Tripping device, circuit breaker, and distribution board

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a tripping device in which a tripping force generated by a movable iron piece moving toward a fixed iron piece is high, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board. A tripping device (1) is provided with: a first tripping part (1A) having a first fixed iron piece (11A), a first movable iron piece (12A), and a first push-in part (14A); and a second tripping part (1B) having a second fixed iron piece (11B), a second movable iron piece (12B), and a second push-in part (14B). When an abnormality occurs, the first push-in part (14A) interlocks with the first movable iron piece (12A) that moves toward the first fixed iron piece (11A), and pushes a first latch part (3A) toward a first non-latch position. When an abnormality occurs, the second push-in part (14B) interlocks with the second movable iron piece (12B) that moves toward the second fixed iron piece (11B), and pushes a second latch part (3B) toward a second non-latch position.

Description

Tripping devices, circuit breakers, and distribution boards

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a circuit breaker in which an overcurrent tripping unit accommodating chamber, a switching mechanism unit accommodating chamber, an arc barrier accommodating chamber, and a contact unit accommodating chamber are formed within a housing. The overcurrent tripping unit accommodating chamber accommodates the overcurrent tripping unit and is located between the load side terminal unit and the switching mechanism unit accommodating chamber. The switching mechanism unit accommodating chamber is located between the overcurrent tripping unit accommodating chamber and the power supply side terminal unit. The arc barrier accommodating chamber is located between the power supply side terminal unit and the load side terminal unit, and is located below the overcurrent tripping unit accommodating chamber and the switching mechanism unit accommodating chamber. The contact unit accommodating chamber is located at the end of the arc barrier accommodating chamber on the power supply side terminal unit side.

[0003] Incidentally, a tripping device such as the overcurrent tripping unit of the circuit breaker described in Patent Document 1 may be configured to include a fixed iron piece and a moving iron piece instead of an electromagnet, and to open the contacts by moving the moving iron piece toward the fixed iron piece when an abnormality occurs. In this case, the tripping device is required to have a high tripping force generated by the movement of the moving iron piece toward the fixed iron piece.

[0004] JP 2013-77423 A

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tripping device, a circuit breaker, and a distribution board that generate a high tripping force when a movable iron piece moves toward a fixed iron piece.

[0006] A tripping device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a tripping device that, when an abnormality occurs in power supplied from an external power source to a load via a contact portion, moves a first latch portion from a first latched position toward a first non-latching position and moves a second latch portion from the second latched position toward a second non-latching position, thereby opening the contact portion. The tripping device includes a first tripping unit and a second tripping unit. The first tripping unit moves the first latch portion toward the first non-latching position. The second tripping unit is separate from the first tripping unit and moves the second latch portion toward the second non-latching position. The first tripping unit includes a first fixed iron piece, a first movable iron piece, and a first pushing unit. The first movable iron piece is configured to move toward the first fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs. The first pushing portion is interlocked with the first armature moving toward the first fixed iron piece to push the first latch portion toward the first non-latching position. The second tripping portion has a second armature, a second armature, and a second pushing portion. The second armature is configured to move toward the second fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs. The second pushing portion is interlocked with the second armature moving toward the second fixed iron piece to push the second latch portion toward the second non-latching position.

[0007] A circuit breaker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the tripping device, a first terminal portion, a second terminal portion, the contact portion, the first latch portion, and the second latch portion. The first terminal portion is electrically connected to the external power supply. The second terminal portion is electrically connected to the load. The contact portion is inserted into an electrical path between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion. The first latch portion is pushed toward the first unlatched position by the first pushing portion. The second latch portion is pushed toward the second unlatched position by the second pushing portion.

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

[0009] Fig. 1 is a plan view of the circuit breaker according to this embodiment with the first block removed, showing the contacts closed. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the circuit breaker with the first block removed, showing the contacts open. Fig. 3 is an external view of a distribution board including the circuit breaker. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the circuit breaker. Fig. 5 is an external perspective view of a first tripping unit of a tripping device in the circuit breaker. Fig. 6A is a plan view of essential parts including the first tripping unit of the tripping device in the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6B is a plan view of essential parts including the first tripping unit of the tripping device in the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is an external perspective view of essential parts including the second tripping unit of the tripping device in the circuit breaker. Fig. 8A is a plan view of essential parts including the second tripping unit of the tripping device in the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 8B is a plan view of the main part including the second tripping unit of the tripping device in the circuit breaker shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a change in tripping force due to a current flowing in the main circuit in the circuit breaker.

[0010] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and various modifications other than these embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure. The drawings described in the following embodiments and modifications are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0011] (Present Embodiment) (1) Overview Hereinafter, an overview of a tripping device 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0012] The tripping device 1 of this embodiment is installed inside the circuit breaker 10, and when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact portion 2, the first latch portion 3A is moved from the first latch position toward the first non-latch position, and the second latch portion 3B is moved from the second latch position toward the second non-latch position, thereby opening the contact portion 2.

[0013] The "first latched position" referred to in this disclosure is a position where the first latch portion 3A closes the contact portion 2. On the other hand, the "first non-latching position" referred to in this disclosure is a position where the first latch portion 3A opens the contact portion 2. Similarly, the "second latched position" referred to in this disclosure is a position where the second latch portion 3B closes the contact portion 2. On the other hand, the "second non-latching position" referred to in this disclosure is a position where the second latch portion 3B opens the contact portion 2.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tripping device 1 includes a first tripping unit 1A and a second tripping unit 1B.

[0015] The first tripping unit 1A moves the first latching unit 3A toward the first non-latching position. The first tripping unit 1A has a first fixed iron piece 11A, a first movable iron piece 12A, and a first pushing unit 14A. The first movable iron piece 12A is configured to move toward the first fixed iron piece 11A when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. The first pushing unit 14A moves in conjunction with the first movable iron piece 12A moving toward the first fixed iron piece 11A, and pushes the first latching unit 3A toward the first non-latching position.

[0016] The second tripping unit 1B is separate from the first tripping unit 1A and moves the second latching unit 3B toward the second non-latching position. The term "separate" here means that the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B are not integrally formed, i.e., the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B are located at different positions within the circuit breaker 10. The second tripping unit 1B includes a second fixed iron piece 11B, a second armature iron piece 12B, and a second pushing portion 14B. The second armature iron piece 12B is configured to move toward the second fixed iron piece 11B when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. The second pushing portion 14B pushes the second latching unit 3B toward the second non-latching position in conjunction with the second armature iron piece 12B moving toward the second fixed iron piece 11B.

[0017] The tripping device of the circuit breaker according to the comparative example has only one tripping unit. Therefore, the tripping device according to the comparative example has a problem in that the force for opening (tripping) the contacts is low. In other words, the tripping device according to the comparative example may not be able to open the contacts even if an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contacts.

[0018] On the other hand, in the circuit breaker 10 of this embodiment, the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B each move the first latch unit 3A or the second latch unit 3B to open the contact unit 2. Therefore, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage, compared to the tripping device of the comparative example, of a higher tripping force generated by the movement of the movable iron pieces (first movable iron piece 12A and second movable iron piece 12B) toward the fixed iron pieces (first fixed iron piece 11A and second fixed iron piece 11B). Note that the "tripping force" referred to in this disclosure is the force with which the first latch unit 3A and second latch unit 3B release the contact unit 2, i.e., the force with which the contact unit 2 is opened.

[0019] (2) Detailed Configuration Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the trip device 1, the circuit breaker 10, and the distribution board 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. FIG.

[0020] (2-1) Distribution Board As shown in Fig. 3, the distribution board 100 according to this embodiment includes a main breaker 91, a plurality of (12 in the illustrated example) branch breakers 92, a cabinet 93, and an outer cover (not shown). In this embodiment, each of the plurality of branch breakers 92 is a circuit breaker 10. The distribution board 100 is installed, for example, in a residence (or a non-residence).

[0021] The cabinet 93 is made of, for example, synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 3 , the cabinet 93 is formed in a box shape with an open front, and is attached to a wall of a house or the like for use. The cabinet 93 houses a main breaker 91 and a plurality of branch breakers 92 (circuit breakers 10). More specifically, the cabinet 93 has a space for housing the main breaker 91 and the plurality of branch breakers 92 (circuit breakers 10). The outer lid is attached to the cabinet 93 in a state where it can move between a position that closes the front of the cabinet 93 and a position that opens it.

[0022] The main breaker 91 has a primary terminal and a secondary terminal. An external power source is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the main breaker 91. In the present disclosure, the "external power source" refers to a power source that supplies power to a load, such as a system power source (commercial power source). The distribution board 100 according to this embodiment assumes a single-phase three-wire system as the power distribution method, and therefore a single-phase three-wire service line of the system power source (commercial power source) is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the main breaker 91. That is, in this embodiment, the main breaker 91 has two voltage poles and one neutral pole. Each circuit breaker 10 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the main breaker 91.

[0023] The circuit breakers 10 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction, above and below the conductive bar of the neutral pole, with multiple units (six units in the illustrated example) on each side. Each circuit breaker 10 has a primary terminal and a secondary terminal.

[0024] The primary terminal of the circuit breaker 10 is electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the master breaker 91. In other words, an external power source is electrically connected to the primary terminal of the circuit breaker 10 via the master breaker 91. One or more loads are electrically connected to the secondary terminal of the circuit breaker 10. In this disclosure, the term "load" includes not only electrical equipment such as lighting fixtures and hot water supply equipment, but also wiring devices such as electrical outlets and wall switches. Details of the circuit breaker 10 will be explained in the section "(2-2) Circuit Breaker."

[0025] (2-2) Circuit Breaker (2-2-1) Overall Configuration As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the circuit breaker 10 comprises a tripping device 1, a contact portion 2, a first latch portion 3A, a second latch portion 3B, a bimetal plate 4, a body 5, a pair of terminal portions 7, a fixed contact plate 81, a braided wire 82, a metal plate 83, and an arc extinguishing device 84.

[0026] The circuit breaker 10 has a function (overcurrent detection function) of detecting an overcurrent such as a short-circuit current or an overload current and interrupting the flow of electricity from an external power source to a load (the flow of electricity in the main circuit) by switching the contact unit 2 from closed to open. The circuit breaker 10 is also configured to be able to switch the contact unit 2 from closed to open and from open to closed in response to manual operation of the operating handle 6. For example, after the contact unit 2 is opened due to detection of an abnormal current, if the user confirms safety, he or she can close the contact unit 2 by operating the operating handle 6.

[0027] The main circuit in this embodiment is an electrical path for supplying power from an external power source to a load, and is an electrical path between a first terminal 7A and a second terminal 7B (described later) of the pair of terminals 7. The main circuit is composed of a fixed contact plate 81, a common latch unit 3, a braided wire 82, a bimetal plate 4, a metal plate 83, etc.

[0028] (2-2-2) Circuit Breaker Body As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit breaker body 5 has a generally flat, approximately rectangular box shape. Hereinafter, the direction along the thickness direction of the circuit breaker body 5 will be referred to as the "left-right direction" of the circuit breaker 10. In the following, the direction in which the pair of terminal portions 7 are lined up, as shown in FIG. 1, will be referred to as the "up-down direction," and the downward direction when viewed from the front of the circuit breaker 10 will be referred to as the "downward direction." In addition, the right side when viewed from the front of the circuit breaker 10 will be referred to as the "right side," and the left side when viewed from the front of the circuit breaker 10 will be referred to as the "leftward direction." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction will be referred to as the "front-rear direction," and the side of the circuit breaker body 5 on which the operating handle 6 is provided will be referred to as the "frontward direction." However, these directions are not intended to limit the direction in which the circuit breaker 10 is used.

[0029] 5, the housing 5 has a first block 5A (right block) and a second block 5B (left block). The first block 5A and the second block 5B are made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material.

[0030] The housing 5 accommodates the tripping device 1, the contact portion 2, the first latch portion 3A, the second latch portion 3B, the bimetal plate 4, the operating handle 6, the pair of terminal portions 7, the fixed contact plate 81, the braided wire 82, the metal plate 83, and the arc extinguishing device 84. As shown in Figures 1 to 2 and 4, the housing 5 supports a part of the operating handle 6 (the lever 61) so that it is exposed to the outside from the front wall 55. As shown in Figure 5, the front wall 55 protrudes forward so that its central portion in the up-down direction is convex, and the lever 61 is exposed to the outside from a window hole 56 in the protruding central portion.

[0031] The first block 5A and the second block 5B are formed in a generally rectangular box shape with open faces facing each other. The housing 5 is formed by joining the first block 5A and the second block 5B together by butting them together.

[0032] (2-2-3) Terminals As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , one of the pair of terminals 7, a first terminal 7A, is housed at the upper end of the housing 5, and the other, a second terminal 7B, is housed at the lower end of the housing 5. In the following description, it is assumed that an electric wire on the external power source (e.g., a commercial AC power source) side is electrically connected to the first terminal 7A, and an electric wire on the load side is electrically connected to the second terminal 7B. That is, it is assumed that the first terminal 7A is the above-mentioned primary side terminal to which the secondary side terminal of the main breaker 91 is electrically connected, and the second terminal 7B is the above-mentioned secondary side terminal to which the load is electrically connected. Note that the first terminal 7A may be electrically connected to an electric wire on the load side, and the second terminal 7B may be electrically connected to an electric wire on the external power source side.

[0033] The first terminal 7A and the second terminal 7B are, for example, so-called pillar terminals (screw-type terminals) that can be connected by screws. As shown in Fig. 1 , the first terminal 7A has a terminal board 71, a terminal fitting 72, and a terminal screw 73. The second terminal 7B has the terminal fitting 72 and the terminal screw 73.

[0034] The terminal plate 71 is made of a conductive metal plate and is formed into a generally L-shaped plate shape. The terminal plate 71 is fixed inside the housing 5.

[0035] The terminal fittings 72 are formed into a rectangular tube shape using a conductive metal plate. The terminal fittings 72 are axially aligned in the vertical direction, with both ends open in the vertical direction. The terminal fittings 72 of the first terminal portion 7A are movable within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction within the housing 5 with a portion of the terminal plate 71 (projection 711) inserted therein. Meanwhile, the terminal fittings 72 of the second terminal portion 7B are movable within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction within the housing 5 with a portion of the fixed contact plate 81 (projection 811) inserted therein. The terminal fittings 72 also have screw holes into which terminal screws 73 are threaded. The housing 5 has insertion openings 51 (two in total) for inserting electric wires at a portion that overlaps the gap between the projection 711 (or projection 811) and the bottom wall of the terminal fittings 72 when viewed from the vertical direction.

[0036] The terminal screws 73 are housed in the housing 5 with their screw tips threaded into the screw holes of the terminal fittings 72. The housing 5 has holes 52 (two in total) in the front wall 55 at portions that overlap the heads of the terminal screws 73 when viewed from the front to back, through which the heads of the terminal screws 73 are exposed without falling out.

[0037] In the first terminal 7A, with the wire on the external power supply side inserted from the socket 51 into the gap between the protrusion 711 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the hole 52 and the terminal screw 73 is tightened, moving the terminal fitting 72 forward and reducing the distance between the protrusion 711 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72. As a result, the wire on the external power supply side that was inserted into the gap can be connected to the terminal 7.

[0038] Similarly, in the second terminal 7B, with the load-side electric wire inserted from the insertion port 51 into the gap between the protrusion 811 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72, the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver is inserted through the hole 52 and the terminal screw 73 is tightened, moving the terminal fitting 72 forward and reducing the distance between the protrusion 811 and the bottom wall of the terminal fitting 72. As a result, the load-side electric wire inserted in the gap can be connected to the terminal 7.

[0039] (2-2-4) Contact Unit The contact unit 2 is configured to open when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power supply to the load via the contact unit 2. More specifically, the contact unit 2 is configured to open in response to the occurrence of an abnormal current (here, as examples, a leakage current, a short-circuit current, or an overload current) in the main circuit, thereby switching the main circuit from a conducting state to a cut-off state. The contact unit 2 is inserted in the electric path between the first terminal unit 7A and the second terminal unit 7B.

[0040] 1 and 2, the contact unit 2 has a fixed contact 2A and a movable contact 2B that comes into contact with or separates from the fixed contact 2A. Fig. 1 shows the contact unit 2 in a closed state, and Fig. 2 shows the contact unit 2 in an open state.

[0041] The fixed contact 2A is provided on a fixed contact plate 81. More specifically, the fixed contact 2A is a recess provided on the fixed contact plate 81. The fixed contact plate 81 is made of a low-resistance material such as iron or copper. The fixed contact plate 81 constitutes a part of the main circuit.

[0042] The movable contact 2B is located at one end of an arm 31 (movable contactor) of the common latch unit 3, which will be described later and is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. The movable contact 2B is integrated as a part of the arm 31. However, the movable contact 2B may be a separate member from the arm 31 and fixed to one end of the arm 31. The arm 31 constitutes a part of the main circuit.

[0043] The arm 31 is rotatable about a shaft 32 provided at the other end thereof between a position where the movable contact 2B contacts the fixed contact 2A and a position where the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A. One end of a braided wire 82 is fixed to the middle portion of the arm 31. The braided wire 82 forms part of the main circuit.

[0044] The other end of the braided wire 82 is fixed to the middle portion of the bimetal plate 4. An end (rear end) of the bimetal plate 4 is fixed to one end of the metal plate 83, and the other end of the metal plate 83 is fixed to the terminal plate 71 of the first terminal portion 7A. The bimetal plate 4 and the metal plate 83 form part of the main circuit.

[0045] When the contact 2 is closed, the power supplied (output) to the first terminal 7A from the external power source passes through the main circuit and is supplied (input) to the load from the second terminal 7B. More specifically, the power output from the external power source to the first terminal 7A passes through the main circuit in the listed order of the metal plate 83, the bimetal plate 4, the braided wire 82, the common latch 3, and the fixed contact plate 81, and is input to the load from the second terminal 7B.

[0046] 1 and 2 , the main circuit (the electrical path between the first terminal 7A and the second terminal 7B) of this embodiment includes a first electrical path L1 between the first terminal 7A and the contact 2, and a second electrical path L2 between the contact 2 and the second terminal 7B. The first electrical path L1 includes the metal plate 83, the bimetal plate 4, the braided wire 82, and the common latch 3, and the second electrical path L2 includes the fixed contact plate 81.

[0047] (2-2-5) Common Latch Section The first latch section 3A is a member that is pushed toward the first non-latching position by the first pushing section 14A, and the second latch section 3B is a member that is pushed toward the second non-latching position by the second pushing section 14B. In this embodiment, the first latch section 3A and the second latch section 3B are a single common latch section 3 that functions as the first latch section 3A and the second latch section 3B. Therefore, the first pushing section 14A and the second pushing section 14B (described later) of the tripping device 1 push the common latch section 3 toward the common non-latching position, which is the first non-latching position and the second non-latching position. With the above configuration, the circuit breaker 10 does not need to have the first latch section 3A and the second latch section 3B as separate components, which has the advantage of simplifying the configuration of the circuit breaker 10. Furthermore, when the first latch portion 3A and the second latch portion 3B are a single common latch portion 3, the force with which each of the first pushing portion 14A and the second pushing portion 14B pushes the common latch portion 3 is not attenuated between the first latch portion 3A and the second latch portion 3B, and acts as a tripping force that opens the contact portion 2. In other words, there is also the advantage that the tripping force of the tripping device 1 can be prevented from decreasing.

[0048] That is, in this embodiment, the "first latch position" and the "second latch position" are a common position, a "common latch position," which is a position where the common latch section 3 closes the contact section 2, as shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, the "first non-latch position" and the "second non-latch position" are a common position, a "common non-latch position," which is a position where the common latch section 3 opens the contact section 2, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0049] The common latch unit 3 is configured to open or close the contact unit 2 in response to an open operation (OFF operation) or a close operation (ON operation). More specifically, the common latch unit 3 is configured to maintain one of two states: a state in which the movable contact 2B is in contact with the fixed contact 2A, and a state in which the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A, in response to an open operation or a close operation. When the common latch unit 3 is in the latched position (see FIG. 1), the common latch unit 3 closes the contact unit 2, i.e., maintains the state in which the movable contact 2B is in contact with the fixed contact 2A. On the other hand, when the common latch unit 3 is in the non-latched position (see FIG. 2), the common latch unit 3 opens the contact unit 2, i.e., maintains the state in which the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A.

[0050] The common latch unit 3 has an operating handle 6, a plurality of latch members 30, and an arm 31. The operating handle 6 is rotatably supported on the body 5 with a lever (operating knob) 61 protruding from a window hole 56 (see FIG. 5 ) provided in a front wall 55 of the body 5 to the outside of the body 5. Each latch member 30 connects the operating handle 6 to the arm 31, and moves the arm 31 in conjunction with the rotation of the operating handle 6. The operating handle 6 is rotatable between an ON position, which closes the contact unit 2, and an OFF position, which opens the contact unit 2.

[0051] In Fig. 1, the contact unit 2 is in a closed state, and the lever 61 of the operating handle 6 is tilted upward. On the other hand, in Fig. 2, the contact unit 2 is in an open state, and the lever 61 of the operating handle 6 is tilted downward.

[0052] (2-2-6) Tripping Device The tripping device 1 is configured to drive the above-mentioned common latch unit 3 to forcibly open the contact unit 2 (i.e., to separate the movable contact 2B from the fixed contact 2A) when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. More specifically, the tripping device 1 is configured to drive the above-mentioned common latch unit 3 to forcibly open the contact unit 2 when an abnormal current is detected in the main circuit.

[0053] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tripping device 1 includes a first tripping unit 1A and a second tripping unit 1B. The first tripping unit 1A moves the common latch unit 3 toward the common unlatching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load. More specifically, the first tripping unit 1A is configured so that the first armature 12A moves toward the first fixed armature 11A when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load exceeds a first threshold. On the other hand, the second tripping unit 1B moves the common latch unit 3 toward the common unlatching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load. More specifically, the second tripping unit 1B is configured so that the second armature 12B moves toward the second fixed armature 11B when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load exceeds a second threshold. In this embodiment, the second threshold value of the second tripping unit 1B is higher than the first threshold value of the first tripping unit 1A. This configuration has the advantage of being able to gradually increase the tripping force of the tripping device 1 and stabilize the operation of the tripping device 1. In other words, it has the advantage of being able to suppress malfunction of the tripping device 1.

[0054] First, the detailed configuration of the first tripping unit 1A will be described with reference to Figures 5, 6A, and 6B. The first tripping unit 1A includes a first fixed iron piece 11A, a first movable iron piece 12A, a first holder 13A, and a first pushing portion 14A. In this embodiment, the first tripping unit 1A is disposed on the second electrical path L2, more specifically, on the fixed contact plate 81.

[0055] The first fixed iron piece 11A is made of a magnetic material and is a generally U-shaped plate member as shown in FIG. 5 . More specifically, the first fixed iron piece 11A has a first portion 111A, a second portion 112A, and a third portion 113A. The first portion 111A is a rectangular plate member whose thickness direction intersects (here, perpendicular to) the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the first portion 111A is accommodated in the housing 5 so that its upper end is located forward of its lower end, as shown in FIG. 6A . In other words, in this embodiment, the thickness direction of the first portion 111A does not align with the front-rear direction but slightly intersects with it. As shown in FIG. 5 , the second portion 112A is a generally rectangular plate member that protrudes forward from the right end of the first portion 111A along the thickness direction of the first portion 111A. Similarly, the third portion 113A is a generally rectangular plate member that protrudes forward from the left end of the first portion 111A along the thickness direction of the first portion 111A. The second portion 112A and the third portion 113A face each other in the left-right direction. Each of the second portion 112A and the third portion 113A has a locking portion 114 that locks onto a rib (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the housing 5.

[0056] 5, the first fixed iron piece 11A is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the fixed contact plate 81 is inserted therein. More specifically, the first fixed iron piece 11A is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the fixed contact plate 81 is inserted between the second portion 112A and the third portion 113A in the left-right direction.

[0057] The first movable iron piece 12A is configured to move toward the first fixed iron piece 11A when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact unit 2. The first movable iron piece 12A is made of a magnetic material and is a long, rectangular plate member. The thickness direction of the first movable iron piece 12A does not follow the front-rear direction but slightly intersects with the front-rear direction. When viewed from the left-right direction, the thickness direction of the first movable iron piece 12A intersects with the thickness direction of the first portion 111A of the first fixed iron piece 11A. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A , before the first movable iron piece 12A moves toward the first fixed iron piece 11A (i.e., when the contact unit 2 is closed), the thickness direction of the first movable iron piece 12A intersects with the front-rear direction more than the thickness direction of the first portion 111A of the first fixed iron piece 11A when viewed from the left-right direction.

[0058] 6A, when viewed from the left and right, with the contact portion 2 in a closed state, the first movable iron piece 12A is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the clearance between the rear surface of the first movable iron piece 12A and the front surface of the second portion 112A of the first fixed iron piece 11A gradually increases from the first end (lower end) to the second end (upper end) of the rear surface of the first movable iron piece 12A. The first movable iron piece 12A is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the fixed contact plate 81 (see FIG. 5) is inserted between the first movable iron piece 12A and the first portion 111A of the first fixed iron piece 11A in the thickness direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than a first threshold, the first fixed iron piece 11A and the first movable iron piece 12A are magnetized, generating an attractive force (magnetic force) that attracts the first fixed iron piece 12A, causing the first fixed iron piece 11A to move toward the first fixed iron piece 11A. More specifically, when the current value of the power flowing through the fixed contact plate 8 becomes higher than the first threshold, the first fixed iron piece 11A and the first movable iron piece 12A are magnetized because they are accommodated around the fixed contact plate 81. As a result, the first movable iron piece 12A moves toward the first fixed iron piece 11A. This configuration has the advantage of simplifying the structure of the tripping device 1, since it is not necessary to provide a configuration for detecting an abnormality in the power supplied from the external power source to the load, or a configuration for causing the first fixed iron piece 11A to attract the first movable iron piece 12A by a method other than magnetic force.

[0060] The first holder 13A is a member to which the first movable iron piece 12A is attached. The first holder 13A moves in conjunction with the first movable iron piece 12A moving toward the first fixed iron piece 11A. That is, the first holder 13A moves integrally with the first movable iron piece 12A moving toward the first fixed iron piece 11A.

[0061] The first holder 13A of this embodiment has a base 130A, an attachment portion 131A, a connection portion 132, and a return spring portion 133. The base 130A of this embodiment is a substantially rectangular plate member. The first armature 12A is held on the rear surface of the base 130A. The attachment portion 131A attaches the base 130A to the inside of the housing 5 so as to be rotatable about a center point P1. The attachment portion 131A is provided at the lower end of the base 130A. The attachment portion 131A of this embodiment is rod-shaped and is attached to a boss portion 58 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B ) provided on the inside of the housing 5. The connection portion 132 is a portion to which the first pushing portion 14A is connected. The connection portion 132 is provided at the upper end of the base 130A. The return spring 133 is formed of, for example, a coil spring and is provided on the upper side of the front surface of the base 130 A. When the first movable iron piece 12A moves toward the first fixed iron piece 11A, the return spring 133 bends and generates an elastic force that moves the first movable iron piece 12A in a direction away from the first fixed iron piece 11A.

[0062] The first movable iron piece 12A is attached to the first holder 13A and is configured to rotate around the center point P1 toward the first fixed iron piece 11A due to the suction force generated when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than a first threshold value.

[0063] The first pushing portion 14A pushes the first latch portion 3A toward the first non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the second electrical circuit L2. In this embodiment, since the common latch portion 3 also serves as the second latch portion 3B, the first pushing portion 14A pushes the common latch portion 3 toward the common non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the second electrical circuit L2. The first pushing portion 14A pushes the common latch portion 3 from the common latching position to the common non-latching position in conjunction with the first movable iron piece 12A moving toward the first fixed iron piece 11A. More specifically, the first pushing portion 14A pushes the first portion 33A (see FIGS. 6A and 6B ) of the common latch portion 3 upward, thereby pushing the common latch portion 3 from the common latching position to the common non-latching position.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A, and 6B, the first pushing portion 14A of this embodiment includes a connecting portion 141, a first portion 142, an attachment portion 143, a second portion 144, and a contact portion 145. The first portion 142 and the second portion 144 are generally rectangular plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the first portion 142 is generally along the front-rear direction, and the thickness direction of the second portion 144 is generally along the front-rear direction. A connecting portion 141 that connects to the connecting portion 132 of the first holder 13A is provided at a first end (lower end) of the first portion 142. As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting portion 132 of the first holder 13A and the connecting portion 141 of the first pushing portion 14A are connected by a rotational joint. The second end (upper end) of the first portion 142 is connected to the first end (front end) of the second portion 144. An attachment portion 143 is provided at the connection between the second end (upper end) of the first portion 142 and the first end (front end) of the second portion 144. The attachment portion 143 attaches the first pushing portion 14A to the inside of the body 5 so that the first pushing portion 14A can rotate around a center point P2. The attachment portion 143 in this embodiment is rod-shaped and is attached to a boss portion 59 ( FIGS. 6A and 6B ) provided on the inside of the body 5. A contact portion 145 is provided at the second end (rear end) of the second portion 144. The contact portion 145 is a portion that comes into contact with the first portion 33A of the common latch portion 3 when the first pushing portion 14A pushes the common latch portion 3. The contact portion 145 in this embodiment is semicircular when viewed from the left and right.

[0065] Next, the detailed configuration of the second tripping unit 1B will be described with reference to Figures 7, 8A, and 8B. The second tripping unit 1B includes a second fixed iron piece 11B, a second movable iron piece 12B, a second holder 13B, and a second pushing portion 14B. In this embodiment, the second tripping unit 1B is disposed on the first electrical circuit L1, more specifically, on the bimetal plate 4. In this embodiment, the first tripping unit 1A is disposed on the second electrical circuit L2, and the second tripping unit 1B is disposed on the first electrical circuit L1, which has the advantage of more accurately detecting an abnormality in the power supplied to the load from the external power source and opening the contact unit 2.

[0066] The second fixed iron piece 11B is made of a magnetic material and is a generally U-shaped plate member as shown in FIG. 7 . More specifically, the second fixed iron piece 11B has a first portion 111B, a second portion 112B, and a third portion 113B. The first portion 111B is a rectangular plate member whose thickness direction is aligned with the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 7 , the second portion 112B is a generally rectangular plate member that protrudes downward from the right end of the first portion 111B along the thickness direction of the first portion 111B. Similarly, the third portion 113B is a generally rectangular plate member that protrudes downward from the left end of the first portion 111B along the thickness direction of the first portion 111B. The second portion 112B and the third portion 113B face each other in the left-right direction.

[0067] 7, the second fixed iron piece 11B is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the bimetal plate 4 is inserted therein. More specifically, the second fixed iron piece 11B is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the bimetal plate 4 is inserted between the second portion 112B and the third portion 113B in the left-right direction.

[0068] The second movable iron piece 12B is configured to move toward the second fixed iron piece 11B when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load via the contact portion 2. The second movable iron piece 12B is a long, rectangular plate member made of a magnetic material. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the thickness direction of the second movable iron piece 12B does not follow the up-down direction but slightly crosses it.

[0069] 8A, the second movable iron piece 12B is accommodated in the housing 5 so that, when viewed from the left and right, the clearance between the upper surface of the second movable iron piece 12B and the lower surface of the second portion 112B of the second fixed iron piece 11B gradually increases from the first end (rear end) to the second end (front end) of the upper surface of the second movable iron piece 12B. In addition, the second movable iron piece 12B is accommodated in the housing 5 so that the bimetal plate 4 (see FIG. 7) is inserted between the second movable iron piece 12B and the first portion 111B of the second fixed iron piece 11B in the thickness direction.

[0070] In this embodiment, when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than a second threshold, the second fixed iron piece 11B and the second movable iron piece 12B are magnetized, generating an attractive force (magnetic force) that attracts the second fixed iron piece 11B, causing the second movable iron piece 12B to move toward the second fixed iron piece 11B. More specifically, when the current value of the power flowing through the bimetal plate 4 becomes higher than the second threshold, the second fixed iron piece 11B and the second movable iron piece 12B are magnetized because they are accommodated around the bimetal plate 4. As a result, the second movable iron piece 12B moves toward the second fixed iron piece 11B. This configuration has the advantage of simplifying the structure of the tripping device 1, since it is not necessary to provide a configuration for detecting an abnormality in the power supplied from the external power source to the load, or a configuration for causing the second fixed iron piece 11B to attract the second movable iron piece 12B by a method other than magnetic force.

[0071] The second holder 13B in this embodiment has a base 130B, an attachment portion 131B, and a return spring portion (not shown). The base 130B in this embodiment is a substantially rectangular plate member. The second movable iron piece 12B is held on the upper surface of the base 130B. The attachment portion 131B attaches the base 130B to the inside of the body 5 so that the base 130B can rotate around a center point P3. The attachment portion 131B is provided at the rear end of the base 130B. The attachment portion 131B in this embodiment is rod-shaped and is attached to a boss portion (not shown) provided on the inside of the body 5. The return spring portion is composed of, for example, a coil spring and is provided above the front surface of the base 130B. The return spring portion bends when the second movable iron piece 12B moves toward the second fixed iron piece 11B, and generates an elastic force that moves the second movable iron piece 12B in a direction away from the second fixed iron piece 11B.

[0072] The second movable iron piece 12B is attached to the second holder 13B, and is configured to rotate around the center point P3 toward the second fixed iron piece 11B due to the suction force generated when the current value of the power supplied from the external power source to the load becomes higher than the second threshold value.

[0073] The second pushing portion 14B pushes the second latch portion 3B toward the second non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the first electrical circuit L1. In this embodiment, since the common latch portion 3 also serves as the second latch portion 3B, the second pushing portion 14B pushes the common latch portion 3 toward the common non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the first electrical circuit L1. The second pushing portion 14B pushes the common latch portion 3 from the common latching position to the common non-latching position in conjunction with the second movable iron piece 12B moving toward the second fixed iron piece 11B. More specifically, the second pushing portion 14B pushes the second portion 33B (see FIGS. 8A and 8B ) of the common latch portion 3 upward, thereby pushing the common latch portion 3 from the common latching position to the common non-latching position. The second portion 33B pushed by the second pushing portion 14B is a portion different from the first portion 33A pushed by the first pushing portion 14A. This configuration has the advantage that there is no need to place the first pushing portion 14A and the second pushing portion 14B close to each other inside the body 5, and there is greater freedom in placing the first pushing portion 14A and the second pushing portion 14B inside the body 5.

[0074] In the second tripping unit 1B of this embodiment, the second armature 12B also serves as the second pushing unit 14B. When the second armature 12B rotates around the center point P3 toward the second fixed armature 11B, the upper surface of the second armature 12B pushes upward the second portion 33B (see FIGS. 8A and 8B ) of the common latch unit 3.

[0075] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B are arranged so that the first longitudinal direction D1 and the second longitudinal direction D2 intersect when viewed from a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction D1 of the first armature 12A and the second longitudinal direction D2 of the second armature 12B. In other words, the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B are arranged so that the first longitudinal direction D1 and the second longitudinal direction D2 are not parallel when viewed from a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction D1 of the first armature 12A and the second longitudinal direction D2 of the second armature 12B. This configuration has the advantage of allowing the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B to be efficiently arranged. That is, it has the advantage of allowing the tripping device 1 to be made smaller.

[0076] (2-2-7) Bimetal Plate The bimetal plate 4 may be a directly heated type that bends by self-heating, or an indirectly heated type that bends by heating with a heater. One end of the bimetal plate 4 is configured to cooperate with a part of the latch member 30 when the bimetal plate 4 bends. One end of the metal plate 83 is fixed to the other end of the bimetal plate 4. The other end of the metal plate 83 is fixed to the terminal plate 71 of the first terminal portion 7A.

[0077] When an overcurrent flows due to an overload, for example, the temperature of the bimetal plate 4 rises, and one end of the bimetal plate 4 deforms, bending upward. When the end of the bimetal plate 4 deforms, the bimetal plate 4 comes into contact with the contact portion 34 of the latch member 30 (see FIG. 7 ). The pressing force of the bimetal plate 4 is transmitted to the arm 31 via the latch member 30, driving the arm 31 to separate the movable contact 2B from the fixed contact 2A. In other words, the contact portion 2 is opened. When the overcurrent due to the overload stops, the temperature of the bimetal plate 4 drops and the bimetal plate 4 returns to its original shape.

[0078] (2-2-8) Arc Extinguishing Device The arc extinguishing device 84 is configured to quickly extinguish an arc that occurs when the contact portion 2 is opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the arc extinguishing device 84 has an arc running plate 841 and an arc extinguishing grid 842.

[0079] The arc travel plate 841 is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal plate, and one end thereof is connected to one end (rear end) of the bimetal plate 4. The arc travel plate 841 extends along the bottom wall 57 of the housing 5. The arc extinguishing grid 842 has a plurality of arc extinguishing plates and a support portion. The plurality of arc extinguishing plates are formed from a conductive material and are arranged in parallel at intervals in the front-to-rear direction. The support portion is formed from an electrically insulating material and supports the plurality of arc extinguishing plates.

[0080] The arc extinguishing device 84 extends and divides the arc that is generated when the movable contact 2B is separated from the fixed contact 2A, thereby extinguishing the arc.

[0081] (3) Advantages In this embodiment, the tripping device 1 is provided with a first tripping unit 1A and a second tripping unit 1B that move the common latch unit 3 toward the common non-latch position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from the external power source to the load, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0082] According to the above configuration, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of having a higher tripping force than the tripping device according to the comparative example which is provided with only one tripping section.

[0083] The advantages of the tripping device 1 of this embodiment will be described more specifically below with reference to Fig. 9 . Graph G1 in Fig. 9 shows the change in tripping force due to the current flowing in the main circuit in the tripping device 1 of this embodiment. Also, dashed line L1 in Fig. 9 shows the change in tripping force due to the current flowing in the main circuit when the tripping device of the comparative example is equipped with only the first tripping unit 1A, and dashed line L2 shows the change in tripping force due to the current flowing in the main circuit when the tripping device of the comparative example is equipped with only the second tripping unit 1B. Note that "current IA" in Fig. 9 indicates the current that moves the first armature 12A toward the first fixed armature 11A in the first tripping unit 1A (i.e., the current whose value is the first threshold value described above). 9 indicates a current that moves the second movable iron 12B toward the second fixed iron 11B in the second tripping unit 1B (i.e., a current whose current value is the second threshold value described above). In this embodiment, the current value of the current IB (second threshold value) is higher than the current value of the current IA (first threshold value).

[0084] 9 , the tripping force (graph G1) of the tripping device 1 of this embodiment is the sum of the tripping force (dashed line L1) of the tripping device including only the first tripping unit 1A and the tripping force (chain line L2) of the tripping device including only the second tripping unit 1B. That is, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of having a higher tripping force than a tripping device including either the first tripping unit 1A or the second tripping unit 1B. More specifically, the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of having a higher tripping force than a tripping device including either the first tripping unit 1A or the second tripping unit 1B when the current value of the current flowing through the main circuit is higher than both the current value of current IA (first threshold) and the current value of current IB (second threshold) (i.e., in this embodiment, when the current value of the current flowing through the main circuit is higher than the current value of current IB). In short, the tripping force of the tripping device 1 of this embodiment has the advantage that it is higher on the high current side compared to the tripping force of a tripping device equipped with either the first tripping unit 1A or the second tripping unit 1B.

[0085] (4) Modifications The above-described embodiment is merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. The following modifications may be realized in appropriate combination. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the tripping device 1 includes a first tripping unit 1A and a second tripping unit 1B. That is, the tripping device 1 includes two tripping units. However, the tripping device 1 may include three or more tripping units. The greater the number of tripping units included in the tripping device 1, the greater the tripping force of the tripping device 1.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the first tripping unit 1A is arranged on the second electrical circuit L2, and the second tripping unit 1B is arranged on the first electrical circuit L1. However, the first tripping unit 1A may be arranged on the first electrical circuit L1, and the second tripping unit 1B may be arranged on the second electrical circuit L2. Furthermore, both the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B may be arranged on the first electrical circuit L1 or the second electrical circuit L2.

[0088] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the second threshold value of the second tripping unit 1B is higher than the first threshold value of the first tripping unit 1A, but it may be lower than the first threshold value of the first tripping unit 1A or may be the same as the first threshold value of the first tripping unit 1A.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B are arranged so that the first longitudinal direction D1 and the second longitudinal direction D2 intersect when viewed from a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction D1 of the first movable iron piece 12A and the second longitudinal direction D2 of the second movable iron piece 12B. However, the first tripping unit 1A and the second tripping unit 1B may also be arranged so that the first longitudinal direction D1 and the second longitudinal direction D2 are parallel when viewed from a direction (left-right direction) perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction D1 of the first movable iron piece 12A and the second longitudinal direction D2 of the second movable iron piece 12B.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the first latch unit 3A and the second latch unit 3B are a single common latch unit 3 that functions as the first latch unit 3A and the second latch unit 3B. However, the first latch unit 3A and the second latch unit 3B may be separate units.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the second portion 33B of the common latch unit 3 that is pushed in by the second pushing portion 14B is a portion different from the first portion 33A that is pushed in by the first pushing portion 14A, but it may be the same portion as the first portion 33A. In other words, the first pushing portion 14A and the second pushing portion 14B may push in the same portion of the common latch unit 3.

[0092] In the above embodiment, both of the two terminals 7 are screw terminals, but this is not particularly limited. At least one of the two terminals 7 may be a terminal with a so-called quick-connect structure that can be connected without using screws.

[0093] (Summary) A first aspect of the tripping device (1) is a tripping device that, when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied from an external power source to a load via the contact unit (2), opens the contact unit (2) by moving a first latch unit (3A) from a first latched position toward a first non-latching position and moving a second latch unit (3B) from the second latched position toward a second non-latching position. The tripping device (1) comprises a first tripping unit (1A) and a second tripping unit (1B). The first tripping unit (1A) moves the first latch unit (3A) toward the first non-latching position. The second tripping unit (1B) is separate from the first tripping unit (1A) and moves the second latch unit (3B) toward the second non-latching position. The first tripping unit (1A) has a first fixed iron piece (11A), a first movable iron piece (12A), and a first pushing portion (14A). The first movable iron piece (12A) is configured to move toward the first fixed iron piece (11A) when an abnormality occurs. The first pushing portion (14A) moves in conjunction with the first movable iron piece (12A) moving toward the first fixed iron piece (11A) to push the first latching unit (3A) toward the first unlatched position. The second tripping unit (1B) has a second fixed iron piece (11B), a second movable iron piece (12B), and a second pushing portion (14B). The second movable iron piece (12B) is configured to move toward the second fixed iron piece (11B) when an abnormality occurs. The second pushing portion (14B) moves in conjunction with the second movable iron piece (12B) moving toward the second fixed iron piece (11B) to push the second latch portion (3B) toward the second non-latching position.

[0094] This embodiment has the advantage that a strong pulling force is generated when the movable iron piece moves toward the fixed iron piece.

[0095] In the tripping device (1) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the first tripping unit (1A) is configured so that the first armature (12A) moves toward the first fixed armature (11A) when the current value of the power becomes higher than a first threshold. The second tripping unit (1B) is configured so that the second armature (12B) moves toward the second fixed armature (11B) when the current value of the power becomes higher than a second threshold. The second threshold is higher than the first threshold.

[0096] This embodiment has the advantage that malfunction of the tripping device (1) can be suppressed.

[0097] In the tripping device (1) of the third aspect, the first latch portion (3A) and the second latch portion (3B) of the first or second aspect are a single common latch portion (3) that functions as the first latch portion (3A) and the second latch portion (3B). The first pushing portion (14A) and the second pushing portion (14B) push the common latch portion (3) toward a common non-latching position, which is the first non-latching position and the second non-latching position.

[0098] This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to prevent the tripping force of the tripping device (1) from decreasing.

[0099] The tripping device (1) of the fourth aspect is the third aspect, in which the first pushing portion (14A) pushes in the first portion (33A) of the common latch portion (3), and the second pushing portion (14B) pushes in the second portion (33B) of the common latch portion (3), which is different from the first portion (33A).

[0100] This aspect has the advantage of increasing the degree of freedom in arranging the first pushing portion (14A) and the second pushing portion (14B).

[0101] A fifth aspect of the tripping device (1) is any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the first movable iron piece (12A) and the second movable iron piece (12B) are each a long plate member. The first tripping section (1A) and the second tripping section (1B) are arranged such that the first longitudinal direction (D1) and the second longitudinal direction (D2) of the second movable iron piece (12B) intersect when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction (D1) of the first movable iron piece (12A) and the second longitudinal direction (D2) of the second movable iron piece (12B).

[0102] This embodiment has the advantage that the tripping device (1) can be made smaller.

[0103] A circuit breaker (10) of a sixth aspect includes the tripping device (1) of any one of the first to fifth aspects, a first terminal portion (7A), a second terminal portion (7B), a contact portion (2), a first latch portion (3A), and a second latch portion (3B). The first terminal portion (7A) is electrically connected to an external power source. The second terminal portion (7B) is electrically connected to a load. The contact portion (2) is inserted into an electrical path between the first terminal portion (7A) and the second terminal portion (7B). The first latch portion (3A) is pushed toward a first non-latching position by a first pushing portion (14A). The second latch portion (3B) is pushed toward a second non-latching position by a second pushing portion (14B).

[0104] This embodiment has the advantage of being able to provide a circuit breaker that generates a strong tripping force when the movable iron piece moves toward the fixed iron piece.

[0105] The circuit breaker (10) of the seventh aspect is the sixth aspect, in which the first tripping unit (1A) is arranged in the second electrical path (L2) between the contact unit (2) and the second terminal unit (7B). The second tripping unit (1B) is arranged in the first electrical path (L1) between the first terminal unit (7A) and the contact unit (2).

[0106] This embodiment has the advantage that an abnormality in the power supplied from the external power source to the load can be detected more accurately and the contact portion (2) can be opened.

[0107] The circuit breaker (10) of the eighth aspect is the seventh aspect, wherein the first pushing portion (14A) pushes the first latch portion (3A) toward the first non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the second electrical circuit (L2), and the second pushing portion (14B) pushes the second latch portion (3B) toward the second non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the first electrical circuit (L1).

[0108] This embodiment has the advantage that the tripping force generated by the movement of the movable iron piece toward the fixed iron piece can be increased.

[0109] A distribution board (100) of a ninth aspect includes the circuit breaker (10) according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects and a cabinet (93) that houses the circuit breaker (10).

[0110] This embodiment has the advantage of being able to provide a distribution board that generates a strong pull-out force when the movable iron piece moves toward the fixed iron piece.

[0111] 100 Distribution board 10 Circuit breaker 1 Tripping device 1A First tripping part 11A First fixed iron piece 12A First movable iron piece 14A First pushing part 1B Second tripping part 11B Second fixed iron piece 12B Second movable iron piece 14B Second pushing part 2 Contact part 3 Common latch part 3A First latch part 3B Second latch part 33A First part 33B Second part 7A First terminal part 7B Second terminal part 93 Cabinet D1 First longitudinal direction D2 Second longitudinal direction L1 First electric circuit L2 Second electric circuit

Claims

1. A tripping device which, when an abnormality occurs in power supplied from an external power source to a load via a contact section, moves a first latch section from a first latch position toward a first non-latch position and moves a second latch section from the second latch position toward a second non-latch position, thereby opening the contact section, comprising: a first tripping section which moves the first latch section toward the first non-latch position; and a second tripping section which is separate from the first tripping section and moves the second latch section toward the second non-latch position, wherein the first tripping section has: a first fixed iron piece; a first movable iron piece configured to move toward the first fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs; and a first pushing section which operates in conjunction with the first movable iron piece moving toward the first fixed iron piece and pushes the first latch section toward the first non-latch position, and wherein the second tripping section has: a second fixed iron piece; and a second movable iron piece configured to move toward the second fixed iron piece when the abnormality occurs. a second pushing portion that moves in conjunction with the second movable iron piece moving toward the second fixed iron piece to push the second latch portion toward the second unlatched position.

2. The tripping device described in claim 1, wherein the first tripping unit is configured so that the first movable iron piece moves toward the first fixed iron piece when the current value of the power becomes higher than a first threshold value, and the second tripping unit is configured so that the second movable iron piece moves toward the second fixed iron piece when the current value of the power becomes higher than a second threshold value, and the second threshold value is higher than the first threshold value.

3. A tripping device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first latch portion and the second latch portion are a single common latch portion that functions as the first latch portion and the second latch portion, and the first pushing portion and the second pushing portion push the common latch portion toward a common unlatched position which is the first unlatched position and the second unlatched position.

4. The tripping device according to claim 3, wherein the first pushing portion pushes in a first portion of the common latch portion, and the second pushing portion pushes in a second portion of the common latch portion different from the first portion.

5. A tripping device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the first movable iron piece and the second movable iron piece is a long plate member, and the first tripping part and the second tripping part are arranged so that the first longitudinal direction and the second longitudinal direction intersect when viewed from a direction perpendicular to both the first longitudinal direction of the first movable iron piece and the second longitudinal direction of the second movable iron piece.

6. A circuit breaker comprising: a tripping device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5; a first terminal portion electrically connected to the external power source; a second terminal portion electrically connected to the load; the contact portion inserted in an electric path between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion; the first latch portion pushed towards the first non-latching position by the first pushing portion; and the second latch portion pushed towards the second non-latching position by the second pushing portion.

7. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first tripping portion is disposed in a second electrical path between the contact portion and the second terminal portion, and the second tripping portion is disposed in the first electrical path between the first terminal portion and the contact portion.

8. A circuit breaker as described in claim 7, wherein the first pushing portion pushes the first latch portion toward the first non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the first electrical circuit, and the second pushing portion pushes the second latch portion toward the second non-latching position when an abnormality occurs in the power supplied to the second electrical circuit.

9. A distribution board comprising: a circuit breaker according to any one of claims 6 to 8; and a cabinet that houses the circuit breaker.

Images