ACTUATOR MECHANISM AND SWITCHING DEVICE

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of low-voltage electrical appliances, in particular to an operating mechanism and a switch apparatus.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] With economic development, miniaturization and intelligence have become the trend in the development of low-voltage electrical components, and it is expected that electrical products can have a variety of functions in the volume as small as possible, so as to enable application in different conditions. The operating mechanism is the most basic functional module inside the electrical product, occupying a quite large space in proportion within the structural layout of the entire electrical product, therefor, to miniaturize the operating mechanism and make it compact is a main direction to realize the miniaturization and intelligence of electrical products.

[0003] An existing switch apparatus moves with a transmission mechanism during normal switch-on and switch-off operation, affecting the stability and reliability of the operation, and hard operation or mis-operation of switch-on and switch-off very probably occurs in the switch apparatus; U.S. patent US20100072049A1 discloses an electrical switch, which fails to disclose the structure of the second meshing part 5 of the present application.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The objective of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, providing an operating mechanism and a switch apparatus with high operational reliability.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical scheme adopted in the present invention is as follows: An operating mechanism comprising an operating part, a first connecting rod, a first meshing part, a second meshing part, a second connecting rod and a lever, wherein the first meshing part and the second meshing part are respectively pivotally installed and mesh with each other, and a sliding groove is disposed on the first meshing part; the operating part and the lever are respectively pivotally installed, one end of the first connecting rod articulates with one end of the second connecting rod, the other end of the first connecting rod is connected with the operating part, the other end of the second connecting rod is connected with the lever, and the articulated end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod slidingly cooperates with the sliding groove of the first meshing part; one end of the first meshing part is rotationally installed, and the other end is provided with a first meshing portion meshing with the second meshing part; one end of the second meshing part is rotationally installed, and the other end is provided with a trip-driving portion used to trigger a trip, a sliding surface slidingly fitting with the first meshing portion of the first meshing part is arranged on the second meshing part, and a raised second meshing portion meshing with the first meshing portion is arranged on the sliding surface.

[0006] Further, the sliding groove is disposed between the rotating axis of the first meshing part and the first meshing portion.

[0007] Further, the operating part is rotationally installed by means of a first rotational shaft, the second meshing part is rotationally installed by means of a third rotational shaft, of the first meshing part one end is rotationally installed by means of a second rotational shaft, the first meshing portion of the other end meshes with the second meshing part, the lever is rotationally installed by means of the third rotational shaft, the articulated end of the lever and the second connecting rod acts as a movable vertex, and the first rotational shaft, the second rotational shaft and the third rotational shaft act as fixed vertices, so as to form an movable quadrilateral, among them the first rotational shaft and the third rotational shaft are positioned at two vertices of one edge of the movable quadrilateral, the second rotational shaft and the articulated ends of the lever and the second connecting rod are positioned at two vertices of the other edge of the movable quadrilateral.

[0008] Further, the sliding groove of the first meshing part is a linear groove arranged close to the rotating axis of the first meshing part.

[0009] Further, when the lever drives a movable contact to contact with a stationary contact, the articulated end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove close to the first meshing part; when the lever drives a movable contact to separate from a stationary contact, the articulated end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove far away from the first meshing part.

[0010] Further, the lever is used to connect with a movable contact, one end of the lever is rotationally installed, the movable contact is installed at the other end of the lever by means of an overtravel elastic part, and the second connecting rod is connected to the middle of the lever.

[0011] Further, the operating mechanism further includes a lever-directed elastic part, which applies force on the lever to rotate it far away from the second connecting rod.

[0012] Further, the operating mechanism further includes a second meshing part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the second meshing part to rotate it close to the first meshing part.

[0013] Further, the operating mechanism further includes an operating part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the operating part to rotate it far away from the lever.

[0014] Further, the two ends of the rotation travel of the operating part cooperate with operation-stopping parts to restrict the two ends of the travel of the operating part.

[0015] Further, force F1 on the first meshing part under the action of the articulation end of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod drives the first meshing part to turn to one side, force F2 on the first meshing part under the action of the articulation end of the first meshing part and the second meshing part restricts the rotation of the first meshing part, the arm of force L1 of the force F1 is less than the arm of force L2 of the force F2.

[0016] Further, the length ratio of the arms of force L1 and L2 is 1:6 in the switch-on state of the movable contact and the stationary contact of the operating mechanism.

[0017] A switch apparatus, comprising the operating mechanism according to any one of the technical schemes.

[0018] The operating mechanism of the switch apparatus according to the present invention includes the meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part and the second meshing part meshing with each other, and the transmission mechanism composed of the operating part, the first connecting rod, the second connecting rod, the lever and the sliding groove that disposed on the first meshing part, which is used to drive the movable contact to swing, so as to fit with the stationary contact; the operating part, the first connecting rod, the second connecting rod and the lever articulate with each other and have two degree of freedom; the sliding groove is disposed on the first meshing part, and the articulated point of the first and second connecting rods is restricted inside the sliding groove for sliding, thereby confining one degree of freedom and achieving transmission; the meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part and the second meshing part and the transmission mechanism are independent of each other, so that the meshing mechanism is basically in a static state during normal switch-on and switch-off operation of the operating mechanism, thereby greatly enhancing the operational reliability of the entire mechanism.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG.1 is a structural schematic diagram of the switch apparatus in a switch-off state according to the present invention; FIG.2 is a structural schematic diagram of the switch apparatus in a switch-on state according to the present invention; FIG.3 is a structural schematic diagram of the switch apparatus in a tripped state according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] We shall further describe the specific embodiments of the operating mechanism and the switch apparatus of the present invention in combination with the examples given in FIGs. 1-3 as follows. The operating mechanism and the switch apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the description of the following examples.

[0021] The switch apparatus of the present invention includes the operating mechanism, a circuit breaker represents one kind of the switch apparatus.

[0022] As shown in FIGs. 1-3, the operating mechanism according to the present invention includes the operating part 2, the first connecting rod 3, the first meshing part 4, the second meshing part 5, the second connecting rod 7 and the lever 6, the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 are respectively pivotally installed and mesh with each other, and the sliding groove 42 is disposed on the first meshing part 4; the operating part 2 and the lever 6 are respectively pivotally installed, one end of the first connecting rod 3 articulates with one end of the second connecting rod 7, the other end of the first connecting rod 3 is connected with the operating part 2, the other end of the second connecting rod 7 is connected with the lever 6, and the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 slidingly cooperates with the sliding groove 42 of the first meshing part 4.

[0023] The operating mechanism according to the present invention includes the meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 meshing with each other, and the transmission mechanism composed of the operating part 2, the first connecting rod 3, the second connecting rod 7, the lever 6 and the sliding groove 42 that disposed on the first meshing part 4, which is used to drive the movable contact 8 to swing, so as to fit with the stationary contact 9; the operating part 2, the first connecting rod 3, the second connecting rod 7 and the lever 6 articulate with each other and have two degree of freedom, that is two ends of the second connecting rod 7; the sliding groove 42 is disposed on the first meshing part 4, and the articulated point of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 is restricted inside the sliding groove 42 for sliding, thereby confining one degree of freedom and achieving transmission for switch-off and switch-on; the meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 and the transmission mechanism are independent of each other, so that the meshing mechanism is basically in a static state during normal switch-on and switch-off operation of the operating mechanism, thereby greatly enhancing the operational reliability of the entire mechanism.

[0024] As shown in the schematic diagrams of FIGs.1-3, the operating part 2, the first meshing part 4, the second meshing part 5 and the lever 6 are rotationally installed inside the housing 1 or the support 1 of the switch apparatus, respectively, and the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 mesh with each other; of the first connecting rod 3 one end is connected to the operating part 2, the other end is connected with the second connecting rod 7, the other end of the second connecting rod 7 is connected with the lever 6, the movable contact 8 is installed on the lever 6, and the stationary contact 9 is arranged opposite the movable contact 8; the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 extends into the sliding groove 42 of the first meshing part 4, and it can only slide along the sliding groove 42 during normal switch-on and switch-off operation of the switch apparatus.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the switch apparatus is in a normal switch-off state, and in the direction shown in the figure, the operating part 2 extends out of one end of the housing 1, and is positioned on the left side of the rotating axis of the operating part 2, at this time the operating part 2 extends out of one end of the housing 1 and swings to the right, so that the operating part 2 is positioned inside the housing 1 and its other end swings to the left side of the rotating axis of the operating part 2, so as to drive one end of the first connecting rod 3 to move to the left, and drive the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 to slide along the sliding groove 42 to the left, enabling the second connecting rod 7 to pull the lever 6, which drives the movable contact 8 to swing to the left, and contact with the stationary contact 9, and enabling the switch apparatus to switch to the switch-on state in FIG. 2.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the switch apparatus is in a normal switch-on state, at this time the operating part 2 extends out of one end of the housing 1 and swings to the left, so that the operating part 2 is positioned inside the housing 1 and its other end swings to the right side of the rotating axis of the operating part 2, so as to drive one end of the first connecting rod 3 to move to the right, and drive the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 to slide along the sliding groove 42 to the right, enabling the second connecting rod 7 to push the lever 6, which drives the movable contact 8 to swing to the right, and separate from the stationary contact 9, and enabling the switch apparatus to switch to the switch-off state in FIG. 1.

[0027] The meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 and the transmission mechanism are separate from and independent of each other. During normal switch-on and switch-off operation of the switch apparatus, the meshing mechanism composed of the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 is basically in immobility, and does not move with the operating mechanism, only slightly swings under force, so it mainly plays the role of limiting the degree of freedom of the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7, greatly enhancing the operational reliability of the entire mechanism.

[0028] As shown in FIG.2, when the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state, in the case that the circuit fails, the trip-driving portion 56 of the second meshing part 5 is touched; in the case that it is touched by an overload protection mechanism or a short circuit protection mechanism, the rotation of the second meshing part 5 is triggered, so that the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 end their meshing with each other, the the first meshing part 4 rotates accordingly not under the position restriction of the second meshing part 5; the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 slides along the sliding groove 42 to the right, the lever 6 drives the movable contact 8 to swing to the right and separate from the stationary contact 9, enabling the switch apparatus to switch to the tripped state in FIG. 3.

[0029] Preferably, of the first meshing part 4 one end is rotationally installed, and the other end is provided with the first meshing portion 43 meshing with the second meshing part 5, the sliding groove 42 is disposed between the rotating axis of the first meshing part 4 and the first meshing portion 43, so that only a small trip force is needed to trigger tripping the first mesh 4 and the second mesh 5 from each other, when the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state. As shown in FIG.2, when the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state, the pressure borne by the sliding groove 42 of the first meshing part 4 under the action of the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 is F1, and its arm of force is L1, while the positive pressure borne by the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4 under the action of the second meshing portion 53 of the second meshing part 53 is F2, and its arm of force is L2, the force F1 on the first meshing part 4 under the action of the articulation end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 drives the first meshing part 4 to turn to one side, the force F2 on the first meshing part 4 under the action of the articulation end of the first meshing part 4 and the second meshing part 5 restricts the rotation of the first meshing part 4, the arm of force L1 of the force F1 is less than the arm of force L2 of the force F2. Preferably, the length ratio of the arms of force L1 and L2 is less than 1 / 4, and the ratio of the arms of force L1 and L2 in the switch-on state of the movable contact 8 and the stationary contact 9 in this example is 1:6. The arm of force L2 of the trip force is six times the arm of force L1 applied by the first connecting rod 3 on the sliding groove 42, so that only a very small trip force is needed to trigger tripping the operating mechanism, greatly reducing the requirements for a trip, so as to decrease costs and volume.

[0030] Further, the sliding groove 42 of the first meshing part 4 is arranged close to the rotating axis of the first meshing part 4, when the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state, that is, in the case that the lever 6 drives the movable contact 8 and the stationary contact 9 to contact with each other, the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove 42 close to the first meshing part 4; when the switch apparatus is in a switch-off state, that is, in the case that the lever 6 drives the movable contact 8 to separate from the stationary contact 9, the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove 42 far away from the first meshing part 4, so as to enable the arm of force L1 on the sliding groove 42 under the action of the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7 to further decrease.

[0031] As shown in FIGs. 1-3, preferably, the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4 has an engaging protrusion in the shape of an obtuse angle, which engages with the second meshing portion 53 of the second meshing part 5. The sliding groove 42 of the first meshing part 4 is arranged close to the rotating axis of the first meshing part 4, the sliding groove 42 is positioned under one side of the operating part 2, the sliding groove 42 is a linear groove slightly inclined to the upper part of the operating part 2, facilitating sliding and application of force on and from the articulated end of the first connecting rod 3 and the second connecting rod 7. Moreover, in the entire transmission process of the transmission mechanism, the movable contact 8 and the stationary contact 9 of the switch apparatus are in a switch-on or a switch-off state, compared to one end of the first connecting rod 3 connected with the operating part 2, one end of the first connecting rod 3 connected with the second connecting rod 7 is always far away from the second meshing part 5, providing convenience for the transmission of force and the overall layout of the operating mechanism.

[0032] Preferably, of the second meshing part 5 one end is rotationally installed, and the other end is provided with the trip-driving portion 56 used to trigger the trip, a sliding surface slidingly fitting with the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4 is arranged on the side of the second meshing part 5 facing the first meshing part 4, and the raised second meshing portion 53 meshing with the first meshing portion 43 is arranged on the sliding surface. When the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state, the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4 rotates downwards to mesh with the second meshing portion 53 of the second meshing part 5; when the switch apparatus is in a switch-off state, the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4 may rotate slightly upwards, the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 43 separates from the second meshing portion 53 of the second meshing part 5. The second meshing part 5 maintains the position restriction on the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4, and the meshing mechanism is basically in immobility when the switch apparatus is a normal switch-off and switch-on state. When the circuit fails, the second meshing part 5 is driven to rotate away from the first meshing part 4, and no position restriction is imposed on the first meshing portion 43 of the first meshing part 4, which rotates to the under side of the second meshing portion 53, both the first meshing part 4 and the lever 6 become a free part, so that the movable contact 8 and the stationary contact 9 separate from each other under the force of a lever-directed elastic part.

[0033] Preferably one end of the lever 6 is rotationally installed, the movable contact 8 is installed at the other end of the lever 6 by means of an overtravel elastic part, and the second connecting rod 7 is connected to the middle of the lever 6. The overtravel elastic part provides contact pressure between the movable contact 8 and the stationary contact 9, so that the movable contact 8 can contact with the stationary contact 9 in overtravel, so as to ensure reliability of the contact between the two. The operating mechanism further includes a lever-directed elastic part, which applies force on the lever 6 to rotate it far away from the second connecting rod 7; further includes a second meshing part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the second meshing part 5 to rotate it close to the first meshing part 4; and further includes an operating part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the operating part 2 to rotate it far away from the lever 6. The two ends of the rotation travel of the operating part 2 cooperate with the operation-stopping parts, which may be disposed on the housing 1 or the support 1 to restrict the two ends of the travel of the operating part 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the switch apparatus is in a switch-off state, and the operating part 2 is blocked by the operation-stopping part at the left end; as shown in FIG. 2, the switch apparatus is in a switch-on state, and the operating part 2 is blocked by the operation-stopping part at the right end.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIGs. 1-3, the operating part 2 is rotationally installed by means of the first rotational shaft 12, the second meshing part 5 is rotationally installed by means of the third rotational shaft 14, of the first meshing part 4 one end is rotationally installed by means of the second rotational shaft 11, the first meshing portion 43 of the other end meshes with the second meshing part 5, the first rotational shaft 12, the third rotational shaft 14 and the second rotational shaft 11 are positioned at three vertices of an obtuse triangle, among them the first rotational shaft 12 is positioned at the obtuse vertex of the obtuse triangle. The lever 6 is rotationally installed by means of the third rotational shaft 14, and arranged coaxially with the second meshing part 5, the articulated end of the lever 6 and the second connecting rod 7 acts as a movable vertex, and the first rotational shaft 12, the second rotational shaft 11 and the third rotational shaft 14 act as fixed vertices, so as to form an movable quadrilateral, among them the first rotational shaft 12 and the third rotational shaft 14 are positioned at two obtuse vertices of the movable quadrilateral connected by one common edge, the second rotational shaft 11 and the articulated ends of the lever 6 and the second connecting rod 7 are positioned at two acute angle vertices of the movable quadrilateral connected by one common edge. Of course, the lever 6 and the second meshing part 5 may also be non-coaxially arranged. It should be noted that the obtuse features, acute features, triangles, and the order of the vertices of the triangle in this embodiment are only an example, which cannot represent all other examples, nor limit the maximum protection scope of the present application. The obtuse triangle and the movable quadrilateral are not actually connected, only an assumed shape for providing convenience to describe the relative position among the operating part 2, the first meshing part 4, the second meshing part 5, the lever 6 and the second connecting rod 7.

Claims

1. An operating mechanism comprising an operating part (2), a first connecting rod (3), a first meshing part (4), a second meshing part (5), a second connecting rod (7) and a lever (6), wherein the first meshing part (4) and the second meshing part (5) are respectively pivotally installed and mesh with each other, and a sliding groove (42) is disposed on the first meshing part (4); the operating part (2) and the lever (6) are respectively pivotally installed, one end of the first connecting rod (3) articulates with one end of the second connecting rod (7), the other end of the first connecting rod (3) is connected with the operating part (2), the other end of the second connecting rod (7) is connected with the lever (6), and the articulated end of the first connecting rod (3) and the second connecting rod (7) slidingly cooperates with the sliding groove (42) of the first meshing part (4); of the first meshing part (4) one end is rotationally installed, and the other end is provided with a first meshing portion (43) meshing with the second meshing part (5); wherein of the second meshing part (5) one end is rotationally installed; characterized in that of the second meshing part (5) the other end is provided with a trip-driving portion (56) used to trigger a trip, a sliding surface slidingly fitting with the first meshing portion (43) of the first meshing part (4) is arranged on the second meshing part (5), and a raised second meshing portion (53) meshing with the first meshing portion (43) is arranged on the sliding surface.

2. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the sliding groove (42) is disposed between the rotating axis of the first meshing part (4) and the first meshing portion (43).

3. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the operating part (2) is rotationally installed by means of a first rotational shaft (12), the second meshing part (5) is rotationally installed by means of a third rotational shaft (14), of the first meshing part (4) one end is rotationally installed by means of a second rotational shaft (11), a first meshing portion (43) of the other end meshes with the second meshing part (5), the lever (6) is rotationally installed by means of the third rotational shaft (14), the articulated end of the lever (6) and the second connecting rod (7) acts as a movable vertex, and the first rotational shaft (12), the second rotational shaft (11) and the third rotational shaft (14) act as fixed vertices, so as to form an movable quadrilateral, among them the first rotational shaft (12) and the third rotational shaft (14) are positioned at two vertices of one edge of the movable quadrilateral, the second rotational shaft (11) and the articulated ends of the lever (6) and the second connecting rod (7) are positioned at two vertices of the other edge of the movable quadrilateral.

4. The operating mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the sliding groove (42) of the first meshing part is a linear groove arranged close to the rotating axis of the first meshing part (4).

5. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein when the lever (6) drives a movable contact (8) to contact with a stationary contact (9), the articulated end of the first connecting rod (3) and the second connecting rod (7) slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove (42) close to the first meshing part (4); when the lever (6) drives a movable contact (8) to separate from a stationary contact (9), the articulated end of the first connecting rod (3) and the second connecting rod (7) slides to one end of the rotating axis of the sliding groove (42) far away from the first meshing part (4).

6. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the lever (6) is used to connect with a movable contact (8), one end of the lever (6) is rotationally installed, the movable contact (8) is installed at the other end of the lever (6) by means of an overtravel elastic part, and the second connecting rod (7) is connected to the middle of the lever (6).

7. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the operating mechanism further includes a lever-directed elastic part, which applies force on the lever (6) to rotate it far away from the second connecting rod (7).

8. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the operating mechanism further includes a second meshing part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the second meshing part (5) to rotate it close to the first meshing part (4).

9. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the operating mechanism further includes an operating part-directed elastic part, which applies force on the operating part (2) to rotate it far away from the lever (6).

10. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the two ends of the rotation travel of the operating part (2) cooperate with operation-stopping parts to restrict the two ends of the travel of the operating part (2).

11. The operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein force F1 on the first meshing part (4) under the action of the articulation end of the first connecting rod (3) and the second connecting rod (7) drives the first meshing part (4) to turn to one side, force F2 on the first meshing part (4) under the action of the articulation end of the first meshing part (4) and the second meshing part (5) restricts the rotation of the first meshing part (4), the arm of force L1 of the force F1 is less than the arm of force L2 of the force F2.

12. The operating mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the length ratio of the arms of force L1 and L2 is 1:6 in the switch-on state of a movable contact (8) and a stationary contact (9) of the operating mechanism.

13. A switch apparatus, comprising the operating mechanism according to any one of claims 1-12.