Modular contact box

Abstract

A kind of modular contact box, including with the assembly box for contact mechanism width in circuit breaker shell, the assembly box includes first shell and second shell, which form detachable connection between each other, first shell and second shell inside fixed movable contact, static contact and arc-extinguishing chamber, the static contact extends from one end of assembly box to the outside of assembly box, the other end of the assembly box is provided with the connecting copper bar exposed to the outside of assembly box.The beneficial effects of the utility model are: through modular design, contact mechanism is integrated in detachable assembly box, so that movable contact, static contact and arc-extinguishing chamber can be assembled outside circuit breaker shell, avoid the operation difficulty caused by small internal space, so as to significantly improve assembly precision and efficiency;At the same time, modular structure supports simultaneous assembly of multiple components, reduces the time consumption and labor intensity, and provides the basis for automated assembly line operation, improves production consistency and economy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a circuit breaker accessory, and more particularly to a modular contact box. Background Technology

[0002] The contact mechanism in circuit breakers is widely used in low-voltage and high-voltage circuit breakers in power systems to control the connection and disconnection of circuits. It is commonly found in power distribution networks, industrial control equipment, and building electrical systems. During operation, the contact mechanism, driven by an operating mechanism, causes the moving contact to mechanically contact or separate from the stationary contact, thereby completing the circuit closing or opening operation. When an overload, short circuit, or other fault occurs in the circuit, the contact mechanism can respond quickly, assisting in extinguishing the arc through an arc-extinguishing device, ensuring safe and reliable current interruption and protecting electrical equipment and lines from damage. This process typically involves mechanisms such as spring energy storage and linkage transmission to achieve efficient and stable switching performance.

[0003] However, existing contact mechanisms for circuit breakers mostly require assembly inside the circuit breaker itself. Due to the compact structure and limited internal space of circuit breakers, assembly work faces significant challenges. Assemblers working in this confined space are prone to inaccurate component positioning and installation errors, increasing labor intensity and time consumption. Furthermore, this assembly method is difficult to automate and implement in assembly lines, severely restricting assembly efficiency and impacting the economics of large-scale production and product quality consistency. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the design of contact mechanisms to optimize the assembly process. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a modular contact box that solves the difficulties in assembling the internal components of circuit breaker contact mechanisms and improves assembly efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a modular contact box, comprising an assembly box with a width equivalent to that of the contact mechanism within the circuit breaker housing. The assembly box includes a first housing and a second housing that are detachably connected to each other. A moving contact, a stationary contact, and an arc-extinguishing chamber are fixed inside the first housing and the second housing. The stationary contact extends from one end of the assembly box to the outside of the assembly box, and a connecting copper busbar exposed on the outside of the assembly box is provided at the other end of the assembly box.

[0006] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Through modular design, the contact mechanism is integrated into a detachable assembly box, allowing the moving contact, stationary contact, and arc-extinguishing chamber to be assembled on the outside of the circuit breaker housing. This avoids the operational difficulties caused by the limited internal space, thereby significantly improving assembly accuracy and efficiency. Simultaneously, the modular structure supports the simultaneous assembly of multiple components, reducing labor time and intensity, and providing a foundation for automated assembly line operations, improving production consistency and economy. As a preferred embodiment, the first and second housings are detachable using a snap-fit ​​or bolt connection mechanism. The housings have molded slots inside to fix the moving contact, stationary contact, and arc-extinguishing chamber, ensuring stable positioning of the components during assembly. The stationary contact extends from one end of the assembly box via an extension guide rod structure, facilitating connection to external circuits. The connecting copper busbar is exposed on the outside using welding or plug-in methods, simplifying external connection operations. As another preferred embodiment, the overall dimensions of the assembly box match the internal space of the circuit breaker. Through standardized interface design, the modular contact box can be quickly installed into the circuit breaker housing without additional adjustments, further optimizing the assembly process.

[0007] Furthermore, an arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area, a stationary contact assembly area, and a moving contact assembly area are respectively provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are arranged symmetrically.

[0008] This design simplifies the assembly process through a symmetrical layout and partitioned arrangement, allowing operators to install components from any housing, reducing directional errors and improving assembly flexibility and consistency. The partitioned structure also ensures the orderly arrangement of components within the housing, avoiding mutual interference and enhancing overall reliability. As a preferred approach, the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area, stationary contact assembly area, and moving contact assembly area are separated within the housing by molded partitions or flanges. Each area has corresponding fixing slots or positions, allowing components to be placed and locked sequentially. The symmetrical housing uses a mirrored design with identical internal structures, eliminating the need to distinguish left from right during operation and allowing for direct assembly, reducing training requirements and operational complexity. As another preferred approach, the partitioned layout is based on component function optimization. The arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is located at the top to utilize gravity-assisted positioning, the stationary contact assembly area is centrally located for easy extension connections, and the moving contact assembly area is close to the connection end to shorten the electrical path, thereby enhancing overall performance.

[0009] Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is located above the stationary contact assembly area, and the moving contact assembly area is located closer to the connecting copper busbar than the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area and the stationary contact assembly area.

[0010] This layout optimizes the spatial relationship between components, improves electrical performance and heat dissipation efficiency, and makes assembly more ergonomic, reducing the number of times operators bend over or make adjustments, thus increasing efficiency. The upper arc-extinguishing chamber position facilitates arc management, while the moving contact's proximity to the connection end shortens the current path, reducing resistance and energy loss. As a preferred approach, the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is located on the upper part of the housing via a lifting platform structure, the stationary contact assembly area is located in the central horizontal region, and the moving contact assembly area is located near the connecting copper busbar end via a recessed groove. This hierarchical distribution utilizes natural gravity to assist component installation; for example, the arc-extinguishing plate can be directly lowered into place. The connecting copper busbar end has a guide ramp, allowing the moving contact to automatically align during assembly, reducing manual adjustments. As another preferred approach, the layout is based on thermal management design. The arc-extinguishing chamber at the top facilitates heat dissipation, the stationary contact in the middle provides stable support, and the moving contact's proximity to the end reduces conductor length. This physical structure achieves efficient electrical connections, thereby improving the overall lifespan and safety of the circuit breaker.

[0011] Furthermore, the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is provided with positioning grooves that cooperate with the number of arc-extinguishing plates to form a positioning.

[0012] The positioning slot structure ensures rapid and accurate installation of the arc-extinguishing plate, avoiding errors from manual alignment and improving assembly speed and consistency. Simultaneously, the positioning slot provides mechanical support to prevent displacement of the arc-extinguishing plate during operation, enhancing the stability and reliability of the arc-extinguishing chamber. As a preferred method, the positioning slot employs a multi-set parallel channel design, with each channel width matching the arc-extinguishing plate thickness. Spring clips or magnetic suction devices are located at the bottom of the channels, automatically locking the arc-extinguishing plate in place after insertion. The channel arrangement is optimized based on the arc-extinguishing plate sequence, allowing for batch insertion and inspection, simplifying the assembly process. As another preferred method, the positioning slot is integrated into the molded shell structure, with ramped guide walls that allow the arc-extinguishing plate to self-align upon insertion and be fixed via friction or snap-fit ​​mechanisms, eliminating the need for additional tools and achieving a highly efficient and error-free assembly process.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a moving contact housing installed in the moving contact assembly area, wherein the moving contact is rotatably mounted on the moving contact housing, and the moving contact assembly area is provided with a guide groove corresponding to the rotating shaft on which the moving contact is hinged to the moving contact housing, wherein the inner diameter of the guide groove is larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft.

[0014] The guide groove design facilitates rapid identification and installation of the moving contact, reducing errors and improving assembly efficiency through visual or tactile guidance. The larger inner diameter allows for slight adjustments to the rotating shaft within the guide groove, compensating for manufacturing tolerances and ensuring smooth, unobstructed rotation of the moving contact. As a preferred method, the guide groove is a U-shaped or annular groove located at the bottom of the moving contact assembly area. The rotating shaft slides into the groove, which has a flared opening for initial insertion. A hinge seat is integrated into the moving contact housing, with the rotating shaft engaging with the seat hole. The ample size of the guide groove allows for fine-tuning of the shaft within the groove before final positioning, achieving simple and intuitive assembly. Alternatively, the guide groove incorporates color coding or marking lines, making it easy for operators to identify the installation position. Cushioning material at the bottom of the groove reduces impact, and the mechanical guidance principle ensures smooth rotation of the moving contact, improving operational reliability.

[0015] Furthermore, the moving contact assembly area is provided with a drive arc groove that connects the inside and outside of the assembly box, and the moving contact housing is provided with a drive hole for inserting the drive shaft of the operating mechanism at the position corresponding to the drive arc groove.

[0016] The drive arc groove and drive hole enable direct connection to external operating mechanisms, simplifying the overall assembly of the circuit breaker and avoiding complex alignment steps. The drive arc groove provides channel space, allowing easy insertion of the drive shaft, reducing installation force and time, and improving efficiency. As a preferred option, the drive arc groove is an arc-shaped channel integrated into the side wall of the moving contact assembly area. The groove width is slightly larger than the diameter of the drive shaft, facilitating free passage of the shaft. The drive hole is located on the moving contact housing, with a guide cone surface at the orifice, automatically aligning the drive shaft upon insertion and securing it with a locking ring or pin to ensure reliable transmission. As another preferred option, the drive arc groove adopts a modular plug-in design, allowing for replacement to adapt to different drive mechanisms. The smooth inner wall of the groove reduces friction, and the drive hole, when aligned with the arc groove, forms a continuous path, enabling quick insertion and functional testing of the operating mechanism drive shaft, improving assembly convenience and adaptability.

[0017] Furthermore, the moving contact assembly area is also provided with abutting ribs, which abut against the two sides of the moving contact exposed outside the moving contact housing.

[0018] The abutment rib structure restricts the lateral displacement of the moving contact during rotation, ensuring the stability of the motion trajectory, preventing misalignment caused by misoperation or vibration, and improving the operating accuracy and safety of the circuit breaker. Simultaneously, the abutment rib provides additional support, reduces wear, and extends component life. As a preferred embodiment, the abutment rib consists of a pair of raised ribs positioned on both sides of the moving contact assembly area. The rib height matches the side of the moving contact, forming a guide rail-like constraint. When the moving contact rotates, the ribs provide uniform force distribution through surface contact, preventing lateral swaying, and the elastic material reduces impact noise. As another preferred embodiment, the abutment rib employs an adjustable screw or slider design, allowing for fine-tuning of the abutment distance according to the moving contact size. The rib surface is coated with a lubricating layer to ensure smooth operation. Through the mechanical limiting principle, the abutment rib provides stable guidance throughout the entire movement of the moving contact, enhancing overall reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the modular contact box according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the first housing in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This utility model embodiment provides a modular contact box, such as... Figure 1-3 As shown: The circuit breaker includes an assembly box 11, the width of which is approximately equal to the width of the contact mechanism within the circuit breaker housing, facilitating direct installation. The assembly box 11 is composed of a first housing 12 and a second housing 13 connected detachably, for example, by screws or snap-fit ​​connections, enabling convenient disassembly and assembly. The first housing 12 and the second housing 13 house a moving contact 14, a stationary contact 15, and an arc-extinguishing chamber 16, all made of electrical contact and arc-extinguishing materials commonly used in the prior art. The stationary contact 15 extends from one end of the assembly box 11 to the outside of the assembly box 11 for easy connection to external circuits, while the other end of the assembly box 11 is provided with a connecting copper busbar 17, exposed on the outside of the assembly box 11 for electrical connection and current conduction. This design allows the moving contact 14, the stationary contact 15, and the arc-extinguishing chamber 16 to be assembled outside the circuit breaker housing and supports synchronous operation, thereby significantly improving assembly efficiency.

[0021] The first housing 12 and the second housing 13 are respectively provided with an arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area 121, a stationary contact assembly area 122, and a moving contact assembly area 123, and the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 are arranged symmetrically, which makes the assembly process more flexible and can achieve consistent results regardless of which housing is started from. The arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area 121 is located above the stationary contact assembly area 122, while the moving contact assembly area 123 is located closer to the connecting copper busbar 17 than the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area 121 and the stationary contact assembly area 122. This layout optimizes the use of internal space and electrical performance.

[0022] The arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area 121 is provided with positioning grooves 1211 corresponding to the number of arc-extinguishing plates. The positioning grooves 1211 cooperate with the arc-extinguishing plates to form a stable position, facilitating the direct insertion and installation of the arc-extinguishing chamber 16 and keeping it fixed. The moving contact assembly area 123 also includes a moving contact housing 1231 mounted thereon. The moving contact 14 is rotatably mounted on the moving contact housing 1231. The moving contact assembly area 123 is provided with a guide groove 1232 corresponding to the rotating shaft of the moving contact 14 hinged to the moving contact housing 1231. The inner diameter of the guide groove 1232 is larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft, which facilitates the identification and guidance of the installation position of the moving contact 14. The moving contact assembly area 123 is also provided with a drive arc groove 1233, which connects the inner and outer sides of the assembly box 11. The moving contact housing 1231 is provided with a drive hole 1234 corresponding to the position of the drive arc groove 1233 for inserting the drive shaft of the operating mechanism to transmit operating force. In addition, the moving contact assembly area 123 is also provided with abutting ribs 1235, which abut against the two sides of the moving contact 14 exposed outside the moving contact housing 1231, to prevent the moving contact 14 from shifting during rotation and to ensure operational stability.

[0023] The assembly process in this embodiment is as follows: First, the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 are separated. Then, the arc-extinguishing chamber 16 is directly inserted and installed in the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area 121 through the positioning groove 1211 to ensure accurate positioning of the arc-extinguishing plate. The stationary contact 15 is fixed in the stationary contact assembly area 122, extending it to the outside. In the moving contact assembly area 123, the rotating shaft of the moving contact 14 is guided to the moving contact housing 1231 through the guide groove 1232, and the drive shaft of the operating mechanism is connected through the drive arc groove 1233 and the drive hole 1234 to drive the moving contact 14 to rotate. The abutment rib 1235 provides lateral support when the moving contact 14 rotates, preventing displacement. After completing the internal component assembly, the first housing 12 and the second housing 13 are assembled through a detachable connection to form a complete modular contact box 1, which is then installed into the circuit breaker housing. This design supports synchronous assembly on the outside of the housing, simplifying the process, improving efficiency, and ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0024] The above embodiments are merely one preferred embodiment of the present utility model. Ordinary changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present utility model's technical solution are all included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A modular contact box, comprising an assembly box with a width equivalent to that of a contact mechanism within a circuit breaker housing, the assembly box forming a first housing and a second housing that are detachably connected to each other, wherein a moving contact, a stationary contact, and an arc-extinguishing chamber are fixed inside the first housing and the second housing, the stationary contact extending from one end of the assembly box to the outside of the assembly box, and a connecting copper busbar exposed to the outside of the assembly box is provided at the other end of the assembly box.

2. The modular contact box according to claim 1, characterized in that: An arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area, a stationary contact assembly area, and a moving contact assembly area are respectively provided between the first housing and the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing are arranged symmetrically.

3. The modular contact box according to claim 2, characterized in that: The arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is located above the stationary contact assembly area, and the moving contact assembly area is located closer to the connecting copper busbar than the arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area and the stationary contact assembly area.

4. The modular contact box according to claim 3, characterized in that: The arc-extinguishing chamber assembly area is equipped with positioning grooves that cooperate with the number of arc-extinguishing plates to form a positioning system.

5. The modular contact box according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a moving contact housing installed in the moving contact assembly area, wherein the moving contact is rotatably mounted on the moving contact housing, and the moving contact assembly area is provided with a guide groove corresponding to the rotating shaft on which the moving contact is hinged to the moving contact housing, wherein the inner diameter of the guide groove is larger than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft.

6. The modular contact box according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving contact assembly area is provided with a drive arc groove that connects the inside and outside of the assembly box, and the moving contact housing is provided with a drive hole for inserting the drive shaft of the operating mechanism at the position corresponding to the drive arc groove.

7. The modular contact box according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving contact assembly area is also provided with abutting ribs, which abut against the two sides of the moving contact exposed outside the moving contact housing.

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