Circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a circuit breaker capable of increasing the degree of freedom of design.SOLUTION: The circuit breaker includes a pivoting portion that is pivotable about a rotation axis, a contact portion that is capable of switching an electrical path that electrically connects a power supply and a load device in accordance with movement of the pivoting portion, an overcurrent contact portion provided in the pivoting portion, an overcurrent tripping portion that moves the overcurrent contact portion in a rotation circumferential direction of the pivoting portion when an overcurrent is detected, an instantaneous contact portion provided in the pivoting portion, and an instantaneous tripping portion that moves the instantaneous contact portion in the rotation circumferential direction of the pivoting portion when a preset current value is reached. The rotating portion rotates in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact portion or the instantaneous contact portion to open the contact portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, circuit breakers with overcurrent and earth leakage current interruption functions have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit breaker that includes a switching mechanism having a latch mechanism that operates a separator to open the switching contacts when an electrical circuit abnormality such as a ground fault or overcurrent occurs, and a tripping member that transmits an abnormality detection operation such as an overcurrent or earth leakage current detection operation to the switching mechanism. The tripping member is arranged vertically in parallel with the arrangement of the terminals provided on the circuit breaker and includes a bimetal piece, a movable electromagnetic piece, and multiple engaging portions that engage with an earth leakage cylinder and a bimetal piece provided on the electrical circuit. The tripping member operates to cause the switching mechanism to perform an interruption operation, thereby releasing the switching contacts. [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] In conventional circuit breakers, the tripping member moves along a straight line, for example, to transmit an abnormality detection signal from each engaging portion and to cause the switching mechanism to perform an open circuit. In the circuit breaker of Patent Document 1, if the tripping member moves along a straight line, the bimetallic piece, the movable electromagnetic piece, the earth leakage cylinder, and the tripping member's engaging portion must all be arranged along a straight line, which places certain restrictions on the arrangement of these components. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange the bimetallic piece, the movable electromagnetic piece, the earth leakage cylinder, etc., in a straight line around the tripping member to ensure a certain amount of space for the linear movement of these components. However, this creates excess space in areas of the circuit breaker other than around the tripping member, which can hinder effective use of the space within the circuit breaker. Therefore, there is a need for a circuit breaker that can smoothly open the switching contacts while effectively utilizing the space within the circuit breaker, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a circuit breaker that allows for greater freedom in design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a rotating part that can rotate around a rotation axis, a contact part that can switch between opening and closing an electrical circuit that can electrically connect a power source and a load device in accordance with the movement of the rotating part, an overcurrent contact part provided on the rotating part, an overcurrent tripping part that moves the overcurrent contact part in the circumferential direction of the rotating part when an overcurrent is detected, an instantaneous contact part provided on the rotating part, and an instantaneous tripping part that moves the instantaneous contact part in the circumferential direction of the rotating part when a preset current value is reached, and the rotating part opens the contact part by rotating in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact part or the instantaneous contact part.

[0007] This circuit breaker includes a contact unit and a rotating unit. The rotating unit rotates to switch between open and closed states. The rotating unit is provided with an overcurrent contact unit and an instantaneous contact unit. When an overcurrent is detected, the overcurrent tripping unit moves the overcurrent contact unit in the circumferential direction of the rotating unit, and when the current reaches a preset value, the instantaneous tripping unit moves the instantaneous contact unit in the circumferential direction of the rotating unit. This allows the rotating unit to rotate in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact unit or the instantaneous contact unit, switching the contact unit to an open state. In other words, when an overcurrent is detected or when the current reaches a preset value, the contact unit can be appropriately switched to an open state by the rotation of the rotating unit. The overcurrent tripping unit and the instantaneous tripping unit may be provided anywhere in the circuit breaker without significant restrictions on their relative positions or operating directions, as long as the overcurrent contact unit and the instantaneous contact unit provided on the rotating unit can be moved, respectively. This circuit breaker does not require the overcurrent tripping unit and instantaneous tripping unit to be arranged in a straight line, as is the case with conventional circuit breakers, and does not require the tripping direction to be unified in a straight line. Therefore, compared to conventional circuit breakers, this circuit breaker does not require significant restrictions on the locations of the mechanisms that operate in conjunction with the overcurrent tripping unit and instantaneous tripping unit. This circuit breaker therefore allows for greater freedom in design.

[0008] The circuit breaker according to one embodiment may further include an engaging portion that switches the contact portion to an open state by rotating a portion that comes into contact with the rotating portion in accordance with the rotation of the rotating portion. In this case, the engaging portion can switch the contact portion to an open state by appropriately transmitting the rotational force of the rotating portion. Therefore, by providing the engaging portion to the circuit breaker, it is possible to suppress significant restrictions on the size, shape, arrangement, operating direction, etc. of the rotating portion and the contact portion, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.

[0009] In one embodiment of the circuit breaker, the distance from the overcurrent contact portion to the rotation axis of the rotating portion in the radial direction of the rotation of the rotating portion may be equal to or less than the distance from the contact point between the rotating portion and the engaging portion to the rotation axis of the rotating portion. Because the temperature of the circuit breaker rises when an overcurrent occurs, it is necessary to quickly open the contact portion after the overcurrent occurs. Therefore, by configuring the circuit breaker as described above, even when the movement distance of the overcurrent contact portion by the overcurrent tripping portion is small, such as when the time after the overcurrent occurs is short, the rotating portion can be rotated to rotate the engaging portion, and the contact portion can be efficiently opened.

[0010] In one embodiment of the circuit breaker, the contact unit has a plurality of contacts electrically connectable to a power source and a load device, the rotating unit is plate-shaped, and at least one of the overcurrent contacts and the instantaneous contacts may be located on both the front and back surfaces of the rotating unit, corresponding to each of the plurality of contacts. In this case, for example, when an overcurrent is detected in one of the plurality of contacts depending on the connection status of the contacts selected when forming an electrical path, one overcurrent tripping unit may be moved to open the contact unit by moving the overcurrent contact located on the front or back surface of the rotating unit. While the above-described example shows an overcurrent contact and an overcurrent tripping unit, the instantaneous contact and the instantaneous tripping unit may also be provided in the same manner as in the above-described example. Alternatively, only the instantaneous contact and the instantaneous tripping unit may be provided as in the above-described example. That is, at least one of the overcurrent contact and the instantaneous contact may be provided on both the front and back surfaces of the rotating unit, corresponding to each contact, depending on the connection status of the electrical path in the contact unit. This allows the circuit breaker to smoothly open the contacts in response to an abnormality occurring in the electrical circuit connected to each contact. Furthermore, compared to a circuit breaker in which multiple overcurrent contacts and / or instantaneous contacts are provided on only one side of the rotating part, this circuit breaker can reduce the amount of space required on one side of the rotating part, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in design.

[0011] A circuit breaker according to one embodiment may further include a ground fault contact provided on the rotating part and a ground fault tripping unit that moves the ground fault contact in a circumferential direction of the rotating part when a ground fault is detected, and the rotating part may rotate in accordance with the movement of the ground fault contact to open the contact part. In this case, when a ground fault is detected, the ground fault tripping unit moves the ground fault contact in a circumferential direction of the rotating part. As a result, the rotating part rotates in accordance with the movement of the ground fault contact, and the contact part can be switched to an open state. In other words, when a ground fault is detected, the contact part can be appropriately switched to an open state by the rotation of the rotating part. The overcurrent tripping unit, instantaneous tripping unit, and ground fault tripping unit may be provided anywhere in the circuit breaker without significant restrictions on their relative positions or operating directions, as long as the overcurrent contact, instantaneous tripping unit, and ground fault contact provided on the rotating part can be moved, respectively. This circuit breaker does not require the overcurrent tripping unit, instantaneous tripping unit, and earth leakage tripping unit to be arranged in a straight line as in conventional circuit breakers, and it is not necessary to unify the tripping direction in a straight line. Therefore, compared to conventional circuit breakers, this circuit breaker does not require significant restrictions on the locations of the mechanisms that operate in conjunction with the overcurrent tripping unit, instantaneous tripping unit, and earth leakage tripping unit. This circuit breaker therefore allows for greater freedom in design. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The circuit breaker according to the present disclosure allows for greater freedom in design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an internal structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a closed state of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the inside of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view showing a rotating portion of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a tripped state of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an open state of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, identical or equivalent elements will be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "back" are based on the state shown in the drawings and are for convenience only.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an example of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal structure of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a circuit breaker in a closed state according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing the inside of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. In the drawings, the X and Y directions are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is vertical direction. In each cross-sectional view, some components are omitted for clarity. The X, Y, and Z directions are axial directions that are orthogonal to each other in a Cartesian coordinate system in three-dimensional space. Hereinafter, the direction along the XY plane is also referred to as the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is also referred to as the up-down direction.

[0016] The circuit breaker 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 electrically connects a power source (not shown) and a load device (not shown). The circuit breaker 1 is a device interposed in an electric path connecting the power source and the load device, and controls the contact and separation of a contact unit 10 (described below) to control the opening and closing of the electric path. Here, the circuit breaker 1 can be in three states: open, closed, and tripped. The open state is a state in which the contacts are separated by an action including an external action such as operation by an operator, and no current flows in the electric path. The closed state is a state in which the contacts are connected by an action including an external action such as operation by an operator, and current flows in the electric path. The tripped state is a state in which an abnormal state (hereinafter referred to as an abnormal state) in the electric path, such as an overcurrent, a short circuit, or a ground fault, is detected, and the contacts are separated by the action of the internal structure of the circuit breaker 1, and no current flows in the electric path.

[0017] The circuit breaker 1 comprises a contact unit 10, a rotating unit 20, an overcurrent tripping unit 40, an overcurrent contact unit 42, an instantaneous tripping unit 50, and an instantaneous contact unit 52. The circuit breaker 1 further comprises an engaging unit 25, an earth leakage tripping unit 60, and an earth leakage contact unit 62. The circuit breaker 1 further comprises a main body 3, a printed circuit board 9, a contact moving unit 15, a plurality of power supply side terminals 80, and a plurality of load side terminals 90. The circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of contact units 10. The circuit breaker 1 comprises, for example, two contact units 10a, 10b, four power supply side terminals 80a, 80b, and two load side terminals 90a, 90b.

[0018] The main body 3 is a housing that houses components such as the contact unit 10, the rotating unit 20, the overcurrent contact unit 42, the overcurrent trip unit 40, the instantaneous contact unit 52, the instantaneous trip unit 50, the engagement unit 25, the earth leakage contact unit 62, the earth leakage trip unit 60, a plurality of power supply terminals 80, and a plurality of load terminals 90. The main body 3 includes a right case 3a, a center case 3b, and a left case (not shown) as shown in FIG. 1 . The center case 3b is disposed between the right case 3a and the left case, and is fitted to the right case 3a at its right end (positive Y direction) and to the left case (negative Y direction). The right case 3a, the center case 3b, and the left case are fitted together to house all components within the main body 3, except for a portion of the operating handle 16 (described below). The right case 3a, the center case 3b, and the left case each have a locking portion that allows them to be locked together when fitted together. The right case 3a and the left case are formed substantially symmetrically.

[0019] The multiple power supply terminals 80 are terminals that can be electrically connected to a power source. In this embodiment, the two power supply terminals 80a, 80b are arranged on the surface (rear surface) of the main body 3 facing the negative X direction. The rear surface on which the two power supply terminals 80a, 80b are provided is formed as a surface extending in the up-down direction. For example, the power supply terminal 80a is arranged at the upper part of the rear surface of the center case 3b and the left case, and the power supply terminal 80b is arranged at the upper part of the rear surface of the center case 3b and the right case 3a. In the main body 3, the power supply terminals 80a, 80b are arranged in order toward the right side in the Y direction.

[0020] The multiple load side terminals 90 are terminals that can be electrically connected to a load device. The two load side terminals 90a, 90b are arranged on a surface (front surface) of the main body 3 facing the positive X direction, and are aligned along the Y direction. The load side terminals 90a, 90b are arranged in order on the front surface of the main body 3 toward the right side in the Y direction. A portion of the front surface on which the two load side terminals 90a, 90b are provided is inclined to facilitate the connection operation of electric wires extending from the load device. The load side terminal 90a can be electrically connected to the power supply side terminal 80a. The load side terminal 90b is electrically connected to the power supply side terminal 80b.

[0021] Each contact unit 10 is configured to be able to switch between opening and closing an electrical path that electrically connects the power supply and the load device in accordance with the movement of the rotating unit 20. The contact unit 10a electrically connects the power supply side terminal 80a and the load side terminal 90a, respectively. The contact unit 10b electrically connects the power supply side terminal 80b and the load side terminal 90b, respectively. The contact units 10a and 10b are arranged between each power supply side terminal 80 and each load side terminal 90 in the X direction. The contact units 10a and 10b are arranged in this order toward the right in the Y direction. Each contact unit 10 has, for example, a power supply side contact 11, a load side contact 12, a plate-like member 13, and a spring member 14.

[0022] The contact portion 10a has a power supply side contact 11a, a load side contact 12a, a plate-like member 13a, and a spring member 14a. The contact portion 10b has, for example, a power supply side contact 11b, a load side contact 12b, a plate-like member 13b, and a spring member 14b. The power supply side contacts 11a and 11b are electrically connected to power supply side terminals 80a and 80b, respectively. The load side contacts 12a and 12b are electrically connected to load side terminals 90a and 90b, respectively. The power supply side contact 11a and the load side contact 12a can be electrically connected in the contact portion 10a, and the power supply side contact 11b and the load side contact 12b can be electrically connected in the contact portion 10b.

[0023] Each contact unit 10 can be switched between a closed state, an open state, and a tripped state by opening and closing operations performed by a contact moving unit 15, which will be described later. The power-supply side contacts 11a and 11b are fixed in position within the main body 3. The load-side contacts 12a and 12b are moved relative to the power-supply side contacts 11a and 11b by the contact moving unit 15, respectively, and can be brought into contact with or separated from each other. The detailed manner of movement will be described later. The load-side contacts 12a and 12b are disposed on the upper ends of the plate-like members 13a and 13b, respectively, on surfaces facing the negative X-direction. The plate-like members 13a and 13b are connected at their lower parts to spring members 14a and 14b, one end of which is connected to the main body 3, and are biased toward the front in the X-direction.

[0024] When the power supply contact 11a and the load contact 12a are in contact, and when the power supply contact 11b and the load contact 12b are in contact, an electric circuit is formed in a closed state. When the power supply contact 11a and the load contact 12a are separated, or when the power supply contact 11b and the load contact 12b are separated, an electric circuit is not formed in an open state or a tripped state. The contact or separation states of the power supply contact 11a and the load contact 12a, and the power supply contact 11b and the load contact 12b are switched by the opening and closing operation of the contact moving unit 15.

[0025] In the closed state, an electric path is formed that electrically connects the power supply and the load device. The electric path in this embodiment is, for example, a circuit configured so that current generated from the power supply passes through the power supply terminal 80a, power supply contact 11a, load contact 12a, load terminal 90a, load device, load terminal 90b, load contact 12b, power supply contact 11b, and power supply terminal 80b in this order, and finally returns to the power supply. Note that the electric path may also be a circuit configured so that current generated from the power supply passes through the power supply terminal 80b, power supply contact 11b, load contact 12b, load terminal 90b, load device, load terminal 90a, load contact 12a, power supply contact 11a, and power supply terminal 80a in this order, and finally returns to the power supply.

[0026] The contact moving unit 15 is supported so as to be movable relative to the main body 3, and controls the opening and closing operations of the plurality of contacts 10a, 10b. The contact moving unit 15 has an operating handle 16, a separator 17, and an opening and closing mechanism 18.

[0027] The operating handle 16 is a jig that can be used to open and close the electrical circuit, i.e., to turn on and off the current. The operating handle 16 has a lever 16a that can be held by an operator, a rotating shaft 16b extending in the Y direction, and a biasing spring 16c. The operating handle 16 is supported on the main body 3 so as to be rotatable around the rotating shaft 16b. When the lever 16a is rotated in one direction (the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 3) to a predetermined position, the electrical circuit is closed. When the lever 16a is rotated in the other direction (the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. 3), the electrical circuit is opened. Details of opening and closing the electrical circuit will be described later. The biasing spring 16c applies a force to rotate in one direction (the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 3) up to a predetermined position, and applies a force to rotate in the other direction (the direction of arrow R2 in FIG. 3) once the predetermined position is exceeded.

[0028] The separator 17 moves the plate-like members 13a and 13b of each contact portion 10. The separator 17 is arranged in the main body 3 below the operating handle 16 while being biased in the X direction by spring members 14a and 14b connected to the plate-like members 13a and 13b. The separator 17 has two fulcrum portions 17a and 17b arranged along the Y direction. The fulcrum portions 17a and 17b each have an opening area that opens to the rear side in the vertical direction and the X direction. The fulcrum portions 17a and 17b support the plate-like members 13a and 13b housed in the opening area so that they can rotate along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction (extending in the X and Z directions). Plate-shaped member 13a is rotatable about a portion supported by fulcrum portion 17a, and load-side contact 12a provided at the upper end of plate-shaped member 13a can move in the X direction by this rotation, and can approach, contact, or move away from power-supply contact 11a. Plate-shaped member 13b is rotatable about a portion supported by fulcrum portion 17b, and load-side contact 12b provided at the upper end of plate-shaped member 13b can move in the X direction by this rotation, and can approach, contact, or move away from power-supply contact 11b.

[0029] The opening / closing mechanism 18 controls the opening and closing of the contacts in response to the operation of the operating handle 16 and the rotation of a rotation unit 20 (described later). When an abnormal state occurs, the opening / closing mechanism 18 operates the separator 17 to cause the contact units 10a, 10b to break. The breaking operation here refers to the separation of the power supply side contact 11a and the load side contact 12a in the contact unit 10a, and the separation of the power supply side contact 11b and the load side contact 12b in the contact unit 10b. The opening / closing mechanism 18 has a pin 18a, a guide member 18b, a rotating shaft 18c, and a fan-shaped member 18d.

[0030] The pin 18a transmits the force generated by the rotation of the operating handle 16 to the guide member 18b. The pin 18a is a rod-like member having a U-shape. The upper and lower ends of the pin 18a extend in the Y direction, and the central portion connecting the upper and lower ends extends in the vertical direction. The upper end of the pin 18a is connected to, for example, the lower end of the lever 16a, which is the rotating portion of the operating handle 16, so as to be rotatable in the Y direction. As a result, the upper end of the pin 18a rotates in accordance with the rotation of the lower end of the lever 16a.

[0031] Guide member 18b includes two plate-like portions extending in the X direction and in the vertical direction, each of which is arranged parallel to the X direction, and a plate-like connecting portion that connects to the front ends of the two plate-like portions in the X direction and extends in the Y direction and in the vertical direction. Guide member 18b is rotatably connected to rotation shaft 16b of operating handle 16 at the top of the two plate-like portions. The connecting portion of guide member 18b engages with engaging portion 25, which will be described later.

[0032] Opening regions 18e, 18f are formed at the top and bottom of the two plate-shaped portions of the guide member 18b, respectively, penetrating in the Y direction. The upper end of the pin 18a penetrates the upper opening region 18e. The upper opening region 18e opens toward the rear side in the X direction and is shaped so that the upper end of the pin 18a can be inserted in the Y direction. The upper end of the pin 18a passes through the opening region 18e in accordance with the rotation of the lever 16a of the operating handle 16. When the operating handle 16 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 shown in FIG. 3, the pin 18a enters the opening region 18e, and when the operating handle 16 rotates in the direction of arrow R2 shown in FIG. 3, the pin 18a retracts from the opening region 18e. The opening region 18f is a hole extending in the vertical direction, through which the lower end of the pin 18a is inserted in the Y direction. The lower end of the pin 18a moves up and down along the opening region 18f in accordance with the rotation of the upper end of the pin 18a.

[0033] The rotation shaft 18c rotatably supports the fan-shaped member 18d. The rotation shaft 18c is a cylindrical member extending in the Y direction. The rotation shaft 18c is fixed to the central case 3b and the left case of the main body 3. The fan-shaped member 18d is rotatably supported at the center of the rotation shaft 18c in the Y direction. The fan-shaped member 18d can rotate, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction (extending in the X and Z directions). The fan-shaped member 18d is, for example, a plate-like member whose main surface is arranged perpendicular to the Y direction, and the main surface is fan-shaped. The fan-shaped member 18d can abut against the lower end of the pin 18a at a portion (contact portion) on its front side in the X direction. When the operating handle 16 is in a position for opening the electrical circuit, the abutment portion extends, for example, horizontally and is located at the same position as the rotation shaft 18c in the up-down direction, but is located further forward in the X direction than the rotation shaft 18c. Since spring members 14a and 14b bias separator 17 toward the front side in the X direction, when operating handle 16 is in the position for opening the electrical circuit, it is pressed through separator 17, and the contact portion of fan-shaped member 18d is located on the front side in the X direction relative to rotation shaft 18c, as described above. In this case, pin 18a is located above fan-shaped member 18d.

[0034] When the operating handle 16 is rotated to close the electrical circuit, the upper end of the pin 18a rotates in the X direction and downward (the direction of the arrow R1 in FIG. 3), and the lower end of the pin 18a moves downward along the opening region 18f of the guide member 18b. As the lower end of the pin 18a moves downward and abuts against and presses against the above-mentioned abutment portion of the fan-shaped member 18d, the fan-shaped member 18d rotates toward the rear side in the X direction and downward (the direction of the arrow R3 in FIG. 3). The fan-shaped member 18d abuts against the separator 17 on the rear side in the X direction and presses against the separator 17, causing the separator 17 to slide toward the rear side in the X direction.

[0035] The rotating unit 20 is provided below the contact moving unit 15. The rotating unit 20 is rotatable around a rotation axis 21. The rotating unit 20 includes the rotation axis 21 and a rotation member 22. The rotation axis 21 is provided, for example, below the guide member 18b. The rotation axis 21 is a cylindrical member extending in the Y direction. The rotation axis 21 is fixed to the center case 3b and the left case of the main body 3. The rotation member 22 rotates in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous tripping unit 50, or the earth leakage tripping unit 60. The movement of the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous tripping unit 50, and the earth leakage tripping unit 60 relative to the rotation member 22 will be described in detail below.

[0036] The rotating member 22 is rotatably supported at the center of the rotation shaft 21 in the Y direction. The rotating member 22 is rotatable, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction (extending in the X and Z directions). The rotating member 22 is, for example, a plate-shaped member having a main surface 22a and a back surface 22b perpendicular to the Y direction, and the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b are fan-shaped. When the operating handle 16 is in a position for opening the electrical circuit, one end of the rotating member 22, which shares one side extending radially of the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b, extends, for example, in the Y direction and the up-down direction and faces the front side in the X direction. When the operating handle 16 is in a position for opening the electrical circuit, the other end of the rotating member 22, which shares one side extending radially of the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b, extends, for example, in the X and Y directions and faces downward. To reduce the weight of the rotating member 22, the inner area of ​​the rotating member 22, excluding the area along the outer edge, is open. The central case 3b has an opening area larger than the rotating member 22 in the X direction and the up-down direction so that the rotating member 22 can rotate.

[0037] The overcurrent contact 42, the instantaneous contact 52, and the earth leakage contact 62 are provided on the rotating member 22 of the rotating part 20. In this embodiment, the rotating member 22 is provided with two overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b, two instantaneous contacts 52a, 52b, and one earth leakage contact 62.

[0038] An overcurrent contact 42a, an instantaneous contact 52a, and a ground fault contact 62 are provided on the main surface 22a of the rotating member 22 facing the negative Y direction. The overcurrent contact 42a and the instantaneous contact 52a are, for example, members that extend and protrude from the main surface 22a toward the left in the Y direction. For example, the overcurrent contact 42a protrudes to the left in the Y direction less than the instantaneous contact 52a. For example, in the radial direction of the main surface 22a, the overcurrent contact 42a is provided closer to the rotation axis 21 than the instantaneous contact 52. The overcurrent contact 42a is, for example, provided below the instantaneous contact 52a on the main surface 22a. The ground fault contact 62 is, for example, a member that extends and protrudes from the main surface 22a toward the left in the Y direction. The ground fault contact 62 has an engagement surface that extends in the vertical direction on the main surface 22a when no abnormal state is detected. The earth leakage contact 62 is provided, for example, above the overcurrent contact 42a and the instantaneous contact 52a.

[0039] An overcurrent contact 42b and an instantaneous contact 52b are provided on the back surface 22b of the rotating member 22 facing the Y direction. In the X and Z directions, the overcurrent contacts 42a and 42b are provided at the same position on the rotating member 22, and the instantaneous contacts 52a and 52b are provided at the same position on the rotating member 22. The overcurrent contact 42b and the instantaneous contact 52b are members that extend and protrude from the back surface 22b toward the right in the Y direction. For example, the overcurrent contact 42b protrudes longer in the Y direction than the instantaneous contact 52b. For example, in the X direction on the back surface 22b, the overcurrent contact 42a is provided at a position closer to the rotation axis 21 than the instantaneous contact 52.

[0040] The length relationship between the overcurrent contact 42a and the instantaneous contact 52a protruding in the Y direction on the main surface 22a side is opposite to the length relationship between the overcurrent contact 42b and the instantaneous contact 52b protruding in the Y direction on the back surface 22b side, which makes it possible to prevent imbalance in the weight of the rotating member 22 in the Y direction and to allow the rotating member 22 to rotate appropriately. Furthermore, this length relationship makes it possible to unify the standards of the overcurrent tripping units 40 (described below) that are provided in the Y direction.

[0041] The engaging portion 25 switches the contact portion 10 to the open state by rotating a portion that comes into contact with the rotating portion 20 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating portion 20. The engaging portion 25 has, for example, a rotating shaft 26, a hook-shaped member 27, and a spring member 28. The rotating shaft 26 is a cylindrical member extending in the Y direction. The rotating shaft 26 is fixed to the center case 3b and the left case of the main body 3. The hook-shaped member 27 works in conjunction with the rotating member 22 to switch the contact portion 10 to the open state. The hook-shaped member 27 is rotatable, for example, along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction (extending in the X and Z directions). The center case 3b has an opening area in the X and Z directions that is larger than the hook-shaped member 27 so that the hook-shaped member 27 can rotate. The hook-shaped member 27 is rotatably supported at the center of the rotating shaft 26 in the Y direction.

[0042] The hook-shaped member 27 is composed of an extending portion 27a extending from the rotation shaft 26 into the opening / closing mechanism 18, a connecting portion 27b extending in the vertical direction from the rotation shaft 26, and an abutting portion 27c extending from the lower end of the connecting portion 27b and capable of abutting against a side surface 22c facing the front side in the X direction of the rotating member 22. When the operating handle 16 is in a position for opening the electrical circuit, the side surface 22c is a surface of the rotating member 22 that shares one side extending in the radial direction with the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b, and extends in the Y direction and the vertical direction.

[0043] The extension portion 27a, the connecting portion 27b, and the abutting portion 27c are each rod-shaped. When no abnormal state occurs, the extension portion 27a extends horizontally toward the rear side in the X direction. In this case, the extension portion 27a extends horizontally by being biased vertically by the spring member 28. The end of the extension portion 27a on the front side in the X direction is rotatably connected to the rotation shaft 26. When no abnormal state occurs, the upper part of the extension portion 27a engages with the connection portion of the guide member 18b of the opening / closing mechanism 18. Because the extension portion 27a abuts and engages with the guide member 18b from below, upward movement of the extension portion 27a caused by the biasing force of the spring member 28 is suppressed. Furthermore, the surface of the upper part of the extension portion 27a on the rear side in the X direction and the surface of the guide member 18b on the front side in the X direction abut and engage. This engagement allows extension portion 27a to suppress the movement of the lower portion of guide member 18b toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 3) due to the biasing spring 16c of operating handle 16 with which it is interlocked. For example, the front surface of guide member 18b at the connection portion in the X direction abuts against the upper surface of extension portion 27a on the rear side in the X direction. As a result, the force of rotation of guide member 18b around operating handle 16 in the direction of arrow R1 in FIG. 3 is transmitted by extension portion 27a to rotation shaft 26 fixed to main body 3, and therefore guide member 18b is suppressed from rotating within main body 3.

[0044] The connecting portion 27b is provided at the end of the extending portion 27a on the front side in the X direction. In the hook-shaped member 27 when no abnormal state occurs, the connecting portion 27b extends in the up-down direction. The abutting portion 27c is provided at the lower end of the connecting portion 27b. When no abnormal state occurs, the abutting portion 27c extends downward from the lower end of the connecting portion 27b toward the rear side in the X direction. When no abnormal state occurs, for example, the lower end of the abutting portion 27c is separated from the side surface 22c of the rotating member 22. Also, in this case, the lower end of the abutting portion 27c may be in contact with the side surface 22c of the rotating member 22, but the rotating member 22 is not applying a force that can rotate the hook-shaped member 27.

[0045] The overcurrent tripping unit 40 moves the overcurrent contact 42 in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 when an overcurrent is detected. The overcurrent tripping unit 40 of this embodiment has, for example, two strips 44 and two bimetal pieces 46. The two strips 44 are arranged, for example, below the power supply terminals 80a, 80b, respectively, along the Y direction. A bimetal piece 46 is attached to the front side of each strip 44 in the X direction. Each bimetal piece 46 detects an overcurrent. For example, each bimetal piece 46 extends toward the front side in the X direction and is arranged along the Y direction.

[0046] Each bimetal piece 46 is attached so as to deform upward when an overcurrent is detected, for example. When the bimetal piece 46a on the left side in the Y direction of the two bimetal pieces 46 deforms upward, the bimetal piece 46a comes into contact with the overcurrent contact portion 42a and moves the overcurrent contact portion 42a in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20. When the bimetal piece 46b on the right side in the Y direction of the two bimetal pieces 46 deforms upward, the bimetal piece 46b comes into contact with the overcurrent contact portion 42b and moves the overcurrent contact portion 42b in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 (the direction of arrow R4 in FIG. 3). Each bimetal piece 46 is located below each movable electromagnetic piece 54 of the instantaneous tripping unit 50 (described later) and an earth leakage coupling member 66 of the earth leakage tripping unit 60 (described later). This makes it possible to prevent the upwardly moving bimetal pieces 46 from coming into contact with the instantaneous contact portion 52 and the earth leakage contact portion 62 before coming into contact with the overcurrent contact portions 42a, 42b.

[0047] Here, the positions of the overcurrent contact 42 and the momentary contact 52 on the rotating member 22 will be described. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the rotating member of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the overcurrent contact 42a and the momentary contact 52a are respectively provided on the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 in an area A1 sandwiched between a half line L1 connecting the rotation shaft 21 of the rotating unit 20 and the rotation shaft 26 of the engagement unit 25, and a half line L2 connecting the rotation shaft 21 of the rotating unit 20 and the bimetal piece 46a of the overcurrent tripping unit 40. The half line L1 is, for example, a half line starting from the center of the rotation shaft 21 and passing through the center of the rotation shaft 26. The half line L2 is, for example, a half line starting from the center of the rotation shaft 21 and connecting the tip of the bimetal piece 46a of the overcurrent tripping unit 40 on the front side in the X direction. Area A1 is an area on the rotating member 22 sandwiched between the half lines L1 and L2. Area A1, which is a hatched area in Fig. 5, is, for example, an area on the rear side in the X direction sandwiched between the half lines L1 and L2.

[0048] The rotating member 22 shown in FIG. 5 does not protrude further in the X direction than the position where it abuts against the abutting portion 27c of the engaging portion 25. However, it may protrude further in the X direction than the abutting position, or may protrude further in the X direction to the end (semi-straight line L1) of the region A1 on the front side in the X direction. The rotating member 22 shown in FIG. 5 does not protrude further below the bimetal piece 46a. It may protrude further below the bimetal piece 46a, or may protrude further downward to the lower end (semi-straight line L2) of the region A1. The rotating member 22 shown in FIG. 5 has a diameter longer than the length from the rotation shaft 21 to the tip of the bimetal piece 46a on the front side in the X direction, and is not limited to the diameter shown in FIG. 5. The earth leakage contact portion 62 may also be provided within the region A1.

[0049] Furthermore, in the radial direction of rotation of the rotating part 20, the distance from the overcurrent contact part 42 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating part 20 is equal to or less than the distance from the portion where the rotating part 20 and the abutting part 27c of the engaging part 25 abut (contact) to the rotation axis 21. The distance from the overcurrent contact part 42 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating part 20 may be less than the distance from the portion where the rotating part 20 and the abutting part 27c of the engaging part 25 abut (contact) to the rotation axis 21, and the distance from the overcurrent contact part 42 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating part 20 may be equal to or less than half the distance from the portion where the rotating part 20 and the abutting part 27c of the engaging part 25 abut (contact) to the rotation axis 21.

[0050] 1 to 4 again. The instantaneous tripping unit 50 moves the instantaneous contact portion 52 in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 when a preset current value is reached. The instantaneous tripping unit 50 of this embodiment detects the occurrence of a short circuit when the current value exceeds a preset current value (the current value of the short-circuit current), for example, and operates when the preset current value is reached to separate the power supply side contact 11 and the load side contact 12. Reaching the preset current value means, for example, that a value equal to or greater than this current value has been detected.

[0051] The instantaneous tripping unit 50 of this embodiment has two movable electromagnetic plates 54. Each movable electromagnetic plate 54 extends toward the front side in the X direction and is attached to be rotatable along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction. Each movable electromagnetic plate 54 is provided with overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b located closer to the front side in the X direction than the momentary contacts 52a, 52b. When the movable electromagnetic plate 54 detects that the current has reached a preset value, it rotates upward. When the movable electromagnetic plate 54a on the left case side rotates upward, it abuts against the momentary contact 52a, moving the momentary contact 52a in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20. When the movable electromagnetic plate 54b on the right case side deforms upward, it abuts against the momentary contact 52b, moving the momentary contact 52b in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20.

[0052] The earth leakage tripping unit 60 moves the earth leakage contact unit 62 in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 when a ground fault is detected. The earth leakage tripping unit 60 of this embodiment further includes a zero-phase-sequence current transformer 64 that detects ground faults, an earth leakage cylinder 65, a printed circuit board 9, and an earth leakage engagement member 66. When a ground fault is detected by the zero-phase-sequence current transformer 64, the printed circuit board 9 is equipped with a ground fault detection circuit that trips the earth leakage cylinder 65. Note that elements on the printed circuit board 9 are not shown. The earth leakage cylinder 65 is provided, for example, on the front side in the X direction of the earth leakage contact unit 62. The earth leakage cylinder 65 includes a cylinder rod 65a that extends on the rear side in the X direction and extends and retracts the cylinder rod 65a. The earth leakage engagement member 66 is provided on the end of the cylinder rod 65a on the rear side in the X direction. As a tripping operation, the earth leakage cylinder 65 retracts the cylinder rod 65a, thereby moving the earth leakage engagement member 66 to the front side in the X direction. As a result of this movement, the earth leakage engagement member 66 comes into contact with the engagement surface of the earth leakage contact portion 62, and moves the earth leakage contact portion 62 in the rotational circumferential direction of the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20.

[0053] The behavior of the circuit breaker 1 when an abnormal condition occurs will be explained below. The behavior of each component before and after the occurrence of an abnormal condition will be explained based on the closed state of the electric circuit. In the closed state, the bimetal piece 46a of the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the movable electromagnetic piece 54a of the instantaneous tripping unit 50, and the earth leakage cylinder 65 of the earth leakage tripping unit 60 are operable.

[0054] When no abnormal condition occurs and the electric circuit is in the closed state, as shown in FIG. 3, the power supply contact 11a and the load contact 12a are in contact with each other, and the power supply contact 11b and the load contact 12b are in contact with each other. At this time, in the rotating unit 20, the bimetal pieces 46a and 46b of the overcurrent tripping unit 40 are separated from the overcurrent contacts 42a and 42b, respectively, or are not applying force to the overcurrent contacts 42a and 42b. The movable electromagnetic pieces 54a and 54b of the instantaneous tripping unit 50 are separated from the instantaneous contacts 52a and 52b, respectively, or are not applying force to the instantaneous contacts 52a and 52b. The earth leakage engaging member 66 of the earth leakage tripping unit 60 is separated from the earth leakage contact 62 or is not applying force to the earth leakage contact 62. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned state of the overcurrent contact 42, the instantaneous contact 52, and the earth leakage contact 62 may be referred to as the initial state.

[0055] When no abnormal state occurs and the electric circuit is in the closed state, the extending portion 27a of the engaging portion 25 extends horizontally and engages with the guide member 18b of the opening / closing mechanism 18. This prevents the engaging portion 25 from rotating the guide member 18b of the opening / closing mechanism 18 due to the biasing spring 16c. Also, at this time, the abutting portion 27c of the engaging portion 25 is spaced from the side surface 22c of the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20 toward the front surface in the X direction, or is not applying force to the rotating member 22.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a trip state of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, when a preset current value, such as a short circuit, is detected and an abnormal state occurs, the movable electromagnetic plates 54a and 54b of the instantaneous tripping unit 50 rotate upward. In this case, the movable electromagnetic plates 54a and 54b come into contact with the instantaneous contact portions 52a and 52b, respectively, and press the instantaneous contact portions 52a and 52b upward (in the direction of arrow R11).

[0057] For example, if an overcurrent is detected and an abnormal state occurs, the bimetal pieces 46a, 46b of the overcurrent tripping unit 40 detect the overcurrent and deform upward. In this case, the bimetal pieces 46a, 46b come into contact with the overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b, respectively, and press the overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b upward (in the direction of arrow R11).

[0058] Furthermore, for example, if the zero-phase current transformer 64 detects a ground fault and an abnormal state occurs, the ground fault cylinder 65 of the ground fault tripping unit 60 is driven to retract the cylinder rod 65a as a tripping operation. In this case, the ground fault engaging member 66 provided at the end of the cylinder rod 65a on the rear side in the X direction comes into contact with the ground fault contacting unit 62 and presses the ground fault contacting unit 62 toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R11).

[0059] When the initial state transitions to the abnormal state and either the overcurrent contact 42, the momentary contact 52, or the earth leakage contact 62 is pressed as described above, the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 rotates around the rotation axis 21 in the direction of arrow R11. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the instantaneous tripping unit 50 operates, and the movable electromagnetic piece 54 presses the momentary contact 52, causing the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 to rotate. As a result, the side surface 22c of the rotating member 22 abuts against the abutting portion 27c of the engaging portion 25 and presses the abutting portion 27c toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R11). The abutting portion 27c of the engaging portion 25 rotates around the rotation axis 26 toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R12). As a result, the extending portion 27a of the engaging portion 25 rotates downward (the direction of arrow R13).

[0060] As the extension portion 27a moves downward, the engagement between the extension portion 27a and the connection portion of the guide member 18b of the opening / closing mechanism 18 is released. The biasing spring 16c causes the pin 18a of the opening / closing mechanism 18 to rotate around the rotation axis 16b toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R14). Because the lower end of the pin 18a is inserted into the opening region 18f, the guide member 18b is pressed by the pin 18a and rotates around the rotation axis 16b toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R14). As the guide member 18b rotates toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R14), the engagement between the pin 18a, which was positioned together with the guide member 18b, and the fan-shaped member 18d of the opening / closing mechanism 18 is released.

[0061] The fan-shaped member 18d and the separator 17 are biased toward the front in the X direction by biasing springs 14a and 14b connected to the plate-shaped members 13a and 13b of the contact portions 10a and 10b, which are rotatably mounted on the separator 17. Therefore, the fan-shaped member 18d, which is biased toward the front in the X direction via the separator 17, rotates toward the front in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R15), and the separator 17 moves toward the front in the X direction. The movement of the separator 17 toward the front in the X direction causes the upper ends of the plate-shaped members 13a and 13b to rotate toward the front in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R16). This causes the load-side contacts 12a and 12b to move away from the power-side contacts 11a and 11b, respectively. Therefore, the electrical circuits that were previously closed due to the power-side contacts 11a and 11b and the load-side contacts 12a and 12b coming into contact with each other are appropriately opened.

[0062] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an open state of the circuit breaker according to the embodiment. The pin 18a, which has been rotated by the biasing spring 16c around the rotation axis 16b toward the front side in the X direction (see the direction of arrow R14 in Fig. 6), passes a predetermined position and is then rotated by the biasing spring 16c toward the rear side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R21) as shown in Fig. 7. The pin 18a moves upward through the opening region 18f, causing the guide member 18b to rotate toward the rear side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R21). The pin 18a rotates the lower end of the operating handle 16 toward the rear side in the X direction, causing the lever 16a to rotate toward the front side in the X direction (the direction of arrow R22) and protrude upward to indicate the open state.

[0063] As pin 18a and guide member 18b rotate toward the rear side in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R21), extension portion 27a of engagement portion 25, which is pressed upward by spring member 28, moves upward (in the direction of arrow R23), and guide member 18b and extension portion 27a come into contact and engage with each other. The movement of spring member 28 causes abutment portion 27c of engagement portion 25 to rotate toward the rear side in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R24). If the abnormal state has been resolved, abutment portion 27c comes into contact with side surface 22c of rotating member 22 and presses it toward the rear side in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R25), causing rotating member 22 to rotate toward the rear side in the X direction (in the direction of arrow R25). The rotating member 22 is positioned so that the overcurrent contact portion 42, the instantaneous contact portion 52 and the earth leakage contact portion 62 are in their initial states so that the overcurrent tripping portion 40, the instantaneous tripping portion 50 and the earth leakage tripping portion 60 can operate properly again.

[0064] In this way, when the abnormal state is resolved, the power supply side contact 11 and the load side contact 12 can be brought into contact with each other by operating the lever 16a again. Then, with the electric circuit in the closed state, the circuit breaker 1 can be used in the initial state, and if an abnormal state occurs, the electric circuit can be appropriately opened again.

[0065] As described above, in the circuit breaker 1 of this embodiment, the contact units 10a, 10b can be switched between open and closed states by rotating the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20. The rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 is provided with overcurrent contact units 42a, 42b and instantaneous contact units 52a, 52b. When an overcurrent is detected, the overcurrent tripping unit 40 moves the overcurrent contact units 42a, 42b in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20, and when the current reaches a set value, the instantaneous tripping unit 50 moves the instantaneous contact units 52a, 52b in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20. As a result, the rotating unit 20 rotates in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact units 42a, 42b or the instantaneous contact units 52a, 52b, and the contact unit 10 can be switched to the open state. That is, when an overcurrent is detected or when the current reaches a preset value, the rotation of the rotating unit 20 can appropriately switch the contact unit 10 to the open state. The overcurrent tripping unit 40 and the instantaneous tripping unit 50 may be provided anywhere in the circuit breaker 1, without significant restrictions on their relative positions and operating directions, as long as the overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b and the instantaneous contacts 52a, 52b provided on the rotating unit 20 can be moved, respectively. This circuit breaker 1 does not require the overcurrent tripping unit and the instantaneous tripping unit to be provided along a straight line, as in conventional circuit breakers, and therefore does not require the tripping direction to be unified along a straight line. Therefore, this circuit breaker 1 does not require significant restrictions on the locations of the mechanisms (e.g., the strip 44) that operate in conjunction with the overcurrent tripping unit 40 and the instantaneous tripping unit 50, as compared to conventional circuit breakers. This allows for efficient use of internal space, allowing for greater design flexibility.

[0066] The circuit breaker 1 further includes an engaging portion 25 that switches the contact portions 10a, 10b to the open state by rotating a portion (side surface 22c) that comes into contact with the rotating portion 20 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating portion 20. In this case, the engaging portion 25 can switch the contact portions 10a, 10b to the open state by appropriately transmitting the rotational force of the rotating portion 20. Therefore, by providing the engaging portion 25 to the circuit breaker 1, it is possible to suppress significant restrictions on the size, shape, arrangement, operating direction, etc. of the rotating portion 20 and the contact portions 10a, 10b, and it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in design.

[0067] Furthermore, in the circuit breaker 1, the distance from the overcurrent contact portion 42 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating portion 20 in the radial direction of rotation of the rotating portion 20 is equal to or less than the distance from the contact point between the rotating portion 20 and the engaging portion 25 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating portion 20. When an overcurrent occurs, the temperature of the circuit breaker 1 rises, so it is necessary to quickly open the contact portions 10a, 10b after the overcurrent occurs. Therefore, with the circuit breaker 1 having the above-described configuration, even if the movement distance of the overcurrent contact portions 42a, 42b by the overcurrent tripping portion 40 is small, for example, such as when the time after the overcurrent occurs is short, the rotating portion 20 can be rotated by a large angle, and the engaging portion 25 can be rotated, and the contact portions 10a, 10b can be efficiently opened.

[0068] Furthermore, in the circuit breaker 1, the contact unit 10 has a plurality of contact units 10a, 10b that can be electrically connected to a power source and a load device, the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 is plate-shaped, and at least one of the overcurrent contact unit 42 and the instantaneous contact unit 52 is located on both the main surface 22a (an example of the front surface) and the back surface 22b of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20 in correspondence with each of the plurality of contact units 10a, 10b. In this case, for example, when an overcurrent is detected at one of the plurality of contacts depending on the connection status of the contacts selected when an electric path is formed, one bimetal piece 46a may be moved to move the overcurrent contact unit 42a located on the main surface 22a of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20, thereby opening the contact units 10a, 10b. The contacts 10a, 10b may be opened by moving one bimetal piece 46b to move the overcurrent contact 42b disposed on the back surface 22b of the rotating member 22 of the rotating unit 20. While the above-described example shows the overcurrent contact 42 and the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous contact 52 and the instantaneous tripping unit 50 may also be provided in addition to this configuration, as in the above-described example. Alternatively, only the instantaneous contact 52 and the instantaneous tripping unit 50 may be provided, as in the above-described example. That is, depending on the connection status of the electrical circuits at the contacts 10a, 10b, at least one of the overcurrent contact 42 and the instantaneous contact 52 corresponding to each contact may be provided on both the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b. This allows the circuit breaker 1 to smoothly open the contacts 10a, 10b in response to an abnormality occurring in the electrical circuit connected to each contact. Furthermore, compared to a case where multiple overcurrent contacts 42 and / or multiple instantaneous contacts 52 are provided on only one side of the rotating part, this circuit breaker 1 can prevent the space required on one side of the rotating member 22 of the rotating part 20 from becoming too large, thereby allowing for greater design freedom.

[0069] The circuit breaker 1 further includes a leakage contact portion 62 provided on the rotating portion 20 and an earth leakage tripping unit 60 that moves the leakage contact portion 62 in the circumferential direction of the rotation of the rotating portion 20 when a leakage current is detected. The rotating portion 20 rotates in accordance with the movement of the leakage contact portion 62 to open the contact portions 10a, 10b. In this case, when a leakage current is detected, the earth leakage tripping unit 60 moves the leakage contact portion 62 in the circumferential direction of the rotation of the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20. As a result, the rotating portion 20 rotates in accordance with the movement of the leakage contact portion 62, and the contact portions 10a, 10b can be switched to the open state. In other words, when a leakage current is detected, the rotation of the rotating portion 20 can appropriately switch the contact portions 10a, 10b to the open state. The overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous tripping unit 50, and the earth leakage tripping unit 60 may be provided anywhere in the circuit breaker 1, without significant restrictions on their relative positions and operating directions, as long as the overcurrent contact 42, the instantaneous tripping unit 52, and the earth leakage tripping unit 62 provided on the rotating unit 20 can be moved, respectively. This circuit breaker 1 does not require the overcurrent tripping unit, the instantaneous tripping unit, and the earth leakage tripping unit to be provided in a straight line, as in conventional circuit breakers, and therefore does not require the tripping direction to be unified in a straight line. Therefore, compared to conventional circuit breakers, this circuit breaker 1 does not require significant restrictions on the locations of the mechanisms that operate in conjunction with the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous tripping unit 50, and the earth leakage tripping unit 60. This allows for greater design freedom in the circuit breaker 1.

[0070] [Variations] Although various exemplary embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. For example, a circuit breaker system including at least one of a power source and a load device in addition to the circuit breaker 1 may be integrally formed.

[0071] For example, in the circuit breaker 1, the contact unit 10 is not limited in the number of power supply side terminals 80 and load side terminals 90. The contact unit 10 may have one or three or more power supply side terminals 80, and may have one or three or more load side terminals 90. In this case, the number of power supply side contacts 11 and load side contacts 12 is also not limited. Furthermore, the power supply side contacts 11 may not move due to the movement of the opening / closing mechanism unit 18 and the rotation of the rotating unit 20, but the load side contacts 12 may move.

[0072] For example, the circuit breaker 1 may not have the engaging portion 25. In this case, the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20 may directly engage with the guide member 18b of the opening / closing mechanism portion 18, and the power supply side contact 11 may move away from the load side contact 12 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating portion 20. Furthermore, in the radial direction of rotation of the rotating portion 20, the distance from the overcurrent contact portion 42 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating portion 20 may be greater than the distance from the contact point between the rotating portion 20 and the engaging portion 25 to the rotation axis 21 of the rotating portion 20. The number, shape, and size of the rotating members 22 are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment.

[0073] The overcurrent contact portion 42 and the instantaneous contact portion 52 do not have to be located on both the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b of the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20 in correspondence with each of the multiple contact portions 10a, 10b. In this case, one or more overcurrent contact portions 42 and one or more instantaneous contact portions 52 may be provided on one surface (either the main surface 22a or the back surface 22b) of the rotating member 22. Even if multiple contact portions are not provided, at least one of the overcurrent contact portion 42 and the instantaneous contact portion 52 may be located on both the main surface 22a and the back surface 22b of the rotating member 22 of the rotating portion 20.

[0074] For example, the circuit breaker 1 does not need to include the earth leakage tripping unit 60 and the earth leakage contacting unit 62. Furthermore, the overcurrent tripping unit 40, the instantaneous tripping unit 50 and the earth leakage tripping unit 60 do not need to be arranged to match the vertical positions of the overcurrent contacting unit 42, the instantaneous contacting unit 52 and the earth leakage contacting unit 62, as long as the overcurrent contacting unit 42, the instantaneous contacting unit 52 and the earth leakage contacting unit 62 can be moved in the same rotational direction, respectively.

[0075] Furthermore, the positions of the overcurrent contact 42, the momentary contact 52, and the earth leakage contact 62 in the X direction and the vertical direction are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment. The overcurrent contacts 42a, 42b do not have to be provided at the same position in the X direction and the vertical direction. The momentary contacts 52a, 52b do not have to be provided at the same position in the X direction and the vertical direction.

[0076] As long as the overcurrent contact portion 42, the instantaneous contact portion 52, and the earth leakage contact portion 62 of the overcurrent tripping portion 40, the instantaneous tripping portion 50, and the earth leakage tripping portion 60 can move in the same rotational direction, the rotational direction of the rotating member 22 is not limited. As long as the overcurrent contact portion 42, the instantaneous contact portion 52, and the earth leakage contact portion 62 can move in the same rotational direction, the form of action, such as pressing or pulling, of the overcurrent tripping portion 40, the instantaneous tripping portion 50, and the earth leakage tripping portion 60 is not limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...circuit breaker, 3...main body, 10,10a,10b...contact portion, 11,11a,11b...power supply side contacts, 12,12a,12b...load side contacts, 13a,13b...plate-shaped member, 17...separator, 18...opening / closing mechanism portion, 20...rotating portion, 21...rotating shaft, 22...rotating member, 40...overcurrent tripping portion, 42...overcurrent contact portion, 44...strip plate, 46,46a,46b...bimetal piece, 50...instantaneous tripping portion, 52...instantaneous contact portion, 54,54a,54b...movable electromagnetic piece, 60...earth leakage tripping portion, 62...earth leakage contact portion, 64...zero-phase current transformer, 65...earth leakage cylinder, 66...earth leakage engaging member, 80,80a,80b...power supply side terminals, 90,90a,90b...load side terminals.

Claims

1. a rotating part that is rotatable around a rotation axis; a contact portion that can switch between opening and closing an electric path that can electrically connect a power source and a load device in accordance with the movement of the rotating portion; one or more overcurrent contacts provided on the rotating part; an overcurrent tripping unit that moves the overcurrent contact unit in a rotational circumferential direction of the rotating unit when an overcurrent is detected; one or more momentary contact portions provided on the rotating portion; an instantaneous tripping unit that moves the instantaneous contact unit in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating unit when a preset current value is reached; a leakage contact portion provided on the rotating portion; an earth leakage tripping unit that moves the earth leakage contact unit in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating unit when an earth leakage is detected; Equipped with the rotating portion rotates in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact portion or the momentary contact portion to open the contact portion; the rotating portion rotates in accordance with the movement of the earth leakage contact portion to open the contact portion, the overcurrent contact portion, the instantaneous contact portion, and the earth leakage contact portion are respectively arranged at different positions that do not overlap with each other in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis of the rotating portion. Circuit breaker.

2. a rotating part that is rotatable around a rotation axis; a contact portion that can switch between opening and closing an electric path that can electrically connect a power source and a load device in accordance with the movement of the rotating portion; one or more overcurrent contacts provided on the rotating part; an overcurrent tripping unit that moves the overcurrent contact unit in a rotational circumferential direction of the rotating unit when an overcurrent is detected; one or more momentary contact portions provided on the rotating portion; an instantaneous tripping unit that moves the instantaneous contact unit in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating unit when a preset current value is reached; a leakage contact portion provided on the rotating portion; an earth leakage tripping unit that moves the earth leakage contact unit in the circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating unit when an earth leakage is detected; Equipped with the rotating portion rotates in accordance with the movement of the overcurrent contact portion or the momentary contact portion to open the contact portion; the rotating portion rotates in accordance with the movement of the earth leakage contact portion to open the contact portion, the overcurrent contact portion, the instantaneous contact portion, and the earth leakage contact portion are configured as separate members and are provided on the rotating portion; Circuit breaker.

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