Buffer mechanism for circuit breaker and circuit breaker having such buffer mechanism

Abstract

This utility model relates to a buffer mechanism for a circuit breaker and a circuit breaker having the buffer mechanism. The circuit breaker also includes an operating mechanism capable of controlling the opening of its contact components. The buffer mechanism includes: a buffer body, which is configured to extend vertically and be spaced apart from the operating mechanism; and a linkage member, whose two ends are respectively linked to the buffer body and the operating mechanism, so that the opening action of the operating mechanism can be transmitted to the buffer body via the linkage member; wherein, the buffer body includes a push member movably connected to the operating mechanism via the linkage member and a buffer elastic member connected to the push member, so that the opening action of the operating mechanism can be transmitted to the push member via the linkage member and drive the push member to overcome the force of the buffer elastic member and move vertically.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical equipment technology, and in particular to a buffer mechanism for circuit breakers and a circuit breaker having the buffer mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Circuit breakers, as key protective devices in power systems, are widely used to provide short-circuit protection, overload protection, and circuit connection / disconnection control. A circuit breaker typically includes an operating mechanism that moves in response to external closing / opening signals, and stationary and moving contacts that engage or disengage relative to each other under the drive of the operating mechanism. During opening operations, the moving contact usually disengages from the stationary contact under the action of the opening spring in the operating mechanism. However, the opening spring generates a large impulse at the moment of opening, so the moving contact may experience undesirable overshoot and rebound after moving to the predetermined opening position. This causes a change in the opening distance between the moving and stationary contacts, thereby reducing the stability and reliability of the circuit breaker in interrupting fault currents.

[0003] Therefore, in the existing technology, buffer devices are arranged in the circuit breaker to improve the overshoot and rebound phenomenon of the circuit breaker during tripping, but these buffer devices still have some problems. For example, the balancing buffer device in the prior art CN101430989A includes two connecting rods and a balancing buffer device arranged between the two connecting rods. The two connecting rods prevent overshoot and rebound by impacting the balancing buffer device. However, the two connecting rods are easily affected by factors such as friction, which can cause uneven impact forces on both sides of the balancing buffer device. This can easily lead to damage to the balancing buffer device. In addition, the balancing buffer device is difficult to install and maintain because it is equipped with a closed pump assembly on the outside. The vacuum circuit breaker in the prior art CN202905577U is equipped with a linkage mechanism and two flexible tripping buffer energy absorption devices. The linkage mechanism prevents overshoot and rebound by impacting the flexible tripping buffer energy absorption devices. However, the movement trajectory of the linkage mechanism is inconsistent with that of the flexible tripping buffer energy absorption device. Therefore, the flexible tripping buffer energy absorption device has poor stability during the buffering process and is easily damaged due to uneven force. Furthermore, installing two flexible tripping buffer energy absorption devices in the housing also presents problems such as high installation difficulty and difficult subsequent maintenance.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the field for a buffer mechanism within a circuit breaker that has a long service life and is easy to install and maintain. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a buffer mechanism for circuit breakers that can at least solve some of the problems mentioned above.

[0006] This invention also aims to provide a circuit breaker that applies the improved buffer mechanism described above.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a buffer mechanism for a circuit breaker is provided, the circuit breaker further comprising an operating mechanism capable of controlling the opening of its contact components, the buffer mechanism comprising: a buffer body configured to extend vertically and be spaced apart from the operating mechanism; and a linkage member, both ends of which are respectively linked to the buffer body and the operating mechanism, so that the opening action of the operating mechanism can be transmitted to the buffer body via the linkage member; wherein the buffer body comprises a pusher member movably connected to the operating mechanism via the linkage member and a buffer elastic member connected to the pusher member, so that the opening action of the operating mechanism can be transmitted to the pusher member via the linkage member and drive the pusher member to move vertically against the force of the buffer elastic member.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the circuit breaker in this invention, by arranging a linkage between the operating mechanism and the buffer body, and linking the operating mechanism and the buffer body, can ensure that the action points of the linkage and the pushing member are fixed while using the buffer elastic member for buffering. Furthermore, it converts the opening action of the operating mechanism into a vertical linear movement of the pushing member, thereby avoiding uneven force distribution that may occur between the pushing rod and the buffer elastic member, and thus extending the service life of the buffer mechanism. In addition, the buffer mechanism in this invention has a simple structural design and occupies less space.

[0009] Preferably, the buffer mechanism includes a first connecting sleeve fixedly sleeved to the pusher and a second connecting sleeve vertically spaced relative to the first connecting sleeve and slidably sleeved to the pusher, wherein the buffer elastic element is sleeved to the pusher and arranged between the first connecting sleeve and the second connecting sleeve.

[0010] Preferably, the second connecting sleeve includes a mounting section and a stop section extending toward the first connecting sleeve from the side of the mounting section facing the first connecting sleeve, so that the first connecting sleeve can move with the pusher to abut against the stop section.

[0011] Preferably, the radial dimension of the mounting section is greater than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member to allow the vertical end of the buffer elastic member to abut against it, and the radial dimension of the stop section is smaller than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member so that the stop section can be arranged between the pusher and the buffer elastic member.

[0012] Preferably, the first connecting sleeve includes a mounting sleeve and a stop piece disposed on the side of the mounting sleeve facing the stop section, wherein the radial dimension of the stop piece is larger than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member so that the vertical end of the buffer elastic member can abut against it.

[0013] Preferably, the buffer mechanism further includes a mounting plate disposed on the side of the first connecting sleeve opposite to the second connecting sleeve to support the first connecting sleeve, the mounting plate being slidably sleeved onto the pusher.

[0014] Preferably, the two ends of the linkage are pin-connected to the pusher and the operating mechanism, respectively.

[0015] Preferably, the buffer mechanism further includes a support plate disposed on the side of the second connecting sleeve opposite to the first connecting sleeve, the support plate being connected to the second connecting sleeve via fasteners and slidably sleeved onto the pusher.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a circuit breaker is also provided, which includes a contact component and an operating mechanism capable of controlling the opening of the contact component, and the circuit breaker also includes the aforementioned buffer mechanism.

[0017] Preferably, the circuit breaker further includes an insulating housing and an insulating cover that are detachably connected to each other to cooperate in forming an internal installation space, so as to arrange the contact components, the operating mechanism and the buffer mechanism all within the internal installation space.

[0018] 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

[0019] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a circuit breaker including a buffer mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention after the insulating cover has been removed, wherein the buffer mechanism is in the closed position;

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partially magnified stereoscopic view of the view shown;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a partial enlarged view of the operating mechanism and buffer mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model, wherein the buffer mechanism is in the closed position;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a partial perspective view of a circuit breaker including a buffer mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention after the insulating cover has been removed, wherein the buffer mechanism is in the open position;

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A partially magnified stereoscopic view of the view shown;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a partial enlarged view of the operating mechanism and buffer mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the buffer mechanism is in the open position.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] 100-Circuit breaker; 10-Buffer mechanism; 11-Buffer body; 111-Pushing component; 112-Buffer elastic component; 12-Linking component; 13-First connecting sleeve; 131-Mounting sleeve; 132-Stop plate; 14-Second connecting sleeve; 141-Mounting section; 142-Stop section; 15-Mounting plate; 16-Support plate; 21-Insulating shell; 30-Operating mechanism; 31-Actuating rocker arm; 32-Breaking spring. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The schematic scheme of the circuit breaker and its buffer mechanism disclosed in this utility model is 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] The terms "joining", "connection" and similar terms used in this utility model include both indirect connection of two components with the aid of an intermediate layer (e.g., adhesive, welding agent, etc.) or intermediate parts (e.g., connector, transition piece, etc.) and direct connection of two components without the aid of any intermediate layer (e.g., adhesive, welding agent, etc.) or intermediate parts (e.g., connector, transition piece, etc.).

[0032] Figures 1 to 6The circuit breaker 100 of this invention and the buffer mechanism 10 inside the circuit breaker 100 are illustrated by way of example to prevent overshoot and rebound during the opening operation of the circuit breaker 100, thereby improving the operational reliability of the circuit breaker 100. Figure 1 As shown, the circuit breaker 100 may include an insulating housing 21, an insulating cover, contact components, an operating mechanism 30, and a buffer mechanism 10.

[0033] Specifically, both the insulating housing 21 and the insulating cover can be made of insulating materials, particularly spliced ​​from insulating sheets or integrally injection molded from insulating materials. The insulating housing 21 is generally a rectangular box with internal contact components. The insulating cover can be designed as a rectangular shell with width and height dimensions adapted to the insulating housing 21, so that the insulating cover can be installed on the front side of the insulating housing 21 and cooperate with the insulating housing 21 to form an installation space for installing various mechanical and electrical components, such as the operating mechanism 30 and the buffer mechanism 10. The insulating cover is preferably detachably installed on the insulating housing 21. This not only facilitates the installation of various components in the installation space, but also makes it easy for operators to remove the insulating cover during use, thereby allowing maintenance of accessible components such as the buffer mechanism 10 within the installation space.

[0034] The operating mechanism 30 may include a linkage mechanism and a tripping spring 32 disposed between the linkage mechanism and the insulating housing 21. Thus, when the operating mechanism 30 enters the closed state, the linkage mechanism can overcome the force of the tripping spring 32 and move relative to the insulating housing 21 to drive the moving contact of the contact component to engage with the stationary contact; when the operating mechanism 30 enters the open state, the tripping spring 32 can release energy to drive the linkage mechanism to move, thereby causing the moving contact of the contact component to disengage from the stationary contact.

[0035] The buffer mechanism 10 can be arranged between the insulating housing 21 and the linkage mechanism, preferably in the space between the opening spring 32 and the insulating housing 21, so as to make full use of the internal space of the circuit breaker 100 and avoid increasing the size. It can also reduce the overshoot and rebound of the contact components by absorbing the kinetic energy of the linkage mechanism when the opening spring 32 releases energy to drive the linkage mechanism to move.

[0036] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the buffer mechanism 10 may include a buffer body 11 and a linkage 12.

[0037] The buffer body 11 can be installed vertically, i.e., at the height of the circuit breaker 100, onto the insulating housing 21, and is spaced apart from the operating mechanism 30, particularly positioned above the actuating rocker arm 31, which is directly connected to the opening spring 32 in the linkage mechanism. The two ends of the linkage 12 can be linked to the buffer body 11 and the actuating rocker arm 31 respectively, so that the opening action of the actuating rocker arm 31 can be transferred to the buffer body 11 via the linkage 12, ensuring that the energy release of the opening spring 32 and the movement of the buffer body 11 are synchronized.

[0038] Furthermore, the buffer body 11 may include a pusher 111 and a buffer elastic member 112.

[0039] The pusher 111 can be constructed as a slender rod and arranged vertically. The lower end of the pusher 111 can be movably connected to the linkage 12, and the lower end of the linkage 12 can be movably connected to the actuating rocker 31. Preferably, the two ends of the linkage 12 are rotatably connected to the pusher 111 and the actuating rocker 31, for example by pin. Thus, the rotation of the actuating rocker 31 during the opening period can be converted into the vertical linear motion of the pusher 111 via the linkage 12. Furthermore, the linkage 12 always acts on the same area of ​​the pusher 111 under the drive of the actuating rocker 31. This can avoid the phenomenon of uneven force on the pusher 111, thereby extending the service life of the pusher 111.

[0040] The two ends of the buffer elastic element 112 can be respectively arranged on the insulating housing 21 and the pusher 111, so that the pusher 111 needs to overcome the force of the elastic element and move vertically during the opening period. Thus, the buffer elastic element 112 can store energy and prevent the circuit breaker 100 from overshooting and opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the buffer elastic element 112 can be designed as a compression spring, which can be compressed by the pusher 111 to store energy. In embodiments not shown, the buffer elastic element 112 can also be designed as a tension spring or other elastic element that can achieve the above effect.

[0041] In this way, when circuit breaker 100 is in Figures 1 to 3 When the circuit breaker 100 is in the closed position and the tripping operation is performed, the tripping spring 32 releases energy and pulls the actuating rocker arm 31 upward. Simultaneously, the actuating rocker arm 31 rotates clockwise relative to the insulating housing 21, forcing the pushing member 111 to overcome the buffer elastic member 112 and move upward via the linkage 12. The buffer elastic member 112 thus stores energy until the circuit breaker 100 moves to the indicated closed position. Figures 4 to 6 The circuit breaker 100 is shown in the open position. Understandably, when the circuit breaker 100 is in the open position and a closing operation is performed, the actuating rocker arm 31 overcomes the force of the opening spring 32 and rotates counterclockwise relative to the insulating housing 21. Simultaneously, the buffer elastic element 112 releases energy, forcing the pushing element 111 and the linkage element 12 to return. Figures 1 to 3 The closing position shown is repeated cyclically.

[0042] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the buffer mechanism 10 may further include a first connecting sleeve 13 and a second connecting sleeve 14. The first connecting sleeve 13 is fixedly sleeved to the outer periphery of the lower section of the pusher 111, and the second connecting sleeve 14 is fixed to the insulating shell 21 and slidably sleeved to the outer periphery of the upper section of the pusher 111. For example, the second connecting sleeve 14 has a through hole extending vertically, so that when the pusher 111 moves upward relative to the insulating shell, the pusher 111 moves upward through the second connecting sleeve 14, thereby reducing the distance between the first connecting sleeve 13 and the second connecting sleeve 14. Preferably, the radial dimension of the through hole of the second connecting sleeve 14 can be designed to be slightly larger than the radial dimension of the pusher 111, so as to allow the pusher 111 to slide relative to the second connecting sleeve 14 while guiding the pusher 111 to move vertically.

[0043] The buffer elastic element 112 can be arranged between the first connecting sleeve 13 and the second connecting sleeve 14 to be compressed and store energy as the distance between the first connecting sleeve 13 and the second connecting sleeve 14 decreases when the pushing member 111 moves upward. Preferably, the buffer elastic element 112 can also be arranged to sleeve onto the outer periphery of the pushing member 111 and have its two ends respectively embedded in the upper end side of the first connecting sleeve 13 and the lower end side of the second connecting sleeve 14, such as... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the volume of the buffer mechanism 10 of this invention is minimized to make efficient use of the internal installation space of the circuit breaker 100.

[0044] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the buffer mechanism 10 may further include a mounting plate 15 and a support plate 16. Both the mounting plate 15 and the support plate 16 are fixedly connected to the insulating housing 21, preferably integrally formed with the insulating housing 21. The mounting plate 15 may be arranged below the first connecting sleeve 13 to support the first connecting sleeve 13, and the mounting plate 15 may also have a vertically penetrating through hole, through which the pushing member 111 can pass and slide relative to the mounting plate 15. The support plate 16 may be arranged above the second connecting sleeve 14 to fix the second connecting sleeve 14 thereto, preferably by means of a plurality of fasteners. Accordingly, the support plate 16 may also have a vertically penetrating through hole to allow the pushing member 111 to slide relative to the support plate 16 through the through hole.

[0045] Optionally, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the first connecting sleeve 13 may include a mounting sleeve 131 and a stop piece 132 in the vertical direction, and the second connecting sleeve 14 may include a mounting section 141 and a stop section 142 in the vertical direction.

[0046] Mounting section 141 and stopping section 142 can be integrally molded and sleeved onto the pusher 111. Mounting section 141 can be fixedly mounted, for example, via multiple fasteners, to the underside of the support plate 16. Stopping section 142 extends downward from the underside of mounting section 141 to maintain a desired distance from the first connecting sleeve 13. The radial dimension of stopping section 142 is smaller than the radial dimension of buffer elastic member 112, and the radial dimension of buffer elastic member 112 is smaller than the radial dimension of mounting section 141, so that the upper end of buffer elastic member 112 can be fitted into the underside of mounting section 141, and stopping section 142 can be located between buffer elastic member 112 and pusher rod to reduce the overall size.

[0047] The stop plate 132 can be fixedly sleeved to the push member 111 via the mounting sleeve 131. The mounting sleeve 131 can be fixedly sleeved to the push member 111 by an interference fit, for example, the mounting sleeve 131 can be designed as a mounting nut. In embodiments not shown, the mounting sleeve 131 can also be installed to the push member 111 by welding, hinge, or other connection methods that achieve the above-mentioned connection effect. The stop plate 132 can be arranged on the upper side of the mounting sleeve 131 so that the stop plate 132 is supported in place by the mounting sleeve 131 when the mounting sleeve 131 is installed in place relative to the push member 111. The radial dimension of the stop plate 132 can be larger than the radial dimension of the mounting sleeve 131 and the buffer elastic member 112, so as to reduce the overall size while allowing the lower end of the buffer elastic member 112 to be embedded in the upper side of the stop plate 132.

[0048] Importantly, the vertical spacing between the mounting sleeve 131 and the mounting section 141 can be designed to be exactly equal to the vertical dimension of the buffer elastic member 112 in the closed state, and the vertical spacing between the stop plate 132 and the stop section 142 can be designed so that after the buffer elastic member 112 is compressed to the desired degree, the stop plate 132 collides with the stop section 142 to achieve the effect of forced stop, thereby further reducing possible overshoot or rebound phenomenon during opening.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker (100) further comprising an operating mechanism (30) capable of controlling the opening of its contact members, characterized in that, The buffer mechanism (10) includes: The buffer body (11) is constructed to extend vertically and be spaced apart from the operating mechanism (30); The linkage (12) is linked at both ends to the buffer body (11) and the operating mechanism (30) respectively, so that the opening action of the operating mechanism (30) can be transmitted to the buffer body (11) via the linkage (12); The buffer body (11) includes a pusher (111) movably connected to the operating mechanism (30) via the linkage (12) and a buffer elastic member (112) connected to the pusher (111), so that the opening action of the operating mechanism (30) can be transmitted to the pusher (111) via the linkage (12) and drive the pusher (111) to overcome the force of the buffer elastic member (112) and move vertically.

2. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein, The buffer mechanism (10) further includes a first connecting sleeve (13) fixedly sleeved to the pusher (111) and a second connecting sleeve (14) vertically spaced relative to the first connecting sleeve (13) and slidably sleeved to the pusher (111). The buffer elastic element (112) is sleeved to the pusher (111) and arranged between the first connecting sleeve (13) and the second connecting sleeve (14).

3. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 2, wherein, The second connecting sleeve (14) includes a mounting section (141) and a stop section (142) extending toward the first connecting sleeve (13) from the side of the mounting section (141) facing the first connecting sleeve (13), so that the first connecting sleeve (13) can move with the pusher (111) to abut against the stop section (142).

4. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 3, wherein, The radial dimension of the mounting section (141) is greater than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member (112) to allow the vertical end of the buffer elastic member (112) to abut against it, and the radial dimension of the stop section (142) is smaller than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member (112) so that the stop section (142) can be arranged between the pusher (111) and the buffer elastic member (112).

5. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 3, wherein, The first connecting sleeve (13) includes a mounting sleeve (131) and a stop piece (132) disposed on the side of the mounting sleeve (131) facing the stop section (142), wherein the radial dimension of the stop piece (132) is larger than the radial dimension of the buffer elastic member (112) so that the vertical end of the buffer elastic member (112) can abut against it.

6. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 2, wherein, The buffer mechanism (10) further includes a mounting plate (15) arranged on the side of the first connecting sleeve (13) facing away from the second connecting sleeve (14) to support the first connecting sleeve (13), the mounting plate (15) being slidably sleeved onto the pusher (111).

7. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein, The two ends of the linkage (12) are respectively pinned to the pusher (111) and the operating mechanism (30).

8. The cushioning mechanism for a circuit breaker of claim 2, wherein, The buffer mechanism (10) further includes a support plate (16) disposed on the side of the second connecting sleeve (14) facing away from the first connecting sleeve (13), the support plate (16) being connected to the second connecting sleeve (14) via fasteners and slidably sleeved onto the pusher (111).

9. A circuit breaker (100) comprising a contact part and an operating mechanism (30) capable of controlling the opening of the contact part, characterized in that The circuit breaker (100) further includes a buffer mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The circuit breaker (100) of claim 9, wherein, The circuit breaker (100) also includes an insulating housing (21) and an insulating cover that are detachably connected to each other to form an internal mounting space, so as to arrange the contact components, the operating mechanism (30) and the buffer mechanism (10) all within the internal mounting space.

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