Circuit breaker electric charging device

Abstract

To obtain an electric charge device for circuit breakers with which it is possible to reliably and accurately detect the abnormality of a structure associated with charging of the closing spring of the circuit breaker.SOLUTION: An electric charge device 200 for circuit breakers comprises: a ratchet gear that is urged in a first direction by a closing spring; a feeding claw that engages with the ratchet gear; an inversion rotation preventing claw that restricts the rotation of the ratchet gear in the first direction by the closing spring; a motor 94 that moves the feeding claw and rotates the ratchet gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; and a first abnormality detection unit 204a that measures a first duration from the time the feeding claw starts engaging with the ratchet gear till the time the feeding claw causes the ratchet gear to rotate in the second direction by rotation of the motor 94 and the load applied to the motor 94 from the ratchet gear via the feeding claw becomes zero, and determines the abnormality when the first duration exceeds a first threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric charging device for a circuit breaker that remotely charges a closing spring of the circuit breaker. [Background technology]

[0002] The electric charging device electrically charges the closing spring of the circuit breaker using a motor, and is an accessory device that controls the motor by applying a control voltage and the state of the charge signal switch. The rotational force of the motor is reduced by a gear and converted into a force that charges the closing spring by the charging mechanism.

[0003] The electric charging device supplies a drive voltage to the motor only while the closing spring is being charged, and stops supplying voltage to the motor as soon as charging is complete.The mechanical part of the electric charging device charges the closing spring of the circuit breaker body by repeatedly performing reciprocating curved motion of an arc slider using a ratchet mechanism (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-82453 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the circuit breaker body, ratchet mechanism, or motor fails and the motor is constrained, an overcurrent may occur, which could cause the motor to burn out. However, with the ratchet type, the motor drive current fluctuates, so there is a problem in that abnormalities cannot be monitored simply by the magnitude of the drive current.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an electric charging device for a circuit breaker that can reliably and accurately detect abnormalities in the configuration related to charging the circuit breaker's closing spring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the electric charging device for a circuit breaker of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a ratchet gear that is biased in a first direction by a closing spring, a feed pawl that engages with the ratchet gear, a reverse prevention pawl that restricts rotation of the ratchet gear in the first direction by the closing spring, a motor that moves the feed pawl to rotate the ratchet gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction, and an abnormality detection unit that measures a first time period from the time when the feed pawl begins to engage with the ratchet gear to the time when the feed pawl rotates the ratchet gear in the second direction due to rotation of the motor and the load from the ratchet gear applied to the motor via the feed pawl becomes zero, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the first time period exceeds a first threshold value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The electric charging device for a circuit breaker of the present disclosure has the effect of being able to reliably and accurately detect an abnormality in the configuration related to charging the closing spring of the circuit breaker. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an open state in which charging is completed in the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between a main shaft, an insulating link arm, and an insulating link in a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a tripped state of a circuit breaker body of a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of an electric charging mechanism according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of an electric charging mechanism according to a first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a power supply circuit configuration of an electric charging device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a time chart showing a motor drive current in the electric charging device according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first abnormality detection unit; [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a first abnormality detection unit of an electric charging device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 12] 1 is a time chart showing a motor drive current in the electric charging device according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the second abnormality detection unit; [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a second abnormality detection unit of the electric charging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 1 is a time chart showing a motor drive current in a normal state in the electric charging device according to the first embodiment; [Figure 15] 10 is a time chart showing a motor drive current when an abnormality occurs in the electric charging device according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the third abnormality detection unit; [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a third abnormality detection unit of the electric charging device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] A block diagram showing a power supply circuit configuration of an electric charging device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a timer detection unit of the electric charging device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the overcurrent detection circuit of the electric charging device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electric charging device for a circuit breaker according to an embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing an open state in which charging is completed in a circuit breaker according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a part of the configuration of the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between a main shaft, an insulating link arm, and an insulating link in the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of a part of the configuration of the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a tripped state of a circuit breaker body of the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of a part of the configuration of the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment.

[0012] The circuit breaker 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an air circuit breaker connected between a power supply (not shown) and a load device (not shown). The load device is, for example, an electrical device that consumes power supplied from the power supply. The circuit breaker 1 includes an insulating housing 10 having a molded case 10a and a molded cover 10b. Inside the housing 10, on the right side in FIG. 1, members of an electrical system 6 that mainly opens and closes the main circuit are arranged, and on the left side in FIG. 1, members of a mechanical system 7 that also opens and closes are arranged.

[0013] The electrical system 6 of the circuit breaker 1 includes a load-side fixed conductor 42 having one end protruding from the housing 10 and connected to the load device, a movable contactor 43 having a movable contact 43a fixed thereto, and a power-source-side fixed conductor 44 having one end protruding from the housing 10 and connected to the power source device and the other end having a fixed contact 44a opposed to the movable contact 43a fixed thereto. For ease of explanation, in several drawings including Fig. 1, a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is illustrated in which the vertical direction is the Z-axis direction, the direction in which the load-side fixed conductor 42 and the power-source-side fixed conductor 44 extend is the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Z-axis is the Y-axis direction.

[0014] The electrical system 6 also includes a flexible conductor 45 having one end fixed to the housing 10 and the other end fixed to the movable contactor 43. When the movable contact 43a comes into contact with the fixed contactor 44a, the load side fixed conductor 42 and the power supply side fixed conductor 44 are electrically connected via the flexible conductor 45. The movable contactor 43, on which the movable contact 43a is arranged, is attached to the mechanical system 7 by a connecting pin 49 and is driven by the mechanical system 7.

[0015] The electrical system 6 also includes a mover holder 46, one end of which is rotatably attached to a holder shaft 48 held in the molded case 10a, a pressure spring 47 attached between the molded case 10a and the movable contact 43, and an arc-extinguishing chamber 4. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the open state shown in FIG. 1, the pressure spring 47 urges the movable contact 43a in a direction that separates it from the fixed contact 44a. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the closed state shown in FIG. 5, the pressure spring 47 urges the movable contact 43a in a direction that presses it against the fixed contact 44a. The arc-extinguishing chamber 4 interrupts the arc that is generated when the movable contact 43a is separated from the fixed contact 44a.

[0016] Next, the mechanical system 7 of the circuit breaker 1 will be described. As shown in Fig. 2, the circuit breaker 1 includes a pair of frames 16a and 16b, a frame 16 fixed to the housing 10, a camshaft 21, and a nut 82. The frames 16a and 16b are spaced apart by the camshaft 21 and the nut 82. The camshaft 21 is a bolt, but may be a member other than a bolt.

[0017] The mechanism system 7 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the frame 16a and the frame 16b. Unless otherwise specified, the holder shaft 48, the connecting pin 49, and each axis of the mechanism system 7 are disposed so as to be parallel to the axis of the camshaft 21, i.e., in the Y-axis direction.

[0018] The mechanical system 7 of the circuit breaker 1 includes a guide plate 17 having one end fixed to the frame 16 and extending upward in FIG. 1, a closing spring 18 attached to the guide plate 17, a charge arm 24 having a middle portion rotatably supported on a shared fixed shaft 24a, and a charge cam 22 that rotates the charge arm 24.

[0019] A spring hook pin 24d is provided at one end of the charge arm 24, and this spring hook pin 24d is inserted into an elongated hole 16c formed in the frame 16. One end of the closing spring 18 abuts against the spring hook pin 24d, and the other end abuts against the frame 16. The charge cam 22 is fixed to the camshaft 21.

[0020] The mechanism system 7 includes an electric charging mechanism 90 that rotates the charging cam 22 to store energy in the closing spring 18. The electric charging mechanism 90 includes a ratchet gear 91. The ratchet gear 91 is fixed to the camshaft 21 in the same manner as the charging cam 22, and the electric charging mechanism 90 rotates the charging cam 22 by rotating the ratchet gear 91. The specific configuration of the electric charging mechanism 90 will be described in detail later.

[0021] An arm-side roller 24b is provided at the other end of the charge arm 24, and this arm-side roller 24b abuts against a cam surface 22b of the charge cam 22. When the charge cam 22 rotates, the arm-side roller 24b moves along the cam surface 22b.

[0022] The mechanism system 7 also includes a first close latch 25 whose base end is rotatably supported on a shared fixed shaft 24a, a second close latch 26 whose base end is rotatably supported on a fixed shaft 26a, and a close bar 27 whose portion is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape.

[0023] The charging cam 22 has a cam-side roller 22a provided between it and the ratchet gear 91, and the tip of the first close latch 25 abuts against the cam-side roller 22a. A latch-side roller 25a is provided midway between the base end and tip of the first close latch 25, and this latch-side roller 25a abuts against one end of the second close latch 26.

[0024] A protrusion 26b and an engagement portion 26c are formed on one end of the second close latch 26. Because the second close latch 26 receives a counterclockwise force in FIG. 1 from a return spring (not shown), the protrusion 26b tries to rotate the first close latch 25 clockwise. When the circuit breaker 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1, the first close latch 25 is in contact with the cam side roller 22a, and the cam side roller 22a acts as a stopper, preventing the first close latch 25 from rotating. The close bar 27 is rotated clockwise manually by pressing an on button (not shown) or by turning on a solenoid or the like.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the mechanism system 7 includes a main shaft 28, insulating link arms 28a fixed to the main shaft 28, and second link arms 28b fixed to the main shaft 28 and arranged between the insulating link arms 28a. The main shaft 28 is rotatably supported by the frame 16. Three insulating link arms 28a are arranged on the main shaft 28 with their base ends spaced equally apart along the extension direction. The insulating link arms 28a and the second link arms 28b have the same shape. The insulating link arms 28a are rotatably connected to one end of an insulating link 41 shown in FIG. 4 by a pin (not shown). The other end of the insulating link 41 is connected to a movable contact 43.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the mechanism system 7 includes a closing toggle link mechanism 29, a link lever 30 rotatably supported on a fixed shaft 30a, a trip latch 31 rotatably supported on a fixed shaft 26a, and a trip bar 32 that engages with one end of the trip latch 31.

[0027] The closing toggle link mechanism 29 includes a first link 29a, a second link 29b, and pins 29c and 29d. One end of the first link 29a is rotatably connected to one end of a link lever 30 by a pin 30b. The other end of the first link 29a is connected to one end of a second link 29b by a pin 29d. The other end of the second link 29b is connected to the other end of the second link arm 28b by a pin 29c. A lever-side roller 30c is provided on the link lever 30 midway between the one end and the center of rotation. The side of the trip latch 31 engages with the lever-side roller 30c.

[0028] 1, when an on button (not shown) is pressed, the close bar 27 rotates clockwise, unlocking the second close latch 26 locked by the close bar 27. The unlocked second close latch 26 rotates clockwise in FIG. 1, disengaging the engagement portion 26c from the latch-side roller 25a. As a result, the charging cam 22 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 while rotating the first close latch 25 counterclockwise in FIG. 1 via the cam-side roller 22a, causing the arm-side roller 24b to drop into the step portion of the cam surface 22b of the charging cam 22. This frees the charge arm 24.

[0029] When the charge arm 24 is free, it rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 1 due to the release force of the closing spring 18, and the operating surface 24c bounces up the link-side roller 29e of the closing toggle link mechanism 29. Because the trip latch 31 is locked by the trip bar 32 from moving counterclockwise in FIG. 1, the closing toggle link mechanism 29 extends, causing the second link arm 28b to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.

[0030] As a result, the movable contact 43a and the fixed contact 44a come into contact with each other in the circuit breaker 1, and the electric circuit is closed, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. In the state shown in Figure 5, a clockwise rotational force in Figure 5 is applied to the link lever 30 by the contact pressure spring 47 via the closing toggle link mechanism 29 and the pin 30b, but the trip bar 32 prevents the link lever 30 from rotating counterclockwise in Figure 5.

[0031] In the tripped state in which the closing spring 18 is released as shown in Figure 5, the ratchet gear 91 in the electric charging mechanism 90 is driven to rotate the ratchet gear 91 counterclockwise in Figure 5, causing the charging cam 22 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 5. As a result, the charge arm 24 rotates clockwise in Figure 5 around the camshaft 21 to the position shown in Figure 1, and the spring hook pin 24d presses down on the closing spring 18, thereby storing energy in the closing spring 18. In this way, the closing spring 18 reaches the fully stored state shown in Figures 1 and 5.

[0032] Next, a specific description will be given of the configuration of the electric charging mechanism 90. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the configuration of the electric charging mechanism 90 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the electric charging mechanism according to the first embodiment.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 7, the electric charging mechanism 90 includes a ratchet gear 91 having a plurality of gear teeth 91a formed thereon, a feed pawl 92, a reverse rotation prevention pawl 93, and springs 96 and 98. The ratchet gear 91 is biased clockwise in Fig. 7 by a closing spring 18 via a charge arm 24, a charging cam 22, and a camshaft 21. Hereinafter, the direction in which the ratchet gear 91 rotates due to the bias of the closing spring 18 may be referred to as the biasing direction. The clockwise biasing direction corresponds to the first direction.

[0034] The feed pawl 92 has a tip end 92a that engages with gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91. A spring 96 is stretched between the base end of the feed pawl 92 and the frame 16, and biases the feed pawl 92 counterclockwise in FIG.

[0035] The base end of the anti-reverse pawl 93 is rotatably attached to the frame 16. The anti-reverse pawl 93 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 7 by a spring 98, and the tip end 93a engages with the gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91. This causes the anti-reverse pawl 93 to restrict rotation of the ratchet gear 91 in the biasing direction. However, the anti-reverse pawl 93 does not restrict rotation of the ratchet gear 91 in the direction opposite to the biasing direction.

[0036] 8, the electric charging mechanism 90 has a frame 97 and a motor 94 attached to the frame 97. The motor 94 is composed of a motor body 94a, a bracket 94b made of an insulating material and holding the motor body 94a, an insulating gear (not shown) made of an insulating material and transmitting the rotational force of an output shaft (not shown) of the motor body 94a to the feed pawl 92, a motor body mounting screw (not shown) for fixing the motor body 94a fitted into the bracket 94b to the bracket 94b, and a motor mounting screw 94f for fixing the bracket 94b holding the motor body 94a to the frame 97.

[0037] The electric charging mechanism 90 also includes a transmission mechanism 95 that transmits the rotational force of the output shaft of the motor body 94a to the feed jaw 92. The motor body 94a is a DC motor that rotates using DC power.

[0038] The transmission mechanism 95 includes a reduction gear 95a having an input side gear attached to the output shaft of the motor body 94a, and a rotating member 95b attached to the output shaft 95c of the reduction gear 95a and rotating about the output shaft 95c. The base end of the feed jaw 92 is rotatably attached to a position offset from the rotation center of the rotating member 95b.

[0039] The rotating member 95b is biased counterclockwise in Fig. 7 by a spring 96 shown in Fig. 7 around the output shaft 95c as the rotation center. When the output shaft of the motor main body 94a rotates, the output shaft 95c of the reduction gear 95a rotates, causing the rotating member 95b to rotate counterclockwise in Fig. 7. When the rotating member 95b rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 7, the feed pawl 92 repeats a reciprocating curved motion similar to that of a circular-arc slider crank multiple times, causing the feed pawl 92 to rotate the ratchet gear 91.

[0040] In this way, in the electric charging mechanism 90, the output shaft of the motor body 94a is connected to the transmission mechanism 95 provided between the motor body 94a and the feed pawl 92, and rotation of the output shaft of the motor body 94a causes the feed pawl 92 to move back and forth via the transmission mechanism 95. This causes the ratchet gear 91 to rotate counterclockwise, which is the opposite direction to the biasing direction. The counterclockwise direction, which is the opposite direction to the biasing direction, corresponds to the second direction.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing the power supply circuit configuration of the electric charging device according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the electric charging device 200 is made up of a control power supply circuit 202 connected to a power supply 201, a motor drive circuit 203 connected to the power supply 201, a control circuit 204, and a current detection unit 205. The motor drive circuit 203 drives the motor 94 of the electric charging device 200. The control circuit 204 is supplied with power from the control power supply circuit 202 and detects abnormalities in the electric charging device. The current detection unit 205 detects the drive current flowing through the motor 94.

[0042] The control circuit 204 has a first abnormality detection unit 204a, a second abnormality detection unit 204b, a third abnormality detection unit 204c, and an alarm output unit 204d.

[0043] The first anomaly detection unit 204a detects an abnormality in the ratchet cycle based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205. Normally, the ratchet gear 91 rotates at a constant ratchet cycle due to the reciprocating curved motion of the feed pawl 92. However, if an abnormality occurs in the motor 94, such as insufficient input voltage to the motor 94 or insufficient torque due to a wire break, or an abnormality in a mechanical part related to the energy storage of the closing spring 18 in the mechanical system 7 of the circuit breaker 1 (such as an increase in the load torque of the motor 94 due to a mechanical malfunction, binding of the motor 94, or inability to stop the motor 94), the ratchet cycle becomes longer than normal. The first anomaly detection unit 204a detects an abnormality in the ratchet cycle based on the length of a loaded section having a drive current equal to or greater than the unloaded section in the ratchet cycle measured based on the drive current of the motor 94.

[0044] The second abnormality detection unit 204b detects an idling abnormality of the ratchet gear 91 based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205. Idling abnormalities of the ratchet gear 91 include slippage of the ratchet gear 91 due to wear of the ratchet gear 91, chipping of the ratchet gear 91, and slippage of the camshaft 21, which is the shaft of the ratchet gear 91. The second abnormality detection unit 204b detects an idling abnormality of the ratchet gear 91 based on the length of the no-load section in the ratchet cycle measured based on the drive current of the motor 94.

[0045] The third abnormality detection unit 204c detects brush abnormalities (brush wear), commutator wear, etc. of the motor 94 based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205. The third abnormality detection unit 204c detects brush abnormalities (brush wear), commutator wear, etc. based on the peak value of the drive current of the motor 94. The third abnormality detection unit 204c measures the drive current of the motor 94 in the loaded section, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the peak value of the drive current exceeds a threshold value.

[0046] The alarm output unit 204d outputs an alarm to the outside when any of the first abnormality detection unit 204a, the second abnormality detection unit 204b, and the third abnormality detection unit 204c determines that an abnormality has occurred.

[0047] Fig. 10 is a time chart showing the motor drive current in the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the first abnormality detection unit 204a. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first abnormality detection unit 204a of the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0048] Before describing the anomaly detection operation of the first anomaly detection unit 204a, the operation of the electric charging mechanism 90 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described in detail using FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the vertical axis represents the motor drive current, and the horizontal axis represents time. First, at time A1, the feed pawl 92 begins to engage with the gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91. From this state, as the output shaft of the motor 94 rotates, the feed pawl 92 moves in a direction that rotates the gear teeth 91a counterclockwise, causing the ratchet gear 91 to rotate counterclockwise until time B is reached. Between time A1 and time B, the load from the ratchet gear 91 is applied to the transmission mechanism 95 and the output shaft of the motor 94 via the feed pawl 92 due to the biasing force of the closing spring 18 acting on the ratchet gear 91. Furthermore, at time B, the electric charging mechanism 90 is at a dead center position, where the load from the ratchet gear 91 applied to the transmission mechanism 95 and the output shaft of the motor 94 via the feed pawl 92 is zero.

[0049] In the electric charging mechanism 90, from the state at time point B, as the output shaft of the motor 94 further rotates, the feed pawl 92 moves in the direction opposite to the direction rotating the gear teeth 91a counterclockwise. Because the ratchet gear 91 is biased clockwise by the closing spring 18, the ratchet gear 91 rotates clockwise with the biasing force of the closing spring 18 applied. As the output shaft of the motor 94 further rotates, the ratchet gear 91 rotates clockwise and the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 engages with the gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91. As the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 engages with the gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91, the clockwise rotation of the ratchet gear 91 stops, and time point C is reached. After the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 engages with the gear teeth 91a of the ratchet gear 91, if the output shaft of the motor 94 attempts to rotate further, a frictional force is applied to the feed pawl 92 between it and the ratchet gear 91. However, because the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 prevents the ratchet gear 91 from rotating, the biasing force of the closing spring 18 is not applied to the transmission mechanism 95 and the output shaft of the motor 94 via the feed pawl 92. Thus, the section from time A1 to time C is the loaded section, and the section from time C to time A2, which is the start point of the next cycle, is the unloaded section. In the unloaded section, the output shaft of the motor 94 rotates freely.

[0050] In this way, the output shaft 95c of the reduction gear 95a rotates the ratchet gear 91 by an angle equivalent to the gear teeth 91a in each ratchet cycle. The loaded period from time A1 to time C is the period of the ratchet cycle from when the ratchet gear 91 begins to rotate in the direction opposite to the biasing direction by the feed pawl 92 until the rotation in the biasing direction is restricted by the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93. During this loaded period, the load from the ratchet gear 91 is applied to the output shaft of the transmission mechanism 95 and the motor 94 due to the biasing force of the closing spring 18. Furthermore, the unloaded section from time C to time A2 is the period of the ratchet cycle from when the rotation of the ratchet gear 91 in the biasing direction is restricted by the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 until the ratchet gear 91 is next rotated in the direction opposite to the biasing direction by the feed pawl 92. In other words, the no-load period is a period in which torque due to the biasing force of the closing spring 18 is not applied to the transmission mechanism 95 and the output shaft of the motor 94.

[0051] The anomaly detection operation of the first anomaly detection unit 204a will be described in detail with reference to Figure 10. The first anomaly detection unit 204a measures the first time ta, which is the time from time A1 to time B, based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205, and determines that an anomaly has occurred when the first time ta exceeds a first threshold value C1. As described above, time A1 is the time when the feed pawl 92 begins to engage with the ratchet gear 91, and time B is the dead point when the load from the ratchet gear 91 applied to the motor 94 becomes zero. Furthermore, as described above, the section from time A1 to time B can also be said to be a loaded section in which the drive current is equal to or greater than that of the unloaded section.

[0052] The abnormality detection operation of the first abnormality detection unit 204a will be described in detail with reference to Figure 11. In step S301, the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205 is acquired. In step S302, it is determined whether the current value acquired in step S301 is greater than a current threshold th1. If the current value is greater than the current threshold th1, the process proceeds to step S303, and if the current value is equal to or less than the current threshold th1, the process returns to step S301. Here, the current threshold th1 is set to a value for detecting that the motor 94 has started to drive the ratchet gear 91.

[0053] In step S303, a timer is started to measure the interval from time A1 to time C. In the next step S304, it is determined whether the current value acquired in step S301 is smaller than current threshold th2. If the current value is smaller than current threshold th2, the process proceeds to step S306, and if the current value is equal to or greater than current threshold th2, the process proceeds to step S305. Here, current threshold th2 is set to a value for detecting a dead point where the load from ratchet gear 91 applied to motor 94 becomes zero.

[0054] In step S305, as in step S301, the drive current of motor 94 detected by current detection unit 205 is obtained, and the process returns to step S304. In step S306, since it is detected that motor 94 has started to rotate freely, the timer started in step S303 is stopped, and the timer time, i.e., the first time ta, which is the time from time A1 to time B, is obtained.

[0055] In step S307, it is determined whether the first time ta acquired in step S306 is greater than the threshold C1. If the first time ta is greater than the threshold C1, the process proceeds to step S308, and if the first time ta is equal to or less than the threshold C1, the process proceeds to step S309. In step S309, the timer value is reset, and the process returns to step S301. In step S308, an alarm is output as an abnormality detected by the first abnormality detection unit 204a.

[0056] Fig. 12 is a time chart showing the motor drive current in the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the second abnormality detection unit 204b. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second abnormality detection unit 204b of the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0057] The abnormality detection operation of the second abnormality detection unit 204b will be described in detail using Figure 12. The second abnormality detection unit 204b measures a second time tb, which is the time from time C to time A2, based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the second time tb exceeds a second threshold value C2. As described above, time C is the time when the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 begins to engage with the ratchet gear 91, and time A2 is the time when the feed pawl 92 begins to engage with the ratchet gear 91. Furthermore, as described above, the section from time C to time A2 can also be considered a no-load section.

[0058] The abnormality detection operation of the second abnormality detection unit 204b will be described in detail with reference to Figure 13. In step S401, the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205 is acquired. In step S402, it is determined whether the current value acquired in step S401 is smaller than the current threshold th3. If the current value is smaller than the current threshold th3, the process proceeds to step S403, and if the current value is equal to or greater than the current threshold th3, the process returns to step S401. Here, the current threshold th3 is set to a value for detecting that the motor 94 has started to spin freely.

[0059] In step S403, a timer for measuring a second time tb is started. In the next step S404, it is determined whether the current value acquired in step S401 is greater than a current threshold th4. If the current value is equal to or less than the current threshold th4, the process proceeds to step S405. If the current value is greater than the current threshold th4, the process proceeds to step S406. Here, the current threshold th4 is set to a value for detecting that the motor 94 has started to drive the ratchet gear 91.

[0060] In step S405, as in step S401, the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205 is obtained, and the process returns to step S404. In step S406, since it is detected that the motor 94 has started to drive the ratchet gear, the timer started in step S403 is stopped, and the timer time, i.e., the second time tb, which is the time from time C to time A2, is obtained.

[0061] In step S407, it is determined whether the second time tb acquired in step S406 is greater than the threshold C2. If the second time tb is greater than the threshold C2, the process proceeds to step S408, and if the second time tb is equal to or less than the threshold C2, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S409, the timer value is reset, and the process returns to step S401. In step S408, an alarm is output as an abnormality detected by the second abnormality detection unit 204b.

[0062] Fig. 14 is a time chart showing the motor drive current in normal operation in the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 15 is a time chart showing the motor drive current in abnormal operation in the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment, and is a time chart for explaining the operation of the third abnormality detection unit 204c. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third abnormality detection unit 204c of the electric charging device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0063] The anomaly detection operation of the third anomaly detection unit 204c will be described in detail using Figures 14 and 15. As shown in Figure 14, the waveform of the drive current of the motor 94 during normal operation does not include a surge waveform with a large peak. However, when brush wear or commutator wear of the motor 94 occurs, a surge waveform SG with a large peak appears in the waveform of the drive current of the motor 94, as shown in Figure 15. The third anomaly detection unit 204c measures the waveform of the drive current of the motor 94 in the loaded section from time A1 to time C in Figure 12, and determines an anomaly when the number of times the peak value of the surge waveform in the current waveform exceeds the current threshold value th5 exceeds threshold value C3. It is desirable to filter the measured current waveform using a band-pass filter of a certain band before determining the peak value.

[0064] The anomaly detection operation of the third anomaly detection unit 204c will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 16. In step S501, a timer is started to measure the loaded section from time A1 to time C in FIG. 12. In step S502, the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205 is passed through a band-pass filter, and the band-pass filtered drive current is obtained. In step S503, it is determined whether the current value obtained in step S502 is greater than a current threshold th5. If the current value is greater than the third threshold, i.e., current threshold th5, the process proceeds to step S504. If the current value is equal to or less than current threshold th5, the process proceeds to step S507. Here, the current threshold th5 is set to a value for detecting brush wear or commutator wear in the motor 94.

[0065] In step S504, a counter for counting the number of abnormality detections is incremented by +1. In the next step S505, it is determined whether the count value counted in step S504 is greater than a threshold value C3. If the count value is greater than the threshold value C3, the process proceeds to step S506, and if the count value is equal to or less than the threshold value C3, the process proceeds to step S507. Here, the threshold value C3 is set to a value for detecting brush roughness that can be determined to be an abnormality in the motor 94.

[0066] In step S507, it is determined whether the timer time started in step S501 is greater than a set value Tk. If the timer time is greater than the set value Tk, the process proceeds to step S508, and if the timer time is equal to or less than the set value Tk, the process returns to step S502. The set value Tk is set based on a normal ratchet period in order to determine the loaded section from time A1 to time C in FIG. 12. In step S508, the timer value is reset, and the process proceeds to step S509. In step S509, the counter value is reset, and the process returns to step S501. In step S506, an alarm is output as an abnormality detected by the third abnormality detection unit 204c.

[0067] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first abnormality detection unit 204a measures the first time ta, which is the time from when the feed pawl 92 starts to engage with the ratchet gear 91 to when the feed pawl 92 rotates the ratchet gear 91 in the second direction due to the rotation of the motor 94 and the load from the ratchet gear 91 applied to the motor 94 via the feed pawl 92 becomes zero, and when the first time ta exceeds the threshold C1, it determines that an abnormality has occurred and outputs an alarm. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect abnormalities of the motor 94, such as insufficient input voltage to the motor 94 or insufficient torque due to a wire breakage, and abnormalities in the mechanical part related to the energy storage of the closing spring 18 in the mechanical system 7 of the circuit breaker 1 (such as an increase in the load torque of the motor 94 due to a mechanical malfunction, binding of the motor 94, or inability to stop the motor 94).

[0068] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the second abnormality detection unit 204b measures the second time tb, which is the time from when the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 starts to engage with the ratchet gear 91 to when the feed pawl 92 starts to engage with the ratchet gear 91, and when the second time tb exceeds the threshold C2, it determines that an abnormality has occurred and outputs an alarm. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect idling abnormalities of the ratchet gear 91, including slippage of the ratchet gear 91 due to wear of the ratchet gear 91, chipping of the ratchet gear 91, and slippage and idling of the camshaft 21, which is the axis of the ratchet gear 91.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the third abnormality detection unit 204c measures the drive current of the motor 94 from the time when the feed pawl 92 starts to engage with the ratchet gear 91 to the time when the reverse rotation prevention pawl 93 engages with the ratchet gear 91, and when the number of times that the peak value of the drive current exceeds the current threshold value th3 exceeds the threshold value C3, it determines that an abnormality has occurred and outputs an alarm. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect brush abnormalities (brush wear), commutator wear, etc. of the motor 94.

[0070] In the above description, the control circuit 204 includes the first abnormality detection unit 204a, the second abnormality detection unit 204b, and the third abnormality detection unit 204c, but it is also possible to implement the control circuit 204 by including at least one of these three abnormality detection units. Also, in the above description, the first abnormality detection unit 204a measures the first time ta based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205, and the second abnormality detection unit 204b measures the second time tb based on the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205. However, the first abnormality detection unit 204a and the second abnormality detection unit 204b may measure the first time ta and the second time tb using a physical quantity other than the drive current of the motor 94.

[0071] Embodiment 2 FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the power supply circuit configuration of an electric charging device according to a second embodiment. An electric charging device 200A according to the second embodiment is obtained by adding a timer detection unit 204e and an overcurrent detection circuit 204f to the electric charging device 200 shown in FIG. 9. The configuration other than these is the same as that of the first embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. The timer detection unit 204e stops the motor drive circuit 203 if the time spent by the electric charging device 200A in energizing the closing spring 18 is too long. The overcurrent detection circuit 204f stops the motor drive circuit 203 if an overcurrent flows for a certain period of time or longer while the electric charging device 200A is energizing the closing spring 18.

[0072] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the timer detection unit 204e of the electric charging device 200A according to the second embodiment. The operation of the timer detection unit 204e will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 18. In step S601, the charging status of the electric charging device 200A is acquired. In step S602, it is determined whether the charging status of the electric charging device 200A is incomplete. If the charging status is not incomplete, the process returns to step S601, and if the charging status is incomplete, the process proceeds to step S603. In step S603, a timer is started to count the time for energizing the closing spring 18. In step S604, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned on, and the motor 94 is driven to start the energizing operation of the closing spring 18 by the electric charging device 200A.

[0073] In step S605, it is determined whether the count time of the timer is greater than a threshold value Td. If the count value is greater than the threshold value Td, the process proceeds to step S606. If the count value is equal to or less than the threshold value Td, the process proceeds to step S608. Here, the threshold value Td is set to a value for detecting that the time for which the closing spring 18 is energized is too long. In step S608, it is determined whether charging is complete. If charging is not complete, the process returns to step S605. If charging is complete, the process proceeds to step S609. In step S609, the timer is reset, and in step S610, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned off, stopping the charging operation of the closing spring 18 by the electric charging device 200A. After step S610, the process returns to step S601. In step S606, the timer is stopped, and in step S607, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned off, stopping the charging operation of the closing spring 18 by the electric charging device 200A.

[0074] 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the overcurrent detection circuit 204f of the electric charging device 200A according to the second embodiment. In step S701, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned on, and the charging operation of the closing spring 18 by the electric charging device 200A is started. In step S702, the current value of the drive current of the motor 94 detected by the current detection unit 205 is acquired. In step S703, it is determined whether the current value of the acquired drive current is greater than a current threshold th6. If the current value is equal to or less than the current threshold th6, the process returns to step S702; if the current value is greater than the current threshold th6, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0075] In step S704, it is determined whether the duration of current flow greater than the current threshold th6 is greater than the threshold Te. In other words, in step S704, it is determined whether the state in which the current value of the drive current is greater than the current threshold th6 continues for a time longer than the threshold Te. If the state in which the current value of the drive current is greater than the current threshold th6 has not continued for a time longer than the threshold Te, the process returns to step S702. If the state in which the current value of the drive current is greater than the current threshold th6 continues for a time longer than the threshold Te, the process proceeds to step S705. In step S705, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned off, and the charging operation of the closing spring 18 by the electric charging device 200A is stopped.

[0076] Thus, according to the second embodiment, when the time for storing the energy of the closing spring 18 is too long or when an overcurrent occurs in the motor 94, the motor drive circuit 203 is turned off to stop the motor 94, thereby ensuring the safety of the circuit breaker 1.

[0077] Incidentally, in the above explanation, an electric charging device for closing an air circuit breaker has been described, but it is also possible to divert it to other devices that have a form using a motor drive, such as an electric operating device for operating the handle of a circuit breaker.

[0078] The configurations shown in the above embodiments are examples of the contents of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies, and parts of the configurations may be omitted or modified within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 circuit breaker, 4 arc extinguishing chamber, 6 electrical system, 7 mechanical system, 10 housing, 10a molded case, 10b molded cover, 16, 16a, 16b, 97 frame, 16c elongated hole, 17 guide plate, 18 closing spring, 21 camshaft, 22 charging cam, 22a cam side roller, 22b cam surface, 24 charge arm, 24a shared fixed shaft, 24b arm side roller, 24c operating surface, 24d spring hook pin, 25 first closing latch, 25a latch side roller, 26 second closing latch, 26a fixed shaft, 26b protrusion, 26c engagement portion, 27 closing bar, 28 main shaft, 28a insulating link arm, 28b second link arm, 29 closing toggle link mechanism, 29a first link, 29b Second link, 29c, 29d, 30b pin, 29e link side roller, 30 link lever, 30a fixed shaft, 30c lever side roller, 31 trip latch, 32 trip bar, 41 insulated link, 42 ​​load side fixed conductor, 43 moving contact, 43a moving contact, 44 power supply side fixed conductor, 44a fixed contact, 45 flexible conductor, 46 moving contact holder, 47 contact pressure spring, 48 holder shaft, 49 connecting pin, 82 nut, 90 electric charging mechanism, 91 ratchet gear, 91a gear teeth, 92 feed pawl, 92a, 93a tip, 93 reverse prevention pawl, 94 motor, 94a motor body, 94b bracket, 94f motor mounting screw, 95 transmission mechanism, 95a reduction gear, 95b rotating member, 95c Output shaft, 96, 98 spring, 200, 200A electric charging device, 201 power supply, 202 control power supply circuit, 203 motor drive circuit, 204 control circuit, 204a first abnormality detection unit, 204b second abnormality detection unit, 204c third abnormality detection unit, 204d alarm output unit, 204e timer detection unit, 204f overcurrent detection circuit, 205 current detection unit.

Claims

1. a ratchet gear biased in a first direction by a closing spring; a feed pawl that engages the ratchet gear; a reverse rotation prevention pawl that restricts rotation of the ratchet gear in the first direction by the closing spring; a motor that moves the feed pawl to rotate the ratchet gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; an abnormality detection unit that measures a first time period from when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to when the feed pawl rotates the ratchet gear in the second direction due to rotation of the motor and the load from the ratchet gear applied to the motor via the feed pawl becomes zero, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the first time period exceeds a first threshold value; An electric charging device for a circuit breaker, comprising:

2. The abnormality detection unit A second time is measured, which is the time from when the anti-reverse pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear, and an abnormality is determined when the second time exceeds a second threshold value.

2. The circuit breaker electric charging device according to claim 1.

3. The abnormality detection unit measures the drive current of the motor from the time when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to the time when the reverse rotation prevention pawl engages with the ratchet gear, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the peak value of the drive current exceeds a third threshold value.

3. The circuit breaker electric charging device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a ratchet gear biased in a first direction by a closing spring; a feed pawl that engages the ratchet gear; a reverse rotation prevention pawl that restricts rotation of the ratchet gear in the first direction by the closing spring; a motor that moves the feed pawl to rotate the ratchet gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; an abnormality detection unit that measures a second time period from when the anti-reverse rotation pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the second time period exceeds a second threshold value; An electric charging device for a circuit breaker, comprising:

5. The abnormality detection unit measures the drive current of the motor from the time when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to the time when the reverse rotation prevention pawl engages with the ratchet gear, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when the peak value of the drive current exceeds a third threshold value.

5. The electric charging device for a circuit breaker according to claim 4.

6. a ratchet gear biased in a first direction by a closing spring; a feed pawl that engages the ratchet gear; a reverse rotation prevention pawl that restricts rotation of the ratchet gear in the first direction by the closing spring; a motor that moves the feed pawl to rotate the ratchet gear in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction; an abnormality detection unit that measures a drive current of the motor from a time when the feed pawl starts to engage with the ratchet gear to a time when the reverse rotation prevention pawl engages with the ratchet gear, and determines that an abnormality has occurred when a peak value of the drive current exceeds a third threshold value; An electric charging device for a circuit breaker, comprising:

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