Circuit breaker

Abstract

To provide a circuit breaker capable of providing an auxiliary contact while suppressing the increase of the size.SOLUTION: A circuit breaker comprises: a plurality of electric power supply side terminals that can be electrically connected to an electric power supply; a plurality of loading side terminals that can be electrically connected to a loading device; and a plurality of contact parts that can electrically connect one electric power supply side terminal and one loading side terminal, respectively. A contact part selected in accordance with the loading device of the plurality of contact parts, constructs a main contact part which can switch a close state in which a main cable way electrically connecting the electric power supply and the loading device is formed and an open state in which the main cable way is not formed by opening and closing operation, and at least one or residual more contact parts other than the main contact parts of the plurality of contact parts construct an auxiliary contact part to detect the close state and the open state in each main contact part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a circuit breaker equipped with an auxiliary contact device has been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit breaker equipped with an auxiliary contact device for external output for notifying the outside of the state in which the circuit of the circuit breaker is interrupted. The circuit breaker has a contact interposed in an electric circuit, a connecting bar for accumulating the biasing force of the opening / closing mechanism of the contact, a separating member for forcibly separating the contact when an abnormal current flows, and an auxiliary contact device that outputs a signal by the contact of the connecting bar driven by the separating member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When applying an auxiliary contact device to a conventional circuit breaker, as described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide the auxiliary contact device, the connecting bar for driving the auxiliary contact device, and the separating member at a position different from the contact interposed in the electric circuit and the opening / closing mechanism. For this reason, it is necessary to secure sufficient space in the circuit breaker to install the mechanism related to the auxiliary contact device.

[0005] Incidentally, as an example of a circuit breaker, a circuit breaker having three or more load side terminals is known. In this circuit breaker, two of the three or more load side terminals can be selected according to the power consumption of the load device connected to the circuit breaker, and the wiring extending from the load device can be connected. On the other hand, since one load side terminal that is not selected and members such as contacts connected to the load side terminal are not used for the conduction of the load device, effective utilization after the selection of the terminal is required.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a circuit breaker capable of providing auxiliary contacts while suppressing an increase in size.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power supply side terminals electrically connectable to a power supply, a plurality of load side terminals electrically connectable to a load device, and a plurality of contact portions each electrically connectable between one power supply side terminal and one load side terminal. Among the plurality of contact portions, the contact portion selected according to the load device constitutes a main contact portion capable of switching between a closed state in which a main circuit electrically connecting the power supply and the load device is formed and an open state in which the main circuit is not formed by an opening and closing operation. At least one or more remaining contact portions other than the main contact portion among the plurality of contact portions constitute an auxiliary contact portion for detecting the closed state and the open state of the main contact portion.

[0008] This circuit breaker includes a plurality of power supply side terminals, a plurality of load side terminals, and a plurality of contact parts. At each contact part, one power supply side terminal and one load side terminal can be electrically connected. Among the plurality of contact parts, a main contact part is selected according to the load device. The main contact part switches between a closed state in which a main circuit connecting the power supply and the load device is formed and an open state in which the main circuit is not formed. Here, at least one or more surplus contact parts other than the main contact part among the contact parts detect the closed state and the open state as auxiliary contact parts. Therefore, in a circuit breaker having a plurality of contact parts, after the selection of the main contact part, the surplus contact parts can be utilized as auxiliary contact parts. For this reason, in this circuit breaker, there is no need to secure a space for newly providing an auxiliary contact part in a space other than the contact part. Therefore, this circuit breaker can provide an auxiliary contact while suppressing an increase in size.

[0009] In the circuit breaker according to an embodiment, the auxiliary contact part may switch between a first connection state indicating a closed state when the main contact part is in the closed state and a second connection state indicating an open state when the main contact part is in the open state in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main contact part. In this case, by performing the opening and closing operation of the main contact part, the first connection state and the second connection state can be switched in the auxiliary contact part, so that the closed state and the open state in the main contact part can be efficiently detected. Further, the auxiliary contact part switches to the first connection state and the second connection state corresponding to the closed state and the open state of the main contact part, respectively. For this reason, for example, compared with an auxiliary contact that detects only one of the closed state or the open state of the main contact part, the above auxiliary contact part can appropriately detect whether the main contact part is in the closed state or the open state.

[0010] In a circuit breaker according to an embodiment, the auxiliary contact portion may include a first auxiliary contact electrically connected to a load side terminal corresponding to the auxiliary contact portion, a second auxiliary contact that contacts the first auxiliary contact when the main contact portion is in a closed state, and a third auxiliary contact that contacts the first auxiliary contact when the main contact portion is in an open state. In this case, for example, the first auxiliary contact can utilize a configuration related to a load side terminal that cannot form a main electric path. The auxiliary contact portion can detect the closed state of the main contact portion when the first auxiliary contact and the second auxiliary contact come into contact. The auxiliary contact portion can detect the open state of the main contact portion when the first auxiliary contact and the third auxiliary contact come into contact.

[0011] In a circuit breaker according to an embodiment, a main body portion is provided with a plurality of power supply side terminals, a plurality of load side terminals, and a plurality of contact portions, and a contact moving portion is supported so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion and controls the opening and closing operations of the main contact portion and the auxiliary contact portion. When the contact moving portion moves to one side, the main contact portion becomes in a closed state, and in the auxiliary contact portion, the first auxiliary contact and the second auxiliary contact come into contact to form a first auxiliary electric path. When the contact moving portion moves to the other side, the main contact portion becomes in an open state, and in the auxiliary contact portion, the first auxiliary contact and the third auxiliary contact come into contact to form a second auxiliary electric path. In this case, the closing and opening states of the main contact portion and the formation of each auxiliary electric path in the auxiliary contact portion are integrally completed by the movement of the contact moving portion to one side or the other side. For example, in the formation of the first auxiliary electric path and the second auxiliary electric path, a mechanism independent of the formation of the main electric path is not required. Therefore, the first auxiliary electric path when the main contact portion is in a closed state and the second auxiliary electric path when the main contact portion is in an open state can be efficiently formed.

[0012] In a circuit breaker according to an embodiment, it includes three or more power supply side terminals, three or more load side terminals, and three or more contact portions, and the main contact portion may be two contact portions selected according to a load device among the three or more contact portions. In this case, even in a circuit breaker having three or more contact portions, the same effects as those described above can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the circuit breaker according to the present disclosure, an auxiliary contact can be provided while suppressing an increase in size.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those for the description. The terms “upper”, “lower”, “left” and “right” are based on the illustrated state and are for convenience.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view showing an example of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing an example of a closed state of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of an open state of a circuit breaker according to an embodiment. The X direction and the Y direction in the figure are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is a vertical direction. The X direction, the Y direction and the Z direction are axial directions orthogonal to each other in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. Hereinafter, the direction along the XY plane will also be referred to as the horizontal direction, and the Z direction will also be referred to as the vertical direction. The circuit breaker 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 electrically connects a power source (not shown) and a load device (not shown).

[0017] The circuit breaker 1 includes a plurality of power supply side terminals 30 electrically connectable to a power supply, a plurality of load side terminals 40 electrically connectable to a load device, and a plurality of contact portions 10 each electrically connectable between one power supply side terminal 30 and one load side terminal 40. The circuit breaker 1 includes, for example, three contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c, three power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, 30c, and three load side terminals 40a, 40b, 40c. The circuit breaker 1 further includes a main body portion 3, a zero-phase current transformer 5 for detecting leakage current, an electromagnetic tripping device 7 having a plunger 7a, a printed circuit board 9, and a contact moving portion 20. The printed circuit board 9 is assembled with a leakage detection circuit that causes the electromagnetic tripping device 7 to perform a tripping operation when leakage occurs. Note that the elements mounted on the printed circuit board 9 are omitted.

[0018] The main body portion 3 is a housing that houses the zero-phase current transformer 5, the electromagnetic tripping device 7, the printed circuit board 9, the three contact portions 10, the contact moving portion 20, the three power supply side terminals 30, and the three load side terminals 40. The main body portion 3 has a right case 3a shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a left case (not shown). By engaging the right case 3a and the left case, each component except for a part of an operation handle 21 described later is housed inside the main body portion 3. The right case 3a and the left case are formed substantially symmetrically.

[0019] The three power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, 30c are arranged along a surface (rear surface) of the main body portion 3 facing the negative direction in the X direction. The three load side terminals 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged along a surface (front surface) of the main body portion 3 facing the positive direction in the X direction. For example, in both the power supply side terminals 30 and each load side terminal 40, the three terminals are arranged in alignment along the vertical direction. On the rear side of the main body portion 3, the power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, 30c are arranged in order from top to bottom. On the front side of the main body portion 3, the load side terminals 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged in order from top to bottom. The plurality of contact portions 10 are arranged between the plurality of power supply side terminals 30 and the plurality of load side terminals 40 in the X direction. The contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c are arranged in order from top to bottom.

[0020] The back surface provided with the three power supply side terminals 30 is formed by a surface extending along the vertical direction, and the front surface provided with the three load side terminals 40 is formed to be inclined so that the connection operation of the electric wire extending from the load device is easy. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, inside and outside the main body 3 are partitioned by a closing plate 90 having three holes on the front side of the lowermost load side terminal 40c. Thus, the front surface of the load side terminal 40c not connected to the load device is covered by the closing plate 90, suppressing the intrusion of unnecessary dust and the like.

[0021] First, a plurality of contact portions 10 will be described. Each of the contact portions 10a, 10b, 10c electrically connects the power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, 30c and the load side terminals 40a, 40b, 40c, respectively. Among the plurality of contact portions 10, the contact portion 10 selected according to a load device (not shown) constitutes the main contact portion 11, and among the plurality of contact portions 10, at least one or more surplus contact portions 10 other than the main contact portion 11 constitute the auxiliary contact portion 15. For example, the main contact portion 11 is selected according to the voltage value or current value during use of the load device. In the present embodiment, the main contact portion 11 is composed of two contact portions 10a, 10b located above among the plurality of contact portions 10. The auxiliary contact portion 15 is composed of one contact portion 10c located below among the plurality of contact portions 10.

[0022] The main contact portion 11 can switch between a closed state in which a main circuit connecting the power supply side terminal 30 and the load side terminal 40 is formed and an open state in which the main circuit is not formed by an opening and closing operation by the contact moving portion 20. The main contact portion 11 has, for example, a first power supply contact 12a and a second power supply contact 12b electrically connected to the two power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, respectively, and a first load contact 13a and a second load contact 13b electrically connected to the two load side terminals 40a, 40b, respectively. The first load contact 13a and the second load contact 13b are fixed in position within the main body 3.

[0023] The first power supply contact 12a moves relative to the first load contact 13a by a contact moving part 20 described later, and can contact or separate from each other. The second power supply contact 12b moves relative to the second load contact 13b by a contact moving part 20 described later, and can contact or separate from each other. When the first power supply contact 12a and the first load contact 13a are in contact and the second power supply contact 12b and the second load contact 13b are in contact, a closed state in which a main circuit is formed is established. When the first power supply contact 12a and the first load contact 13a are separated or the second power supply contact 12b and the second load contact 13b are separated, an open state in which the main circuit is not formed is established. The contact or separation states of the first power supply contact 12a and the second power supply contact 12b, and the first load contact 13a and the second load contact 13b are switched by the opening and closing operation of the contact moving part 20.

[0024] In the closed state, a main circuit that electrically connects the power supply and the load device is formed. The main circuit is, for example, a circuit configured such that a current generated from the power supply passes through the power supply side terminal 30a, the first power supply contact 12a, the first load contact 13a, the load side terminal 40a, the load device, the load side terminal 40b, the second load contact 13b, the second power supply contact 12b, and the power supply side terminal 30b in sequence and finally returns to the power supply. The detailed formation method of the main circuit will be described later.

[0025] The auxiliary contact part 15 detects the closed state and the open state of the main contact part 11. The auxiliary contact part 15 switches, in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main contact part 11, to a first connection state indicating a closed state when the main contact part 11 is in the closed state and a second connection state indicating an open state when the main contact part 11 is in the open state. The auxiliary contact part 15 outputs a signal indicating the first connection state when detecting the closed state to the outside and outputs a signal indicating the second connection state when detecting the open state to the outside.

[0026] The auxiliary contact part 15 includes a first auxiliary contact 16c that is electrically connected to a load side terminal 40c corresponding to the auxiliary contact part 15, a second auxiliary contact 16a that contacts the first auxiliary contact 16c when the main contact part 11 is in the closed state, and a third auxiliary contact 16b that contacts the first auxiliary contact 16c when the main contact part 11 is in the open state.

[0027] The first auxiliary contact 16c has a metal surface that can be electrically connected to both the upper and lower surfaces. The first auxiliary contact 16c is fixed in position within the main body 3. The second auxiliary contact 16a is located above the first auxiliary contact 16c. The second auxiliary contact 16a can move relative to the first auxiliary contact 16c by a contact moving part 20 described later, and can come into contact with or separate from each other. The third auxiliary contact 16b is located below the first auxiliary contact 16c. The third auxiliary contact 16b can move relative to the first auxiliary contact 16c by the contact moving part 20 described later, and can come into contact with or separate from each other.

[0028] The auxiliary contact part 15 further has a conducting wire 17c electrically connected to the first auxiliary contact 16c via a load side terminal 40c, a conducting wire 17a electrically connected to the second auxiliary contact 16a, and a conducting wire 17b electrically connected to the third auxiliary contact 16b. The conducting wires 17a, 17b, and 17c are respectively inserted into three holes provided in the closing plate 90. The conducting wires 17a, 17b, and 17c are connected to a notification device (not shown) provided outside the circuit breaker 1, for example. The notification device has a first notification part connected to the conducting wire 17c and the conducting wire 17a, and a second notification part connected to the conducting wire 17c and the conducting wire 17b. The first notification part and the second notification part each have, for example, a light emitting element that emits light outward and an auxiliary power source.

[0029] When the first auxiliary contact 16c and the second auxiliary contact 16a are in contact, a first connection state is formed in which a first auxiliary circuit is formed by the conducting wires 17c, 17a, and the first notification part. When the first auxiliary contact 16c and the third auxiliary contact 16b are in contact, a second connection state is formed in which a second auxiliary circuit is formed by the conducting wires 17c, 17b, and the second notification part. The contact states between the first auxiliary contact 16c and the second auxiliary contact 16a and the third auxiliary contact 16b are switched by the opening and closing operation of the contact moving part 20, and a first auxiliary circuit or a second auxiliary circuit is formed.

[0030] The contact moving part 20 is supported so as to be movable relative to the main body part 3, and controls the opening and closing operations of the main contact part 11 and the auxiliary contact part 15. The contact moving part 20 includes an operation handle 21, a separator 23, an opening and closing mechanism part 25, and a coil spring 27. The operation handle 21 is a jig capable of performing an energization (on) operation or a cutoff (off) operation on the main electric circuit, the first auxiliary electric circuit, and the second auxiliary electric circuit.

[0031] The separator 23 opens and closes the contact part 10. The separator 23 extends in the vertical direction and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The separator 23 is arranged along the front surface of the main body part 3 while being constantly biased upward by the coil spring 27. The separator 23 houses each contact part 10. Inside the separator 23, the first load contact 13a, the second load contact 13b, and the first auxiliary contact 16c are fixed so as not to move with the separator 23 and not to change their positions relative to the main body part 3. Inside the separator 23, the first power supply contact 12a, the second power supply contact 12b, the second auxiliary contact 16a, and the third auxiliary contact 16b are fixedly provided on the separator 23 so as to be movable together with the separator 23, respectively.

[0032] The opening and closing mechanism part 25 has a latch mechanism. The opening and closing mechanism part 25 has an opening and closing mechanism that operates the separator 23 to cut off the contact part 10 when an electric circuit abnormality such as leakage or overcurrent occurs. The opening and closing mechanism part 25 is integrally formed on the upper part of the separator 23 and is in a latched state in the closed state (on state) shown in FIG. 2, maintaining the state where the separator 23 is slid downward. Since the separator 23 is in a state of being biased upward, when an electric circuit abnormality such as leakage or overcurrent occurs, the latch mechanism (not shown) inside the opening and closing mechanism part 25 performs a latch release operation due to the engagement operation of the pulling member 35 described later, and the separator 23 is released and slides upward as shown in FIG. 3 to perform a cutoff operation (shift to the open state).

[0033] The three power supply side terminals 30 are configured to energize the current from the power supply to the contact portion 10 and to energize the current from the contact portion 10 to the power supply. The three power supply side terminals 30 include three terminal fittings 31, two strip plates 32, two bimetal pieces 33, two movable electromagnetic pieces 34, and a disengagement member 35. The power supply side terminals 30a, 30b, 30c each have terminal fittings 31, 31, 31 formed in a substantially C shape. The terminal fitting 31 is formed as a plug-in type terminal that is connected simply by inserting a conductor bar (not shown) disposed in the distribution board. Strip plates (conductor plates) 32, 32 extend from the terminal fittings 31, 31 of the power supply side terminals 30b, 30c.

[0034] A bimetal piece 33 and a movable electromagnetic piece 34 are attached to the front side in the X direction of the strip plate 32. The bimetal piece 33 detects overcurrent. The movable electromagnetic piece 34 detects a short circuit. The bimetal piece 33 and the movable electromagnetic piece 34 are both arranged facing the front side in the X direction and are attached so as to deform or rotate upward when detecting overcurrent or short-circuit current. Note that the bimetal piece 33 and the movable electromagnetic piece 34, together with the electromagnetic disconnection device 7, constitute an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the circuit.

[0035] The disengagement member 35 transmits the operations of the electromagnetic disconnection device 7, the bimetal piece 33, and the movable electromagnetic piece 34 to the opening and closing mechanism portion 25, releases the latch of the opening and closing mechanism portion 25, and causes a cutoff operation. The disengagement member 35 has a length corresponding to the arrangement of the three power supply side terminals 30, is arranged in the vertical direction parallel to the terminal arrangement in proximity to the three power supply side terminals 30 with the abnormality detection unit sandwiched therebetween. The disengagement member 35 includes a plurality of engagement portions (not shown) for engaging with the electromagnetic disconnection device 7 and the bimetal piece 33 and the movable electromagnetic piece 34 provided in the circuits of the two power supply side terminals 30b, 30c to transmit the abnormality detection operation to the opening and closing mechanism portion 25.

[0036] The three load-side terminals 40 are configured to be able to energize the current from the contact portion 10 to the load device and also to be able to energize the current from the load device to the contact portion 10. Each load-side terminal 40 has a terminal fitting 41. The terminal fitting 41 is formed as a quick-connect terminal that locks the inserted conducting wire (the conducting wires related to the load-side terminals 40a and 40b are not shown) to make an electrical connection. For example, the load-side terminal 40c connected to the auxiliary contact portion 15 is electrically connected to the conducting wire 17c. Each terminal fitting 41 also has a strip plate 42 extending rearward. The first load contact 13a, the second load contact 13b, and the first auxiliary contact 16c are respectively connected to the respective tips of each strip plate 42.

[0037] Next, the detection operations of the closed state and the open state in the circuit breaker 1 will be described. First, the detection operation of the closed state of the main circuit shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In the contact moving portion 20, for example, by manually operating the operation handle 21 to conduct electricity, the separator 23 moves downward (in one direction).

[0038] At this time, along with the movement of the separator 23 due to the energization operation, the first power contact 12a moves downward and contacts the upper surface of the first load contact 13a. Together with the separator 23, the second power contact 12b moves downward and contacts the upper surface of the second load contact 13b. When the first power contact 12a contacts the first load contact 13a and the second power contact 12b contacts the second load contact 13b, a main circuit that electrically connects the power source and the load device is formed. In this way, the main circuit is formed by the main contact portion 11 and the contact moving portion 20, and it becomes the closed state.

[0039] Also, as the separator 23 moves due to the energization operation, the second auxiliary contact 16a moves downward and contacts the upper surface of the first auxiliary contact 16c. At this time, as the separator 23 moves due to the energization operation, the third auxiliary contact 16b moves downward and separates from the lower surface of the first auxiliary contact 16c. As a result, the first auxiliary circuit becomes closed, and a light emission signal can be notified by supplying current from the auxiliary power source to the light emitting element in the first notification unit. On the other hand, since the second auxiliary circuit becomes open and current from the auxiliary power source cannot be supplied to the light emitting element in the second notification unit, a light emission signal cannot be notified from the second notification unit. In this way, the auxiliary contact portion 15 can be in the first connection state indicating a closed state when the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state by forming the first auxiliary circuit and not forming the second auxiliary circuit. Therefore, when the main circuit is closed by the contact portion 10 and the contact moving portion 20, the first auxiliary circuit is formed, and the first notification unit notifies that the main circuit is in the closed state.

[0040] Subsequently, the detection operation of the open state of the main circuit shown in FIG. 3 will be described. In the contact moving portion 20, for example, by a cutoff operation of the operation handle 21 manually or a latch release operation of the opening / closing mechanism portion 25, the separator 23 moves upward (the other side).

[0041] At this time, as the separator 23 moves due to the cutoff operation, the first power contact 12a moves upward and separates from the upper surface of the first load contact 13a. As the separator 23 moves due to the cutoff operation, the second power contact 12b moves upward and separates from the upper surface of the second load contact 13b. In this way, the main contact portion 11 and the contact moving portion 20 cause the main circuit not to be formed and become open.

[0042] Also, as the separator 23 moves due to the cutoff operation, the second auxiliary contact 16a moves upward and separates from the upper surface of the first auxiliary contact 16c. As the separator 23 moves due to the cutoff operation, the third auxiliary contact 16b moves upward and contacts the lower surface of the first auxiliary contact 16c. As a result, the second auxiliary circuit becomes closed, and a current from the auxiliary power supply is supplied to the light-emitting element in the second notification unit, enabling the emission signal to be notified. On the other hand, since the first auxiliary circuit becomes open and a current from the auxiliary power supply cannot be supplied to the light-emitting element in the first notification unit, the emission signal cannot be notified from the first notification unit. In this way, the auxiliary contact portion 15 can be in the second connection state indicating an open state when the main contact portion 11 is in the open state by forming the second auxiliary circuit and not forming the first auxiliary circuit. Therefore, when the main circuit becomes open due to the contact portion 10 and the contact moving portion 20, the second auxiliary circuit is formed, and the second notification unit notifies that the main circuit has become open.

[0043] As described above, in the circuit breaker 1 of the present embodiment, the main contact portion 11 is selected according to the load device among the plurality of contact portions 10. The main contact portion 11 switches between a closed state in which a main circuit electrically connecting the power supply and the load device is formed and an open state in which the main circuit is not formed by an opening / closing operation. Here, at least one or more of the remaining contact portions 10 other than the main contact portion 11 among the contact portions 10 detect the closed state and the open state as the auxiliary contact portion 15. Therefore, in the circuit breaker 1 having a plurality of contact portions 10, after the selection of the main contact portion 11, the remaining contact portions 10 can be utilized as the auxiliary contact portion 15. For this reason, in this circuit breaker 1, it is not necessary to secure a space for newly providing the auxiliary contact portion 15 in the space other than the contact portion 10. Therefore, this circuit breaker 1 can provide the auxiliary contact (auxiliary contact portion 15) while suppressing an increase in size. As an example of the present embodiment, the circuit breaker 1 includes three or more power supply side terminals 30, three or more load side terminals 40, and three or more contact portions 10, and the main contact portion 11 is two contact portions 10 selected according to the load device among the three or more contact portions 10.

[0044] Also, in the circuit breaker 1, the auxiliary contact portion 15 switches between a first connection state indicating a closed state when the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state and a second connection state indicating an open state when the main contact portion 11 is in the open state in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main contact portion 11. In this case, by performing the opening and closing operation of the main contact portion 11, the first connection state and the second connection state can be switched in the auxiliary contact portion 15, so that the closed state and the open state in the main contact portion 11 can be detected efficiently. Further, the auxiliary contact portion 15 switches to the first connection state and the second connection state corresponding to the closed state and the open state of the main contact portion 11, respectively. Therefore, for example, compared with an auxiliary contact that detects only one of the closed state or the open state of the main contact portion 11, the auxiliary contact portion 15 can appropriately detect whether the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state or the open state, respectively.

[0045] Also, in the circuit breaker 1, the auxiliary contact portion 15 includes a first auxiliary contact 16c electrically connected to the load side terminal 40c corresponding to the auxiliary contact portion 15, a second auxiliary contact 16a that contacts the first auxiliary contact 16c when the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state, and a third auxiliary contact 16b that contacts the first auxiliary contact 16c when the main contact portion 11 is in the open state. In this case, for example, the first auxiliary contact 16c can utilize a configuration related to the load side terminal 40c that cannot form the main circuit. The auxiliary contact portion 15 can detect the closed state in the main contact portion 11 when the first auxiliary contact 16c and the second auxiliary contact 16a are in contact. The auxiliary contact portion 15 can detect the open state in the main contact portion 11 when the first auxiliary contact 16c and the third auxiliary contact 16b are in contact.

[0046] Also, in the circuit breaker 1, a main body 3 provided with a plurality of power supply side terminals 30, a plurality of load side terminals 40, and a plurality of contact portions 10, and a contact moving portion 20 that is supported so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body 3 and controls the opening and closing operations of the main contact portion 11 and the auxiliary contact portion 15 are further provided. When the contact moving portion 20 moves downward (one side), the main contact portion 11 becomes in a closed state, and the first auxiliary contact 16c and the second auxiliary contact 16a contact each other in the auxiliary contact portion 15 to form a first auxiliary electric path. When the contact moving portion 20 moves upward (the other side), the main contact portion 11 becomes in an open state, and the first auxiliary contact 16c and the third auxiliary contact 16b contact each other in the auxiliary contact portion 15 to form a second auxiliary electric path. In this case, the closing and opening states of the main contact portion 11 and the formation of each auxiliary electric path in the auxiliary contact portion 15 are integrally completed by the downward (one side) or upward (the other side) movement of the contact moving portion 20. For example, in the formation of the first auxiliary electric path and the second auxiliary electric path, a mechanism independent of the formation of the main electric path is not required. Therefore, the first auxiliary electric path when the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state and the second auxiliary electric path when the main contact portion 11 is in the open state can be efficiently formed.

[0047] [Modification Example] As described above, various exemplary embodiments have been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made. For example, in addition to the circuit breaker 1, a circuit breaker system including at least one of a power supply, a load device, a first notification unit, and a second notification unit may be integrally formed.

[0048] For example, in the circuit breaker 1, any of the three contact portions 10 may be selected as the main contact portion 11, and any of the contact portions 10 may be selected as the auxiliary contact portion 15 as the redundant contact portion 10. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the two contact portions 10a and 10b are used as the two main contact portions 11, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, in the circuit breaker 1, when selecting the contact portions 10a and 10c as the two main contact portions 11, the contact portion 10b may be selected as the auxiliary contact portion 15. Further, when selecting the contact portions 10b and 10c as the two main contact portions 11, the contact portion 10a may be selected as the auxiliary contact portion 15. At this time, the load side terminal 40 connected to the load device is determined according to the position of the selected main contact portion 11.

[0049] Also, for example, in the circuit breaker 1, the number of the contact portions 10 may be plural, and the number of the contact portions 10 is not limited. For example, the circuit breaker 1 may have two contact portions 10, or may have four or more contact portions 10. At this time, any of the plural contact portions 10 may be selected as the main contact portion 11, and any of the contact portions 10 may be selected as the auxiliary contact portion 15 as the redundant contact portion 10. When the circuit breaker 1 has four or more contact portions 10, the circuit breaker 1 may use one of the contact portions 10 as the auxiliary contact portion 15, or may use a plurality of contact portions 10 as a plurality of auxiliary contact portions 15. When the circuit breaker 1 has a plurality of auxiliary contact portions 15, since the first connection state and the second connection state can be switched in each auxiliary contact portion 15, the closed state and the open state of the main electric path can be more reliably notified.

[0050] Further, as long as the auxiliary contact portion 15 can detect the closed state and the open state, the number of the auxiliary contact portions 15 and the configurations of the electric circuit related to the auxiliary contact portion 15, the notification unit, etc. may be arbitrarily set. For example, the auxiliary contact portion 15 may switch between a connection state indicating either when the main contact portion 11 is in the closed state or when the main contact portion 11 is in the open state and a non-connection state indicating the other in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main contact portion 11. For example, the connection state is a state in which an auxiliary electric circuit is formed by the auxiliary contact portion 15, and the non-connection state refers to a state in which the auxiliary electric circuit is not formed. The auxiliary contact portion 15 detects the open state and the closed state of the main contact portion 11 based on the connection state and the non-connection state. Specifically, the auxiliary contact portion 15 may not have either the first auxiliary electric circuit or the second auxiliary electric circuit. For example, the auxiliary contact portion 15 may not have the third auxiliary contact 16b, the conducting wire 17b, and the second notification unit which are the configuration of the second auxiliary electric circuit. At this time, in the case of the closed state in which the main electric circuit is formed in the main contact portion 11, the first auxiliary electric circuit is formed, and it becomes a connection state in which the light-emitting element emits light in the first notification unit. On the other hand, in the case of the open state in which the main electric circuit is not formed in the main contact portion 11, the first auxiliary electric circuit is not formed, and it becomes a non-connection state in which the light-emitting element does not emit light in the first notification unit. Therefore, the auxiliary contact portion 15 can switch between a connection state in which the closed state of the main electric circuit is detected by the light emission of the light-emitting element in the first notification unit and a non-connection state in which the open state of the main electric circuit is detected by the extinction of the light-emitting element in the first notification unit. For example, the auxiliary contact portion 15 may not have the second auxiliary contact 16a, the conducting wire 17a, and the first notification unit which are the configuration of the first auxiliary electric circuit after having the configuration of the second auxiliary electric circuit.

[0051] The circuit breaker 1 may not include the main body portion 3 and the contact moving portion 20. In this case, for example, using the current supplied by the main electric circuit in the closed state, the second auxiliary contact 16a may be moved toward the first auxiliary contact 16c so that the auxiliary contact portion 15 becomes the first connection state. When the current is no longer supplied from the main electric circuit in the open state, the second auxiliary contact 16a may be physically separated using a biasing force such as a spring so as to be separated from the first auxiliary contact 16c.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1... circuit breaker, 3... main body, 10, 10a, 10b, 10c... contact parts, 11... main contact part, 12a... first power contact, 12b... second power contact, 13a... first load contact, 13b... second load contact, 15... auxiliary contact part, 16a... second auxiliary contact, 16b... third auxiliary contact, 16c... first auxiliary contact, 17a, 17b, 17c... conductors, 20... contact moving part, 21... operating handle, 23... separator, 25... opening / closing mechanism part, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c... power supply side terminals, 40, 40a, 40b, 40c... load side terminals.

Claims

1. A plurality of power supply side terminals electrically connectable to a power supply, A plurality of load side terminals electrically connectable to a load device, A plurality of contact portions respectively electrically connected to each of the plurality of load side terminals, Comprising: Among the plurality of contact portions, the contact portion selected according to the load device constitutes a main contact portion capable of switching between a closed state in which a main circuit electrically connecting the power supply and the load device is formed and an open state in which the main circuit is not formed by an opening and closing operation, Among the plurality of contact portions, at least one or more remaining contact portions other than the main contact portion are connected to the load side terminals not connected to the load device, and constitute auxiliary contact portions for detecting the closed state and the open state in the main contact portion, Circuit breaker.

2. The auxiliary contact portion switches, in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the main contact portion, between a first connection state indicating the closed state when the main contact portion is in the closed state and a second connection state indicating the open state when the main contact portion is in the open state. The circuit breaker according to claim 1.

3. The auxiliary contact portion A first auxiliary contact electrically connected to the load side terminal corresponding to the auxiliary contact portion, A second auxiliary contact that contacts the first auxiliary contact when the main contact portion is in the closed state, A third auxiliary contact that contacts the first auxiliary contact when the main contact portion is in the open state, The circuit breaker according to claim 1 or 2, having.

4. A main body portion provided with the plurality of power supply side terminals, the plurality of load side terminals, and the plurality of contact portions, A contact moving portion supported so as to be relatively movable with respect to the main body portion and controlling the opening and closing operations of the main contact portion and the auxiliary contact portion, Further comprising: When the contact moving portion moves to one side, the main contact portion becomes in the closed state, and in the auxiliary contact portion, the first auxiliary contact and the second auxiliary contact come into contact to form a first auxiliary circuit, When the contact moving portion moves to the other side, the main contact portion becomes in the open state, and in the auxiliary contact portion, the first auxiliary contact and the third auxiliary contact come into contact to form a second auxiliary circuit. The circuit breaker according to claim 3.

5. Three or more of the power supply side terminals, Three or more of the load side terminals, Three or more of the contact portions, Comprising: The main contact portion is two of the three or more contact portions selected according to the load device. The circuit breaker according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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