Residual current protection plug

Abstract

This utility model discloses a leakage current protection plug. The leakage current protection plug includes: a reset button that can move up and down; a locking member rotatably mounted on the reset button, the locking member having a hook; a lifting block that can move up and down to push a spring with a moving contact to move, the lifting block having a locking part that cooperates with the hook, the hook of the leakage current protection plug being engaged with the locking part in the initial state, so that the moving contact and a fixed contact make contact and conduction; a magnet disposed on the locking member; a core member passing through a solenoid and configured to be magnetized after current is passed through the solenoid and generate a repulsive force against the magnet, one end of the core member facing the magnet, the leakage current protection plug being in a tripped state, the core member being magnetized and pushing the magnet away, the hook disengaging from the locking part. This utility model achieves the function of power-off tripping while making tripping relatively easy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of leakage current protection technology, and specifically relates to a leakage current protection plug. Background Technology

[0002] Residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs) detect changes in residual current and can cut off the power supply when necessary to prevent accidents such as contact failures or fires caused by grounding arcs. RCCBs are widely used in electrical appliances, especially high-power household appliances, to protect users' electrical safety. Most existing RCCBs include a solenoid that is continuously powered by the power supply system, keeping it constantly engaged. When the power supply system is open-circuited or has a phase loss, the solenoid cannot engage and trips. If the neutral wire of the power supply system is open-circuited or has poor contact, and the ground wire happens to be live or the machine insulation is abnormal, the solenoid cannot reset and trip, posing a risk of electric shock to the user. Continuous power supply to the solenoid easily causes it to overheat, affecting its lifespan, and the circuit consumes a lot of power. Simply adding a storage capacitor to the existing structure would require a very large magnetic force from the capacitor to the solenoid. During tripping, it would need to overcome not only the spring force but also the friction at the latch, requiring a high capacitance value and significant space constraints.

[0003] The information disclosed in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a leakage protection plug that can easily trip when the power is cut off.

[0005] The first aspect of this utility model provides a leakage current protection plug, which includes:

[0006] The reset button can be moved up and down.

[0007] A locking element, which is rotatably mounted on the reset button, has a locking hook;

[0008] The lifting block can move up and down to push the spring with the moving contact to move. The lifting block has a locking part that cooperates with the hook. In the initial state, the hook of the leakage protection plug is locked on the locking part so that the moving contact and a certain contact can make contact and conduction.

[0009] A magnet is provided on the card;

[0010] The core component is inserted into a solenoid and configured to be magnetized after current is passed through the solenoid and generate a repulsive force against the magnet. One end of the core component faces the magnet. When the leakage protection plug is in a tripped state, the core component is magnetized and pushes the magnet away, and the latch disengages from the engagement part.

[0011] In some preferred embodiments, the leakage protection plug further includes a button reset elastic element and a bracket. The reset button is located above the bracket, and the button reset elastic element is located between the reset button and the bracket. In the initial state, the button reset elastic element is in a deformed state.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the lifting block is slidably mounted on the bracket in the vertical direction.

[0013] In some preferred embodiments, the lifting block has a hanging lug, and the bracket is provided with a vertically extending slide groove, in which the hanging lug is movably inserted.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the bracket is fixed below a circuit board, the solenoid is located below the circuit board and connected to the circuit board, and no spring is provided inside the solenoid; the fixed contact is located on the circuit board, the top end of the spring is fixed to the circuit board, the bottom end of the spring is bent relative to the top end to below the fixed contact, and the moving contact is located on the bottom end. In some more preferred embodiments, the circuit board is provided with an energy storage capacitor, the energy storage capacitor and the solenoid are electrically connected, and the energy storage capacitor can supply power to the solenoid.

[0015] In some preferred embodiments, the core is made of iron, cobalt, or nickel, and in the initial state, the core and the magnet are attracted to each other.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the leakage protection plug further includes a tripping elastic element disposed between the reset button and the locking element. In the initial state, the tripping elastic element is in a deformed state to assist in tripping and provide partial tripping force.

[0017] In some preferred embodiments, the latch is rotatably connected to the reset button via a pivot, and the tripping elastic element includes a torsion spring sleeved on the pivot, the torsion spring having one end capable of abutting against the reset button and another end capable of abutting against the latch.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the magnet is embedded in the magnet slot of the card, and in the initial state, the S or N pole of the magnet and one end of the core are directly opposite each other.

[0019] In some preferred embodiments, the lifting block has a protrusion facing the locking member, and the engaging portion includes an engaging surface located on the lower surface of the protrusion.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the top of the card is rotatably connected to the reset button, and the hook is located at the bottom of the card, below the magnet.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the lifting block has a U-shaped slot, the core has a groove corresponding to the slot, and the lifting block can move up and down along the groove.

[0022] This utility model has the following advantages:

[0023] This invention relates to a leakage current protection plug that utilizes the attraction and repulsion of magnets to facilitate hook-and-go operation. While achieving the function of power-off tripping, the tripping is relatively easy, and the circuit power consumption of the leakage current protection plug is also low. Because the required tripping force is small, it is possible to set a small-value energy storage capacitor in the circuit, avoiding the use of a large-value energy storage capacitor. Correspondingly, the structural space requirements are also smaller, which is conducive to the overall miniaturization of the leakage current protection plug. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a leakage current protection plug according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a leakage protection plug according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a front view of a leakage protection plug according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a top view of a leakage protection plug according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0029] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Sectional view along the AA direction.

[0030] in:

[0031] 1. Reset button; 10. Button reset elastic element; 11. Button cap; 12. Button body; 2. Clip; 20. Tripping elastic element; 21. Hook; 22. Pivot; 3. Lifting block; 31. Protrusion; 311. Engaging part; 312. Engaging surface; 32. Hanging ear; 4. Magnet; 5. Core component; 51. Groove; 6. Solenoid; 7. Bracket; 71. Slide groove; 8. Circuit board; 81. Spring; 82. Moving contact; 83. Fixed contact. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the advantages and features of the present invention can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art. It should be noted that the description of these embodiments is intended to aid in understanding the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0033] In this document, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0034] Figures 1 to 5 The diagrams are drawn to scale. To keep the instructions concise, the proportions of each component are not listed individually. However, the proportions and positions of each component should be considered part of the content of this instruction manual.

[0035] Figures 1 to 5 An embodiment of a leakage current protection plug is shown. The leakage current protection plug includes a reset button 1, a locking element 2, a lifting block 3, a magnet 4, a core element 5, a solenoid 6, a bracket 7, and a circuit board 8. The leakage current protection plug also includes a housing, which is not shown in the drawings. Parts of the reset button 1, the locking element 2, the lifting block 3, the magnet 4, the core element 5, the solenoid 6, the bracket 7, and the circuit board 8 are all housed within the housing. This leakage current protection plug can cut off the power supply circuit when a leakage current exceeds a set value, or can manually cut off the power supply circuit as needed. This leakage current protection plug can be used in household appliances, specifically located at the end of the power cable of the household appliance for connecting to the power supply, and can cut off the power supply to the household appliance when needed.

[0036] The reset button 1 can move up and down. When the leakage protection plug detects residual circuit, the reset button 1 moves upward, and the leakage protection plug is disengaged; conversely, when the reset button 1 is pressed down, it returns to the hooked state. The reset button 1 may include a button cap 11 and a button body 12. The upper part of the button cap 11 protrudes to the outside of the housing for user pressing operation. The button body 12 is connected to the lower part of the button cap 11 and extends into the housing. Both the button cap 11 and the button body 12 are made of insulating material.

[0037] The locking element 2 is rotatably mounted on the reset button 1, allowing it to move closer to or further away from the lifting block 3. For example, the upper part of the locking element 2 is rotatably connected to the reset button 1 via a pivot 22, the axis of which extends horizontally. The locking element 2 has hooks 21 extending toward the lifting block 3; specifically, the lower part of the locking element 2 has two hooks 21. The locking element 2 is made of insulating material.

[0038] The lifting block 3 can move vertically, thereby pushing the spring 81 with a moving contact 82 to move. The top end of the spring 81 is fixed to the circuit board 8, the moving contact 82 is located at the bottom end, and the circuit board 8 has a fixed contact 83. The bottom end of the spring 81 is bent below the fixed contact 83 relative to the top end. When the lifting block 3 moves upward, it pushes the spring 81 to rotate upward around its top end, thereby bringing the moving contact 82 at the bottom end of the spring 81 and the fixed contact 83 above it closer until the connection is released. There can be multiple springs 81, for example, two, one of which is connected to the live wire and the other is connected to the neutral wire. The spring 81 is made of a flexible conductive material, allowing it to deform under external force and automatically reset when the external force is removed. The conductive material can be a metal sheet, such as a copper sheet.

[0039] The lifting block 3 has a locking portion 311 that cooperates with the hook 21. In the initial state, the hook 21 of the leakage protection plug is engaged with the locking portion 311, causing the movable contact 82 and the fixed contact 83 to make contact and maintain a conductive state. The leakage protection plug is stably hooked, maintaining circuit continuity. Furthermore, the lifting block 3 has a protrusion 31 facing the locking member 2. The locking portion 311 is specifically a locking surface 312 located on the lower surface of the protrusion 31, facing downwards. In the initial state, the hook 21 of the locking member 2 hooks onto the locking surface 312.

[0040] Magnet 4 is mounted on the clip 2. Specifically, magnet 4 is embedded in the magnet slot of clip 2, which is located on the side surface of clip 2 facing the lifting block 3, and magnet 4 is fixed within the magnet slot. The top of clip 2 is rotatably connected to reset button 1, and hook 21 is located at the bottom of clip 2, below magnet 4. In the initial state, the S or N pole of magnet 4 and one end of core 5 are aligned.

[0041] The core 5 is inserted into a solenoid 6 and configured to be magnetized and generate a repulsive force against the magnet 4 after current is applied to the solenoid 6. One end of the core 5 faces the S or N pole of the magnet 4. In the initial state, there is no current in the solenoid 6, the core 5 is not magnetized, and the latch 21 remains engaged in the engagement part 311. However, when the plug is in a disengaged state, current flows through the solenoid 6, generating a magnetic field. The core 5 is magnetized in this magnetic field and becomes magnetic. The end of the core 5 closest to the magnet 4 becomes a magnetic pole, which is configured to be opposite to the magnetic pole of the magnet 4 facing the core 5, thus generating a repulsive force that pushes the magnet 4 away, driving the latch 2 to rotate away from the lifting block 3, causing the latch 21 to disengage from the engagement part 311. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, the S pole of magnet 4 is directly opposite the left end of core 5. When current is passed through solenoid 6, the left end of core 5 is magnetized to become the S pole, and the two repel each other. The polarity of the end of core 5 after being magnetized can be determined by the direction of the current passed through solenoid 6.

[0042] The core 5 is made of a magnetic metal material that can be magnetized, such as iron, cobalt, or nickel. In this embodiment, the core 5 is an iron core. In the initial state, the core 5 and the magnet 4 attract each other, and the hook 21 is engaged with the engagement part 311; after current is passed through the solenoid 6, the core 5 is magnetized, and the end of the core 5 becomes a magnetic pole that repels the magnet 4.

[0043] The lifting block 3 has a U-shaped slot, and the core component 5 has a groove 51 corresponding to the slot. The groove 51 of the core component 5 is engaged in the slot of the lifting block 3, and the lifting block 3 can move up and down along the groove 51.

[0044] The solenoid 6 is located below the circuit board 8, and its coil is electrically connected to the circuitry on the circuit board 8. For example, the circuit board 8 may have a storage capacitor electrically connected to the coil of the solenoid 6 to provide the power required for tripping. In this embodiment, the core 5 does not move within the solenoid 6, and no spring is installed inside the solenoid 6. Tripping does not require overcoming the spring force, and magnetic force is used to assist in tripping, thus reducing the required tripping force and the electrical energy required for tripping. Therefore, a smaller capacitance value can be selected for the storage capacitor, which avoids the large space occupation of a large-volume, high-capacity storage capacitor. The smaller capacitance value of the storage capacitor contributes to the compact overall size of the leakage protection plug.

[0045] The bracket 7 is fixed below the circuit board 8. A reset button 1 is located above the bracket 7, with the lower part of the button body 12 of the reset button 1 passing through a through hole in the circuit board 8 into the bracket 7, and the button cap 11 located above the circuit board 8. The clip 2, magnet 4, core 5, and solenoid 6 are located inside the bracket 7, and the main body of the lifting block 3 is also located inside the bracket 7. A spring piece 81 is located outside the bracket 7, preferably two spring pieces 81 located on opposite sides of the bracket 7. The lifting block 3 is slidably mounted on the bracket 7 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the lifting block 3 has a hanging ear 32, and the bracket 7 has a vertically extending slide groove 71, into which the hanging ear 32 is movably inserted. The hanging ear 32 is located below the spring piece 81 and can push the spring piece 81 upwards.

[0046] A tripping elastic element 20 is provided between the reset button 1 and the locking piece 2. In the initial state, the tripping elastic element 20 is in a deformed state. When tripped, the tripping elastic element 20 resets, moving the locking piece 2 away from the lifting block 3, providing partial tripping force and making tripping easier. The attraction between the magnet 4 and the core 5 is sufficient to overcome the elastic reset force of the tripping elastic element 20. When no current is flowing through the solenoid 6, the attraction between the magnet 4 and the core 5 ensures that the hook 21 is engaged with the locking portion 311 of the lifting block 3. Specifically, the tripping elastic element 20 includes a torsion spring sleeved on the pivot 22. The torsion spring has one end that can abut against the reset button 1 and another end that can abut against the locking piece 2. The other end of the torsion spring abuts against the surface of the locking piece 2 facing the lifting block 3 (i.e., where the magnet 4 is located), and the torsion spring has a tendency to push the locking piece 2 away from the lifting block 3.

[0047] A button reset elastic element 10 is provided between the reset button 1 and the bracket 7. In the initial state, the button reset elastic element 10 is in a deformed state. The button reset elastic element 10 can be a compression spring. The upper end of the button reset elastic element 10 abuts against the button body 12, and the lower end abuts against the bottom wall of the bracket 7. Multiple button reset elastic elements 10 can act together on the reset button 1. Once the reset button 1 is released, the button reset elastic element 10 will reset and push the reset button 1 upwards.

[0048] The operating principle of the leakage protection plug in the embodiment is described as follows:

[0049] After the user presses the reset button 1, the reset button 1 moves downward. Due to the attraction between the magnet 4 and the core 5, the locking piece 2 rotates toward the lifting block 3, and the magnet and the core 5 attract each other. At the same time, the hook 21 of the locking piece 2 hooks onto the locking part 311 on the lifting block 3. Subsequently, the reset button 1 is released, the button reset elastic element 10 is reset, and pushes the reset button 1 and the locking piece 2 to move upward. The lifting block 3 moves upward accordingly, thereby causing the spring piece 81 to deform, so that the moving contact 82 and the fixed contact 83 make contact, and the circuit is turned on.

[0050] When leakage current exists in the circuit, the circuit board 8 amplifies the leakage current and passes it into the solenoid 6. The core 5, which was originally pure iron, will become a magnet 4 with magnetic poles. By controlling the direction of the current, the end (left end) where the core 5 and the magnet 4 are attracted will become a magnetic pole with the opposite polarity to the right end of the magnet 4. The magnet 4 will cause the latch 2 to open to the left instantly, releasing the latch and achieving disengagement. Under the action of the spring of the reset button 1, the latch 2 moves upward with the reset button 1, while the lifting block 3 moves downward with the reset of the spring 81. The moving contact 82 and the fixed contact 83 separate from each other, and the circuit is broken.

[0051] When the neutral wire of the power supply system of the leakage protection plug is open or malfunctioning, the energy storage capacitor on the circuit board 8 will transmit current to the solenoid 6. The core 5, which was originally pure iron, will become a magnet 4 with magnetic poles. By controlling the direction of the current, the end (left end) where the core 5 and the magnet 4 are attracted will become a magnetic pole with the opposite polarity to the right end of the magnet 4. The magnet 4 will drive the latch 2 to open to the left instantly, releasing the latch and achieving disengagement. Under the action of the spring of the reset button 1, the latch 2 moves upward with the reset button 1, while the lifting block 3 moves downward with the reset of the spring 81. The moving contact 82 and the fixed contact 83 separate from each other, and the circuit is broken.

[0052] The leakage current protection plug in this embodiment cleverly utilizes the attraction and repulsion of the magnet 4 to aid in latching and tripping. While achieving power-off tripping, the circuit also operates in a low-power state. Furthermore, the tripping elastic element 20 also provides partial tripping force, making tripping easier and further facilitating a reduction in the capacitance value of the energy storage capacitor. Compared to simply adding an energy storage capacitor to the circuit, the leakage current protection plug requires very little tripping force, allowing for the selection of a smaller capacitance value energy storage capacitor, reducing the structural space occupied by the energy storage capacitor, and contributing to a smaller overall size of the leakage current protection plug. A modular design is adopted, and key tripping modules (including the reset button 1, the locking element 2, the lifting block 3, the solenoid 6, etc.) can be pre-assembled into a bracket 7.

[0053] As indicated in this specification and claims, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of explicitly identified steps and elements, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0054] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless otherwise stated, the singular forms “a,” “b,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It will be further understood that “multiple” in this invention refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similarly understood.

[0055] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0056] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this utility model, and are preferred embodiments. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly, and should not be construed as limiting the protection scope of this utility model. All equivalent transformations or modifications made based on the principles of this utility model should be covered within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An electrical leakage protection plug comprising: include: The reset button can be moved up and down. A locking element, which is rotatably mounted on the reset button, has a locking hook; The lifting block can move up and down to push the spring with the moving contact to move. The lifting block has a locking part that cooperates with the hook. In the initial state, the hook of the leakage protection plug is locked on the locking part so that the moving contact and a certain contact can make contact and conduction. A magnet is provided on the card; The core component is inserted into a solenoid and configured to be magnetized after current is passed through the solenoid and generate a repulsive force against the magnet. One end of the core component faces the magnet. When the leakage protection plug is in a tripped state, the core component is magnetized and pushes the magnet away, and the latch disengages from the engagement part.

2. The plug of claim 1, wherein, The leakage current protection plug also includes a button reset elastic element and a bracket. The reset button is located above the bracket, and the button reset elastic element is located between the reset button and the bracket. In the initial state, the button reset elastic element is in a deformed state.

3. The plug of claim 2, wherein, The lifting block can be slidably mounted on the bracket in the vertical direction.

4. The plug of claim 3, wherein, The lifting block has a hanging ear, and the bracket is provided with a sliding groove extending vertically, and the hanging ear is movably inserted into the sliding groove.

5. The plug of claim 2, wherein, The bracket is fixed below a circuit board, the solenoid is located below the circuit board and connected to the circuit board, and no spring is installed inside the solenoid; the fixed contact is located on the circuit board, the top end of the spring is fixed on the circuit board, the bottom end of the spring is bent relative to the top end to below the fixed contact, and the moving contact is located on the bottom end; the circuit board is provided with an energy storage capacitor, and the energy storage capacitor and the solenoid are electrically connected.

6. The plug of claim 1, wherein, The core component is made of iron, cobalt, or nickel. In the initial state, the core component and the magnet of the leakage protection plug are attracted to each other. The leakage protection plug also includes a tripping elastic element, which is located between the reset button and the locking element. In the initial state, the tripping elastic element is in a deformed state.

7. The plug of claim 6, wherein, The locking element is rotatably connected to the reset button via a pivot. The tripping elastic element includes a torsion spring sleeved on the pivot. The torsion spring has one end that can abut against the reset button and another end that can abut against the locking element.

8. The plug of claim 1, wherein, The magnet is embedded in the magnet slot of the card, and in the initial state, the S or N pole of the magnet and one end of the core are directly opposite each other.

9. The plug of claim 1, wherein, The lifting block has a protrusion facing the locking member, and the engaging portion includes an engaging surface located on the lower surface of the protrusion; the top of the locking member is rotatably connected to the reset button, and the hook is located at the bottom of the locking member, the hook being lower than the magnet.

10. The plug of claim 1, wherein, The lifting block has a U-shaped slot, and the core has a groove corresponding to the slot. The lifting block can move up and down along the groove.

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