Tripping device, circuit breaker, and distribution board

Abstract

To provide a tripping device capable of easily ensuring the temperature required for tripping an indirectly heated bimetal plate, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board.SOLUTION: A tripping device 1 includes a fixed iron piece 11, a moving iron piece 12, a push-in part 14, an electric circuit L1, and an indirectly heated bimetal plate 4. The bimetal plate 4 is configured to move the push-in part 14 to push latch 3 from the latched position to the unlatched position by being deformed by the heat generation of the electric circuit L1. The bimetal plate 4 is placed between a part of the fixed iron piece 11 and the moving iron piece 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a trip device, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board, and more particularly to a trip device, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board that open contacts when a fault occurs. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit breaker comprising a fixed iron piece in which a movable electromagnetic piece is fixed to a strip extending from a power supply side terminal fitting and arranged parallel to it, a movable iron piece arranged opposite the fixed iron piece across the strip and performing an opening and closing operation relative to the fixed iron piece, and an elastic member that returns the movable iron piece to an open state. The elastic member has the movable iron piece attached to its main body and has protruding connecting pieces that straddle the strip on both sides and are pivoted to the left and right ends of the fixed iron piece, so that when an excessive current flows in the electric circuit, a magnetic force is generated and the movable iron core rotates in the closing direction, operating the tripping member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-130381 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the tripping device of the circuit breaker described above may be equipped with an indirectly heated bimetallic plate instead of a directly heated bimetallic piece (bimetallic plate). In this case, the indirectly heated bimetallic plate itself does not generate heat, so it is difficult to maintain the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetallic plate.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tripping device, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board that can easily ensure the temperature required to trip an indirectly heated bimetal plate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A tripping device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a tripping device that, when an abnormality occurs in power supplied from an external power source to a load via a contact portion, moves a latch portion from a latched position to an unlatched position, thereby opening the contact portion. The tripping device includes a fixed iron piece, a movable iron piece, a pushing portion, an electrical circuit, and an indirectly heated bimetal plate. The movable iron piece is configured to move toward the fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs. The pushing portion is interlocked with the movable iron piece moving toward the fixed iron piece, pushing the latch portion from the latched position to the unlatched position. The electrical circuit supplies the power and is disposed between a portion of the fixed iron piece and the movable iron piece. The bimetal plate is configured to deform due to heat generation in the electrical circuit, thereby moving the pushing portion to push the latch portion from the latched position to the unlatched position. The bimetal plate is disposed between a portion of the fixed iron piece and the movable iron piece.

[0007] A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the trip device, the contact portion, and the latch portion. The contact portion is inserted into the electrical circuit. The latch portion opens the contact portion by being pushed from the latched position to the non-latching position by the pushing portion.

[0008] A distribution board according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the circuit breaker and a cabinet that houses the circuit breaker. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure has the advantage that the temperature required for tripping an indirectly heated bimetal plate can be easily ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the circuit breaker according to this embodiment with the first block removed, showing the contact portion in a closed state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the circuit breaker with the first block removed, showing the contact portion in an open state. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an external view of a distribution board including the circuit breaker. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a tripping device in the circuit breaker. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a tripping device in the circuit breaker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and various modifications other than these embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure. The drawings described in the following embodiments and modifications are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0012] (Embodiment) (1) Overview An outline of the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0013] The tripping device 1 according to this embodiment is provided inside a circuit breaker 10, and when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact unit 2, the tripping device 1 moves the latch unit 3 from a latched position to a non-latching position, thereby opening the contact unit 2. Note that the "latched position" referred to in this disclosure is the position where the latch unit 3 closes the contact unit 2, as shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the "non-latching position" referred to in this disclosure is the position where the latch unit 3 opens the contact unit 2, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tripping device 1 includes a fixed iron piece 11, a movable iron piece 12, a pushing portion 14, an electric circuit L1, and an indirectly heated bimetal plate 4. The movable iron piece 12 is configured to move toward the fixed iron piece 11 when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact portion 2. The pushing portion 14 moves in conjunction with the movable iron piece 12 moving toward the fixed iron piece 11, pushing the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the non-latching position. The electric circuit L1 supplies power from the external power source to the load via the contact portion 2. The electric circuit L1 is disposed between a portion of the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. The bimetal plate 4 is configured to deform due to heat generated by the electric circuit L1, thereby moving the pushing portion 14 to push the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the non-latching position. The bimetal plate 4 is disposed between a portion of the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. In this disclosure, the term "indirectly heated bimetal plate" refers to a bimetal plate that deforms due to the heat generated by a component placed nearby (i.e., a component other than itself), as opposed to a directly heated bimetal plate that deforms due to its own heat generation.

[0015] As described above, in the tripping device 1 of this embodiment, the heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is insulated by the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. Therefore, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to ensure the temperature required to trip the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0016] (2) Detailed configuration Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the tripping device 1, the circuit breaker 10, and the distribution board 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0017] (2-1) Distribution board 3, the distribution board 100 according to this embodiment includes a main breaker 91, a plurality of (12 in the illustrated example) branch breakers 92, a cabinet 93, and an outer cover (not shown). In this embodiment, each of the plurality of branch breakers 92 is a circuit breaker 10. The distribution board 100 is installed, for example, in a residence (or a non-residence).

[0018] The cabinet 93 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 3 , the cabinet 93 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and is attached to a wall of a house or the like when in use. The cabinet 93 houses a main breaker 91 and a plurality of branch breakers 92 (circuit breakers 10). More specifically, the cabinet 93 has a space for housing the main breaker 91 and the plurality of branch breakers 92 (circuit breakers 10). The outer lid is attached to the cabinet 93 in a state where it can move between a position that closes the front of the cabinet 93 and a position that opens it.

[0019] The main breaker 91 has a primary terminal and a secondary terminal. An external power source is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the main breaker 91. In the present disclosure, the "external power source" is a power source that supplies power to a load, such as a system power source (commercial power source). The distribution board 100 according to this embodiment assumes a single-phase three-wire system as the power distribution method, and therefore a single-phase three-wire service line of the system power source (commercial power source) is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the main breaker 91. That is, in this embodiment, the main breaker 91 has two voltage poles and one neutral pole. Each circuit breaker 10 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 91.

[0020] The circuit breakers 10 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, with multiple units (six units in the illustrated example) above and below the conductive bar of the neutral pole. Each circuit breaker 10 has a primary terminal and a secondary terminal.

[0021] The primary terminal of the circuit breaker 10 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the master breaker 91. In other words, an external power source is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the circuit breaker 10 via the master breaker 91. One or more loads are electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the circuit breaker 10. In this disclosure, the term "load" includes not only electrical equipment such as lighting fixtures and hot water supply equipment, but also wiring devices such as electrical outlets and wall switches. Details of the circuit breaker 10 will be explained in the section "(2-2) Circuit Breaker."

[0022] (2-2) Circuit breaker (2-2-1) Overall structure As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 10 comprises a tripping device 1, a contact section 2, a latch section 3 (such as an operating handle 6), a body 5, a pair of terminal sections 7, a fixed contact plate 81, and a braided wire 82.

[0023] The circuit breaker 10 has a function (overcurrent detection function) of detecting an overcurrent, such as a short-circuit current or an overload current, and interrupting the flow of electricity from an external power source to a load (the flow of electricity through the main circuit) by switching the contact unit 2 from closed to open. The circuit breaker 10 is also configured to be able to switch the contact unit 2 from closed to open and from open to closed in response to manual operation of the operating handle 6. For example, after the contact unit 2 is opened due to detection of an abnormal current, a user can close the contact unit 2 by operating the operating handle 6 if safety is confirmed. The main circuit of this embodiment is an electric circuit L1 for supplying power from an external power source to a load, and is the electric circuit L1 between a first terminal 7A and a second terminal 7B (described later) of a pair of terminals 7. The electric circuit L1 (i.e., the main circuit) is composed of a fixed contact plate 81, a latch unit 3, a braided wire 82, and the like.

[0024] (2-2-2) Body As shown in FIG. 4, the body 5 has a generally flat, approximately rectangular box shape. Hereinafter, the direction along the thickness direction of the body 5 may be referred to as the "left-right direction" of the circuit breaker 10. In the following, the direction in which the pair of terminal portions 7 are lined up, as shown in FIG. 1, will be referred to as the "up-down direction," and the downward direction when viewed from the front of the circuit breaker 10 will be referred to as the "downward direction." In addition, the right side when viewed from the front of the circuit breaker 10 will be referred to as the "right side," and the left side will be referred to as the "left side." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction will be referred to as the "front-rear direction," and the side of the body 5 on which the operating handle 6 is provided will be referred to as the "front." However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which the circuit breaker 10 is used.

[0025] 4, the housing 5 has a first block 5A (right block) and a second block 5B (left block). The first block 5A and the second block 5B are made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material.

[0026] The housing 5 accommodates the tripping device 1, the contact portion 2, the latch portion 3, the bimetal plate 4, the operating handle 6, the pair of terminal portions 7, the fixed contact plate 81, and the braided wire 82. As shown in Figures 1 to 2 and 4, the housing 5 supports a part of the operating handle 6 (the lever 61) so that it is exposed to the outside from the front wall 55. As shown in Figure 4, the front wall 55 protrudes forward so that the central portion in the up-down direction is convex, and the lever 61 is exposed to the outside from a window hole 56 in the protruding central portion.

[0027] The first block 5A and the second block 5B are formed in a generally rectangular box shape with open faces facing each other. The housing 5 is formed by joining the first block 5A and the second block 5B together by butting them together.

[0028] (2-2-3) Terminal section As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , one of the pair of terminals 7, a first terminal 7A, is housed in the upper end of the housing 5, and the other, a second terminal 7B, is housed in the upper end of the housing 5. In the following description, it is assumed that an electric wire on the external power source side (e.g., a commercial AC power source) is electrically connected to the first terminal 7A, and an electric wire on the load side is electrically connected to the second terminal 7B. That is, it is assumed that the first terminal 7A is the above-mentioned primary side terminal to which the secondary side terminal of the main breaker 91 is electrically connected, and the second terminal 7B is the above-mentioned secondary side terminal to which the load is electrically connected. Note that the first terminal 7A may be electrically connected to an electric wire on the load side, and the second terminal 7B may be electrically connected to an electric wire on the external power source side.

[0029] The first terminal 7A and the second terminal 7B are, for example, so-called pillar terminals (screw-type terminals) that can be connected by screws. As shown in FIG. 1, the first terminal 7A has a terminal board 71, a terminal fitting 72, and a terminal screw 73. The second terminal 7B has the terminal fitting 72 and the terminal screw 73.

[0030] Terminal plate 71 is made of a conductive metal plate and is formed into a substantially L-shaped plate shape. Terminal plate 71 is fixed inside housing 5.

[0031] Terminal fitting 72 is formed into a rectangular tube shape using a conductive metal plate. Terminal fitting 72 has an axis extending in the vertical direction, with both ends in the vertical direction open. Terminal fitting 72 of first terminal unit 7A is movable within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction within housing 5 with a portion of terminal plate 71 (projection piece 711) inserted therein. Meanwhile, terminal fitting 72 of second terminal unit 7B is movable within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction within housing 5 with a portion of fixed contact plate 81 (projection piece 811) inserted therein. Terminal fitting 72 also has a screw hole into which terminal screw 73 is screwed. Housing 5 has insertion openings 51 (two in total) for inserting an electric wire at a portion that overlaps with the gap between projection piece 711 (or projection piece 811) and the bottom wall of terminal fitting 72 when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0032] Terminal screws 73 are housed in housing 5 with their screw tips threaded into the screw holes of terminal fittings 72. Housing 5 has holes 52 (two in total) at portions of its front wall 55 that overlap with the heads of terminal screws 73 when viewed from the front-to-back direction, through which the heads of terminal screws 73 are exposed without falling out.

[0033] In the first terminal portion 7A, with the electric wire on the external power supply side inserted from the socket 51 into the gap between the protrusion 711 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the hole 52 and the terminal screw 73 is tightened, moving the terminal fitting 72 forward and reducing the distance between the protrusion 711 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72. As a result, the electric wire on the external power supply side that was inserted into the gap can be connected to the terminal portion 7.

[0034] Similarly, in the second terminal portion 7B, with the load-side electric wire inserted from the insertion port 51 into the gap between the protrusion 811 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the hole 52 and the terminal screw 73 is tightened, moving the terminal fitting 72 forward and reducing the distance between the protrusion 811 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72. As a result, the load-side electric wire inserted in the gap can be connected to the terminal portion 7.

[0035] (2-2-4) Contact part The contact unit 2 is configured to open when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power supply to the load via the contact unit 2. More specifically, the contact unit 2 is configured to open in response to the occurrence of an abnormal current (here, examples include leakage current, short-circuit current, and overload current) in the main circuit, thereby switching the main circuit from a conducting state to a cut-off state. The contact unit 2 is inserted in the electric path L1 between the first terminal 7A and the second terminal 7B.

[0036] 1 and 2, the contact unit 2 has a fixed contact 2A and a movable contact 2B that comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact 2A. Fig. 1 shows the contact unit 2 in a closed state, and Fig. 2 shows the contact unit 2 in an open state.

[0037] The fixed contact 2A is provided on a fixed contact plate 81. More specifically, the fixed contact 2A is a recess provided on the fixed contact plate 81. The fixed contact 2A may also be a protrusion provided on the fixed contact plate 81. The fixed contact plate 81 is made of a low-resistance material such as iron or copper. The fixed contact plate 81 constitutes a part of the electric circuit L1 (i.e., the main circuit).

[0038] The movable contact 2B is located at one end of an arm 31 (movable contactor) of the latch portion 3, which is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The movable contact 2B is integrated as a part of the arm 31. However, the movable contact 2B may be a separate member from the arm 31 and fixed to one end of the arm 31. The arm 31 forms a part of the electric circuit L1.

[0039] The arm 31 is rotatable around a shaft 32 provided at the other end thereof between a position where the movable contact 2B contacts the fixed contact 2A and a position where the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A. One end of a braided wire 82 is fixed to the middle portion of the arm 31. The braided wire 82 forms part of the main circuit. The other end of the braided wire 82 is fixed to the terminal plate 71 of the first terminal portion 7A. The braided wire 82 forms part of the electric circuit L1.

[0040] When the contact portion 2 is in a closed state, power supplied (output) from the external power source to the first terminal portion 7A passes through the electrical path L1 and is supplied (input) to the load from the second terminal portion 7B. More specifically, the power output from the external power source to the first terminal portion 7A passes through the electrical path L1 in the order of the braided wire 82, the latch portion 3, and the fixed contact plate 81, and is input to the load from the second terminal portion 7B.

[0041] (2-2-5) Latch The latch unit 3 is configured to open or close the contact unit 2 in response to an opening operation (OFF operation) or a closing operation (ON operation). More specifically, the latch unit 3 is configured to maintain one of two states: a state in which the movable contact 2B is in contact with the fixed contact 2A, and a state in which the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A, in response to an opening operation or a closing operation. When the latch unit 3 is in the latched position (see FIG. 1), the latch unit 3 closes the contact unit 2, i.e., maintains the state in which the movable contact 2B is in contact with the fixed contact 2A. On the other hand, when the latch unit 3 is in the non-latching position (see FIG. 2), the latch unit 3 opens the contact unit 2, i.e., maintains the state in which the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A.

[0042] In addition, the latch portion 3 is pushed from the latched position to the non-latched position by the pushing portion 14 of the tripping device 1, which will be described later, thereby opening the contact portion 2, in other words, maintaining the movable contact 2B separated from the fixed contact 2A.

[0043] The latch unit 3 has an operating handle 6, multiple latch members 30, and an arm 31. The operating handle 6 is rotatably supported on the housing 5 with a lever (operating knob) 61 protruding to the outside of the housing 5 from a window hole 56 (see FIG. 4) provided in the front wall 55 of the housing 5. Each latch member 30 connects the operating handle 6 to the arm 31, and moves the arm 31 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 6. The operating handle 6 is rotatable between an ON position, which closes the contact unit 2, and an OFF position, which opens the contact unit 2.

[0044] In Fig. 1, the contact unit 2 is in a closed state, and the lever 61 of the operating handle 6 is tilted upward. On the other hand, in Fig. 2, the contact unit 2 is in an open state, and the lever 61 of the operating handle 6 is tilted downward.

[0045] (2-2-6) Tripping device The tripping device 1 is configured to drive the latch unit 3 described above to forcibly open the contact unit 2 (i.e., to separate the movable contact 2B from the fixed contact 2A) when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. More specifically, the tripping device 1 is configured to drive the latch unit 3 described above to forcibly open the contact unit 2 when an abnormal current is detected in the main circuit.

[0046] 5 and 6, the tripping device 1 includes a fixed iron piece 11, a movable iron piece 12, a holder 13, a pushing portion 14, and a bimetal plate 4. The tripping device 1 is disposed in the electric circuit L1. In this embodiment, the tripping device 1 is disposed in a fixed contact plate 81 that constitutes a part of the electric circuit L1.

[0047] 6, the fixed iron piece 11 has a first surface X1, and the movable iron piece 12 has a second surface X2 facing the first surface X1. The electric circuit L1 is disposed between the first surface X1 and the second surface X2. In this embodiment, the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 face each other substantially in the front-rear direction.

[0048] The fixed iron piece 11 is made of a magnetic material and is a substantially U-shaped plate member as shown in FIG. 6. More specifically, the fixed iron piece 11 has a first portion 111, a second portion 112, and a third portion 113. As shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 111 is a rectangular flat plate member whose thickness direction intersects (here, perpendicular to) the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first portion 111 of this embodiment is housed in the housing 5 so that its upper end is located forward of its lower end. In other words, in this embodiment, the thickness direction of the first portion 111 does not follow the front-rear direction but slightly intersects with it. As shown in FIG. 6, the first portion 111 includes a first surface X1 and has a first end 1111 (right end) and a second end 1112 (left end). The first surface X1 is the front surface of the first portion 111. As shown in FIG. 6, the second portion 112 is a substantially rectangular plate member that protrudes forward from a first end 1111 (right end) of the first portion 111 along the thickness direction of the first portion 111. Similarly, the third portion 113 is a substantially rectangular plate member that protrudes forward from a second end 1112 (left end) of the first portion 111 along the thickness direction of the first portion 111. The second portion 112 and the third portion 113 face each other in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 has a locking portion 114 that locks onto a rib (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the housing 5. Note that in the phrase "disposed between a part of the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12" in this disclosure, "a part of the fixed iron piece 11" refers to the first portion 111 of the fixed iron piece 11.

[0049] 5 and 6, the fixed iron piece 11 is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the fixed contact plate 81 is inserted therein. More specifically, the fixed iron piece 11 is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the fixed contact plate 81 is inserted between the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 in the left-right direction.

[0050] The movable iron piece 12 is configured to move toward the fixed iron piece 11 when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. The movable iron piece 12 is made of a magnetic material and is a long, rectangular plate member. As shown in FIG. 1 , the thickness direction of the movable iron piece 12 does not follow the front-rear direction but slightly intersects with the front-rear direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the thickness direction of the movable iron piece 12 intersects with the thickness direction of the first portion 111 of the fixed iron piece 11. More specifically, before the movable iron piece 12 moves toward the fixed iron piece 11 (i.e., when the contact unit 2 is closed), the thickness direction of the movable iron piece 12 intersects with the front-rear direction to a greater extent than the thickness direction of the first portion 111 of the fixed iron piece 11 when viewed from the left-right direction. Of the two surfaces of the movable iron plate 12 facing each other in the thickness direction, the surface closer to the fixed iron plate 11 (ie, the rear surface of the movable iron plate 12) is a second surface X2 (see FIG. 6) facing the first surface X1.

[0051] 1, the movable iron piece 12 is accommodated in the housing 5 so that, when viewed from the left and right, with the contact portion 2 in a closed state, the clearance between the rear surface of the movable iron piece 12 and the front surface of the second portion 112 of the fixed iron piece 11 gradually increases from the first end (lower end) to the second end (upper end) of the rear surface of the movable iron piece 12. In addition, the movable iron piece 12 is accommodated in the housing 5 so that a fixed contact plate 81 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is inserted between the movable iron piece 12 and the first portion 111 of the fixed iron piece 11 in the thickness direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than a threshold value, a magnetic circuit passing through the fixed iron 11 and the movable iron 12 is formed, and the fixed iron 11 and the movable iron 12 are magnetized, generating an attractive force (magnetic force) that attracts the movable iron 12, causing the fixed iron 11 to move toward the fixed iron 11. More specifically, when the current value of the power flowing through the fixed contact plate 81 becomes higher than a threshold value, the fixed iron 11 and the movable iron 12 are magnetized because they are accommodated around the fixed contact plate 81. As a result, the movable iron 12 moves toward the fixed iron 11. This configuration has the advantage of eliminating the need for a configuration that detects an abnormality in the power supplied from the external power source to the load, or a configuration that causes the fixed iron 11 to attract the movable iron 12 by a method other than magnetic force, thereby simplifying the structure of the tripping device 1.

[0053] The holder 13 is a member to which the movable iron piece 12 is attached. The holder 13 moves in conjunction with the movable iron piece 12 that moves toward the fixed iron piece 11. In other words, the holder 13 moves integrally with the movable iron piece 12 that moves toward the fixed iron piece 11.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5 , the holder 13 of this embodiment has a base 130, an attachment portion 131, a connection portion 132, and a return spring portion 133. The base 130 of this embodiment is a substantially rectangular plate member. The movable iron piece 12 is held on the rear surface of the base 130. The attachment portion 131 attaches the base 130 to the inside of the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a center point P1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The attachment portion 131 is provided at the lower end of the base 130. The attachment portion 131 of this embodiment is rod-shaped and is attached to a boss portion 58 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ) provided on the inside of the housing 5. The connection portion 132 is a portion to which the push-in portion 14 is connected. The connection portion 132 is provided at the upper end of the base 130. The return spring portion 133 is made of, for example, a coil spring and is provided above the front surface of the base 130. When the movable iron piece 12 moves toward the fixed iron piece 11 , the return spring portion 133 bends and generates an elastic force that moves the movable iron piece 12 in a direction away from the fixed iron piece 11 .

[0055] The movable iron piece 12 is attached to the holder 13 and is configured to rotate around the center point P1 toward the fixed iron piece 11 due to the attractive force generated when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than a threshold value.

[0056] The pushing portion 14 moves in conjunction with the movable iron piece 12 moving toward the fixed iron piece 11, and pushes the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the non-latched position. More specifically, the pushing portion 14 pushes the end portion 33 (see FIG. 1 ) of the latch portion 3 upward, thereby pushing the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the non-latched position. The pushing portion 14 of this embodiment is formed integrally with the holder 13, and moves integrally with the holder 13 when the movable iron piece 12 moves toward the fixed iron piece 11.

[0057] The pushing portion 14 is made of a material lighter than the movable iron piece 12. In this embodiment, the pushing portion 14 is integrally formed with the holder 13, and therefore the holder 13 and the pushing portion 14 are made of a material lighter than the movable iron piece 12. In the present disclosure, the "material lighter than the movable iron piece 12" refers to a material containing reinforcing fibers, such as polyamide (PA), polyamideimide (PAI), polyimide (PI), PEEK, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), ABS, polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), acrylic (PMNA), polyacetal (POM), liquid crystal polymer (LCP), and melamine (MF). This configuration increases the moving speed of the movable iron piece 12 moving toward the fixed iron piece 11, making it possible to more strongly push the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the unlatched position. That is, there is an advantage that the force with which the tripping device 1 separates the movable contact 2B from the fixed contact 2A can be strengthened. In other words, there is an advantage that the tripping force generated by the movement of the movable iron piece 12 toward the fixed iron piece 11 can be made stronger.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the push-in portion 14 of this embodiment has a connection portion 141, a first portion 142, an attachment portion 143, a second portion 144, and a contact portion 145.

[0059] The first portion 142 and the second portion 144 are rectangular, flat plate members. The thickness direction of the first portion 142 is substantially along the front-rear direction, and the thickness direction of the second portion 144 is substantially along the up-down direction. A connection portion 141 that connects to the connection portion 132 of the holder 13 is provided at a first end (lower end) of the first portion 142. As shown in FIG. 5 , the connection portion 132 of the holder 13 and the connection portion 141 of the pushing portion 14 are connected by a rotary joint. A second end (upper end) of the first portion 142 is connected to a first end (front end) of the second portion 144. An attachment portion 143 is provided at the connection portion between the second end (upper end) of the first portion 142 and the first end (front end) of the second portion 144. The attachment portion 143 attaches the pushing portion 14 to the inside of the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a center point P2. The mounting portion 143 of this embodiment is rod-shaped and is attached to a boss portion 59 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided on the inside of the housing 5. A contact portion 145 is provided at the second end (rear end) of the second portion 144.

[0060] The contact portion 145 is a portion that comes into contact with the end portion 33 of the latch portion 3 when the push-in portion 14 pushes in the latch portion 3. The contact portion 145 of this embodiment is a rectangular, flat plate member. The thickness direction of the contact portion 145 of this embodiment is approximately along the front-rear direction. The contact portion 145 of this embodiment is formed to face the first portion 142. That is, the push-in portion 14 of this embodiment is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the left-right direction. A locking portion 146 is provided at the tip of the push-in portion 14 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the locking portion 146 locks with the tip 42 (upper end) of the bimetal plate 4, which will be described later, when the bimetal plate 4 is in a deformed state. The locking portion 146 of this embodiment is semicircular when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0061] The bimetal plate 4 is deformed by heat generated by the electric circuit L1 (in this embodiment, the fixed contact plate 81), i.e., it is an indirectly heated type. Specifically, when an overcurrent flows in the electric circuit L1 due to an overload, for example, the temperature of the electric circuit L1 rises, and the bimetal plate 4 is deformed by the temperature rise of the electric circuit L1. The bimetal plate 4 is a rectangular flat plate member. As shown in FIG. 5, the thickness direction of the bimetal plate 4 in this embodiment intersects (here, is perpendicular to) the left-right direction.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bimetal plate 4 has a connection end 41 and a tip 42. In the bimetal plate 4 of this embodiment, the lower end is the connection end 41 and the upper end is the tip 42. The connection end 41 is connected to the electric circuit L1. More specifically, the connection end 41 is connected to a fixed contact plate 81 that forms part of the electric circuit L1. The bimetal plate 4 is fixed to the fixed contact plate 81 by connecting the connection end 41 to the fixed contact plate 81. The bimetal plate 4 protrudes from the connection end 41 toward the locking portion 146 of the push-in portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the tip 42 of the bimetal plate 4 is in contact with the locking portion 146 before the bimetal plate 4 is deformed.

[0063] When heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is transmitted to the bimetal plate 4, the bimetal plate 4 deforms so as to bend (flex) in a direction that displaces the tip 42 rearward. As a result of the bimetal plate 4 deforming as described above, the tip 42 of the bimetal plate 4 engages with the engaging portion 146, moving the pushing portion 14 so as to push the latch portion 3 from the latched position to the non-latching position. Then, the latch portion 3 is pushed from the latched position to the non-latching position by the pushing portion 14, thereby opening the contact portion 2. In short, as the bimetal plate 4 deforms due to the heat generated by the electric circuit L1, the latch portion 3 opens the contact portion 2.

[0064] The bimetal plate 4 is disposed between the movable iron piece 12 and the electric circuit L1, and the electric circuit L1 is disposed between the bimetal plate 4 and a part of the fixed iron piece 11. More specifically, the electric circuit L1 is disposed between the bimetal plate 4 and the first part 111 of the fixed iron piece 11. In short, in the tripping device 1 of this embodiment, the movable iron piece 12, the bimetal plate 4, the electric circuit L1, and the fixed iron piece 11 are disposed in this order from the front.

[0065] That is, the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged between the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12, as shown in Fig. 6. With this configuration, the heat generated in the electric circuit L1 (in this embodiment, the fixed contact plate 81) is insulated by the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. Therefore, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to ensure the temperature required to trip the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0066] More specifically, the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged in the front-rear direction between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12. That is, the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged between the opposing first surface X1 and second surface X2. With this configuration, heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is easily insulated by the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. Therefore, the trip device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of easily ensuring the temperature required to trip the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0067] The bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged parallel to the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11. More specifically, the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 and parallel to the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11. In other words, the bimetal plate 4 and the portion of the electric circuit L1 located between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 are arranged parallel to the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11. In short, the bimetal plate 4 and the portion of the electric circuit L1 located between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 are parallel to each other and face each other along the thickness direction of the fixed iron piece 11. This configuration has the advantage that the clearance between the bimetal plate 4 and the portion of the electric circuit L1 located between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 becomes uniform, which results in easier transfer of heat generated in the electric circuit L1 to the bimetal plate 4. Note that "parallel" in this disclosure is not limited to being strictly parallel, and a slight error (for example, ±2 degrees) is allowed.

[0068] 6, the bimetal plate 4 is disposed between the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11 in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is further insulated by the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11. Therefore, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of making it easier to ensure the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6 , a first gap Y1 is formed between the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1. The first gap Y1 is a gap between the rear surface of the bimetal plate 4 and the front surface of the electric circuit L1. More specifically, the first gap Y1 is a gap surrounded by the rear surface of the bimetal plate 4, the left surface of the second portion 112 of the fixed iron piece 11, the front surface of the electric circuit L1, and the right surface of the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11. This configuration has the advantage that when heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is transferred to the bimetal plate 4, the bimetal plate 4 is easily deformed so as to bend in a direction that displaces the tip 42 rearward. In other words, this configuration has the advantage that the bimetal plate 4 is easily deformed.

[0070] 1, in this embodiment, the first gap Y1 is formed between the tip 42 of the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1. The electric circuit L1 in this embodiment is connected to the connection end 41 of the bimetal plate 4, and is curved so that the first gap Y1 is formed between the electric circuit L1 and the tip 42 of the bimetal plate 4. This configuration has the advantage that when heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is transferred to the bimetal plate 4, the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform, bending in a direction that displaces the tip 42 rearward, with the connection end 41 as a fulcrum. In other words, this has the advantage that the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 6 , the electric circuit L1 is disposed between the bimetal plate 4 and the fixed iron piece 11, and a second gap Y2 is formed between the electric circuit L1 and the fixed iron piece 11. The second gap Y2 is a gap between the rear surface of the electric circuit L1, the left surface of the second portion 112 of the fixed iron piece 11, the front surface of the first portion 111 of the fixed iron piece 11, and the right surface of the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11. This configuration has the advantage of making it difficult for heat generated in the electric circuit L1 to be transmitted to the fixed iron piece 11. In the circuit breaker of the comparative example, the fixed iron piece is engaged with a rib provided on the inner surface of the circuit breaker body. Therefore, if heat generated in the electric circuit is transmitted to the fixed iron piece, the temperature of the circuit breaker body, i.e., the temperature of the circuit breaker, may increase. However, in the circuit breaker 10 of this embodiment, heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is difficult to be transmitted to the fixed iron piece 11, which has the advantage of suppressing an increase in the temperature of the circuit breaker 10.

[0072] (3) Effects In the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment, the bimetal plate 4 is disposed between a part (first portion 111) of the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. As a result, the heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is insulated by the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12. Therefore, the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage that it is easy to ensure the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4. As a result, there is the advantage that the accuracy of detecting abnormalities by the bimetal plate 4 is improved.

[0073] Furthermore, by disposing the bimetal plate 4 between the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than the threshold value, a magnetic circuit passing through the bimetal plate 4 and the fixed iron piece 11 is further formed, and the bimetal plate 4 is magnetized. As a result, an attractive force (magnetic force) that attracts the movable iron piece 12 is generated by the bimetal plate 4. As a result, there is an advantage that when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than the threshold value, the attractive force that attracts the movable iron piece 12 becomes stronger.

[0074] In the trip device 1 according to this embodiment, the fixed iron piece 11 has a first surface X1, and the movable iron piece 12 has a second surface X2 that faces the first surface X1. The bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are disposed between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12. This makes it easier for the fixed iron piece 11 and the movable iron piece 12 to insulate the heat generated in the electric circuit L1. Therefore, the trip device 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage of making it easier to ensure the temperature required to trip the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0075] In the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment, the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1 are arranged parallel to the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11. This makes the clearance between the bimetal plate 4 and the portion of the electric circuit L1 that is located between the first surface X1 of the fixed iron piece 11 and the second surface X2 of the movable iron piece 12 uniform, which has the advantage of making it easier for heat generated in the electric circuit L1 to be transferred to the bimetal plate 4.

[0076] In the trip device 1 according to this embodiment, the fixed iron piece 11 has a first portion 111, a second portion 112, and a third portion 113. The first portion 111 is flat and includes a first surface X1 and a first end 1111 and a second end 1112. The second portion 112 protrudes from the first end 1111 of the first portion 111 along the thickness direction of the first portion 111. The third portion 113 protrudes from the second end 1112 of the first portion 111 along the thickness direction of the first portion 111. The bimetal plate 4 is disposed between the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11. This makes it easier for the second portion 112 and the third portion 113 of the fixed iron piece 11 to insulate the heat generated in the electric circuit L1. Therefore, the trip device 1 according to this embodiment has the advantage of more easily ensuring the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate 4.

[0077] In the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment, a first gap Y1 is formed between the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1. This has the advantage that when heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is transferred to the bimetal plate 4, the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform so as to bend in a direction that displaces the tip 42 rearward. In other words, this has the advantage that the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform.

[0078] In the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment, the bimetal plate 4 is flat and has a connection end 41 and a tip 42. The connection end 41 is connected to the electric circuit L1, and a first gap Y1 is formed between the tip 42 of the bimetal plate 4 and the electric circuit L1. This has the advantage that when heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is transferred to the bimetal plate 4, the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform, bending in a direction that displaces the tip 42 rearward, with the connection end 41 as a fulcrum. In other words, this has the advantage that the bimetal plate 4 is more likely to deform.

[0079] In the tripping device 1 according to this embodiment, the electric circuit L1 is disposed between the bimetal plate 4 and a part (first portion 111) of the fixed iron piece 11, and a second gap Y2 is formed between the electric circuit L1 and the fixed iron piece 11. This has the advantage that heat generated in the electric circuit L1 is less likely to be transmitted to the fixed iron piece 11.

[0080] (4) Variations The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. The following modified examples may be realized in appropriate combination.

[0081] The pushing portion 14 is formed of a material lighter than the movable iron piece 12, but may be formed of a magnetic material. For example, the pushing portion 14 may be formed of the same material as the movable iron piece 12, which is formed of a magnetic material. When the pushing portion 14 is formed integrally with the holder 13, the holder 13 and the pushing portion 14 may be formed of a magnetic material. The pushing portion 14 may also be formed of a magnetic material lighter than the movable iron piece 12. The above configuration has the advantage of reducing the magnetic resistance of the movable iron piece 12 and increasing the force with which the fixed iron piece 11 attracts the movable iron piece 12.

[0082] In the above embodiment, both of the two terminals 7 are screw terminals, but this is not particularly limited. At least one of the two terminals 7 may be a terminal with a so-called quick-connect structure that can be connected without using screws.

[0083] (summary) A first embodiment of the tripping device (1) is a tripping device that, when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact portion (2), moves the latch portion (3) from a latched position to an unlatched position, thereby opening the contact portion (2). The first embodiment of the tripping device (1) includes a fixed iron piece (11), a movable iron piece (12), a pushing portion (14), an electrical circuit (L1), and an indirectly heated bimetal plate (4). The movable iron piece (12) is configured to move toward the fixed iron piece (11) when an abnormality occurs. The pushing portion (14) is interlocked with the movable iron piece (12) moving toward the fixed iron piece (11), and pushes the latch portion (3) from the latched position to the unlatched position. The electrical circuit (L1) supplies power and is disposed between a portion of the fixed iron piece (11) and the movable iron piece (12). The bimetal plate (4) is configured to move the pushing portion (14) so ​​as to push the latch portion (3) from the latched position to the unlatched position by deforming due to heat generated by the electric circuit (L1). The bimetal plate (4) is disposed between a part of the fixed iron piece (11) and the movable iron piece (12).

[0084] This embodiment has the advantage that the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate (4) can be easily maintained.

[0085] In the tripping device (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the fixed iron piece (11) has a first surface (X1). The movable iron piece (12) has a second surface (X2) opposite to the first surface (X1). The bimetal plate (4) and the electric circuit (L1) are disposed between the first surface (X1) and the second surface (X2).

[0086] This embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to ensure the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate (4).

[0087] In the tripping device (1) of the third embodiment, in the second embodiment, the bimetal plate (4) and the electric circuit (L1) are arranged parallel to the first plane (X1).

[0088] This embodiment has the advantage that heat generated in the electric circuit (L1) is easily transferred to the bimetal plate (4).

[0089] In the fourth aspect of the tripping device (1) of the second or third aspect, the fixed iron piece (11) has a first portion (111), a second portion (112), and a third portion (113). The first portion (111) includes a first surface (X1) and is flat, having a first end (1111) and a second end (1112). The second portion (112) protrudes from the first end (1111) along the thickness direction of the first portion (111). The third portion (113) protrudes from the second end (1112) along the thickness direction. The bimetal plate (4) is disposed between the second portion (112) and the third portion (113).

[0090] This embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to ensure the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate (4).

[0091] In the tripping device (1) of the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, a gap (Y1) is formed between the bimetal plate (4) and the electric circuit (L1).

[0092] This embodiment has the advantage that the bimetal plate (4) is easily deformed.

[0093] In the sixth aspect of the tripping device (1), the bimetal plate (4) is flat and has a connecting end (41) and a tip (42). The connecting end (41) is connected to the electric circuit (L1). A gap (Y1) is formed between the tip (42) and the electric circuit (L1).

[0094] This embodiment has the advantage that the bimetal plate (4) is more easily deformable.

[0095] In the tripping device (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the electric circuit (L1) is arranged between the bimetal plate (4) and a part of the fixed iron piece (11). A gap (Y2) is formed between the electric circuit (L1) and the fixed iron piece (11).

[0096] This embodiment has the advantage that the heat generated in the electric circuit (L1) is less likely to be transmitted to the fixed iron piece (11).

[0097] A circuit breaker (10) of an eighth aspect includes the tripping device (1) of any one of the first to seventh aspects, a contact unit (2), and a latch unit (3). The contact unit (2) is inserted into an electric circuit (L1). The latch unit (3) is pushed from a latched position to a non-latching position by a push-in unit (14), thereby opening the contact unit (2).

[0098] This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to provide a circuit breaker that can easily maintain the temperature required for tripping the indirectly heated bimetal plate (4).

[0099] A distribution board (100) according to a ninth aspect includes the circuit breaker (10) according to the eighth aspect and a cabinet (93) that houses the circuit breaker (10).

[0100] This embodiment has the advantage of being able to provide a distribution board that can easily maintain the temperature required to trip the indirectly heated bimetal plate (4). [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 100 Distribution board 10. Circuit Breaker 1 Tripping device 11 Fixed iron piece 111 Part 1 1111 1st end 1112 2nd end 112 Part 2 113 Part 3 12 Moving iron 14 Push-in section 2 Contact point 3 Latch section 4 Bimetal Plate 41 Connection end 42 Tip 93 Cabinet L1 electrical circuit X1 1st page X2 2nd side Y1 First gap (gap) Y2 Second gap (gap)

Claims

1. A tripping device that opens a contact portion by moving a latch portion from a latched position to an unlatched position when an abnormality occurs in power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact portion, A fixed iron piece; a movable iron piece configured to move toward the fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs; a pushing portion that moves in conjunction with the movable iron piece as it moves toward the fixed iron piece and pushes the latch portion from the latched position to the non-latched position; an electric path that supplies the electric power and is disposed between a part of the fixed iron piece and the movable iron piece; an indirectly heated bimetal plate that is configured to move the pushing portion so as to push the latch portion from the latched position to the non-latching position by being deformed due to heat generated by the electric circuit, and is disposed between a part of the fixed iron piece and the movable iron piece; Tripping device.

2. The fixed iron piece has a first surface, the movable iron piece has a second surface facing the first surface, the bimetal plate and the electrical path are disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The tripping device according to claim 1 .

3. the bimetal plate and the electrical path are arranged parallel to the first surface; 3. The tripping device according to claim 2.

4. The fixed iron piece is a first portion having a flat plate shape including the first surface and having a first end and a second end; a second portion protruding from the first end along a thickness direction of the first portion; a third portion protruding from the second end along the thickness direction, the bimetal plate is disposed between the second portion and the third portion; 3. The tripping device according to claim 2.

5. A gap is formed between the bimetal plate and the electric circuit. The tripping device according to claim 1 .

6. the bimetal plate is flat and has a connecting end and a tip; the connection end is connected to the electrical path, The gap is formed between the tip and the electrical path. The tripping device according to claim 5.

7. the electric path is disposed between the bimetal plate and a portion of the fixed iron piece; A gap is formed between the electric circuit and the fixed iron piece. The tripping device according to claim 1 .

8. A tripping device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; The contact portion inserted into the electrical path; the latch portion being pushed from the latch position to the non-latching position by the pushing portion to open the contact portion, Circuit breaker.

9. A circuit breaker according to claim 8; a cabinet that houses the circuit breaker. Distribution board.

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