowing the cover plate to translate along the slide, which can also achieve movement between the open and closed positions.

[0061] Once the cover plate 7 has rotated to the closed position, it can be held in the closed position by a lock to prevent unauthorized personnel from opening the cover plate and performing unauthorized operations. For this purpose, a first locking hole 23 can be formed on the panel 2, and a second locking hole 74 can be formed at the free end of the cover plate 7 away from the pivot axis 75. When the cover plate 7 is in the closed position, the first locking hole 23 and the second locking hole 74 are aligned and define a passage, allowing the lock to pass through the passage for locking. For ease of operation of the lock, an angled bend 73 can be formed at the free end of the cover plate 7, and the second locking hole 74 can be located on this bend. Simultaneously, a protrusion can be formed on the panel 2, and the first locking hole 23 can be formed on this protrusion. As a simple example, the protrusion can be an integrally bent flange 21 of the opening edge of the panel 2, with each flange 21 having a ridge 22 corresponding to each cover plate 7, and each ridge 22 forming a first locking hole 23. When the cover plate 7 is in the closed position, the protruding ridge 22 fits against the corresponding bent section 73 of the cover plate 7, and the first locking hole 23 is aligned with the second locking hole 74.

[0062] The transition of cover 7 from the closed position to the open position requires manual operation, while the transition from the open position to the closed position can be performed manually or automatically via a resilient biasing element. An example of a resilient biasing element 71 fitted to cover 7 is shown in the figure. As shown, the resilient biasing element 71 is constructed as a torsion spring, which is fitted onto an extension shaft segment 76 of cover 7. This extension shaft segment 76 can be a segment coaxial with the pivot shaft 75 or a part of the pivot shaft 75. One leg of the torsion spring presses against cover 7 from the outside, while the other leg can abut against surrounding fixtures, such as panel 2, miniature circuit breaker 3, or heat dissipation baffle 6. In this embodiment, a second through hole 613 is formed in the heat dissipation baffle 6, and the other leg of the torsion spring passes through this second through hole 613. The resilient biasing element abuts against the cover and continuously provides a torsional torque to the cover towards the closed position. To prevent the torsion spring's support leg from shifting, a groove 77 can be formed on the outer side of the cover plate 6 to accommodate the support leg. The cover plate 7 can be made of any suitable material, such as transparent plastic, to allow operators to observe the status of the miniature circuit breaker 3 from the outside, while also providing protection for the miniature circuit breaker.

[0063] It should be understood that although this specification describes various embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0064] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any equivalent changes, modifications, and combinations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of this utility model should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker protection structure for a distribution box, the distribution box comprising a shell defining a distribution cavity, characterized in that, The circuit breaker protection structure includes: A panel is disposed within the power distribution cavity and has an opening; Multiple miniature circuit breakers are arranged side by side in the power distribution cavity and are covered by the panel. Each miniature circuit breaker has an operating handle that can be operated through the opening. Multiple cover plates are movably disposed at the opening and correspond one-to-one with the multiple miniature circuit breakers. Each cover plate has a closed position that covers the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker and an open position that exposes the operating handle of the corresponding miniature circuit breaker to allow the operation. A heat dissipation baffle is sandwiched between two adjacent miniature circuit breakers and has a heat dissipation channel.

2. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each cover plate is equipped with an elastic biasing element, which continuously applies a force to the cover plate toward the closed position.

3. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover plate is mounted to an adjacent heat dissipation partition via a pivot and can rotate about the pivot between the closed position and the open position. The elastic biasing member abuts against the cover plate and provides a biasing force to the cover plate toward the closed position.

4. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cover plate has a lateral protrusion at its free end away from the pivot axis. When the cover plate is in the closed position, the lateral protrusion interferes with the adjacent heat dissipation partition.

5. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The panel has a raised ridge along the edge of the opening, and the raised ridge forms a first lock hole. The cover plate has a bent section that extends at an angle relative to its surface, and the bent section forms a second lock hole. When the cover plate is in the closed position, the bent section abuts against the raised ridge, and the second lock hole is aligned with the first lock hole to form a channel for a lock to pass through.

6. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power distribution cavity of the housing is provided with a guide rail, and a first slot and a second slot are formed on opposite sides of the heat dissipation baffle, respectively. The opposite sides of the guide rail are respectively inserted into the first slot and the second slot, so that the heat dissipation baffle can move along the extension direction of the guide rail. The size of at least one of the first slot and the second slot is adjustable.

7. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat dissipation baffle has an integrally formed first protruding foot on one side of the bottom, and the first latch is formed on the inner side of the first protruding foot facing the second latch.

8. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat dissipation baffle bends into a slender, elastic cantilever on the other side of the bottom, and the second latch is formed between the cantilever and the bottom portion of the adjacent heat dissipation baffle.

9. The circuit breaker protection structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The heat dissipation plate has a concave structure at the bottom. The first and second latches are formed on opposite sides of the concave structure. The guide rail is placed in the concave structure and is embedded in the first and second latches respectively.

10. A distribution box, characterized in that, It includes a housing defining a power distribution cavity and a circuit breaker protection structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the circuit breaker protection structure being installed within the power distribution cavity.

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