Circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a circuit breaker capable of pressing a detection switch without using a crossbar.SOLUTION: A circuit breaker 1 is capable of operating a movable contactor 13 having a movable contact 131 either by operation of a handle portion 11 or by operation of a link mechanism main body portion 12 due to an abnormal current, and includes a detection switch 14 having a switch portion 141 that can detect whether a fixed contact 211 is in contact with the movable contact, a switch switching member 15 having a pressed portion 151 that can be pressed by the handle portion and a switch operating portion 152 that can be brought into contact with the switch portion of the detection switch, and a link portion 23 to which the switch switching member and the link mechanism main body portion are rotatably connected, and is configured such that the switch switching member can be moved to change the state of the switch portion either by operation of the handle portion or by operation of the link mechanism main body portion due to an abnormal current.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a circuit breaker. [Background technology]

[0002] Circuit breakers are used to switch a circuit on and off, and it is common for circuit breakers to transmit information about the on / off status of a circuit to an external device. The circuit breaker described in Patent Document 1 incorporates a detection switch known as an auxiliary switch to enable this. The technology disclosed in this document also uses a crossbar used to push in the movable contactor to press the detection switch. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-115653

[0004] However, if the crossbar used to move the movable contact is used to press the detection switch, the placement of the detection switch becomes quite limited. This also places considerable restrictions on the overall configuration, which in turn places considerable restrictions on how it can be used. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The inventors of the present invention have made extensive research into this issue and have attempted to solve it. The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a circuit breaker that allows the detection switch to be pressed without using a crossbar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, a circuit breaker is provided that can operate a movable contactor having a movable contact either by operation of the handle part or by operation of the link mechanism main body part due to an abnormal current, and that includes a detection switch having a switch part that can detect whether or not a fixed contact and a movable contact are in contact, a switch switching member that includes a pressed part that can be pressed by the handle part and a switch operating part that can be brought into contact with the switch part of the detection switch, and a link part to which the switch switching member and the link mechanism main body part are rotatably connected, and that can move the switch switching member to change the state of the switch part either by operation of the handle part or by operation of the link mechanism main body part due to an abnormal current.

[0007] Furthermore, it is preferable that the spring portion capable of moving the switch switching member when the pressure on the pressed portion by the handle portion is released is positioned offset from the rotation center of the switch switching member, and that by moving the handle portion to release the pressure on the pressed portion, the force exerted by the spring portion on the switch switching member can be used to move the switch switching member so as to release the pressed state of the switch portion of the detection switch.

[0008] It is also preferable that the case of the circuit breaker is provided with a guide portion capable of guiding the direction of movement of the switch changeover member.

[0009] It is also preferable to provide a tripping device that can perform a tripping operation to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact when an overcurrent flows in the electrical circuit, and the link mechanism main body can rotate when the tripping device performs the tripping operation, so that the switch switching member can be moved by moving the link parts connected to the link mechanism main body.

[0010] It is also preferable that a switch protection wall portion capable of suppressing passage of the arc be positioned between the fixed contact and the detection switch, and between the pressed portion of the switch changeover member and the switch operating portion of the switch changeover member.

[0011] Preferably, the switch protection wall portion is configured to be able to restrict the range of movement of the switch changeover member by coming into contact with the switch changeover member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present invention makes it possible to provide a circuit breaker in which the detection switch can be pressed without using a crossbar. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 with the right case removed, but with the circuit closed. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the handle portion, the movable contact, the link mechanism main body portion, the switch changeover member, and the biasing spring. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 3, viewed from a different direction. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view of a central case located at the center of the circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1, in which only a link mechanism main body and a tripping device are provided. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 5, seen from the opposite side. [Figure 7] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the handle, the switch changeover member, the detection switch, and the like, with the right case located on the right side of the circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 removed. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is an enlarged view of the switch changeover member and its surroundings in FIG. 2. [Figure 9] 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the switch changeover member, the detection switch, and the like around the circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 with the right case located on the right side removed. FIG. [Figure 10] This is a side view of the circuit breaker shown in Figure 1 with the right case removed, but the circuit is open as a result of operating the handle. [Figure 11]This is a side view of the circuit breaker shown in Figure 1 with the right case removed, but the circuit is open due to tripping. [Figure 12] This is a side view of the circuit breaker with the handle immobilized and the right case removed, but the circuit is tripped open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An embodiment of the invention is described below. The circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment can operate a movable contactor 13 having a movable contact 131 either by operation of the handle 11 or by movement of the link mechanism main body 12 due to an abnormal current. The circuit breaker 1 also includes a detection switch 14 having a switch unit 141 capable of detecting contact between a fixed contact 211 and the movable contact 131, a switch member 15 having a pressed portion 151 pressable by the handle 11 and a switch operating portion 152 capable of contacting the switch unit 141 of the detection switch 14, and a link component 23 to which the switch member 15 and the link mechanism main body 12 are rotatably connected. The switch member 15 can be moved to change the state of the switch unit 141 either by operation of the handle 11 or by movement of the link mechanism main body 12 due to an abnormal current. This allows the circuit breaker 1 to press the detection switch 14 without using a crossbar.

[0015] The circuit breaker 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a plug-in type circuit breaker, and is provided with a plug terminal fitting 41 on the primary side that can be connected to a bus bar of a distribution panel. Therefore, the bus bar and the circuit breaker 1 can be electrically connected by, for example, moving the circuit breaker 1 toward the short side of the bus bar. The circuit breaker 1 also has a quick-connect terminal portion 42 on the secondary side (see FIG. 2). An electric circuit can be formed by connecting an electric wire by inserting it into the quick-connect terminal portion 42. The circuit breaker 1 of the embodiment can open and close an electric circuit by operating the handle portion 11. It can also interrupt an electric circuit when an overcurrent flows. However, the circuit breaker 1 does not have to be a plug-in type. For example, the circuit breaker 1 may have screw-type terminals on the primary and secondary sides.

[0016] The circuit breaker 1 of the embodiment includes a movable contactor 13 having a movable contact 131 that moves when opening or closing a circuit, and a fixed contactor 21 having a fixed contact 211, and by moving the movable contactor 13, it is possible to switch between a state in which the movable contact 131 and the fixed contact 211 are in contact with each other and a state in which they are separated from each other. The movable contactor 13 can be rotated by operating the handle portion 11, and is also configured so that it can be rotated by moving the link mechanism main body portion 12.

[0017] The circuit breaker 1 of the embodiment is provided with a tripping device 16 that operates when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit, and the link mechanism main body 12 can be rotated by the tripping operation of the tripping device 16. The movable contactor 13 can rotate so as to move the movable contact 131 in the forward / backward and upward / downward directions.

[0018] In the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment, one end of the movable contactor 13 is connected by the movable contactor connecting portion 111 of the handle portion 11, and is also connected to a biasing spring 18 which is connected to the link mechanism main body portion 12 (see FIGS. 2 to 4). When the movable contactor 13 moves to a certain extent in conjunction with the operation of the handle portion 11, the biasing spring 18 which was in an extended state contracts, and the movable contactor 13 moves so as to come into close contact with the fixed contactor 21.

[0019] The circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the link mechanism main body 12 rotates when the tripping device 16 performs a tripping operation. In a normal state where no tripping operation is performed, the link mechanism main body 12 engages with the tripping device 16, restricting its rotation. On the other hand, when an overcurrent flows and the tripping device 16 operates, the link mechanism main body 12 disengages from the tripping device 16, causing the link mechanism main body 12 to move. This state is the tripped state.

[0020] In this embodiment, the case 19 includes a case right side member 192, a case left side member 193, and a case central member 191 sandwiched between them, and a portion of the link mechanism main body 12 is inserted into an elongated hole 191a provided in the case central member 191 (see FIGS. 2, 5, and 6). This configuration limits the range of movement of the link mechanism main body 12 while allowing it to rotate. Even if the device is tripped due to an overcurrent or the like, operating the handle 11 causes the movable contact 13 and the handle 11 to lift the link mechanism main body 12 and return it to its original position.

[0021] In the embodiment, the switch changeover member 15 is configured to operate in conjunction with the handle portion 11 and the link mechanism main body portion 12. Normally, by operating the handle portion 11, the protrusion 112 of the handle portion 11 presses the pressed portion 151 of the switch changeover member 15, thereby moving the switch changeover member 15, and the switch operating portion 152 provided on the switch changeover member 15 operates the switch portion 141 of the detection switch 14, thereby switching the detection switch 14 between on and off. In other words, the detection switch 14 can be operated by operating the handle portion 11. This allows for greater freedom in the arrangement of the detection switch 14.

[0022] In the embodiment, the operating status can be output to the outside by operating the switch unit 141. Alternatively, an LED may be formed on the circuit breaker 1 to display the operating status. However, in this specification, a description of the method of outputting the detection switch 14 to the outside will be omitted.

[0023] Incidentally, the switch changeover member 15 of the embodiment has a pressed portion 151 on one end side that is pressed by the protrusion 112 of the handle portion 11, and is configured to have a portion that protrudes upward and downward on the opposite side of the pressed portion 151. More specifically, the switch changeover member 15 of the embodiment has a substantially T-shaped configuration when viewed from the side.

[0024] In this embodiment, one end of the link part 23 is connected to a portion of the switch changeover member 15 that protrudes upward on the side opposite the pressed part 151 (see FIGS. 7 to 9). The other end of the link part 23 is connected to the link mechanism main body 12. In addition, a switch operating part 152 that can operate the switch part 141 of the detection switch 14 is provided on a portion that protrudes downward on the side opposite the pressed part 151.

[0025] In this embodiment, the switch changeover member 15 is biased upward by the spring portion 31, and a force is applied to the switch changeover member 15 so that the switch changeover member 15 can rotate about the portion connected to the link component 23. To enable this, the spring portion 31 that raises the switch changeover member 15 is disposed offset from the rotation center of the switch changeover member 15. In this manner, by moving the handle portion 11, the spring portion 31 can move the switch changeover member 15 so as to release the pressed state of the switch portion 141 of the detection switch 14 from a state in which the pressed portion 151 of the switch changeover member 15 is pressed by the handle portion 11 and the switch portion 141 of the detection switch 14 is pressed.

[0026] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable that the spring portion 31, which can move the switch switching member 15 when the pressure on the pressed portion 151 by the handle portion 11 is released, is positioned offset from the rotation center of the switch switching member 15, and that by moving the handle portion 11 to release the pressure on the pressed portion 151, the force exerted by the spring portion 31 on the switch switching member 15 can be used to move the switch switching member 15 so as to release the pressed state of the switch portion 141 of the detection switch 14.

[0027] The case central member 191 is provided with a guide portion 194 at a position above the detection switch 14. This guide portion 194 can be used to move the switch changeover member 15. More specifically, the biasing force applied by the spring portion 31 can be used to move the switch changeover member 15 along the guide portion 194.

[0028] To make this possible, in the embodiment, the portion of the link component 23 that penetrates the switch changeover member 15 is configured to be able to come into contact with the guide portion 194. In other words, a portion of the link component 23 slides relative to the switch changeover member 15, allowing the switch changeover member 15 connected to the link component 23 to move along the guide portion 194. The guide portion 194 can limit the movement range of the link component 23. The presence of the guide portion 194 also makes it possible to limit the movement range of the switch changeover member 15. As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to configure the case 19 of the circuit breaker 1 to be provided with a guide portion 194 that can guide the movement direction of the switch changeover member 15.

[0029] Furthermore, the circuit breaker 1 of the embodiment includes a switch protection wall 17 that can separate the space inside the case 19 into a space for mounting the detection switch 14 and a space for mounting the link mechanism main body 12 and the movable contactor 13. Therefore, even if an arc occurs when the movable contact 131 separates from the fixed contact 211, the possibility that the detection switch 14 will be exposed to the arc can be reduced. To achieve this, it is preferable to configure the circuit breaker 1 to have a switch protection wall 17 that can prevent the passage of an arc located between the fixed contact 211 and the detection switch 14.

[0030] Furthermore, it is preferable to configure the switch protection wall 17, which can prevent the passage of the arc, to be located between the pressed portion 151 of the switch changeover member 15 and the switch operation portion 152 of the switch changeover member 15. In this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the switch operation portion 152 will be exposed to the arc.

[0031] In order to make this possible, the switch protection wall portion 17 of the embodiment does not completely separate the space in which the detection switch 14 is mounted from the space in which the movable contactor 13 and the like are mounted, but is provided with a through portion 171 that allows the switch switching member 15 to be positioned so as to straddle each space.

[0032] In the embodiment, the range of movement of the switch changeover member 15 passing through the through-hole 171 in the up-down and front-rear directions is limited by the switch protection wall 17. As can be seen from this example, it is preferable that the switch protection wall 17 be able to restrict the range of movement of the switch changeover member 15 by coming into contact with the switch changeover member 15.

[0033] Next, the on and off states of the circuit breaker 1 will be described. First, the off state will be described. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the off state, the movable contact 131 and the fixed contact 211 are separated from each other. As can be seen from FIG. 10 , in this embodiment, when the circuit breaker 1 is in the off state, the protrusion 112 of the handle portion 11 is not pressing the switch changeover member 15, and the switch changeover member 15 is lifted by the spring portion 31. In this state, the switch operating portion 152 of the switch changeover member 15 is not pressing the switch portion 141. In this state, the biasing spring 18 pulls the movable contactor 13, so that this state can be maintained.

[0034] To switch the circuit breaker 1 from the OFF state to the ON state, a worker or the like normally operates the handle portion 11. This operation requires a certain amount of force because it involves pulling the biasing spring 18. Therefore, the circuit breaker will not switch from the OFF state to the ON state by itself without any effort on your part.

[0035] When the circuit breaker 1 is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, there is a timing when the handle portion 11 moves, causing the biasing spring 18 to switch from a stage where it is trying to turn the movable contactor 13 OFF to a stage where it is trying to turn the movable contactor 13 ON. When this timing changes, the force of the biasing spring 18 pulling the movable contactor 13 brings the movable contact 131 and the fixed contact 211 into contact with each other (see FIG. 2). In the embodiment, when the circuit breaker 1 is changed from an OFF state to an ON state, the pressed portion 151 of the switch changeover member 15 is pressed, causing the switch changeover member 15 to rotate, and the switch operating portion 152 moves so as to switch the switch portion 141 from a state where it is not being pressed to a state where it is being pressed.

[0036] By moving the handle portion 11 in the opposite direction to the example described above, the circuit breaker 1 can be switched from the ON state to the OFF state. In other words, the fixed contact 211 and the movable contact 131 can be operated to separate from each other. However, even in the case of tripping due to an overcurrent, the fixed contact 211 and the movable contact 131 can be operated to separate from each other. For this reason, the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment is provided with a tripping device 16.

[0037] In the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment, when the link mechanism main body 12 operates due to the operation of the trip device 16, the link part 23 connected to the link mechanism main body 12 moves toward the trip device 16, and the switch switching member 15 moves, releasing the pressure on the switch part 141 of the detection switch 14 (see Figure 11).

[0038] Furthermore, in order to prevent the circuit breaker 1 from being opened due to human error or the like as much as possible, a structure may be adopted in which the handle portion 11 is physically immobilized. In this case, the handle portion 11 of the circuit breaker 1 does not move while pressing the pressed portion 151 of the switch changeover member 15. Even in this case, the movable contact 131 and the fixed contact 211 are separated when an overcurrent flows.

[0039] To make this possible, when the tripping device 16 performs a tripping operation in this state, the link mechanism body 12 rotates, and the position of the biasing spring 18 engaged with the link mechanism body 12 moves, causing the movable contact 13 to move in the opening direction. In addition, as the position of the link mechanism body 12 shifts, the switch changeover member 15 moves as if pulled by the link part 23, and the switch part 141 of the detection switch 14 is released from its pressed state.

[0040] As can be understood from these descriptions, it is preferable to have a configuration in which the switch mechanism is provided with a tripping device 16 that is capable of performing a tripping operation to separate the movable contact 131 from the fixed contact 211 when an overcurrent flows in the electrical circuit, the link mechanism main body 12 is capable of rotating when the tripping device 16 performs the tripping operation, and the switch switching member 15 can be moved by moving the link part 23 connected to the link mechanism main body 12.

[0041] While the present invention has been described above using the embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be embodied in various forms. For example, the present invention may be configured so that the switch portion of the detection switch is pressed when the circuit breaker is in the open state and is not pressed when the circuit breaker is in the closed state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Circuit Breaker 11 Handle 12 Link mechanism main body 13 Movable contact 14 Detection switch 15 Switching member 16 Tripping device 17 Switch protection wall 19 cases 23 Link parts 31 Spring part 131 Movable contact 141 Switch section 151 Pressed part 152 Switch operation section 194 Guide part 211 Fixed contacts

Claims

1. A circuit breaker capable of operating a movable contactor having a movable contact by either operation of a handle portion or movement of a link mechanism main body portion due to an abnormal current, a detection switch having a switch unit capable of detecting whether or not a fixed contact and a movable contact are in contact; a switch changeover member including a pressed portion that can be pressed by a handle portion and a switch operation portion that can be brought into contact with a switch portion of the detection switch; a link component to which the switch changeover member and the link mechanism main body are rotatably connected, A circuit breaker in which a switch changeover member can be moved to change the state of a switch section by either operation of a handle section or movement of a link mechanism main body section due to an abnormal current.

2. a spring portion that can move the switch changeover member when the handle portion is released from pressing the pressed portion is disposed at a position offset from the rotation center of the switch changeover member; By moving the handle to release the pressure on the pressed part, 2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein the switch changeover member can be moved so as to release the pressed state of the switch portion of the detection switch by using the force exerted by the spring portion on the switch changeover member.

3. 3. The circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the case of the circuit breaker is provided with a guide portion capable of guiding the direction of movement of the switch changeover member.

4. The device is provided with a tripping device capable of performing a tripping operation to separate the movable contact from the fixed contact when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit, 4. A circuit breaker as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the link mechanism main body is rotatable when the tripping device performs a tripping operation, and the switch switching member can be moved by movement of a link part connected to the link mechanism main body.

5. 2. The circuit breaker according to claim 1, wherein switch protection walls capable of suppressing passage of arcs are located between the fixed contact and the detection switch, and between the pressed portion of the switch changeover member and the switch operating portion of the switch changeover member.

6. The circuit breaker according to claim 5, wherein the switch protection wall portion is capable of restricting a range of movement of the switch changeover member by coming into contact with the switch changeover member.

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